Maximum Range without amplifiers, WGB 350 and AP 350

tisho · ‎04-13-2002

Hi,

I need your advice on this - we should have a track with 1 WGB, one AP acting as a repeater and one another AP acting as the root unit. The distances are kinda huge - 15 kms between the WGB and the repeater AP and 30 km! between the two APs.

This track is currently operational using the Proxim RangeLAN2 units (for those interested - a set of 7521 - AP, 7541- Extension point, 7921 - network adapter ). However, using the very same antennas (27 db, with parabolic dishes) we cannot make the Cisco units to synchronize at ALL! I have made the calculation of the EIRP and we surely have more than 20dbm available even on 11Mbss sensitivity...

What can be the problem? I have gone through the setup several times and they seem okay, as the units work just perfectly in the lab room with the very same setup...) Please tell me about the longest wireless point-to-point tracks you have managed to establish.

Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks in advance,

Tisho

shaun.oliver · ‎04-21-2002

The Cisco APs and WGBs use the 802.11b wireless standard - the range limit on the standard is only a few kms maximum.

If you want to connect over long distances, you'll need some bridges (like Cisco's BR352) - bridges tend to use proprietry extensions to allow connections over longer distances.

I doubt you'll be able to make a 15km connection using APs. The bridges can be configured with the distances to allow for the propagation.

The reason the Proxim units work is because they are *Range* LAN products - designed to work over distances, just like the Cisco Bridges.

tisho · ‎04-25-2002

I wonder why there is NO such information (the BR352 are better in range) in the tech specs published in the Cisco site?!? If this is so, I'd really think of getting my money back I have thrown to buy such "short-handed" equipment !!!

j-block · ‎04-26-2002

The specs on their website (http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/pcat/350wlbr.htm) say you are within range for 2 Mbps. I wonder if there's some 2.4 MHz interference along the way? I'm sure Cisco's TAC would go over the setup with you. Give them a call.