Cyber cafe design

[preet]

Hi. I have a little knowledge in network but i have never set up a LAN using wireless technology. Recently my friend asked me whether i can connect 20 computers using the wireless technology. He is providing me with a switch. Frankly speaking i have no idea how to design this LAN. Any help would be really appreciated.
thanks.

[Paul Komski]

He is providing me with a switch
Switch or Router? And for a cyber cafe I guess you will be accessing the internet.


The following is a USR white paper but should have some answers.

To network more than 20 computers, include multiple U.S. Robotics 22 Mbps Wireless Access Points or 22 Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Routers. These two products increase the effective range of a wireless network from 1000 feet to 1500 feet in any direction – even outside or on different levels of a building.
In the last section of:
http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:rAzPkqbbTR8J:www.usr.com/download/whitepapers/wireless-wp.pdf+maximum+number+of+computers+WLAN+routers&hl=en&gl=ie&ct=clnk&cd=7

The full pdf version is 4MB from:
http://www.usr.com/download/whitepapers/wireless-wp.pdf

[preet]

Oh, i made a mistake its not a cyber cafe but its just a connection of computers. no intenet connection for the time being. i only want to know where should i start from
thanks dude.

[Erik]

20 PCs connnecting to a wireless LAN is a lot for a typical consumer based solution. You will need something more substantial, SoHo based stuff or even better really. You should also consider how it will be growing in the future, more PCs? internet connection? Also what about security? Who will be using the computers? Trusted people? strangers who you want to give limited access? Also why construct a wireless LAN without internet access? What is the goal, file sharing? LAN gaming? All of that stuff matters to decide how to design it, what is needed, and what security measres need to be taken.

[Variable]

If you are creating a LAN with more than 10 computers that will be used at one time you will need a server OS, without it you are limited to 10 connections at one time to any given non-server OS i.e. XP. One "server" running a MS server OS for file based network access.

You will need a wireless AP/router. Buy a descent one from Best Buy, Linksys are good. Read the manual. Each computer would need a wireless NIC. Buy the same brand of wireless NIC recommended in the Wireless AP/Router manual that you buy.

Install the wireless router, setup the SSID, channel and encryption key. Read the manual.

Open the wireless NIC package. Read the manual. Install the NIC and configure it to use the same SSID, Channel and encryption key you set up in the wireless router.

Connect to the wireless router and get a DHCP based IP address. Go to the next machine;rinse and repeat.

Configure the server to accept connections. You have many options here. Please read the post about setting up a network. There is a link and information about doign this; it is called "Setting up a server"

[preet]

Ok guys i will be trying to apply your suggestions. Thanks by the way.