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Date:      Mon, 9 Feb 2004 23:17:00 +1100
From:      Tony Frank <tfrank@optushome.com.au>
To:        Zhang Weiwu <zhangweiwu@realss.com>
Cc:        Tony Frank <tfrank@optushome.com.au>
Subject:   Re: need suggestions on making a wireless network using bluetooth.
Message-ID:  <20040209121700.GA6585@marvin.home.local>
In-Reply-To: <40263B6E.2000408@realss.com>
References:  <LAW11-F8VrozNwlNSrc00055b5f@hotmail.com> <20040208123922.GG92622@marvin.home.local> <40263B6E.2000408@realss.com>

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Hi,

On Sun, Feb 08, 2004 at 09:36:46PM +0800, Zhang Weiwu wrote:

> >Encryption is a good idea for any wireless network.
> >I believe bluetooth has a little more in this respect over 802.11 but
> >I do not know any sure statement whether by itself it is enough.
> >Eg you may need to run IPSec or similar over any wireless link to secure
> >your data.
> I don't mean bluetooth has better encryption ... I mean bluetooth cannot 
> pass through walls, making it diffcult to listen network traffic outside 
> the building:)

While bluetooth is primarily designed as a short-range cable replacement,
it does use the same frequency range as 802.11 (2.4Ghz).

I have seen bluetooth modules that can reportedly work at up to 100m.

Practical experience in an office environment shows I can do LAN/dial up
easily over a distance 15-20m without direct line of sight to a handset.

Furthermore I have used PC to PC interfaces between offices that are 
20m apart down hallways etc.

The bluetooth layer2 encryption can however be tougher to crack than the
WEP used in 802.11.   Of course it only works if you enable it.

Personally when using any fixed/wireless network for sensitive
application I would use encryption at layer3 also (IPsec) at minimum.

Anyway, please share your results if you do get things going well.

Regards,

Tony



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