Better than cAP 2n

[aresmt]

@jarda

It has to be mentioned that 2n devices have only one chain. Therefore they are not so good for heavy data transfers. Maybe they are good for hotels and occasional connectivity, but not for bigger dayly use on such exposed places.

From this point of view comination of 2HnD and 5HacD radios is the best way how to achieve the best throughput thru the air. Maybe having 2x 2HnD together with 5HacD is better, because the whole 2,4GHz spectrum is ready just for 2 non overlapping frequency bands when 20/40 wide channels are used.

On the other hand, trying to make one big microwave owen from each of the concrete/metal rooms is not smart also. Things like computers, video players and similar that are used mostly on static places should be connected by wires preferably. Sure, the notebooks are moved time to time, but when lying on the desk they can be connected by their wired network cards. Even they can simultaneously keep also the connection via wifi to the AP, they will route the traffic thru wires.

Even there was not prooved that non-ionic rf emission with these frequencies and powers have direct negative impact on your health, it is for sure that it does not have any positive impact. Generally it is better to avoid the exposions rather than make them worse.

Take into account that Mbit/s is not the only measure of the speed. The question is also about latency which is uncomparable between wifi and ethernet technology.

So, running wires everywhere and using small weak radios just as backup connections when wires ar unplugged seems to be much wise for me than making microwave owens.

And I am real fan into these devices, having many of them running everywhere around…

no worries, i found a website that sells protective pendants , and i will protect myself. (just joking)

you said that you are a real fan of these devices, my question is: how will you do it? design, speed, 2.4 (&5), price, safety

Thanks,

[bajodel]

@aresmt

..my question is: how will you do it? design, speed, 2.4 (&5), price, safety

you forgot the most important factor ..your budget

as said before, I would go for cAP

[jarda]

@aresmt

my question is: how will you do it? design, speed, 2.4 (&5), price, safety

Thanks,

I already wrote it here. Wires everywhere is the rule nr. 1. (ended in the switch, e.g. some version of CRS125). Then RB951G-2HnD for the rest with accordingly reduced transmitt power. Maybe you would need one per 2-3 rooms.

If you have a lot of money, I would go by ac (RB922UAGS-5HPacD with additional 2HnD card and antennas in the ceiling enclosure). As it has fibre, I would use the fibre for uplink to the switch. Unfortunatelly Mikrotik does not offer any full optical switch with many ports, so you would need to buy some other brand (just for inspiration, something like this: http://www.celan.com.tw/products1/Switch%20G2416i-EV.html or similar with the as many ports as you need).
Of course you can run without fiber, using gigabit ethernet everywhere.

[cata02]

Great thread,

I face a similar situation, renovating apartment, need good & reliable wifi coverage.

I was thinking about having just one 2.4ghz AP and many 5ghz ac ap, one for each important room.

and RB922UAGS-5HPacD + 2ghz card and required antennas for the living, and i think best case scenario this will do it for the whole apartment.

If the other rooms have poor wifi reception i need to add another ap, most likely 5ghz ac.
Which model whould that be? an 2ghz with a 5ghz ac card?

and one more thing. is it possible to skip the enclosure (the stationbox) and leave the board+antennas hidden in the ceiling (with no case)?

[normis]

@cata02

and one more thing. is it possible to skip the enclosure (the stationbox) and leave the board+antennas hidden in the ceiling (with no case)?

if there is no moisture or lots of dust, there should be no problems. I have actually seen working routerboards with a thick layer of dust on them, but I can’t suggest that

depends on the environment, in a typical apartment, there shouldn’t be anything dangerous in that space

[cata02]

@normis

@cata02

and one more thing. is it possible to skip the enclosure (the stationbox) and leave the board+antennas hidden in the ceiling (with no case)?

if there is no moisture or lots of dust, there should be no problems. I have actually seen working routerboards with a thick layer of dust on them, but I can’t suggest that

depends on the environment, in a typical apartment, there shouldn’t be anything dangerous in that space

good to know.
i was actually afraid of RF interference on pigtails of the board.
i thought the metal case shileded the unit from, at least some, rf noise.

[jarda]

Case is just for protection of the board and peripherals. If you think it cannot be damaged where you put it, there is no other reason to use the case. Think where and how to mount the device to be able to access it physically if you need.

[cata02]

Any recommendation on what cable to use for some sort of future proof?

cat6/cat7 ?
up to which frequency 500-1200mhz?

UPDATE: seems that cat6 sftp or any cat7 would do for now even though i will bent it at 90 degrees and use cat6 wall sockets.

the last piece of the puzzle, or wish, is a cheap 5ghz AC mikrotik device with l4 license to use where the signal is not ok.

[jarda]

Use the best cable you can afford…

[cata02]

Should i worry about shielded cable (sftp)?
the cat cables will be next (parallel) to 220v cables.

[jarda]

It is not recommended to lie data cables along the AC power cables. But if it is shielded well, it will not make any problems. You will not have it hundreds of meters along, just few, so do not worry…