Repeaters

[thisisshanky]

I havent had to setup any repeaters in the wireless networks I have designed..In this specific case, I can think of using a repeater to establish a wireless shot between four locations. Here is the scenario..

Site1---Site 2(Omni)----Site 3(Repeater)----Site4

Site 2 is the hub site (Omni antenna) while Site 1 and 4 are spokes which will use Yagi antennas. Site 3 is a location which has LOS to Site 2. Site 4 does not have LOS to Site 2. In this case, how should Site 3 be designed.

Yagi---Bridge1----crossovercable----Bridge2---Yagi

OR

Yagi---Bridge-----Yagi

In the first scenario two bridges will be installed in Site 3 and each bridge will use one Yagi antenna. The bridges are connected back to back using a cross over cable (or switch). Bridge 1 will shoot the signal back to Site 2, while Bridge 2 will shoot the signal to Site 4. Will this work ? Will there be a 50 % reduction in throughput like in case of a true repeater ?

I am not sure about Scenario 2 but any inputs will be very helpful.

[Georges-Alexandre Cotnoir]

You're right. The bandwith of the first design will be at 100%, the second design will lost 50% and the coverage won't be as big as the first one.

By the way, I don't know if Cisco had make products to be fully compatible with your second design, the only one I saw like this need to plug a splitter for the antenna cable and plug in the two yagis.

[scottmac]

Your first scenario would be correct.

Even though there are (frequently) two antenna connectors on the device, they are for "diversity" to reduce multipath in closed environments.

Diversity only activates one antenna at a time. It is not meant for relay operations or to increase the area of coverage.

Setting up a pair of bridges will also give you a diagnostic point (used with a hub or mirror port switch).

If you use non-standard equipment (splitters, amps, non-Cisco cabling) then the system is at risk of violating local regulation for that frequency spectrum. By pre-testing all of the components, Cisco can certify that the system will be in compliance with the local regulations (there may be some legal issues also ...).

Good Luck

Scott

[thisisshanky]

Thanks gentlemen for your valuable responses. I did read somewhere that with Scenario 1, there is a 15 percent drop in throughput because of two devices involved..But I guess its much better than having 50 percent drop in Scenario 2..and obviously you get more distance in Scenario 1..