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wireless solution needed, would like a few opinions

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gman10

Technical User
Jul 20, 2001
451
US
hey all-

I hope everyones 4th of July was good. Anyway, getting down to it, I'm looking at a possible wireless solution where two sites are involved:

site A: is max 250 yards away from site B

I will need video data to go across the wireless solution and maybe intercom data.. as you can tell, I work for a video security company.. So, my question lies in what Cisco wireless routers to utilize for this potential solution.. perhaps I should assess a switch for each site as well since I'll be porting matrix devices that mux cameras etc.. I just need someone who's used wireless concerning this kind of yardage... thx to all and this amazing forum!!!

gman[morning]
 
Distance is not the issue. Bandwidth is. Using a wireless bridge, you can get up to 11Mbs. After overheard, you at less that 6Mbs. What are your bandwidth requirements?
The new 1400 series bridges offer 54Mbs, but it will be difficult to get that fast.


It is what it is!!
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A+, Net+, I-Net+, Certified Web Master, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, CCNA, CCDA, and few others (I got bored one day)
 
hi computerhighguy,

thx for the response.. well bandwidth should be allowable for video transfer across wireless so perhaps I will go with the 1400 series bridge.. So, I'm just wondering:

Would I need a router and a bridge? Or 2 bridges? not sure, any added pointers would be extremely appreciated..

thanks again

gman[morning]
 
with bridging you need one bridge on one end and one on the other. it is possible to use an access point or client with a bridge but not over distances of 1 mile. I would recommend the 1400 series bridge x 2. You will be happy with this. Keep in mind this is bridge only. clients cannot connect to it. it does have an integrated antenna and outdoor mounting hardware so installation should be simple. you might need to run cabling to it and then terminate it on a switch in each building. have fun.
 
Cisco makes high quality wireless products, but there are other solutions out there for those who are looking for something more flexible and cost effective.

Tsunami has equipment that range from 16Mbps to 872Mbps. It can carry voice, video, data, etc. Orinoco makes some access points for the "smaller" solutions, that can also be comparable to the Cisco 1400 series (54Mbps).

Dont get me wrong, Cisco has great wireless equipment. I am just letting you know that there may be cost effective alternatives out there.....
 
Thx to all of you for your responses!

The 1400 (Cisco) sounds great! I'm just alittle concerned about what liu3 stated about using 2 bridges but there can't be any clients connecting to it.. Just curious, could I still use 2 Cisco 1400 bridges for what I need to accomplish then? Essentially, building A is approximately 200 yards "or alittle less" away from building B and wireless is the solution that sounds dead on, however though.. I need recorded video to move from Building A to Buidling B via wireless.. The video stream is coming from a DVR from Building A and going to Building B onto a pc using a specific RemoteView client on the pc.. Certainly, there will be a Cisco switch assessed as part of this solution too supposedly at Building B.. maybe a Catalyst 2950 or something better suited.. I guess I just alittle concerned if two bridges will work for this scenario given.. It does look correct though..

Again, thx to everyone for your input!

gman[morning]
 
I'm not sure what the bandwidth requirements of streaming video is, so that may be the first thing to lookup.

You will need 2 bridges (Cisco 1400's if that's what you decide to go with), one on each building. The thing that lui3 mentioned about these being bridges was that he was trying to say that bridges and access points work differently. A bridge connects to another bridge while an access point allows multiple connections from different clients. Access points are just that, a point where clients can access the network they're just broadcasting a signal that anyone (with the correct settings) can access. Think of a bridge as a 1 to 1 connection (in most cases). It's just like driving over a bridge. One shore is connected to the other and allows traffic to pass from one shore to the other.


 
Got ya and thx for the clarification Stone1295.. Well, I will certainly order the 2 bridges (1400) which makes good sense.. and video will work from site to site across these bridges without much of a hitch at all.. will this particular bridge allow to be connected to a switch or an additional access point at Site B which will obtain the data coming in? what if I need a pc to obtain the video traffic coming from one bridge from site A to the other bridge recieving the traffic at site B? Also, just as a side note.. will these bridges handle voice data? It's relatively a small intercom transmission (22/2 - which is 2 conductor wire) carrying this voice data over then from one bridge to the next bridge..
 
The 1400 series bridges will handle voice. Cisco says that they can support up to 24 simultaneous VOIP calls.

They will also connect to switch for connecting to the lan. They support most of the common IOS features. like QOS, trunking etc.

Depending on how much power you need in the switch the 3560s (Layer 3) or 2950s offer a nice bang for the buck as far as performance and features. 3560/3550 models offer inline power for power APs/Bridges from the switch.
 
Excellent, thank you!! Do you know if these 1400's come with antennas (yagi's) or would they have to be purchased separately?

thx again!!

gman
 
The 1400s come with integrated antenna. I believe they are directional patch antennas but i would check ciscos website to be sure which type and what dbi rating. you can optionally remove the integrated antenna and place another antenna on the bridge if you need a different coverage pattern or gain strength. ie the yagi or omni.
 
thanks again lui3,

Actually the 1400's will probably be enclosed in a NEMA casing.. which is a hazardous protection casing.. I;d have to use the yagi antennas then but I appreciate everyone technical input.. I wonder if I need to physically remove the integrated antenna and attach the yagi? or over step this by attaching the yagi as an addition.. You guys have been great thru out all this, I believe I have all the necessary info to continue...

gman[morning]
 
All-

Where can I get the right pricing for a possible Yagi antennas for the 1400 Cisco bridges? Anyone know?

thx all!

gman[morning]
 



Standard connector on all cisco antennas RP-TNC

Quick question. are you buying yagis for a particular reason? They are nice for directional antennas but normally require two antennas for diversity two on each side spaced 6-12inches apart. The built in 1400 series has a directional antenna for point to point connections.

Are you going for a point to multipoint setup with the 1400 series bridges? Or are you future proofing your setup with multipoint capability?
 
Thx again,

Basically.. This will be a building to building non multipoint assessment.. but would be nice to mount antennas to it because the bridge needs to be enclosed in a NEMA protected box which is rather thick and am worried RF will be at a loss.. we would drill a hole in the NEMA box and pass the antenna cable thru it and mount it on the roof.. I'm curious what type Yagi to use for this.. But overall you are right, it is a point to point connection..

thx again!

gman[morning]
 
The 1400 series bridge is considered to be an outdoor bridge. it is weather proof and designed to be mounted outdoors. you shouldn't need a NEMA enclosure with the 1400.
 
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