Advice on P2P wireless

konfab

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Jun 23, 2008
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36,118
Hi everyone.

TL;DR
No possibility of getting ADSL/WIFi, need advice for a P2P wireless link for +-40m.

Long version.
The area I am living in has no available ports for ADSL according to Telkom. As alternative, I enquired with Cape Connect to do a wireless inspection, after two weeks of no response I enquired and found out that they don't want to provide service to me because they need a large antenna to connect to the high sight and apparently a roof truss is not strong enough.

LTE is out of the question for us as it is too expensive for our needs.

A solution I am thinking of is to connect to my brother's wifi network and share his ADSL line. Doing some cursory reading, I have gathered that a Ubiquiti NanoStation is the cheapest bet.

https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-2ghz-airmax-mimo-nanostation-loco-cpe-locom2.html
Questions:
1) Will I be able to connect to a normal wifi network with this? Or will I need to buy 2 and put one on each end?
2) On my end, I would like a nice wifi AP, would the AirCube be sufficient for this task (being plugged into the nanostation).

Thank you.
 

sajunky

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Nov 1, 2010
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According to this: https://www.telcoantennas.com.au/site/how-extend-wifi-coverage-using-ubiquiti-nanostation

A1. Yes, it has WiFi access point function 802.11b/g, but then it works as a normal AP.

A2. Instead of buying another AP, I would rather setup dedicated link using two M2's with AirMax, then using some old or cheap b/g/n router for local WiFi access point. It would make possible to use full 40MHz bandwith for the link (maxing 150Mbps I think). Author of the article had to limit bandwith to 20MHz. It would also make easier to isolate traffic between your devices and the host network on the router.
 
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konfab

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 23, 2008
Messages
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According to this: https://www.telcoantennas.com.au/site/how-extend-wifi-coverage-using-ubiquiti-nanostation

A1. Yes, it has WiFi access point function 802.11b/g, but then it works a a normal AP.

A2. Instead of buying another AP, I would rather setup dedicated link using two M2's with AirMax, then using some old or cheap b/g/n router for local WiFi access point. It would make possible to use full 40MHz bandwith for the link (maxing 150Mbps I think). Author of the article had to limit bandwith to 20MHz. It would also make easier to isolate traffic between your devices and the host network on the router.


I understand that I can do this with 2 M2 nanostations, which I think might be overkill given the distance. The question will I be able to get away with using one (connected to my brothers network), with a wifi AP on my end connected to the M2.
 

sajunky

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Nov 1, 2010
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I understand that I can do this with 2 M2 nanostations, which I think might be overkill given the distance. The question will I be able to get away with using one (connected to my brothers network), with a wifi AP on my end connected to the M2.
Reading manual I understand that it could work in repeater mode. There are security limitations in this mode, WPA/WPA2 do not work, you would have to use WEP or 'None'. It also means that nanostation would not use Airmax radio (?), but normal WiFi.

Nanostation can also work in WDS mode. Unfortunately WDS works well only when two devices are the same make. So, you would need one nanostation @your bro house (feeded by the cable and mounted outdoor):
Network mode: SOHO Router
Wireless mode: Station with WDS

The second nanostation @your house (also installed outdoor with LOS) would be configured as an Access Point with WDS, the same SSID. This mode allows your WiFi devices connect to the AP. Ethernet cable from the AP would extend network to the other parts of the house.

Ubiquiti do not have user manual specific to this device. They use the same AirOS on all devices, so you have very powerful, enterprise level OS on entry level devices, which is a bonus. Download AirOS user manual here: http://dl.ubnt.com/guides/airOS/airOS_UG.pdf

I am watching this thread with interest. :)
 
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access

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Mar 17, 2009
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tbh, ive done stuff like this and the extra tinkering and frustration it causes is not worth it(unless you can afford the proper equipment designed for p2p), if you can get your own service do it. even if it eats into you pocket a bit its still worth it, imho.

i think sauronza has the best advice here, they have that fusion fibre product, so its fibre at the tower and only your connection to it is wireless. no bouncing of backhaul over multiple wireless links...
 

konfab

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Jun 23, 2008
Messages
36,118
Hey guys.

Thanks for the advice. I decided to cave and get a 200gb+200gb night LTE bundle.

The deciding factor for me was quality of life. Getting a jury rigged P2P setup will just cause heartache and suffering.

That is worth the extra money.
 

access

Honorary Master
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
13,703
Hey guys.

Thanks for the advice. I decided to cave and get a 200gb+200gb night LTE bundle.

The deciding factor for me was quality of life. Getting a jury rigged P2P setup will just cause heartache and suffering.

That is worth the extra money.

good thinking batman.

even with using proper p2p equipment, when things dont work you need to contact the other side at times, sometimes they are out or its in the middle of the night or at work or what ever, a power dip caused a problem, something or someone knocked the device or some signal between the 2 points is causing interference. its a ball ache.

youve made a much better choice
 
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