Wireless outdoors

This isn't really a Windows question...

I need to install wireless outdoors in an area approximately 750' x 350'.
My concern is covering an area that large.
Does anyone here have any experience with installing wireless for an outdoor
location?

I'm looking for things to watch out for.
Would I need some type of repeater to cover that kind of distance, either
wired or wireless?

I found this outdoor WAP.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...gtCjCVRqCjCVRq

All input is appreciated.

JohnB wrote:
> This isn't really a Windows question...
>
> I need to install wireless outdoors in an area approximately 750' x 350'.
> My concern is covering an area that large.
> Does anyone here have any experience with installing wireless for an outdoor
> location?
>
> I'm looking for things to watch out for.
> Would I need some type of repeater to cover that kind of distance, either
> wired or wireless?
>
> I found this outdoor WAP.
> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...gtCjCVRqCjCVRq
>
> All input is appreciated.
>

Coverage will depend, in large part, on what's in the 750 x 350 area. An
open field? Lots of trees? Lots of metallic RVs? The antenna(s)
connected to your WAP(s) will also play a significant role.

I don't know anything about the specific unit you mention, but note that
it comes with a 10dB *directional* antenna. This may or may not work
for your application.
https://www.engeniustech.com/resourc...%20Pattern.pdf

It does have some nice features, in addition to the high power and
increased receiver sensitivity, including a connector for an external
antenna and power-over-Ethernet (POE) capability.

Usual advice (for DIY) is to install something like Netstumbler on a
laptop. Buy and install 1 WAP. Wander (systematically) around the area
checking signal strength and install further WAPs as needed.


Much more discussion of this topic at alt.internet.wireless

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

We use Cisco 1300 AP which is bridge and repeater wireless Access Point.
These search results may help.

a.. Cisco Wireless Designs
(main)Cisco Wireless Designs. 1. Point-to-Point configuration is a
non-root bridge associates to a root bridge, which connects to two
locations. ...
http://www.howtocisco.com/cisco/wire...essdesigns.htm - Similar pages

a.. Web Cisco online marketing How to Configure Cisco Wireless Cisco ...
Cisco Wireless Designs · Considerations of Cisco Aironet · How to
Assign an IP Address to Cisco Wireless Bridge Using the CLI ...
www.howtocisco.com/cisco/wirelesshowto.htm


--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"JohnB" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> This isn't really a Windows question...
>
> I need to install wireless outdoors in an area approximately 750' x 350'.
> My concern is covering an area that large.
> Does anyone here have any experience with installing wireless for an
> outdoor
> location?
>
> I'm looking for things to watch out for.
> Would I need some type of repeater to cover that kind of distance, either
> wired or wireless?
>
> I found this outdoor WAP.
> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...gtCjCVRqCjCVRq
>
> All input is appreciated.
>
>
>
>
>

Hi
The general approach that I take for Coverage issues is the following.
The best way is to lay few CAT6 cables to central locations in the house,
install Access Points, or Cable/DSL Routers configured as an Access Points
( Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point ), and
connect them to the Main Router.
You do not want/can not/hate/your client hate to lay Cables.
You start with One affordable Router that can Do WDS (the reason for the WDS
support is in case you need to add more Wireless hardware).
If you are lucky and your environment is conducive to get covered with one
Wireless Router you are done.
Routers that can do WDS as is are old by (Zyxel, SMC, Belkin, and some
others have models that do WDS as is out of the Box (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireles...ibution_System ).
Linksys WRT54GL, and Asus, 520GU can do WDS when flashed with DD-WRT
firmware ( http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page ).
Using a Laptop loaded with Netstumbler, do a Wireless survey,
http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/
According to the Netstumbler's signal strength reading, identify spots that
have strong signal. and spot with weak, or No signal.
Evaluate how you can cover the space and start placing WDS units.
Additional Wireless Routers in WDS Mode (Wireless Network - Configuration
Modes. ) has to be placed in spots were the signal is good about Half way to
the dead spots.
How many WDS units are needed? It depends on your specific environment (that
is a good the reason to buying WDS units one at the time, try it, and decide
on the Next step).
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

