Extending WiFi over 130m outdoor

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1024kb

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#275911 16-Sep-2020 15:22

A rural client has a 4G Skinny connection that was installed to enable his Arlo camera kit to keep a sharp eye on his homestead while he's off site. He's happy with the user-friendly Arlo setup. (At the same time as installing the Arlo, I upgraded his Galaxy S5 to an S10. The S5 had never had an app installed. Not one. Ever.

Approx 130m (clear line of sight) away is his workshop, which has recently gained some valuable additions. He has 1 spare Arlo camera & isn't averse to buying more. Because of the Arlo base unit system, it makes far more sense to keep all the cameras on one WiFi network, rather than set up another WiFi out in the workshop which would require a second Arlo base unit & separate viewer logins. Ease of use is the key to his satisfaction.

What's the recommended hardware solution for this situation?

Personally, I like & trust Ubiquiti gear, although I've lost a bit of faith in the brand recently so I'm open to any branded solution. I see Ubiquiti UniFi AC Mesh UAP AC M claims 180m WiFi extendabiity.

I'm asking for wiser & more experienced guidance please.

Edit: Spell check

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nztim

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#2566049 16-Sep-2020 15:39

https://mikrotik.com/product/wireless_wire

1GBPS PTP link over 200 Metres

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coffeebaron

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#2566054 16-Sep-2020 15:51

Best option would be a PtP link, then separate Wireless AP at the workshop. Do not try to "repeat" the Wi-Fi.

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#2566056 16-Sep-2020 15:54

coffeebaron:

Best option would be a PtP link, then separate Wireless AP at the workshop. Do not try to "repeat" the Wi-Fi.

Above is just he PTP link, then some from of AP to complement it at the workshop end

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tchart

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#2566077 16-Sep-2020 16:30

Just curious, as I'm in a similar position, wouldn't something like this also be an option?

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NAPTPL0226/TP-Link-Omada-EAP225-Outdoor-MU-MIMO-Dual-Band-AC1

Just to clarify I'm looking at ways to get a reasonable internet connection to my office which is about 40m from my house. Currently using a Skinny broadband modem in the office, which is fine since we only have VDSL in the house anyway. We should be getting fibre soon so I'm looking at options to get reasonable WiFi down at the office.

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#2566088 16-Sep-2020 17:06

tchart: Just curious, as I'm in a similar position, wouldn't something like this also be an option?

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NAPTPL0226/TP-Link-Omada-EAP225-Outdoor-MU-MIMO-Dual-Band-AC1

Just to clarify I'm looking at ways to get a reasonable internet connection to my office which is about 40m from my house. Currently using a Skinny broadband modem in the office, which is fine since we only have VDSL in the house anyway. We should be getting fibre soon so I'm looking at options to get reasonable WiFi down at the office.

Wireless Wire (above) runs at 60GHz so will be interference free 1GBPS real data throughput between locations then a second AP in your office for client devices

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1024kb

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#2566106 16-Sep-2020 17:38

My initial thought was P2P but then I come up against the user resistance of 2 separate Arlo networks requiring 2 separate viewing windows.

Actually, I've just had a thought - Arlo connects to its own wireless signal doesn't it? Extend whatever you like, Arlo has its range & that's all she wrote. I'm going to have to do the second Arlo network gig, like it or not.

Is that right?

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#2566107 16-Sep-2020 17:39

tchart: Just curious, as I'm in a similar position, wouldn't something like this also be an option?

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NAPTPL0226/TP-Link-Omada-EAP225-Outdoor-MU-MIMO-Dual-Band-AC1

Just to clarify I'm looking at ways to get a reasonable internet connection to my office which is about 40m from my house. Currently using a Skinny broadband modem in the office, which is fine since we only have VDSL in the house anyway. We should be getting fibre soon so I'm looking at options to get reasonable WiFi down at the office.

