Howto improve AP with multi-sectors ?

RouterOS Wireless Networking
1

I’ve read many topics where people “split” one AP with omni- antena to 3 or 4 sectors
I’d like to know how to implement this.
Do I need one radio (like CM9) for each sector ?
Should I bridge all radios together ?
And can I setup 2 sectors on the same CM9 as there are 2 antena conectors ?

Thanks

2

Yes, unless you install a power divider at the antenna cable (see http://www.mikrotik.com/antennas.php)

Power dividers split the power of your radio between all installed antennas, thus radio efficiency will suffer.

Depends on your network design.

No, you can’t.


–Tom

3

Don’t do this! One radio for each antenna is a must for professional use.

The two connectors are only for diversity or for separating RX and TX (interface wireless antenna-mode)

4

I think by “split” he didn’t mean to use a power-divider (which I would stay away from, too), but to replace ONE omni with SEVERAL sector antennas…

Best regards,
Christian Meis

5

Yes, cmit, my intention is to replace one omni with several sectors.

And if you could explain me better how it is intend to use the 2 connectors from CM9.
Is separate RX / TX for Nstream on one CM9 intendet but still too antenas with diferent DB or polarization ?

And still with sectors, it seams to be advised to have one radio for each sector, but then how should I setup them ? all the same freq/SSID, brigde together or better have separec ip ranges for each sector ?

6

The two connectors can NOT be used for Dual-Nstreme, if you mean that. For that you really need two cards, because a wireless card can only send OR receive at one point in time, not both the same time.

What you CAN do, is connect two antennas (one to port A, one to port B) and configure RouterOS to use one antenna only for sending, and the other only for receiving.
One possible usage would be to be able to use a high gain receive antenna without it pushing your transmit power level over regulatory limits in your area. I.e. send with a 14 dBi antenna, and receive with a big 30 dBi ear :smiley: …

Best regards,
Christian Meis

7

I also need to split up an omni (2X180deg) but have 20+ client connected to it on the same ip range (rest of network is also subnetted)
Just a q:
steps?
1)Can I set up another card/antenna (replace existing with sector)
2)Create own SSID/Channel for new card
3)Create bridge & link both to bridge
4)‘Move’ ip for old-omni to the bridge interface?
5)Change SSID on (some) clients

Is that all that’s needed to make clients keep their current IPs but link onto possibly different card?

How will this affect routing? Is it the best way (minimal WiFi traffic) or is it just best (optimal) to make another seperate subnet?

Thanks (hope it makes sense)
Ekkas