Help setting up WISP appreciated!!

[techspert]

Hi all,

I have been planning a project for a while now to blanket a small trailer community with WIFI. I was originally approached by the board of directors for the community (in which I live) to get various quotes to achieve this. I also submitted my own quote. With the economy in the downward spiral it is, the board decided to abandon the idea, however the demand still exists.

Since the board has disregarded the project, I have a rather challenging constraint (or at least it appears so to me). I have to broadcast the WIFI signal from my house/trailer property alone, so a mesh network would be nearly impossible to get approved.

I came across the Ubiquiti Nanostation 2 at a local VAR, who was trying to pitch me some GI-Link products (which I have never heard of). The main pitch was that the GI product has better/user friendly management firmware.

I would personally rather go with the Ubiquiti product, considering the warranty and support options available, despite the salesman's pitch.

Here is a link to download a google map image of the area I'm trying to cover (highlighted):

http://www.adrive.com/public/56d62be29ae49bb015f0a9c3a5dac51a22352cce2f29383bcb2daeb0fdf04888.html

The scale is in the bottom left, and the point where the WIFI signal must be broadcast from is the yellow star/blast point in the mid-bottom of the pic.

I was thinking about connecting a few Nanostation2's to my basic home Dlink Xtreme N router with a 6.0mbps DSL connection, but I am unsure of a lot of the details. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am not sure what is required to configure each Nanostation, or how I could monitor bandwidth consumption. I also need guesstimates on whether or not the nanostations would cover the area that I highlighted.

I do not want to get taken for a ride by this VAR salesman pushing the GI-LINK product.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. You can contact me via this post or:

email: techspert@yahoo.com
phone: 5615128009

-Jason

[WHT]

The DLINK website is not very forthcoming on tech details of the device...like CPU specs. Will it choke after five connected users?

Forget about its "n" ability anyway.

Use a decent router, or the Nanostation's router. Set your data speed for 12 Mbps to enjoy the full 6 Mbps DSL connection.

[techspert]

Well it definitely doesn't choke after 5 users, but could you be more specific on what you recommend... ie. "The Nanostation's router"? Do you mean the built in firmware can act as a router?

I was under the assumption that the Nanostations need to be plugged into a router.

What solution would you recommend based on the pic that I linked to?

ie. How many Nanostations do you think it would take to cover the area I outlined? What router would you recommend?

Also, I am trying to keep the cost as low as possible, I know commercial grade routers can be expensive.

Thanks,

Jason

[techspert]

I just wanted to add...


as you can probably tell..


I'm kinda noobish :lol:

[sellercreek]

Read the manual and set up a test environment where you experiment with the various functions and capabilities of the NS2. That is the easiest way to learn what works and what doesn't.

[WHT]

keep the cost as low as possible...is mutually exclusive for effective performance.

Well it definitely doesn't choke after 5 users...does it really support more five or ten than FTP downloads at one time? What monitoring tool are you using for TCP?

The Nano does have a built in router which is fine for casual deployments, but if you are going to have tens of or even a hundred users...you really need a commercial router. And something for bandwidth control.

Just guessing at the square area you outlined, you may need several 10 Mbps lines for your backbone and perhaps half a dozen APs.

If you don't have any Linux experience, I'd just spend the $2,500 for a bandwidth control and CALEA (required by law) appliance.

[techspert]

Thanks for the info. I apologize for my typing, I just developed "dropped wrist" syndrome (my right wrist doesn't work, and im a righty... somewhat amusing when trying to sign checks lol).

I should plan on supporting around 100 users, but they will mostly be checking email, etc...

I am not that confident with linux, so what router would you reco.?

Also, I have not considered the legal aspect at all. Could you give me a little info on CALEA?

Thanks,

Jason

[WHT]

http://askcalea.com

http://netequalizer.com/

Light and casual surfing? One AP could support 100 users.

[techspert]

Wow, CALEA sounds somewhat scary (as far as what extent the WISP provider can be held accountable for).

The Netequalizer looks great as well. Thanks for the info.

I don't think bandwidth will be a large problem, but I am curious about how many AP's it would take to provide coverage to the area I outlined. The tough thing about that is that I can only use what little property I have to deploy equipment!

I'm a little worried about how many APs I will end up having on my roof! lol

Again, thanks for any info.

-Jason

[granlabor]

CALEA sounds scarry because you are reponsible for you IP address.

When you let people use your internet you become responsible for what they do online. The large ISP have ways to inform who was using an IP address at a specific time and date. The little guy will have to prove to authorities that he is not into child porn :shock:

Organizations like CALEA exists to protect the ISP and the client.

FORGET ABOUT home products GI-LINK, DLINK, LINKSYS, etc... those are excelent for in home use. I do consulting for small ISP and I see many people buying cheap equipment to save a Buck. If you do not want to waste time fixing connection issues, BUY UBIQUITI and phocus on your business.

What Kind of Setup do you need at your location?
It depends on the type of network you will deploy. That's why nobody answered this question before. Besides, nobody wants to compete with a mikey mouse WISP. Owning an WISP cost a lot of money and requires a lot of time. Don't expect to get that answered for free.

You have to deploy ways to avoid being pickup by atheros hacks and notebooks that will disassociate your clients all the time, making your network stink. The client will not understand that an idiot is shutting your wireless down. If he does he will not accept that there's nothing you can do about it with the NORMAL home use GEAR.

