New Outdoor Wi-Fi deployment

RouterOS General
1

Hi All,

I need to create an outdoor network for a large residential development there are 10 poles each with power and fibre connection. The emphasis here is I will need high-speed access to a large number of concurrent clients and as much coverage as possible. If anyone could give help suggesting a device + antenna it would be highly appreciated

Additional Note - I also need to be able to establish VAN’s on the router

2

Just to make sure, you want the end user to connect to the AP directly (say, from a laptop or phone), or you plan to have CPE units on each house?

3

Hi Normis,

Sorry I should have specified. Yes end user will directly connect to access point from phone, tablet or laptop

Many thanks

David

4

How many clients
How far will the furthest client be from the pole
how far is each pole from each other
client bandwidth expectations
available bandwidth in your backhaul

the more information you give, the better informed the answer will be as there are so many variables and choices

5

Hi Ebreyit

Perhaps let me ask the question a different way

What is the best available outdoor Mikrotik router that has the following

  • allows the most concurrent users (estimated average of around 200 concurrent users per AP and at peak periods around 300) at a capped bandwidth per user (estimate 500 - 800 kbps limit)
  • has the best range
  • there’s no real limit on my backhaul that I’m aware of. I’ve done a JV with local fibre company and they’ll give me whatever I need
  • can set up for between 90 degree to 360 degree coverage

I’m installing these poles in high density areas with loads of low rise apartments how far the poles will be apart and the further distance a client is from a pole will depend on router capabilities.

I’m not out to cut costs I’m just after the most powerful outdoor access point Mikrotik has to offer

Any advice highly appreciated

Regards

David

6

You said your clients will be laptops, phones and tablets, so when we talk about the coverage/distance, whatever router you choose it will never be the limiting factor. The limiting factors are (a) your clients’ capabilities and (b) various obstacles in-between your clients and APs. Good antenna may help improving the coverage; using high-power APs will make user experience noticeably worse.

All outdoor wireless devices are listed here: https://mikrotik.com/products/group/wireless-systems. You need something with license level 4 or higher. Choose whatever model you feel like yours, get one item and do some planning/measurement.