This is the first in a series of articles about SIP/VoIP over WiFi.
Before we even start digging into protocols, let’s take a look at the WiFi spectrum and see whether we should expect any issues or problems before starting.
There are a few tools available for spectrum analysis – I use Chanalyzer Lite from MetaGeek. Chanalyzer Lite is free – and well worth the money. I bought one of MetaGeek’s Wi*Spy devices a while ago. If you need to work with WiFi, a spectrum analyzer is essential. It’s cool to plug into a laptop and perform site surveys for friends and family – tell them the best channel for their home routers. That’s usually good for at least one free dinner.
Here’s what a quick survey of my environment looks like:
The top window (Waterfall View) shows the highest saturation in channel 1, with declining signal saturation in channels 6 and 11. I’m not sure what the spike is between channels 10 and 11 – but there’s something there.
The second window (Density View) shows is there’s a high signal density centered on channel 6 – and that mysterious spike between 10 and 11.
The third window (Network Strength Over Time) shows signal strength for two of my local access points: horcrux and linksys-g.
Overall, looking at what Chanalyzer is showing us, we shouldn’t expect spectrum-related issues using horcrux for VoIP. Good signal strength, with relatively little noise or congestion.
[Now I'm curious about that spike near channel 11. I'll check that out later.]
Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:16
It would have been really easy to keep me a happy customer, NCH Software. Instead, you now have a dissatisfied ex-customer who doesn’t mind holding you up as the poster child for lousy customer service. Your audio editing software, WavePad, is great. I bought a license to use it, remember?
What I didn’t do is back [...]
Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:16
The latest issue of LUXETIGERS is online at last – including my article about the 28th Annual All Black Truffle Menu at La Toque in Napa.
It’s a lot easier to describe food with “mmmmmm” than it is to write about it – especially food this incredible.
Check it out in the foodie section at http://www.luxetigers.com
Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:16
Google Buzz may have some value, but I sure can’t see it. If it’s trying to be a “social media” feature it’s failed miserably. At best, Buzz is an annoyance.
So how do you shut the darn thing off?
The simplest solution is the most obvious: scroll down to the bottom of GMail and click turn off [...]
Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:16
I was going to write a quick getting started article for using Selenium, but the documentation at Selenium HQ is really good, complete with screen shots.
Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:16
If you’re new to using Selenium – or if you’re interested to see what it’s all about – head over to Selenium Headquarters. You can also take a look at what’s in the works – especially exciting is WebDriver, which is being incorporated into Selenium 2.0
Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:16
Trying this again. My last attempt at installing and configuring WordPress resulted in my site being hacked and hijacked by self-described Turkish Muslims within 12 hours.
If this fails, I’ll go back to a hand-crafted site. It may lack some of the bells and whistles, but at least it’s secure.