"JohnB" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> This isn't really a Windows question...
>
> I need to install wireless outdoors in an area approximately 750' x 350'.
> My concern is covering an area that large.
> Does anyone here have any experience with installing wireless for an
> outdoor
> location?
>
> I'm looking for things to watch out for.
> Would I need some type of repeater to cover that kind of distance, either
> wired or wireless?
>
> I found this outdoor WAP.
> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...gtCjCVRqCjCVRq
>
> All input is appreciated.
>
>
>
>
>

This is an aerial view of the area I need to cover:
http://www.brigan.com/images/map.jpg

You are right. Lots of metallic RVs. It's an RV campground.
Very few trees.

I went to alt.internet.wireless and did some reading. I think I'm going to
post something on there.
Thanks


"Lem" <lemp40@unknownhost> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> JohnB wrote:
>> This isn't really a Windows question...
>>
>> I need to install wireless outdoors in an area approximately 750' x 350'.
>> My concern is covering an area that large.
>> Does anyone here have any experience with installing wireless for an
>> outdoor
>> location?
>>
>> I'm looking for things to watch out for.
>> Would I need some type of repeater to cover that kind of distance, either
>> wired or wireless?
>>
>> I found this outdoor WAP.
>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...gtCjCVRqCjCVRq
>>
>> All input is appreciated.
>>
>
> Coverage will depend, in large part, on what's in the 750 x 350 area. An
> open field? Lots of trees? Lots of metallic RVs? The antenna(s) connected
> to your WAP(s) will also play a significant role.
>
> I don't know anything about the specific unit you mention, but note that
> it comes with a 10dB *directional* antenna. This may or may not work for
> your application.
> https://www.engeniustech.com/resourc...%20Pattern.pdf
>
> It does have some nice features, in addition to the high power and
> increased receiver sensitivity, including a connector for an external
> antenna and power-over-Ethernet (POE) capability.
>
> Usual advice (for DIY) is to install something like Netstumbler on a
> laptop. Buy and install 1 WAP. Wander (systematically) around the area
> checking signal strength and install further WAPs as needed.
>
>
> Much more discussion of this topic at alt.internet.wireless
>
> --
> Lem -- MS-MVP
>
> To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
> http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

Hi
If you do not want to install a multi Access Points (as I mentioned early)
you can try the following.
Install on the club house an Antenna mast that is tall enough to be above
the RVs.
Install the High Power POE Access Point on top of the mast in a weather
protect box.
Connect to the Access point a 180 degrees directional Antenna facing the RV
park and connect the Access Point with out door Cat6 to your server.
YMMV, good luck.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

"JohnB" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> This is an aerial view of the area I need to cover:
> http://www.brigan.com/images/map.jpg
>
> You are right. Lots of metallic RVs. It's an RV campground.
> Very few trees.
>
> I went to alt.internet.wireless and did some reading. I think I'm going
> to post something on there.
> Thanks
>
>
> "Lem" <lemp40@unknownhost> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> JohnB wrote:
>>> This isn't really a Windows question...
>>>
>>> I need to install wireless outdoors in an area approximately 750' x
>>> 350'.
>>> My concern is covering an area that large.
>>> Does anyone here have any experience with installing wireless for an
>>> outdoor
>>> location?
>>>
>>> I'm looking for things to watch out for.
>>> Would I need some type of repeater to cover that kind of distance,
>>> either
>>> wired or wireless?
>>>
>>> I found this outdoor WAP.
>>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...gtCjCVRqCjCVRq
>>>
>>> All input is appreciated.
>>>
>>
>> Coverage will depend, in large part, on what's in the 750 x 350 area. An
>> open field? Lots of trees? Lots of metallic RVs? The antenna(s) connected
>> to your WAP(s) will also play a significant role.
>>
>> I don't know anything about the specific unit you mention, but note that
>> it comes with a 10dB *directional* antenna. This may or may not work for
>> your application.
>> https://www.engeniustech.com/resourc...%20Pattern.pdf
>>
>> It does have some nice features, in addition to the high power and
>> increased receiver sensitivity, including a connector for an external
>> antenna and power-over-Ethernet (POE) capability.
>>
>> Usual advice (for DIY) is to install something like Netstumbler on a
>> laptop. Buy and install 1 WAP. Wander (systematically) around the area
>> checking signal strength and install further WAPs as needed.
>>
>>
>> Much more discussion of this topic at alt.internet.wireless
>>
>> --
>> Lem -- MS-MVP
>>
>> To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
>> http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm
>
>