SOME NUMBERS:
What will be the average cost for DSL sharing at your location?
a) Around US$ 600 in equipment at radio BASE and $120 at each client. This is an estimated figure supposing you will use your DSL router and nothing else. In this case make sure you don't sell internet to a "perv".

b) If you want to run some linux to use traffic shapping, bandwidth control, client control, name server and a proxy to log client accessed pages you will spend around US$ 2500 at BASE + $120 at each client (for equipment alone).

You will have to look at it like a business and know that you will bare responsability with your neighbours and authorities.

You will be a "one man band". This means that you will have to do all the installation at BASE and at each client. You will have to make time to run the home based business and solve related issues.

It is very important that you establish a simple business plan. Ask your self questions like:
a) How many clients you expect to join during the first 3 month? In your scenario this will be the period that you will get most of your business from the trailer park. After that, it's ocasional client arriving and leaving.
b) How much time will you allocate for help desk? Are you ready to answer dumb questions, spend 30 minutes on the phone trying to solve the problem and arrive at the client to find out that the network cable is unplugged? :? How much would you charge extra? Will the client pay for it?
c) Will you sell the equipment at a flat installation rate, or do you plan to divide the installation ammount during the contract obbligation period?
d) How long are you planning on paying off the innitial investment? What percentage would be shared with each client? Do you intend to bare the cost to reduce monthly payment?
e) After all the related costs are calculated what will be your profit margin? How many clients to break even? How long to start making money?
f) If you leave in an area with lots of lightning expect to loose 20% of installed equipment per year. Also expect to get some equipment stollen too.

Any way, the questions goes on and on and you probably have many of your own.

Make sure you comply with Local, State and Federal regulations. If not, you could end up with a stiff fine and some jail time.


I hoped this will help. PM me if you need more info.


Best regards,

Joe Alves

[Cpratt]

sorry to jump in on this thread. not sure if this is right spot or not.

this is for ubiquiti techs and WISP OWNers mostly.

if you could set up your ideal tower and antenna array what would your layout be? i have purchase alot of products and 90% of it was Ubiquiti.

this is for one 100' Tower and if you would multiple frequencies:

antenna layout
different freq.
router type
what ubiquiti product to acheive best results.

there are trees lakes and fields. i know what you guys use might not be ideal for me, but you guys are going to be right on the money because of experience.

some of my very own research has led me to an antenna company called wifi plus. it says that it has something similar to Ubiquities adaptive setting called 3 dimensional something. basically says it can pick up piecies of the signal no matter how it is traveling. supposed to be better where there might be some leaves and trees.

let me know your thoughts and ideas i am open to

[WHT]

I can't easily find my post, but it pretty much showed the wifi plus just another shade of lipstick on a pig.

Oh, here it is...
http://forum.ubnt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7022&sid=8770fb6e0d47d24e3b45107855cc8fbb

[Cpratt]

Thanks, that just saved me time and money.

WHT,
so what are your thoughts on my question about "what would be your perfect antenna array, what freq., and if you would have multiple."

thanks
Corey

you may have already talked about it some where else, if that is the case let me know.

[WHT]

Trust me...I'm not being sarcastic, but the perfect antenna would be the one that meets your specifications and expectations.

I would certainly use a 15 dBi antenna for an omni AP, but never on a mobile install.

I would never use a dish antenna that uses a red bull's eye for the company logo.

I would prefer side mount sector antennas over a fiberglass stick in Florida (the lightning thing).

I wouldn't mount an AP over 100 feet (but that depends on your particular deployment strategy).

A MUCH shorter list would be what NOT to use or do.....like how our Aussie friends forget to invert a VPOL antenna because they are south of the equator. OK...*that* was sarcastic.

[techspert]

I want to thank all of you for your helpful info., especially WHT. It is greatly appreciated.

A quick update, I will be familiarizing myself with AirOS, federal/state regulations, and also setting up a test site to measure performance as best as possible.

I'm very glad that I found this forum, and think that you are doing a wonderful job! You have solidified my decision to utilize Ubiquiti equipment, if only you guys got commission :wink: . I will try to keep updates on this project posted, and hopefully be able to contribute more in the future.

Thanks again,

Jason

[WHT]

You're welcome.
if only you guys got commissionIt has its perks. :D

[techspert]

I'm sure it does!

I have been bouncing around the idea that I will need a dedicated Linux box to run AirOS.

Any suggestions as to what version of Linux I should use (I am most familiar with Ubuntu)?

Also, any recommended specs for the linux box? I have a few lying around, but I haven't come across any reco. or min. specs for running AirOS.

I'm thinking of putting it on a P4 2.0GHz, 1GB ram with a small hdd just to run AirOS. Do you think this would be adequate?

Thanks,

Jason

[Spider Sam]

I can help you. Visit GACENCOM.com and get back to me. Spider sam has all the answers for the WISP!!!

[techspert]

So today I bought my first Ubiquiti product :D yay! (Nanostation2)

I just picked up one and configured to AP mode and "ghetto rigged" the unit to the side of a trailer. I was able to get about a 400 ft. range walking in a straight line from the AP with a HP laptop.

I realize picking up even a basic wifi adapter with a better antenna then the built-in HP broadcom board should increase the range a good bit, but I'm wondering if you guys have any tips to improve range (I need about 600 ft.).

ie. What height should I mount the AP at?
Should I use the internal antenna (and if so, should I set it to vertical or horizontal)?
What other settings should I tweak to get the best performance out of this baby?

I'm hoping to get this 1 AP set the way I need so that I can present a working test area to a board of directors in a few weeks.

Thanks again for any/all help!

-Jason