Thanks to all of you who replied with help and advice on my last post regarding my setting up a WLAN network with cellular backhaul in Nicaragua. I have started to do some equipment selection and would like to ask people�s opinions on this.
The network will originally consist of 2 nodes plus a repeater, but may be extended to more nodes in the future.
Node 1: A workshop with a single PC
Node 2: A primary school, initially with 2 PCs (perhaps more in future). There is no line-of-site between nodes 1 and 2.
Repeater: WAP on one side to connect to nodes 1 and 2, with cellular data connection to connect to internet (not the best backhaul, but it is all that is available at reasonable cost right now � in the future the WLAN may be extended to a larger town 16km away when they get a fast internet connection). With a Soekris board in-between the WAP and the cellphone to do translation and dialing.
All PCs are desktops running Windows 98.
REPEATER:
The repeater is at the top of a hill 4-5km away overlooking the community where there is cell phone coverage (there is no coverage in the community itself). It will be solar powered at 12V. I was planning to use one of the following configurations:
Option 1 (the cheapest, and most fun!):
Wireless PC Card SL-2511MP Mini-PCI (the Soekris cannot support a Senao SL-2511CD PLUS EXT2 right?)
Ericsson R520 Cellphone with serial connection to Soekris board
Soekris 4511 board running HostAP (OK?) and also connecting between the AP and the cell phone.
Perhaps with a 60degree antenna.
Option 2:
Same as 1, but using a repackaged WAP (such as Senao NL-2611 AP3 PLUS or an edigitalwireless SureShot-2.4 with this AP) and just have the Soekris board do the translation between the AP and the cellphone
Option 3 (the most expensive, but maybe the most professional/robust):
Same as 2, but using a SmartBridges AirPoint Pro (or Pro Total)
NODE 1:
Option 1: (the cheapest, but ugly)
Wireless PC Card using Senao SL-2511CD PLUS EXT2 and PCMCIA-PCI adaptor with 5-10m of LMR400 cable to connect to the antenna on the roof. Eliminates the need for an external enclosure and PoE equipment, and I can live with the cable loss. But it�s a bit messy.
12-14dBi Antenna (maybe higher gain depending on cable length needed)
Option 2:
Using an edigitalwireless SureShot-2.4 with Senao NL-2611CB3 PLUS Wireless Multi-client and PoE.
12-14dBi Antenna
Option 3:
Same as 2 but using a SmartBridges AirBridge or AirBridge Total with PoE.
NODE 2:
Option 1: (the cheapest, but ugly)
Wireless PC Card using Senao SL-2511CD PLUS EXT2 and PCMCIA-PCI adaptor with 5-10m of LMR400 cable to connect to the antenna on the roof. Eliminates the need for an external enclosure and PoE equipment, and I can live with the cable loss. . The PC connected to the WLAN acts as connection sharer for the network � really ugly..
12-14dBi Antenna (maybe higher gain depending on cable length needed)
Option 2:
Using an edigitalwireless SureShot-2.4 with Senao NL-2611CB3 PLUS Wireless Multi-client and PoE.
The connection is shared via a standard Ethernet hub/switch.
12-14dBi Antenna
Option 3:
Same as 2 but using a SmartBridges AirBridge or AirBridge Total with PoE.
Some questions:
� Any recommendations on which options are better?
� One major question I have is will these setups function.
o For example using option 2 in the nodes there would be 2 Senao NL-2611CB3 PLUS Wireless Multi-client bridges talking to one SL-2511MP Mini-PCI running HostAP (repeater option 1 or repeater option 2 , one NL-2611 AP3 PLUS in SureShot). This would not be a true point-to-point link between the repeater and Node 2 as Node 1 also needs to connect. In what mode would I set the client bridges?
o Using option 1 in the nodes there would be 2 Senao SL-2511CD PLUS EXT2 talking to one SL-2511MP Mini-PCI running HostAP (repeater option 1 or repeater option 2 , one NL-2611 AP3 PLUS in SureShot). Same question as above.
� Presumably it would be a really bad idea to try to mix between SmartBridges and Senao WAPs/WCBs?
� Any one used Sureshot or SmartBridges equipment,
and have any opinions (They are both about the same price for the WCB $250-$260, but not for the outdoor WAP where Smartbridge AirPoint Total is about $440)
� How do you do lightning protection on a Smartbridge AirPoint Total when the antenna is integrated? I have not seen a protector or grounding lug in their documentation.
Thanks,
Kieran
