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ashtonaut

614 posts

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#303067 14-Jan-2023 12:24
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Parents' network currently configured as shown below. Two separate buildings sharing a single 300/100 fibre connection with a wired link between them. Building 1 has a Spark Smart Modem 3, Building 2 a SM1 with DHCP turned off. Main wifi and guest wifi networks running across both buildings. Works perfectly.

 

 

Alas, the wired link cannot stay. As such, I'm looking for recommendations for a 'wireless bridge' setup to replace the current ethernet link. So that the new configuration looks like this:

 

 

Considerations:

 

  • No, I really can't use wired ethernet. I wish I could.
  • The SM1 and SM3 are at opposite ends of their respective buildings, probably 50m apart.
  • I don't mind if Building 2 has internet speed less than 300mbps (say, if the new wireless link is limited to 100Mbps).
  • Devices A and B will sit inside their respective roof spaces (one roof coloursteel, the other corrugated aluminium) and won't have direct line of sight. It's not an option to mount them externally so that they do have line of sight. But they won't be far apart (less than 10m).
  • PoE for the new devices is preferred.
  • A seamless main and guest wifi network across both buildings needs to remain.
  • There is no issue with wifi coverage at the moment so the new devices don't need to provide general wifi coverage (if they do, that's fine, but it's not needed).
  • New devices need to be easy to install and set up (I'll be providing remote instructions), and require zero to very little admin or maintenance.
  • Need to retain the SM3 and SM1 in each building as there are various wired things hanging off each of them.
  • I want to do this as simply and cheaply as possible ($200-$300).

What should I use for new devices "A" and "B"?

 

     

  1. Mesh wifi products?
  2. Dedicated point to point wifi bridge setup?
  3. Something else?

 

I like the idea of a dedicated wireless connection, but the products I've seen are all focused on longer distance line of sight applications, and are expensive.

 

Thoughts and suggestions are welcome - thanks in advance!


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Spyware
3761 posts

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  #3021275 14-Jan-2023 12:55
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Maybe try 900 Mhz. The only experience I've had with wifi in steel boxes (always a bad idea) is 700 MHz cellular, works in some cases but latency is typically terrible and throughput poor. This situation is even worse and to expect an easy solution that isn't pretested in situ is unrealistic.

 

EDIT: Simple and cheap is an Ethernet cable.





Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.




cyril7
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  #3021284 14-Jan-2023 13:12
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Hi is there a phone line between them.

Putting wireless gear in a Faraday shield and expect it to faultlessly work is not a good plan. Why can it not be external.

Cyril

ashtonaut

614 posts

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  #3021292 14-Jan-2023 14:06
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900MHz gear looks expensive.

No phone line in between. I could probably move the gear out of the roof space and have it in the closest adjacent rooms.

If the wifi signal from the SM3 was strong enough in location ‘B’ (perhaps lower down inside the house), what about putting a Spark Smart Mesh 2 unit in location ‘B’? Would this then link back to the SM1 by wired connection? If SM3 signal not strong enough in location ‘B’, then perhaps add a second Smart Mesh 2 in location ‘A’?



Wombat1
586 posts

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  #3021296 14-Jan-2023 14:45
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Why can't the wired link stay? Anything you replace that wired link with is going to be substantially worse if you don't have line of site and/or you need to have all antennas in the roof space. Is there power on both sides? Have you considered Power-line Ethernet adapters in both locations?


michelangelonz
115 posts

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  #3021297 14-Jan-2023 14:47
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Could you have the antenna for devices a and b external? with the devices inside the roof space? 


ashtonaut

614 posts

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  #3021310 14-Jan-2023 15:25
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Just assume the wired link can’t stay. I’m well aware that’s the best, cheapest and most reliable option. I’m looking to replace the 5m of Ethernet between the buildings.

There’s no common power across both buildings so powerline ethernet isn’t an option.

External antennas would depend on what they look like (aesthetics will be a factor).

The wifi coverage from the SM1 and SM3 overlap (ie you can get some signal in the opposite building), hence I’m wondering about trying the single Smart Mesh option as a starting point.

Wombat1
586 posts

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  #3021312 14-Jan-2023 15:33
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So what about a cable on poles then?

 

 

 

Edit: Are both these buildings on the same property, and owned by the same person?


 
 
 

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ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #3021317 14-Jan-2023 15:46
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No to cable on poles, that’s pretty much the current (temporary) setup.

Yes to property ownership question. However, can’t trench between buildings.

RunningMan
8954 posts

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  #3021318 14-Jan-2023 15:54
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Having those units in a roofspace is very bad for lifespan - way too hot.


ashtonaut

614 posts

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  #3021322 14-Jan-2023 15:58
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Yep, per above reply, assume they aren’t in the roof space but rather in the closest adjacent rooms.

richms
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  #3021328 14-Jan-2023 16:25
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I would just replace it all with unifi and have that wireless uplink between the 2 buildings.

 

Other mesh systems seem to freak out when you put a cable between remote units that are not also wired back to the source of the internet.





Richard rich.ms

PANiCnz
990 posts

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  #3021349 14-Jan-2023 17:14
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Surely something like the Ubiquiti NanoStation would do the job? No idea what model etc.


coffeebaron
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  #3021353 14-Jan-2023 17:24
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A ceiling mount Wi-Fi in the soffit?




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ashtonaut

614 posts

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  #3021367 14-Jan-2023 18:14
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richms:

Other mesh systems seem to freak out when you put a cable between remote units that are not also wired back to the source of the internet.



Yes, this is the bit I’m wondering about, specifically for Spark Smart Modem and Smart Mesh setups. If anyone else has tried this with Spark units I’d be keen to hear. I may need to be a guinea pig for this.

I run full Unifi at home and love it, but it’s too much hassle and cost to do a complete new setup in this case.

tchart
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  #3021372 14-Jan-2023 19:18
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I’ve had good experiences with the TP-Link Litebeam and also their outdoor access points. They don’t break the bank either.

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/thn-tp-link-cpe220-24ghz-300mbps-12dbi-high-power-outdoor-cpe-access-point-80211bgn-2x2-dual-polarized-directional-mimo-antenna-passive-poe-up-to13km-nwtl-cpe220

Both include POE injectors too.

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