asterisk users - Dec 2005 - Connecting asterisk over consumer wifi network

Would like to find out if it is possible to setup a VoIP network with
asterisk and 9 x polycom IP 501 or 600 handsets, the main difficulty is
that there is no cabling in place, and it isn't possible to run cabling
(heritage building, need to demolish walls + half the ceiling to get the
cables in). So, I'd like to get some feedback on how it might work if we
simply put a wireless access point at each workstation, and used the 4
port switch to connect to the PC + polycom handset.

ie, that is a single 3 storey building with 9 wifi access points....
main thing I was concerned about is how the wifi will handle so many
access points all on the same channel/SSID/etc in such a small
environment.

Any comments/suggestions/etc would be more than appreciated, especially
any "I've done it and it works great" :)

Regards,
Adam

> 
> Would like to find out if it is possible to setup a VoIP network with
> asterisk and 9 x polycom IP 501 or 600 handsets, the main difficulty
is
> that there is no cabling in place, and it isn't possible to run
cabling
> (heritage building, need to demolish walls + half the ceiling to get
the
> cables in). So, I'd like to get some feedback on how it might work if
we
> simply put a wireless access point at each workstation, and used the 4
> port switch to connect to the PC + polycom handset.
> 
> ie, that is a single 3 storey building with 9 wifi access points....
> main thing I was concerned about is how the wifi will handle so many
> access points all on the same channel/SSID/etc in such a small
> environment.
> 
> Any comments/suggestions/etc would be more than appreciated,
especially
> any "I've done it and it works great" :)
> 
> Regards,
> Adam
> 
I have done it with Linksys WRT54G routers running OpenWRT and set up as
a bridge (WDS).  Each Linksys will act as a repeater and you will have
at least four wired ports to connect to phones (I think you can also
change the WAN port to a lan port as well making it 5 ports).

In old buildings, I have utilized existing cabling with a channel bank
and analog phones.  Many times, if you do a little searching, you will
find that there is old school 25 pair cables running though the
building.  If you can find that cable near where you would like phones,
just take a pair and put in a jack.

Thanks,
Steve