In addition to performance tests, we conducted our standard range testing on the first floor of the Center for Science and Technology at Syracuse University. In order to allow for appropriate product-to-product comparisons, all range tests were conducted using Cisco 350 APs installed in a typical ceiling-level location. Although the Cisco 7920 had the best range, all of the products were roughly comparable, except for the Symbol NetVision, which had a much more limited range. See "WLAN Range Map," for a graphical depiction of our range tests.
Finally, to evaluate the effects of Layer 2 roaming, we set up two Cisco 350 APs on nonoverlapping channels with identical SSIDs, both configured at 1 mW (0 dBm) power output. Because the low power output created very small cells, we were able to assess the point at which each device roamed and the effect of roaming on call quality. --Sean Ginevan
The increasing popularity of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) has predictably stimulated the release of SIP-compatible soft phones, both for Windows and PDA platforms. Many of these soft phones are being touted as compatible with wireless LANs, so we decided to do a quick assessment of several of them.
SoftJoy Labs' SJphone is available on both Pocket PC and Windows platforms. Installation was very easy and followed the standard Microsoft ActiveSync procedure. We found the interface clunky compared with SymPhone, but essential features are all there. SJphone offers support for H.323 and SIP; we tested using SIP with an internal SIP server. Overall performance was adequate at best, with significant delay. Headphones are a must.
Xten's X-Pro (bottom left), a Pocket PC SIP soft phone, sports an extremely slick user interface that replicates an LCD display. We found the long startup time to be a significant annoyance, made worse by the fact that it is easy to exit the program accidentally. There are convenient microphone and speaker volume controls on the main screen, as well as mute, transfer and conference buttons. X-Pro supports multiple SIP proxies and has a full array of SIP options and tweaks. Xten also offers Windows and Mac OS versions of its software.
Although VLI's Gphone software seems to be targeted at personal users, the company also offers solutions for enterprise customers that use Pocket PC, PalmOS and Windows platforms. We looked at the Pocket PC version (Palm version, above). The heart of the Gphone system is the Gphone Buddy Service, a subscription-based Internet directory service. An enterprise version of the Gphone Buddy Server can be deployed inside the firewall. We found the Gphone interface relatively easy to use. Voice quality wasn't stellar, but we liked the product's ability to support text chats and file transfers during a phone call. We also were able to use other applications during a call without significant performance degradation.
One can hardly mention VoIP without saying something about QoS (Quality of Service). For several years, VoIP developers have wrestled with the challenge of delivering high-quality telephony services over packet-switched networks, adopting an array of strategies to prioritize traffic. The requirements for wireless VoIP are similar, but the implementation challenges are even greater. The IEEE's 802.11e working group has been developing QoS enhancements to the 802.11 MAC since late 2000, and 2004 may be the year these specs find their way into the market.
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