From owner-freebsd-net@FreeBSD.ORG Mon Feb 9 04:17:05 2004 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-net@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 729AC16A4CE for ; Mon, 9 Feb 2004 04:17:05 -0800 (PST) Received: from mail022.syd.optusnet.com.au (mail022.syd.optusnet.com.au [211.29.132.100]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id E02E243D1F for ; Mon, 9 Feb 2004 04:17:03 -0800 (PST) (envelope-from tfrank@optushome.com.au) Received: from marvin.home.local (c211-28-241-189.eburwd5.vic.optusnet.com.au [211.28.241.189])i19CH0R28498; Mon, 9 Feb 2004 23:17:01 +1100 Received: by marvin.home.local (Postfix, from userid 1001) id 1EB8F331; Mon, 9 Feb 2004 23:17:00 +1100 (EST) Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2004 23:17:00 +1100 From: Tony Frank To: Zhang Weiwu Message-ID: <20040209121700.GA6585@marvin.home.local> References: <20040208123922.GG92622@marvin.home.local> <40263B6E.2000408@realss.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline In-Reply-To: <40263B6E.2000408@realss.com> User-Agent: Mutt/1.4.1i cc: freebsd-net@freebsd.org cc: Tony Frank Subject: Re: need suggestions on making a wireless network using bluetooth. X-BeenThere: freebsd-net@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list List-Id: Networking and TCP/IP with FreeBSD List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 12:17:05 -0000 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