--- Forwarded Message from "Ross, Andrew" <[log in to unmask]> ---
>From: "Ross, Andrew" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: "'Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum'" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: RE: #5596 Wireless Lab
>Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 09:07:34 -0400
------------------
Hi, Ray:
We've been doing some experimenting with a wireless setup here at Richmond.
We're using the Apple AirPort (with 1.1 software), and for the moment, are
running just a couple of laptops from it - mostly for classroom presentation
purposes (PowerPoint, Web, etc.).
I wouldn't recommend wireless as a solution for an entire lab - it's great
for occasional or low-bandwidth uses such as file sharing or browsing, but
it really doesn't support lots of clients for streaming video or audio.
Think of it this way - you have an 11Mb/s pipe with one client on it. You
put another client machine on the same network - they're sharing that
bandwidth. All wireless solutions of which I'm aware will drop the
throughput progressively to 5.5Mb/s, 2Mb/s, to 1Mb/s, etc., depending on the
number of clients using that pipe. It's still better with a relatively small
number of clients on it than a 56K modem, but with 30 clients? We found
substantial degradation of streaming video and audio with just two machines
trying to run the same movie trailer at the same time.
Even the folks at Lucent Technologies aren't suggesting that people go
completely wireless - they're touting this type of network as a supplement
to, not a replacement for, an Ethernet setup.
Please let me know if we can provide more information - our Psychology
department has put together a wireless classroom using iBooks and AirPorts.
It seems to be pretty robust so far, but there are some issues of which you
should be aware.
a.
Andrew F. Ross, Ph.D
Director, Multimedia Language Lab
G15 Puryear Hall
University of Richmond, VA 23173
Tel: (804) 287-6838
[log in to unmask]
"Worrying about a large institution, especially when it has computers, is
like worrying about a large gorilla, especially when it's on fire." --
Bruce Sterling
-----Original Message-----
From: LLTI-Editor [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2000 8:31 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: #5596 Wireless Lab
--- Forwarded Message from Ray Clough <[log in to unmask]>
---
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 09:28:28 -0400
>To: Language Learning and Technology International
Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
>From: Ray Clough <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Wireless Lab
------------------
We are planning a replacement for our language lab and have
decided to go
digital. One possibility we have been discussing is a
wireless iMac lab.
We would distribute media via Quicktime streaming (both
audio and video) to
30 laptops. The students would also use the web to view
audio and video
feeds from around the world. It sounds feasible enough but
we are a bit
wary since we have no experience with digital wireless. We
would love to
visit or correspond with anyone on this list who has such an
installation
or is in the advanced stages of planning one. Please feel
free to respond
off list.
Thanks
Ray Clough
Associate Professor of Modern Languages and
Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence
Canisius College
Buffalo, New York 14208-1098
Tel. 716.888,2839
Email: [log in to unmask]
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