Network Extention Between Buildings

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kenn213

kenn213

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I have two buildings about 200 feet apart, one with internet and one without. I would like to extend the network in the first building wirelessly and create a wireless network in the second. The two products I've been looking at are:

Ubiquity Nanostation

Ubiquity Picostation

I wanted to ask if I should get two Nanostations with a wireless AP on the far end, or would one Nanostation with one Picostation work to create the wireless network in the second building?

Also are there other alternatives I haven't considered?

Thanks for any advice.
 
Solution
abailey
All of Ubiquiti's Airmax radio's work best in the -50 to -60 Db range (regardless of range). -45 to -65 is okay and you will probably see good speed. Going through a windows can seriously slow down the link. Especially if it is double pane gas filled glass. If you have to go through a window and possibly some tree leaves, the 2.4Ghz radio would be better. The problem with that is you only have 3 non-overlapping channels in that frequency (1,6, and 11). You will use one of those channels in your main building AP and one in your new building AP. Thus you could use the last channel to hook the two buildings together (using Nanostation Loco M2) if there are not other houses or businesses close by that could interfere with the signal...
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abailey

abailey

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I assume you have clear line of site? 2 Nanostations and an AP will work much better than a Nano and a Pico. Get 2 Nanostation LOCO m5's ( http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-US-FCC-NSLOCOM5-NanoStation-loco/dp/B004EHSV4W/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1404181662&sr=1-2&keywords=nanostation+loco ). The Nanostation M5 like you have listed is too powerful at that distance and will not work well. In fact you will need to turn down the NanoStation Loco's also. Try to get the connection between -45 and -55db. Any stronger than -45db and you will start loosing speed as the signal is too hot. -50 to -55 is ideal.
With that setup you should get very close to 100Mbit of throughput.
If wiring is an option at 200 feet you could run a Cat5e cable and get Gigabit between buildings.
 
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kenn213

kenn213

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I'm going through a window in each building and maybe a treetop.


Could you explain this some more or point me somewhere that can? I don't know all that much about radio antennas and what gain is needed for what speeds etc. Is there a way to calculate based on distance what db is needed for a certain throughput?

Sadly physical wires aren't going to work here.

 
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abailey

abailey

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All of Ubiquiti's Airmax radio's work best in the -50 to -60 Db range (regardless of range). -45 to -65 is okay and you will probably see good speed. Going through a windows can seriously slow down the link. Especially if it is double pane gas filled glass. If you have to go through a window and possibly some tree leaves, the 2.4Ghz radio would be better. The problem with that is you only have 3 non-overlapping channels in that frequency (1,6, and 11). You will use one of those channels in your main building AP and one in your new building AP. Thus you could use the last channel to hook the two buildings together (using Nanostation Loco M2) if there are not other houses or businesses close by that could interfere with the signal. If you do end up using 2.4Ghz make sure all the radio's are set to 20Mhz channel width (not 40 or auto). How much bandwidth do you need between the buildings?
 
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kenn213

kenn213

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Thanks for the information. The bandwidth isn't too important, as long as there is decent connectivity. 100mpbs would be preferable, but even 20-30mpbs would be acceptable.

I have read 2.4 GHz penetrates obstacles better than 5. You think I'd be better off with the Loco M2 vs the M5 then?
 
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abailey

abailey

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Only if you don't have interference from neighbors. If you have a tablet or laptop you can get an app that will show you the wireless networks in range and what channels they are using. A weaker 5Ghz clear channel will most likely be better than a strong 2.4Ghz signal that has interference. If you only need 20-30Mbit/s, you probably won't have a problem. I have seen a guy put his Nanostation Loco M5 behind a window on both ends and had a barn completely blocking the signal between the 2 buildings and he was still able to get around 10Mbit/s.
If you do use 5Ghz I would set the channel width to 30Mhz instead of Auto or 40.
 
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kenn213

kenn213

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There shouldn't be an issue with interference as the closest other buildings are homes and are 60-70 yards away.

I'm going to an island to do the installation in a week so I almost want to order two of each and see which works best, and then return the worse one.
 
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abailey

abailey

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This is not a bad idea at all. Just remember on the 2.4Ghz to make sure the AP's and bridge are all using different channels (1,6, or 11) or you will have interference among your own equipment.

 
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