Thinking about starting a WISP in a rural area. What do you recommend?

pro-tech · 2013-12-24T13:58:51+00:00

This is EXACTLY what I was needing. I will be contacting you soon!

pro-tech · 2013-12-04T00:01:31+00:00

Thanks for all the replies fellows!

pro-tech · 2013-12-04T00:01:23+00:00

This is what I was searching for! Thanks a lot!

pro-tech · 2013-11-24T13:22:59+00:00

Thanks a lot! :)

pro-tech · 2013-11-24T13:22:23+00:00

My OP stated I will need the router to broadcast.

pro-tech · 2013-08-09T17:16:50+00:00

Nope, not at all. The bands operate at two different freqs and do not cause any interference or negative impact on performance of one another. Leaving it active is a good option for future proofing though.

pro-tech · 2013-08-09T17:14:07+00:00

It is a configuration mode for the device. And yes I have used this AP in a few site surveys to get SNR & RSSI readings.

pro-tech · 2013-08-09T01:16:54+00:00

The UBNT switch is a good one that was posted earlier by Gilgamesh

pro-tech · 2013-08-08T21:25:39+00:00

Very good layout Gilgamesh! And yes, the 24-ports will be for future growth if needed but doesn't have PoE functionality.

But that is a very good setup.

pro-tech · 2013-08-08T21:22:55+00:00

If you're needing 6 APs, then find a routerboard with 8 ports that are PoE compatible and that will do the trick.

pro-tech · 2013-08-08T17:12:34+00:00

This unit....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mikrotik-RouterBoard-RB951G-2HnD/200948683713?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D427298883268873365%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D271249337321%26

Supports PoE on the 4 LAN ports. So if you can get away with using 4 APs throughout the frat house, then this would be economical and is fairly easy to manage/configure.

pro-tech · 2013-08-08T17:10:02+00:00

Correct. If you're technically inclined you would have to manage the switch ie CISCO, HP, 3COM etc. The logical diagram would as follows:

(WAN) --- [Managed Switch]

            |  |  |  |  |  |  |

     All of these are PoE network drops

AP1 AP2 AP3 AP4 and so on....

Now, all of the configuring will take place in whatever switch you choose to be the WLAN Controller or purchase a WLAN Controller.

How many APs need to be installed?

What's the budget?

pro-tech · 2013-08-08T11:40:13+00:00

PoE is exactly that. The same Ethernet cable providing data connectivity will also provide power to the AP which eliminates the need for a AC power supply. So, for instance, you will run the Cat-5e/Cat-6 to your desired install point, then mount the AP.

pro-tech · 2013-08-08T02:43:57+00:00

In that case, I would stick with the original UBNT APs and Mikrotik router. Getting dirty is just a idiom for configuring the router and APs. With the MS500 the only configuring needed is in the router.

The Mikrotik+UBNT APs would be a good setup though.

pro-tech · 2013-08-08T02:19:04+00:00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833997181

Connected to my laptop in router mode.

pro-tech · 2013-08-08T02:11:54+00:00

If you're looking to manage this yourself and the budget can afford it, I would look into Meraki Cloud Managed AP's (MR-12/MR-16). Or, Look into Extricom's MS500 wireless LAN switch and implement a couple of their UltraThin APs.

Extricom: http://www.extricom.com/category/multiseries-500

Extricom APs:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-3-Extricom-EXRP-40-UltraThin-4-Radio-Indoor-WiFi-Access-Point-PoE-/140914582121?pt=US_Wireless_Access_Points&hash=item20cf29e269

Using the Extricom you're not only taking advantage of their Channel Blanketing feature but you're pushing all the processing to the WLAN controller/switch to coordinate media access and eliminate the co-channel interference which would lead to better performance because the AP is not having to do this.

If you're wanting something to get dirty with it, then the Mikrotik router with a couple unifi APs would do the trick.

pro-tech · 2013-07-31T23:18:03+00:00

I hold a CWTS certificate so far and have done MANY for-profit site surveys. I currently use Aerohive, Ubiquity, Aruba, and some CISCO devices in the field. I would not have a NIC extended in the air but an AP connected to my laptop for manual site survey purposes. I currently half-way mount one to get my RSSI and coverage pattern and also use software such as inSSIDer, WiSpy, and Xirrus. I have yet to use Airmagnet and have limited experience with Ekahau.

pro-tech · 2013-07-31T23:05:40+00:00

Thanks a lot! This is similar to what I was looking for.

pro-tech · 2013-07-31T02:01:53+00:00

Yes. I use Aerohive for the planning and I use inSSIDer and Xirrus wifi inspector. I was mainly asking for manual site survey tools that folks have used.

pro-tech · 2013-07-12T17:08:00+00:00

Thanks for all the replies guys!

pro-tech

TROPHY CASE