Network Setup and Configuration

The information on this page lists various scenarios and customer questions regarding Network Setup Configurations along with various other Top Tips:

WiFi network on large property with large buildings

How we helped a customer achieve a strong connection up to 200 meters, in an environment cluttered with buildings and trees:

  • using 18dBi directional antenna and 500mW Signal Booster.
  • Case study is germane for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint network links.
  • Large photo takes 30 sec. to one minute to load
  • The comments in the caption below the photo were written before the Yagi antennas and booster were installed. At that time customer was using a 10dBi panel antenna.

After installing all of these items, the customer, Guy Blundell, wrote: "All the stuff is working perfectly and it works well over 200m and is stable."

Then as a test, Guy disconnected antenna A and wrote that "with just one of the antennas (B, which is aimed toward point #6) connected with the booster, it reaches all my wireless devices without a problem. I found that when using both antennas, the signal was not as strong" due to the signal-booster's power being split between the two antennas.

The Yagi 18dBi directional antenna's stated specification of horizontal beamwidth is 24° degrees. Apparently the 500mW booster enables it to spray signal way beyond this stated horizontal capacity.

Network installed by: Guy Blundell of QuickFix I.T., Kenilworth, England

Wireless network diagram: Amplifier & antennas



Case study of network on estate with wireless links up to 100meters


Restaurant WiFi network with Hotspot for customers: UAP-PRO & EdgeMax

Ubiquiti's EdgeMax Lite 3 LAN combined with UAP-Pro will fill the need for all of the functionality needed in the list of features requirements below:
  • Single, fanless box that includes:
  • Internet gateway support (ISP provides static address)
  • VLAN support
  • VPN remote client support (teleworker, not site-to-site)
  • SPI firewall
  • Captured portal ("Walled Garden") for open customer WiFi
  • AP function (could be a separate box, if necessary):
  • Multiple SSID (at least 2)
  • WPA2/AES security
  • 2.4Ghz 802.11N
  • Concurrent 5Ghz 802.11N or A would be a bonus
Situation is: Two restaurants that need updating of their aging Linksys WRT54G/DD-WRT based networks. AirRouterHP would not be a substitute for the EdgeMax Lite 3 LAN port router

Android Tablet, iPad, iPhone & Blackberry: WiFi solutions for

We recommend the Alfa AWUS036H and R36 combination for Android Tablet, iPad, iPhone , Blackberry users: This system works as follows:
  1. A "remote" signal - a WiFi signal that has an internet connection - is picked up by the Alfa WiFi adapter
  2. The Alfa WiFi adapter plugs into the R36 by USB cable
  3. The R36 then acts as a local access point - re-broadcasting that signal locally (such as in a boat).
  4. Then the iPad and iPhone users can connect to the R36's WiFi signal
See complete list of parts that you need to setup this system on a boat

Network equipment 19-inch rack: Actual dimensions. Gear width: 17 3/8 inches

  • In the standard "19-inch rack" the 19-inch aspect refers to the total width of the rack structure itself - the shelving structure is exactly 19 inches wide in total.
  • The inside width, where the gear slides into the rack, is 17.75 inches wide:  In other words, will accommodate a piece of gear that is no more than 17.75 inches wide.
  • The standard width of switches and routers that are made for 19-inch racks is 17 3/8 inches.

Actual Mbps throughput is half the published data rate or less

This is applicable to all of the 802.11 types:

With all wireless/WiFi LAN (WLAN) technologies, actual throughput is at best only about half the published data rate and drops as distance and the number of users per access point increase.  WLANs also face interference from microwaves, mobile phones, Bluetooth devices and even Pentium processors operating in the relatively crowded 2.4-GHz band.  Real throughput can vary tremendously with distance, obstacles and interference, not to mention the nature of the application.


True Load-Balancing over WAN ports

True load-balancing is much more than just fail-over: It means that the router balances data traffic over multiple links simultaneously, re-directing traffic to manage the bandwidth most efficiently and/or according to your prioritization rules. Consumer-grade dual-WAN routers simply fail-over when a link goes down, and call that "load balancing." Even some

"professional grade" dual-WAN routers such as LinkSys and TP-Link also simply offer fail-over.

PepLink offers the only low-cost dual-WAN port true load-balancing router ($295) with a graphical user interface that anyone with a bit of networking savvy can quickly configure. And PepLink offers models with 3. 5. 7 and 13 WAN ports with true load-balancing. Another low-cost option is MikroTik, but of course you need to be more technically savvy and with knowledge of the MikrTik RouterOS to configure them.


NanoStationM5 as AP in 5GHz & Bridge to a 2.4GHz NanoStation2 (Ubiquiti)

Case study: Customer wants to:

Plug in a 2.4 NanoStation2 configured as a multi-client AP (for pay customers) into the 2nd ethernet port of a NanoStationM5 configured as a bridge. The 2nd ethernet port of the NanoStationM5 provides POE to the NanoStation2

SOLUTION

  • Connect the NanoStation M5 secondary port to your internet modem/router (note that the NanoStationM5 has 2 ethernet ports, it has to be through the secondary port) .

  • Afterwards, set it up as an access point (Channel 20mhz). Through the main port you have to plug in the NanoStation 2 (with no need for a PoE). In this way, you will be able to send a signal in both frequencies 5GHz and 2.4GHz at the same time.


Signal booster w/Linksys WRT54GL to extend range & bridge LAN to distant AP

From customer: I have used the same signal booster on wrt54gl with excellent results: However, you must use an antenna on the booster of higher-gain than the 2-dBi antenna that comes with the booster: It should be 5dBi or more.

From customer: I currently have a Alfa 500mW from you... I'd like to find another solution so I can have multiple machines use it. I'm looking at your  signal boosters.  If I setup the wrt54gl in bridge mode to connect to another wrt will this signal booster provide the same power? Will the linksys wrt54gl be able to reach access points at a further distance like the alfa can? wrt54gl connects to -> a access point 1/2 mile away to get it's internet connection. My local machines in the house will then connect to my wrt54gl that is in the house to get to the internet. Please let me know if this will work.

  • ANSWER: Yes - this will extend the range just as you describe.

Recommended RF Cable for B5c

Mimosa recommends the following specifications for coaxial cables to connect an antenna to the B5c:
  • Double-shielded, 5 GHz-rated, 50-Ohm, Low Loss
  • Outdoor-rated (UV-stabilized)
  • Inner Conductor: solid 2.74 mm (0.108 inch)
  • Dielectric: Foam
  • Length: less than 2 m / 6.6 feet
  • Connectors:

Not possible to share a USB WiFi adapter, using MS internet sharing

I was able to get the awus036 to work with MS internet sharing and networking, but the problem is that it only lasts for a period of time before it looses its configuration and then I have to run the network wizard again. A real pain.

Using the R-36 seems to be the best way however, I still have the same problem with it. Some WiFi signals connect and work, however most although also show "connected" in the status window, they do not have a default gateway address and no internet? Are there any tweaks I can do to correct this that you know of? If I use the awus036 by itself, these WiFi signals connect and have internet connectivity.


Capabilities of the lightning protectors

I got some better info about the capabilities of the  lightning protectors and so I can tell you:

  • We can protect against the jolt traveling any further than the POE power supplies for the gear: There might be a WiFi radio device that would be destroyed and if so, we will replace it (as long as the services contract continues).
  • The TPESxxxx protect against the surge going inside to your equipment on the LAN.

Posted by George Hardesty on 1st Oct 2022


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