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[Karlnet] KN-250 and License Questions

To: "Karlnet Mailing List" <karlnet@WISPNotes.com>
Subject: [Karlnet] KN-250 and License Questions
From: "Brad Gass" <bradlists@mnns.com>
Reply-to: bradlists@mnns.com,Karlnet Mailing List <karlnet@WISPNotes.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2004 09:37:23 -0500 (CDT)
List-post: <mailto:karlnet@WISPNotes.com>
Reg, KN Support and All,

My question is basically this - are KN-250 software licenses exclusively
for 802.11a/b/g use, or is a "lesser" license available that only supports
802.11b radio use (regardless of radio capability).

The reason I ask is that if I deploy some new TurboCell bases, I would
rather invest in current technology (eg. KN-250's and Mini-PCI radios) and
license it for what I need now and have the ability to upgrade to
additional capability, than invest in something older (eg. KN-205's and
PCMCIA radios).

If this is possible, what licenses should I be pricing?

If this isn't possible (buying a stripped-down license for 802.11b use
only), IMO it really *should be*.  This would allow current "b-only" users
to migrate to a current hardware platform as they expand or old hardware
replaced, and do so without a huge price penalty.

I know I for one am not only curious, but cautious about using Karlnet
right now (a lot of bad Karma seems to exist that didn't prior to the
acquisition), and the unit pricing for the KN-250 outdoor unit with
Atheros radios and 802.11a/b/g is simply too expensive to consider right
now.  I'm happy with the performance of 802.11b TC, but also don't want to
be saddled with a ton of "new" hardware that is basically outdated and
useless should 802.11a/g TC become more attractive price-wise.

Further, I've said this before, but I'll say it again - I would much
rather see Karlnet get out of producing "unique" hardware for the most
part, and focus on supporting a small group of commonly available
"commodity" SBC units.  This is another thing I'm concerned about - the
overall useable lifespan of even the KN-250's.  Again, I'd much rather be
buying, stocking, and using common hardware like PC Engines WRAP units, or
Soekris 4526 or 4801's (that have applications elsewhere on my network for
other tasks and are all perfectly well suited to outdoor use) than stock
KN-1/2XX's that are useable for exactly one single task - running KN
firmware.

Thoughts?


Brad Gass
Minnesota Network Services
117 North 3rd Street
Marshall, MN  56258
507-532-5932 Office
507-532-6002 Fax
507-829-3490 Cellular
bradg@mnns.com Email (off-list)

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