Hello

I dont own a mikrotik yet, but thats why im wondering if it can do what i want before i buy one.. Now i have used alfa awush036 for searching for free wifi and then be able to connect to them even if they are far away from me. The problem is that the awush036 have to be connected in the usb and i only could have internet on the pc and not on the cellphone, playstations...etc.

So can mikrotik act as a router for my laptop, cellphone to connect to it and also search for wifi around and then i can make selection which one is free/better signal so i can connect to it... also i would like to put it outdoor in the window for better signals..

Hope you can help me

You have two options, one is using your alfa, which seems to be supported (see http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Supported ... less_cards ) plugging it to any AP, like a RB951 or Hap, and setup the alfa as wireless client and the inbuilt wireless as your local AP.

This may be the most economical approach but has its drawbacks: usb cable length, antenna connector losses/cable limitations, usb cable limitations, not sure if weatherproof...

So the option I would use be using an SXT2 Lite as the outside wireless "antenna" (its really a complete antenna+radio+routerboard solution): http://routerboard.com/RBSXT2nDr2 the benefits: 60º more directional antenna (better than using an omni), no cable length restrictions apart from standard ethernet 100m. restriction, weatherproof, can be powered by the ethernet cable, and great radio sensitivity.

Then I'll connect it to a 951 or Hap as the internal AP and switch (see http://routerboard.com).

Thank you for your post.

The first option is not good option, as you mentioned. There is better tools for outdoor.

The second option is good and just one what i want. The cost would be about 70-80€ inclusive shipping. BUT how good are mikrotik sxt2 lite or someone else vs alfa ubdo or alfa tube(n) at signal strenght?

Im sorry if i mention alfa to much here, at this forum

No problem with that, one thing is open talking about other products, and a different one using this forum as an advertisement channel for other brands or products (which understandably is not allowed).

If the info at WikiDevi about the alfa awush036 is right (couldn't find specs on alfa website),

SXT Lite 2 has more than quadruple the sensitivity @54Mbps vs awush036, more than double vs UBDo, and exactly double than the Tube(n) at MCS 0.

The fact they don't even publish specs at MCS7 is a clear sign of it being rather poor.

Again these cards use USB a (serious drawback), whose standard specs no more than 3 meters for USB cables.

Why that fixation with USB? You're looking for free wifi, right?

With my knowledge i cant decide which one is better but i did find that tube u(n):

Receiver Sensitivity: IEEE 802.11n (-73dBm @HT20 150Mbps, -66dBm @HT40 150Mbps), IEEE 802.11g (-92dBm @ 54Mbps), IEEE 802.11b (-96dBm @ 11Mbps)

vs Mikrotik sxt lite 2

RX sensitivity: 802.11b/g: -95 dBm @ 11Mbps to -80 dBm @ 54 Mbps, 802.11n: -95 dBm @ MCS0 20MHz to -77 dBm @ MCS7 40MHz


Anyway is it enough with those :

http://varia-store.com/Wireless-Systems ... :2291.html

http://varia-store.com/Wireless-Systems ... 28242.html

And USB cables are max 5m and not 3?

Yess , my scool is about 500meters away, and i got login so it is deserved 100mbit free internet

With my knowledge i cant decide which one is better but i did find that tube u(n):

Receiver Sensitivity: IEEE 802.11n (-73dBm @HT20 150Mbps, -66dBm @HT40 150Mbps), IEEE 802.11g (-92dBm @ 54Mbps), IEEE 802.11b (-96dBm @ 11Mbps)

vs Mikrotik sxt lite 2

RX sensitivity: 802.11b/g: -95 dBm @ 11Mbps to -80 dBm @ 54 Mbps, 802.11n: -95 dBm @ MCS0 20MHz to -77 dBm @ MCS7 40MHz

Tube U (n)
-66dBm @HT40

SXT Lite 2
-77 dBm @HT40

That's a 11dBm difference. Each 3dBm of difference, sensitivity doubles, 6dBM quadruples. It's almost 12dBm difference, do the math...

Anyway is it enough with those :

http://varia-store.com/Wireless-Systems ... :2291.html

http://varia-store.com/Wireless-Systems ... 28242.html

And USB cables are max 5m and not 3?

Yess , my scool is about 500meters away, and i got login so it is deserved 100mbit free internet

No need for USB cables, you will link the SXT to the RB941-2nD-TC via an ethernet cable (which you will use also to power the SXT using the included POE power injector). So you can use Cat5 cable up to 100meters long.

If you live in a flat, the RB941-2nD-TC-hAP-Lite will be enough.

If you live in a big, or several floor house, a better option would be the more sensitive/powerful RB951Ui-2HnD, which additionaly can power the SXT directly from ether5 port without the need for external power injectors.

Thank you for your answers , I really appreciate!


Is it possible to use sxt lite 2 without the router? Just plug inte the ethernet port of laptop from sxt 2?
Then i could use my laptop as a router?..

Just tested with awush and and used a tool i downloaded and i could make a wifi hotspot and worked finding that hotspot with my cellphone..

Sure, you can. A dedicated AP would be more practical, but you can perfectly setup what you described.

And all what is needed is ethernet cable from mikrotik sxt 2 lite to laptops ethernet and no other power cable?

What about drivers for windows, or maybe mac?


By the way is there any wiki mikrotik or maybe youtube video on how to do what i wanted ( search for available wifis and then chose the one you have acess to)?

Yes, both power and data will go through that one ethernet cable. PoE = Power Over Ethernet

You'll be using the SXT power "injector" at your end:



Male RJ-45 will be plugged to your laptop, while the ethernet cable to the SXT will be plugged to that injector female RJ-45.

No need for any drivers, SXT is already a network device, like any router, switch...

It is actually a router, with inbuilt wireless radio and atenna, an all-in-one device.

Yes, you have an actually step by step video: https://youtu.be/-KNo1B7K-YY

Perfect!

Which of those cat5 cable is okey? -> http://varia-store.com/advanced_search_ ... words=cat5


also i ment a youtube video where they are configuring this bridge mode or what its called, the thing im out for..

Items 312724 and NET-RJ45