--- On Wed, 1/21/09, uscurtin <jcurtin@...> wrote:
The setup:
So my boss has recently decided that a wireless router
should be put
in place into every rack we install from now on (or build,
if multiple
racks exist in a single build) so that a tech can hook up
to the rack
wirelessly whenever they need to service the rack. This
mandate
extends for all racks, regardless of whether or not
wireless products
exist in the build (since the router is primarily for
service).
I have more than several reservations against this notion,
but rather
than share them immediately, I was wondering what the rest
of you
thought of this concept. I'm interested in all sides
of the argument,
so please post whatever thoughts you have on this idea.
-Justin
Personally I don't like wireless. Most are not secure (and I am not just talking about WEP/WPA. A friend just purchased a Wireless AP and installed it. The router was a NetGear wpn842 I think. It worked great after I installed it. When I install equipment I always check for updated firmware. It is a good thing to as router would lose its settings after a power failure without this update. Two weeks later his house lost power and all of the settings were erased. That router was returned and another purchased from a different vendor. But this illustrates APs have to be maintained whereas popular belief is set it up and forgot about it.
For installs I do for business I usually spec Cisco as people know Cisco. But having extra functions just because is not a good thing. Even if the AP is strictly for Crestron and not connected to the home or internet it is a way in. If someone were to hack into the network via a AP that the customer didn't spec or know about who knows what trouble the hacker could get into. You might be responsible for any damage that occurred. Say the hacker figures out how to open and close the curtains. Depending on the motor he could overheat it (open/close repeatedly, or figure out how to jam up the motor) and cause a fire. Even if in the equipment specs you say you are installing a AP and the customer signs off you might be responsible as the customer really doesn't know what he is signing for and the AP has no legitimate function.
Of course always check with a lawyer.
Jason
