[schalliol]

I'm wondering about creating an "active roaming" (AR) wireless network to enhance the range of my TiBook (as below), PowerBook G3 with Lucent card and potentially other wireless devices. This process was at least supported with Apple products with the 802.11b equipment to allow you to roam between stations and create a larger wireless network.

That said, I have questions about doing this. If anyone has made an AR connection, please post some sort of feedback:

1. I don't think that this an Apple thing only, but is it an 802.11b standard?
- Will it work on both my standard AirPort card in my Ti and my Lucent card in my PBG3?
- Will it work on any 802.11b WAP?
- Will it work in compatibility mode on an AirPort Extreme WAP? If no, what about 802.11b only mode?

If anyone has a config similar to any of these, any info would be appreciated

[ghporter]

It's a standard part of 802.11b. Whereas a basic network has a Basic Service Set (identified by an SSID-called a network name by Apple), your roaming network will have an Extended Service Set with a name associated with it. You'll have multiple access points on different channels with the same network name.

This sort of configuration should work with any 802.11b client, and should work with any 802.11g client in 802.11b mode. Unfortunately, not every access point supports roaming. Linksys' WAP11, for example does, but check the documentation very carefully before buying any access point.

[schalliol]

So, there's no confirmation that these new Apple WAPs support it, but it is likely. Perhaps then I should just consider getting a standard WAP, instead of an AirPort station. I think that 802.11b would be just fine for me, if I have a good signal. Does everyone else call this active roaming too? Do you know anyone who has done this?

[schalliol]

Well, to answer my own question then. I went out to Fry's and bought a Linksys wireless access point router (BEFW11S4 ver. 2) for $69 after instant and mail-in rebates.

I hooked up this station to my wired network (you need to get the one without the router for bridging capability, but I thought it would be a good backup in case my MaxGate router failed) using the same SSID and channel as my other wireless access point. After playing around, I now have vastly increased my range and can roam between the two satations. I was excited that I was able to pull this off, I thought it might be tough, but it was actually fairly easy.