The mesh might work fine for your situation with 40m to cover, as long as there are zero obstructions and the access points are mounted outside. For the OP with a longer distance to cover, a point to point link like the Mikrotik one is generally considered is the reliable solution. I've done this with Ubiquiti gear in two locations https://www.ui.com/airmax/nanobeam-ac-gen2/ and it worked beautifully. 400mbps speeds over a 600m distance with relatively inexpensive gear, and solid reliability for 2 years before I retired it.

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Dynamic

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#2566109 16-Sep-2020 17:41

1024kb: My initial thought was P2P but then I come up against the user resistance of 2 separate Arlo networks requiring 2 separate viewing windows.

Actually, I've just had a thought - Arlo connects to its own wireless signal doesn't it? Extend whatever you like, Arlo has its range & that's all she wrote. I'm going to have to do the second Arlo network gig, like it or not.

Is that right?

The P2P link simply replaces a long cable. Do with the Arlo whatever you would do if you had run a 130m cable out to that workshop.

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nztim

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#2566116 16-Sep-2020 17:57

Dynamic:
1024kb: My initial thought was P2P but then I come up against the user resistance of 2 separate Arlo networks requiring 2 separate viewing windows.

Actually, I've just had a thought - Arlo connects to its own wireless signal doesn't it? Extend whatever you like, Arlo has its range & that's all she wrote. I'm going to have to do the second Arlo network gig, like it or not.

Is that right?

The P2P link simply replaces a long cable. Do with the Arlo whatever you would do if you had run a 130m cable out to that workshop.

In this case I would if it was me, place a small switch, another AP for data and a second arlo base station at the end of the wireless wire

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cyril7

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#2566119 16-Sep-2020 18:11

Hi the microtik 60Ghz wireless wire units are bullet proof and get near on full GigE with the lowest latency any wireless link can offer.

I run a number of these at work, the just work and work well, but ensure you have clear line of site.

If you buy the kit they are pre configured so no config required. Being 60GHz they don't burden 5GHz spectrum.

Cyril

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#2566413 17-Sep-2020 07:56

It doesn't matter what sort of range an AP claims, math and physics are the important things here. Free space path loss is the key factor, and the reality is at that sort of distance you can not expect a device to work reliably with a small internal omnidirectional antenna connecting back to an an AP using an omnidirectional antenna.

Your only option for a reliable solution is a point to point bridge, and a local AP.

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#2566510 17-Sep-2020 09:11

I get so so performance at 70-80m to my phone from a unifi AC mesh outside on the garage with direct line of sight. Its super erratic and how it is held really matters at that distance. Between 2 of the AC Mesh APs it works at 105m at a friends place, but works is pretty bad but he only has VDSL so it does ok for that. Really should have directionals on them, but as phones and stuff connect to both ends of that mesh would negativly affect that. He finds it good enough. He is in the middle of rural nowhere so has low noise so it may even be working on 2GHz - We just dont really know.

Really a pre-configured pair of point to point directionals and then plug a whatever AP you want in at the other end would be a better option, but its all about the speed you need vs the cash you have to spend on it.

Richard rich.ms

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#2566609 17-Sep-2020 09:23

Anything other than a PTP wireless bridge is a hodge podge solution, 60GHZ 802.11ad bridge provides is clean and interference free solution then another AP of your choosing on the other side

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webwat

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#2573132 24-Sep-2020 00:15

sbiddle:

It doesn't matter what sort of range an AP claims, math and physics are the important things here. Free space path loss is the key factor, and the reality is at that sort of distance you can not expect a device to work reliably with a small internal omnidirectional antenna connecting back to an an AP using an omnidirectional antenna.

Your only option for a reliable solution is a point to point bridge, and a local AP.

The key is that you need a higher gain directional antenna to get to the out building, and another directional antenna to receive at the other end. Since the camera probably doesnt have an external antenna then PTP link is the way to go, often referred to as a "wireless bridge". Usually the whole unit is self contained with a PoE Ethernet connection to whatever is indoors, so you might need a power injector. Any reliable modern system should have enough bandwidth to do it and 5GHz probably ok, but the antenna specs need to be suitable for the distance.

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