Installing Rockets in Sector Configuration

[sparky]

We have ordered a couple Rocket5's, 120 sector antennas, and Nanostation5 M's to pilot the effective ability to service 5-6 sites per sector using WDS.

A couple of questions:
1) Base Station Physical Configuration - What is best practice to install Rockets in a 3 sector configuration? With the Nanostations there is an ability to daisy chain multiple devices using the pass through POE ability. Is there anything comparable with the Rocket? Alternatively, I suspect we need to plan on a switch, power, and enclosure at the base station site to connect each Rocket seperately.

2) WDS Configuration - In our specific test application we would like to connect two base stations (each with 3 sectors) via wireless backhaul, but with only one having the physical Internet backhaul. Most of the sectors will thus be configured as WDS AP, but I suspect one sector on the remote base station will need to be configured as a WDS STA? Or, do two devices configured as WDS AP effective operate as peers?


B Regards,

Lee

[Ron]

There is no way to daisy chain multiple rockets. Two devices configured as WDS AP operate as peers, normally. I'm not sure if that works when AirMax is turned on.

[sparky]

So.... While not a 'bargain basement' solution, and until such time as Ubiquiti tells us more about the "Instant 802.3af" adapter, if a WISP wants to build a multi-sector Rocket base station sounds the best idea is to install something like a small Tycon 24 volt POE switch at the base station site. These cost about $249 in the 24 volt variety (part # TP-SW5-2424) and support 5 devices. Saw it listed at.... http://www.beezwaxproducts.com/product_info.php?products_id=81

I think both Nanostation and Rockets both use 24 volt, so suspect this could work with both devices.

[NZFoxnet]

I would put a small enclosure with a patch panel to sort the poe and a mikrotik routerboard for the routing, pppoe, queues /shaping etc etc.

[lncommunications]

http://www.ubnt.com/company/newsletter/0115.html

[rconaway]

On your second option, you would take a bandwdith hit. If your backhaul is only 10-30Mbps, it probably would work but it's not the best way to do it. A single radio failure takes down all three. You would be better off running 3 separate cable runs.

[sparky]

Ubiquiti Routerstation Pro and Instant 802.1af seem most cost effective. Great timing for this annoucement. Now I just need to find them from a distributor.

[sparky]

Does anybody know are all four ports of the RouterstatioPro capable of providing 48v 802.3af? So you could power and switch three Rocket sectors plus one port for backhaul. This may be a very elegant solution. Shows Ubiquiti is serious about configuring full 802.11n base stations.

[rconaway]

Sparky, could you please explain to me why you would want or need routerboards at the antenna location if you are using a centralized authentication server like FirstSpot which handles bandwidth throttling, authentication, etc...?

[sparky]

Simply ..... Powering each of the sectors as well as a common switch for the sectors. At $79 this would be very economical solution. Actually, your'e right we do central AAA and would not really utilize the router features.

[rconaway]

I understand. Hadn't thought of the powering aspect. Thanks.

[UBNT-Mike.Ford]

I understand. Hadn't thought of the powering aspect. Thanks.


Hello,

RouterStation PRO does not provide power OUT of the Etherenet ports.

Thanks,

[sparky]

Oh no Mike.... That means WISPs will have to use a 3rd party vendor to provide a psu/switch if they want to construct a multi-sector base station with the Rocket series. Any other ideas?

[Dave-D]

Here's a 4-port POE injector that will support
4 devices with power from one supply. This
one has a 48-volt power supply, but you
can subsititute another supply to change
voltage. And I imagine there are similar
models elsewhere.

This unit has almost no surge protection,
but it's very low cost. Dave

http://www.l-com.com/item.aspx?id=23311

[WHT]

http://inscapedata.com/lps.htm

Inscape Data's LinkPower™ LPS1000 All Weather Adjustable Voltage PoE Switch is the industry's first outdoor five-port Ethernet Switch with an adjustable voltage feature. Based on Inscape Data's patent-pending technology, the LPS1000 Adjustable Voltage PoE Switch offers four voltage levels, which enables a wide range of outdoor network and security applications and significantly reduces the complexity of outdoor network installation, integration and ongoing network maintenance.

[sparky]

The Inscape LPS 1000 sounds great, but at a $600+ price thats more than the rockets I would attach to it!!! Got to be something more reasonable for WISPs.!!!

[amcinteng]

In the very cheap category, the Airlink was nice (8 ports switch with 4 of them 802.3af but no remote control). You could find it between $30 and $70 but it seems discontinued... Other similar products exist, managed one are more expensive.

http://www.airlink101.com/products/asw308p.php

[Dave-D]

The unit I mentioned lists at $70 with a
48-volt 1A power supply. Dave

[amcinteng]

Linksys SRW208P: 8 port managed switch with 4 port 15.4W PoE (802.3af) or 8 ports with 7.5W

Price from $150 to $300...

No idea how reliable it is: if you power all your devices at a small tower with it then it's definitely a BIG point of failure...

[sparky]

I found a managed switch with 4 POE ports for $290 at Newegg:
Cisco Small Business SRW2008P Managed Gigabit Switch

Now I just need those 'Instant 802.3af" adapters from Ubiquit. I wonder when they will show up with distributors?