HW suggestion: Router (2*WLAN, Gbit Ethernet)

RouterOS General
1

Hello,

Im currently looking for a highly flexible device which will come to use during stays in hotels for example. It would be great if the HW would have two WLAN devices (b/g/n on both would be great) which would enable me to connect to a hotspot with the one WLAN card and provide access point functionality on the other. For my cable devices 2-3 Gbit ethernet ports are needed as well.
Routing, DHCP Server for AP/ethernet side, NAT (masq), L2TP over IPSec etc. are needed (all things RouterOS is capable of).
It would be perfect to have all the functionality integrated in one single device with a small form factor because Im traveling a lot.

All this will probably be possible with a RouterBoard configuration but compared to the “standard” devices the price is much higher. Maybe someone can suggest a solution which comes close to my wish list.

Regards,
Claas

2

Hi, a RB2011 suits your needs! or a RB951 but it doesn’t have GbitEth.
About WLANs, just create a VirtualAP with WPA2 for AP mode, and HS functionality without auth on main WLAN. You can create several WLANs for each phisical interface.

3

2011 is not able to fulfil your needs. Look at 433gl, 953gs, 435g or 493g or 800.

4

Why shouldn’t RB2011 be able to fulfil his needs? And as AcidDemon specified, a assembled RouterBoard is not a solution for him.

5

He needs two wifi cards. One as client and other as ap obviously. Have you ever seen any 2011 with two radios?
I would like to have some.

6

I misread the requirements. You are right, he cant use a RB2011 for that purpose. I am sorry

7

Thanks for your answer so far!

Ive taken a look at the 433gl and I think it is the best solution. 3miniPCI makes it able to include at least 2 Wifi card. I did a rough calculation of the total cost 140$ board, 250$ for (dual chain) Wifi cards, 4* 13$ for antennas and then a 20$ case and power supply. Its a really nice solution without a doubt.
But Im thinking about changing my initial specification a bit. When using two already complete devices 1* Router including AP functionality and one access point only which will be connected to the router.

CRS109-8G-1S-2HnD-IN looks like a nice device, a “bit” overpowered for only one person but it should work. And a RB951G-2HnD as access point. Both offer dual chain wlan if I didn’t misread the tech. data.
And this is far away from a small single device. Most hotels for example don’t offer fast Wlan so no mimo might be needed. The mAP 2n could be enough. If you have some more suggestions/input I would like to hear it.


I have also taken a look at the PC engine devices but those wont run RouterOS (pfSense has some other nice features but I think its more limited in the basic things (routing etc.)).

Cheers,
Claas

8

I prefer the 493g from the above list. Because of the extra ports and mini pci you can use it for something else than just hotel visits.

9

A. Look at CRS109-8G-1S-2HnD-IN. I do not know if antennas could be set for different functions and frequencies at the same time. If yes than you have ideal device. With SFP for fiber connection as a bonus.Please, could anyone comment about using antennas independently ?

B. If solution A is not going to work then IMHO pair od RB951G-2HnD + mAP2n would be perfect match for your needs. Both have integrated antennas instead of external so there is nothing to be worried about during packing and travel.
I know…I suggest two devices but RB951G fits all your needs except second WiFi which is mAP used for. mAPn has pass-thorugh PoE so you can power both devices with one power-supply. Fully featured ROS on mAP gives you second protection level as bonus when you access public hotspot :slight_smile: With these devices you have all power of ROS, VLANs, tarffic shaping etc., etc. in any combination you can imagine.

C.
Models with mPCI cards needs WiFi cards with integrated antennas or case with SMA connectors for convinient small external antennas. If you find one then 5GHz frequencies are bonus for you.

10

Nope, CRS109-8G-1S-2HnD-IN doesn’t have 2 radios. Two antennas ≠ two radios. :wink:

11

Thanks for all the answers with suggestions! I had posted a reply some time ago but somehow its missing…

I like the suggested two device solutions (e.g. RB951G-2HnD + mAP2n). The mAP2n will probably do great inside the hotel room as an access point and the fact that its PoE capable saves space in my bags.
Only thing Im unsure about is the other device. Depending on the hotel WLAN signal strength can be bad sometimes so external antennas help a lot in such cases. Ive read through the brochures of some wireless devices and found out that they lack the modus I need for the first device (client mode as some other call it). Client mode, routing incl. NAT with Gbit ethernet “output” but maybe Im just confused after looking at so many different devices over the past days.
RB433gl would be a great solution but for this small job a “pricey” one as well. I have thought about PC Engines APU products but those are in the same price range incl. WLAN etc.
CRS109-8G-1S-2HnD-IN is a great deal for the price. But Im sure the roomservice will be shocked to see a complete “data center” inside the room. Something smaller with a more innocent look will be better I think. :slight_smile:

12

951 has enough power for hotel…belive me…we use them on the construction fields in container offices and the signal travels easy from one container to other with no externals antennas. With 951’s power you have chance to bring the hotel’s network to their kness :slight_smile:. Remeber to check regulatory field in the “Adanced mode” on the Wireless tab for the WiFi interface.
BTW two devices give you chance to separate them with cable if you need to look for better signal coverity.

13

It always depends on what side the device is.

Devices having 2H or 2HP have 1W or 1,3W powerfull radios. if there is “n”, it has b/g/n (or a/n if they are 5Ghz only). If there is “D” it has dual chain radios. So, thinking about “2n” devices (especially with internal 1-2 dbi antennas) is not smart if you would like to use them in “client” role. Maybe they could be good in AP role, as you need to cover only small hotel room and you do not care about weak signal around.

Generally it does not matter what mikrotik device you use, because all can virtually do the same, just you need to have at least L4 licence.

According to my experience it is necessary to expect bad APs in hotels. In this case it would be very usefull if your client wlan could be equipped with panel antenna - to attenuate interference from all around, to get strong signal from AP and to have enough strong singnal received at hotel AP.

Also I would say you would never utilize gigabit ethernets in the hotel as their connection provided to clients is normally around few Mbits/s.

Having things stated above, I would look at some case that include panel antenna (2,4G) and put in whatever board with:
1- enough ethernets you need
2- two radios capable

One radio connect to internal panel antenna, for second radio put antenna(-s) directly on the box.

Or, if you are not against having two devices, I would suggest to use SXT2Lite as client and then e.g. RB951Ui-2HnD (just because it has one port with poe out so you can power the SXT2Lite directly) as router and AP. The total price would be around 100 USD if new devices used. But it is without gigabit ports…

PC Engines APU is quite expensive, taking into account you need a box, power adapter, flashdisk, radios, pigtails, antennas… also the time wasted on software installation and settings… Ugh. Does not seem to be real alternative for these purposes.

14

Thank for your suggestions. Gbit is needed for the NAS which I use for backup and some other things which require fast internal networking. Normal ethernet would slow it down a lot.

15

Then this would be your router: http://routerboard.com/RB2011UiAS-2HnD-In used with sxt client.
Thinking again about 951g, you would need two power adapters as there is no poe out. But it may be also fine for you.

16

But mAP is PoE pass-through = 1 power supply

17

I received the 951 today to take a closer look at the OS and how well it performs. Then I’ll decide if I swap the device or just buy the last missing piece.