Wireless without line of site

[TWControls]

I need to connect two networks together. The distance between Point A and Point B is about 100 feet. So far it is pretty simple, but the problem is we are adding a section onto our plant between Point A and Point B.

I put two store bought wireless access point in until I could come up with a permanent (but temporary) solution. At first it worked pretty good. Then they moved a large roll off dumpster into the line of site. It was not as good but was still worked. Then they filled the dumpster with concrete from demolition. That ended the operation of the wireless network until the dumpster was moved. I get the feeling this is going to happen quite often during the construction. I will have to keep this temporary network going for about 6 months when the building should be completed.

Underground or overhead lines are not an option because of the construction, does anyone have ideas about how to make the wireless more reliable or any alternative solutions?

Thanks
TW

 

[Twr1]

Move point A and point B radios up as high as you can.
A couple extension cords, a couple 25' cat5's and some duct tape.
don't even try to make it look pretty.

 

[TWControls]

IT is worried about lightening protection if we raise the access point. Do you think this is a concern?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: TWControls
IT is worried about lightening protection if we raise the access point. Do you think this is a concern?

Sure it might be a trouble. But that is why there are Arrestors that can be installed as well.

:sun:

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: TWControls
IT is worried about lightening protection if we raise the access point. Do you think this is a concern?

In addition to arrestors, perhaps you could also install a lightning rod or two, that are elevated higher than the access points? Run a 0 gauge wire from the lightning rod to ground...

 

[ktwebb]

Originally posted by: TWControls
IT is worried about lightening protection if we raise the access point. Do you think this is a concern?

Well yeah, of course it is. But as mentioned you arrest the links. The arrestor will connect to a ground and if you get a hit, you'll only lose that side of the link and it won't travel to the equipment the bridge is attached to, ie the switch or whatever. In some circumstances the bridge even survives but even with an arrestor if you take a direct hit to the pole the bridge is pretty much toast. SInce your using budget gear that isn't a huge deal and as long as your going with budget equipment and this is only a short term project I wouldn't worry about a rod. You can do it but it doesn't sound necessary. In a four year period I probably installed over 150 outdoor LAN and WAN wireless links, all elevated above roofline or on towers. Towers did have umbrellas or lightening rods but the mast/pole mounts never did and never had an issue. This was mostly in florida, the lightening capital of the world. For what that's worth.

The answer to your problem is raising the radiators (antennas) and there is no compromise there if your honestly talking about filled dumpsters so understanding that you have to look at saving the equipment from lightening, which means arrestors.

 

[Twr1]

Sorry, I thought you were in a standard 22'+ high building. As mentioned above, you'll need to stay well below the roofline to avoid lightning protection. If you can get your points a couple feet above the top of a full dumpster you should be fine.

or;

Ask the contractors superintendent if the next dumpster can be located x number of feet over to not block your network connection. Walk him to site to explain what you need and to get an exact location that will work for the both of you. If it works out you'll need to get the schedule from him for the next drop-off. You'll need to catch the driver yourself to tell him of the new location. It won't be going on anyone else's priority list during a demolition.

 

[TWControls]

Since we have gotten into the height I should give some details of that. If we are to raise the wireless above the height of the construction, the distance between the wireless will increase to 160 feet. 1 or 2 feet high antenna would work on the one building, but the other antenna would have to be roughly 35 feet high

I was just using the dumpster as an example. Just in general line of sight during the construction is going to be hard. Perhaps something besides store bought wireless? Or maybe a different solution all together? Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Ark]

Depends on your budget but you may have to look at licensed frequency products, you can get much higher distance with them.
http://esteem.com makes long range high power devices.

Also take a look at this pole mounted modem, this may work for you.
http://esteem.com/default.cfm/ID/1217/
You don't put 30' antenna, you move modem to the pole.

 

[nweaver]

I have a 6ish mile link with 5.8 Ghz Tranzio bridges. Get them up as high as you can, even if it increases the distances some. The tranzios (iirc) come with parabolic directional antenna. Get at least one high up, aim it down at the other so you can clear most stuff.

 

[nweaver]

other option is to put a relay out further, so you are in sort of a triangle shape, so building one hits relay, which hits building 2, and you have LOS between the relay and the buildings, while you may not between the buildings.

 

[TWControls]

Originally posted by: nweaver
other option is to put a relay out further, so you are in sort of a triangle shape, so building one hits relay, which hits building 2, and you have LOS between the relay and the buildings, while you may not between the buildings.

So simple. Why didn't I think of that. I've been trying to make a straight shot between the two buildings. There is an old shed set back out of the way that still has power and is only about 80 feet from one building and about 120 feet from the other. We were going to tear it down but it's not in the way of anything so we can leave it for now. That should work perfectly.

Thanks
TW

 

[ktwebb]

Multi-point bridging. Any of the more expensive wireless vendors make bridges that will work in a PtoMP envioronment. Some of the budget ones do as well. Take a look at buffalotech.com Buffalo makes really good gear for the pricing they offer. The shed would be the parent bridge and the two remote sites would be the "child" bridges. Extra hop but if they are setup correctly your only adding a couple of milliseconds.

 

[TWControls]

Well I got it setup but I am having problems keeping the communications going through the bridge. I'm loosing a lot of packets but can PING all devices. The wireless are Linksys WAP11s

 

[TWControls]

Well it turned out the shed was in the way of the construction so we ran the wires underground where the new building is going to be. This will make it another few months till they start grading. Perhaps by then the skeleton of the building will be up or I can get a more industrial wireless to run across.

Thanks for the help help and this is a great forum
TW