Welcome message
List of delegates
Sponsors
Wireless network
Photographs
Conference team
Final programme
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Session 5
Session 6
Session 7
Session 8
Session 9
Session 10
WIPS session
Poster session
Wireless network
Overview
Through the kind support of Lucent Technologies we were able to offer delegates to the conference wireless access to the conference Intranet and, via an ISDN link, to the Internet.
We issued a total of 21 cards to delegates and these users made extensive use of the system throughout the 3 days of the conference. We received signifcant positive feedback and a number of users expressed an interest in deploying their own WaveLAN network.
Technical Details
We deployed the system within the context of establishing computing support for the conference. The hotel had no computing facilities and no link to the Internet. Our first step was to install an ISDN-2 line providing a 128 K/bits connection back to the Lancaster University network.
On the day before the conference we established a computer room containing 20 machines for delegates use, a Linux web server for local intranet access, a Linux box acting as a DHCP server and the ISDN modem configured to act as a bridge to the campus backbone. In addition to these machines we also networked 10 further machines for use by conference personnel and as electronic noticeboards.
We used two WavePoint II base stations each fitted with an 802.11 compliant card (see the WaveLAN web site for information on these products). These base stations were interconnected using ethernet over category 5 UTP cable, and were also connected back to the ISDN-2 network. The first of these base stations was situated at the far end of the gallery at waist height and provided coverage throughout the conference area. Furthermore, this station provided coverage in the hotel grounds and even to the lake shore, a distance of approximately 100m. This allowed delgates to sit at tables by the lake and continue to access conference information.
The second WavePoint was situated at the far end of the gallery and was used to provide coverage for other areas of the hotel including the dining areas and coffee lounges.
WaveLAN Technologies' WaveMonitor software was used to check coverage areas, and to aid in positioning WavePoint antennas.
We found we needed to offer people very little assistance with installing the cards. In most cases all that was needed was to supply the users with a PCMCIA WaveLAN card and a floppy disk containing the device driver. We asked them to configure their systems to run using DHCP thus obviating the need to run Mobile IP or having to statically allocate IP addresses to delegates.
On a practical note, delegates were asked to leave their credit card details as a 'deposit' for the cards and signed that they would pay a replacement cost in the event of them failing to return the card. In the event all of the cards were returned in mint condition.
Experiences
Our experiences with using WaveLAN to create an ad-hoc network have been extremly positive. Of particular note is the relative ease with which most users were able to get 'up and running'. The reduced form factor of the 802.11 cards also contributed significantly to their acceptance - many users had only seen earlier versions of the WaveLAN cards which are larger and have an external aerial module.
In conclusion we would have no hesitation in recommending this approach to providing ad-hoc network connectivity at conferences.
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If you require more information on WaveLAN please visit the WaveLAN web site.
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