I think we're going to go the route you describe below. I met with the
campground owner today, and found out they had wireless in there before.
And, they had it removed because of problems with lightning damage to the
equipment. This is Florida... and FL is considered the "lighting capital of
the world". And after working in IT in this state for the past 10 years,
I've seen plenty of damage to network equipment caused by lighting. So I
can understand his concern. So I've got to do some research on addressing
that before they will go forward with this.

If you, or anyone else, has any experience with lightning suppression for
outdoor wireless, I'd appreciate hearing about what you did.

Thanks.


"Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
> If you do not want to install a multi Access Points (as I mentioned
> early) you can try the following.
> Install on the club house an Antenna mast that is tall enough to be above
> the RVs.
> Install the High Power POE Access Point on top of the mast in a weather
> protect box.
> Connect to the Access point a 180 degrees directional Antenna facing the
> RV park and connect the Access Point with out door Cat6 to your server.
> YMMV, good luck.
> Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)
>
> "JohnB" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> This is an aerial view of the area I need to cover:
>> http://www.brigan.com/images/map.jpg
>>
>> You are right. Lots of metallic RVs. It's an RV campground.
>> Very few trees.
>>
>> I went to alt.internet.wireless and did some reading. I think I'm going
>> to post something on there.
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> "Lem" <lemp40@unknownhost> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> JohnB wrote:
>>>> This isn't really a Windows question...
>>>>
>>>> I need to install wireless outdoors in an area approximately 750' x
>>>> 350'.
>>>> My concern is covering an area that large.
>>>> Does anyone here have any experience with installing wireless for an
>>>> outdoor
>>>> location?
>>>>
>>>> I'm looking for things to watch out for.
>>>> Would I need some type of repeater to cover that kind of distance,
>>>> either
>>>> wired or wireless?
>>>>
>>>> I found this outdoor WAP.
>>>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...gtCjCVRqCjCVRq
>>>>
>>>> All input is appreciated.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Coverage will depend, in large part, on what's in the 750 x 350 area. An
>>> open field? Lots of trees? Lots of metallic RVs? The antenna(s)
>>> connected to your WAP(s) will also play a significant role.
>>>
>>> I don't know anything about the specific unit you mention, but note that
>>> it comes with a 10dB *directional* antenna. This may or may not work
>>> for your application.
>>> https://www.engeniustech.com/resourc...%20Pattern.pdf
>>>
>>> It does have some nice features, in addition to the high power and
>>> increased receiver sensitivity, including a connector for an external
>>> antenna and power-over-Ethernet (POE) capability.
>>>
>>> Usual advice (for DIY) is to install something like Netstumbler on a
>>> laptop. Buy and install 1 WAP. Wander (systematically) around the area
>>> checking signal strength and install further WAPs as needed.
>>>
>>>
>>> Much more discussion of this topic at alt.internet.wireless
>>>
>>> --
>>> Lem -- MS-MVP
>>>
>>> To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
>>> http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm
>>
>>
>

JohnB wrote:
> I think we're going to go the route you describe below. I met with the
> campground owner today, and found out they had wireless in there before.
> And, they had it removed because of problems with lightning damage to the
> equipment. This is Florida... and FL is considered the "lighting capital of
> the world". And after working in IT in this state for the past 10 years,
> I've seen plenty of damage to network equipment caused by lighting. So I
> can understand his concern. So I've got to do some research on addressing
> that before they will go forward with this.
>
> If you, or anyone else, has any experience with lightning suppression for
> outdoor wireless, I'd appreciate hearing about what you did.
>
>
You could do worse than starting here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...earch&aq=f&oq=

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm