Wireless wifi bridge. Advantages of a wifi radio bridge
What is a wifi bridge?
Is this a way to connect the Internet or just local network between computers at close and long distances. Usually the Internet or local network is connected using wires, but there are situations when it is impossible to connect a computer to another computer or an Internet provider port to your computer via wires. For example, you live in a village 5 kilometers away from the city, where your friend or relative has high-speed Internet, but no one will install a fiber optic cable to your village just for your sake. This is where it comes to the rescue wi-fi bridge. By installing wi-fi equipment on your house in the village and on the house (balcony, window, roof) of your friend or relative with directional antennas that will look at each other, a wireless network is created that is not inferior in parameters wired network. And now you can connect high-speed Internet from your friend or ask your Internet provider to allocate you another, separate port to connect you; this solution is popularly called last-mile organization.
WiFi bridges They are also used in a number of other solutions. For example, to connect a remote facility (office, store, warehouse) with the main office or data center. In this case, you will not need to build expensive lines to each object and organize a corporate VPN network. This decision more secure, higher speed and, most importantly, does not require payment for the Internet at each point and fees for VPN organization.
Wi-Fi bridge can be organized at distances from one to tens of kilometers and support connection speeds of up to 150 megabits in the forward and reverse channels. This will allow you to transfer large amounts of data in a minimum of time. Wi-fi price bridges are not large and sometimes several times cheaper than running a wire line to the object, and in some cases this is the only option for communicating with outside world. Now the organization of wi-fi bridges is a reality, and not a fairy tale like a few years ago. Over the past couple of years, technology wireless transmission data has taken a sharp step forward. This made it possible to take advantage of wireless connections over long distances not only to large companies and large communication providers, who charged huge sums for connecting this or that object at a distance of only one or two kilometers from the transmitter. Now for the price satellite internet It is possible to connect an uncut version of high-speed Internet with many restrictions, but full broadband Internet access.
Many people nowadays can no longer imagine life without the Internet or other IP technology services, such as IPTV. A Wi-Fi bridge will not only allow you to connect to the Internet over long distances, but will also allow you to use other IP network services. Such as IPTV ( Digital television), VoIP (Telephony). Thus, by creating a wi-fi bridge, you can connect all telecommunications in your home or other facility at once. Internet, telephone and television in a remote village from a large city are already a reality and accessible to everyone.
Wi-Fi radio bridges
Technologies are firmly conquering the world and making it possible to realize what until recently was considered a pipe dream. The Internet today occupies the most important place in life and business sphere. Through it, exchange transactions are carried out, trading operations are carried out, great amount users receive information from the Internet for various areas of their activity. Usually communication is carried out via cable channels. However, many remote commercial facilities do not have the opportunity to lay a cable to connect to the Internet and, because of this, suffer losses, or even completely curtail their activities, since in reality they become unprofitable. It could be a store, a detached country house, gas station and other enterprises. The wi-fi radio bridge system is capable of covering vast distances and providing remote video surveillance at sites without broadband Internet access.
In ideal conditions, without interference, the maximum distance of high-quality operation of a Wi-Fi bridge is from 5 to 10 km. There are also more stable bridges that transmit data up to 50 km. Wi-fi bridges can be used for many purposes - from transmitting information to installing video surveillance in places where cable Internet is unreasonably expensive.
Installing a wifi radio bridge is not a long process. On average, equipment setup takes place within one day. Although it all depends on the specific object and its characteristics. If we are talking about creating a Wi-Fi network over a long distance, then you first need to study in detail the transmission conditions, as well as the characteristics of the landscape and terrain features. Carrying out such a procedure yourself is more expensive for yourself. You must have not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills. Besides this, have necessary equipment, know the geographical characteristics of the area and the channel capacity. To say that the wireless radio bridge is convenient is to say nothing. This is just a godsend for people who have already lost hope of having the Internet at their facility. The ability to transmit data over long distances between two points without wires is not the dream of those who spend a lot of money to install regular cable Internet in unsuitable conditions? He is extremely popular among legal companies, and among individuals. Often this service is selected for office wireless networks using multiple wi-fi access points that are located quite far from each other.
The advantages of this type of transmission of Internet, video, etc. before wired networks are obvious:
Installation and configuration of equipment is completed in a matter of days, and even hours, while cable laying work can take 1-2 months.
A wireless wi-fi bridge is two devices installed at remote points, connected by a channel. If the distance between points is small, 3-5 km, and visibility between them is good, small transmitters will be sufficient; for long distances, more powerful devices will be required. Maximum range – 50-55 km. The most popular manufacturer of this type of equipment is Ubiquiti. There are a lot of models, they vary in price and technical characteristics.
To organize a wireless wi-fi TP link bridge, if the distance between access points is less than 5 km, you can use the UbiquitiNanoStationLocoM2, NanoStationM2, NanoStationLocoM5 models, depending on their range.
More powerful - 10 km - NanoStationM5, NanoBridgeM5 25dBi, NanoBridgeM522dBi, the last two have enhanced antennas. About 25 km will be covered by PowerBridgeM3 and M5, thanks to their highly directional antennas. The longest distance is 45-50 km for RocketM2, RocketM5 GPS models. In order to stabilize reception, it is recommended to install additional antennas.
If the points are located at a distance of 3-5 km, but not in the line of sight, use NanoStationLocoM900, thanks to the 9000 MHz range, radio waves can easily overcome all obstacles. When installed outdoors, lightning protection is required to protect the device from lightning strikes.
Thus, to set up one Wi-Fi bridge you need two local networks, two access points with antennas and two lightning protection.
Settings
How to set up a wi-fi bridge for video surveillance? After purchasing the equipment, the most interesting part comes - configuration. Let's take, for example, equipment from Ubiquiti model - NanoStationM5. The device operates over a range of 3-5 km and can support about 40 stations.
How to connect Ubiquiti NanoStationM5:
- After connecting the point to the lightning protection, we find the IP address http://192.168.1.20 on the case, enter it in the browser line and go to your personal account (login and password - “ubnt”).
- in the “WireLess” tab we configure all the data.
- Next, we configure the second access point, its ip should be changed, since it is the same as the first one, we change it to 192.168.1.21.
- save the settings and log in again, with a new address, on the “WireLess” tab, change the mode to Station.
- in the “SSID” item you need to press Select and then Scan to find the first configured point. Copy its MAC address and paste it into the LocktoAPMAC line, saving the changes.
- You must also indicate the distance between points in the “Distance” line.
This completes the setup.
Algorithm for connecting a router and repeater:
- connect the repeater to your existing router;
- connect to the router from a PC. In the settings, manually assign a new IP address, keeping the address range;
- go to Personal Area repeater (credentials are indicated on the bottom of the device);
- click "Exit" to close the settings;
- go to the “Network” tab, if the ip has changed, click “Save” and reboot the device;
- the repeater is now in the working range of the network, so you need to set the computer to receive IP automatically again;
- go to the repeater’s personal account now with a new address (or with the old one, if it has not changed);
- on the “OperationMode” tab, select “Repeater”, save the changes and reboot the device;
- on the “WireLess” tab, select the repeater operating mode and enter the data of the router whose signal the repeater will relay, save the settings;
- On the "WireLessSecurity" tab, select optimal mode security, enter the code and save;
- on the “DHCP” tab, set “Disabled” and save;
- on the “SystemTools” tab, “Reboot” section, click “Reboot” and reboot;
- disconnect the cable from the device, after a few minutes the repeater should connect to the main router and start relaying the signal.
Price range. The cost of equipment that allows for a wireless wi-fi bridge varies quite widely. When choosing, do not try to save money, more cheap equipment has worse transmission quality. Expensive models will provide stable communication channels, with high speed and without interference.
To ensure the operation of a wi-fi bridge with a distance of 13-15 km, you will have to spend 12-18 thousand rubles, taking into account all the materials. In comparison, the wireless connection offered local providers, will cost much more and will be of worse quality. You definitely won't be able to save money.
A wireless Wi-Fi bridge allows you to connect two points with a fairly high transmission speed. It is used for various purposes - monitoring a summer cottage, elderly relatives, children and staff at home while the owner is at work, providing Internet access to the entire SNT.
Most often, a local network is organized using wires, but this is not always available, and sometimes too expensive. Thanks to the development of technology, today it is possible to connect into one network objects that are located at a fairly large distance from each other, using wireless communication channels. For example, you can connect a house and a country house, an office, dedicated units and a warehouse, which are located in different parts of the city. For this purpose, equipment is used, which is called nothing more than a Wifi bridge. This equipment organizes wireless communication between two points located at some distance from each other.
The range of Wi-Fi can be measured in both meters and tens of kilometers. There are known cases of organization wireless communication between objects located at a distance of 50-60, even 90 kilometers. It all depends on the type and power of the equipment used. Naturally, more powerful devices cost several times more, but often this is still cheaper than the wireless access offered by providers.
Wifi Bridge is current solution to create This technology allows you to connect two commercial entities and ensure the exchange of information bypassing the global network, which is sometimes of great importance.
The transmission speed that a Wifi bridge can provide depends on the type and power of the devices used, the distance between access points, the presence and intensity of interference and other factors. For example, forests, metal structures, and weather conditions located between objects can greatly reduce the signal level. In conditions of high humidity (during rain or fog), the speed of the Wi-Fi connection becomes much lower, even causing network failures.
The range and reliability of the connection largely depend on the antenna, the correct choice of its location and settings. It should be placed at the highest available height, pointing towards the second wireless network object. Also, the signal power (and therefore the speed) depends on the parameters of the cable that is located between the antenna and the transmitting and receiving device. The minimum possible attenuation should be ensured, so be careful when selecting and connecting the cable.
Either a company or a company can use the Wifi bridge. This equipment makes it much easier to organize and develop local networks of various sizes. Moreover, even the use of fairly expensive, powerful and high-quality equipment is much cheaper than renting dedicated channels from providers. The equipment has enough big choice settings and functions that allow you to achieve good results and have a high transmission speed, a stable communication channel with minimal dependence on weather conditions.
A Wifi bridge makes it possible to organize a stable wireless connection digital channel with stable audio and video communication. To protect transmitted information, we use various methods encodings and protocols, additional security methods that can prevent attacks on the network or interception of information.
42Today I want to touch on the topic of an outdoor router, which is of great interest to my readers. Namely, you are regularly interested in how to make a wireless connection between two buildings remote from each other, for example, between an office and a warehouse, between two apartments in different residential buildings, or between a private cottage and a garage. The answer is - it needs to be created. How? Read on...
First, as always, we’ll figure out the future connection diagram. We are faced with the task of creating a WiFi bridge, that is, combining two independent local networks (wired or wireless - it doesn’t matter) or connecting one remotely located computer to our home network using a Wi-Fi signal.
If we're talking about about a room that is located close to the source of your signal, that is, from the router, then it is likely that it will reach it with or without additional devices to increase the range. If we are talking about several hundred meters or tens of kilometers, then completely different devices are required.
The main condition for stable operation wireless bridge- direct visibility between two objects.
Namely - external wifi access point designed for outdoor installation. Again, if the distance is no more than a few tens or hundreds of meters, then you can get by with just two ordinary routers that support bridge mode and have external antennas connected to them.
But for longer distances and more stable operation, it is recommended to use special wifi access points designed specifically for building such wireless bridges. They are already equipped with a powerful directional antenna and are designed to work in conjunction with each other. The market leader in the production of such equipment is Ubiquiti. There are many models in different price ranges and performance characteristics.
WiFi access points and other equipment
Let's look at some of them in terms of range. If you are planning to create a wifi bridge over a distance no more than 3 km in direct line of sight, then the Ubiquiti NanoStation Loco M2, NanoStation Loco M5, NanoStation M2 models are suitable - in increasing order of their range.
The following WiFi access points already reach up to 10 km - Ubiquiti NanoStation M5, NanoBridge M5 22dBi, NanoBridge M5 25dBi. The last 2 with more amplified antennas.
The PowerBridge M3 and PowerBridge M5 models with built-in powerful highly directional antennas will help you overcome a distance of 20 km.
And finally, you can cover a maximum distance of 30-50 km using the Ubiquiti Rocket M2, Rocket M5, Rocket M5 GPS models (with coordinate synchronization). Also, for more stable reception, they can be further amplified with antennas - for example, for the Rocket M2 point, operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, the RocketDish 2G-24 is ideal, for the Rocket M3 - the Rocket Dish 3G, and for the Rocket M5 - the RocketDish 5G-30.
If there is no direct visibility, then the NanoStation Loco M900 model will help you at a distance of up to 5 km. Unlike most access points that operate at a frequency of 2.5 GHz, this equipment has a frequency range of 900 MHz, which helps radio waves better avoid obstacles.
In addition to the points themselves, during outdoor installation you will need some more devices - this is the so-called Lightning Protection, which protects devices operating using PoE technology (that is, receiving power via a network cable) from dangerous voltages that may arise due to atmospheric phenomena.
Let's summarize - to create a bridge you will need 2 configured local networks, 2 external access points with antennas and 2 lightning protection. If you are in doubt about what to buy, just Google and find online stores that sell this equipment. In most cases, they have a convenient wizard for selecting models or have ready-made kits that you just have to purchase and configure.
Here are the characteristics of a series of access points from the Ubiquity website:
Access points of the NanoStation M and NanoStation Loco M series are perfect as client devices for receiving a signal from the base station; as a distributing antenna in the indicated direction; as a bridge connection, where visibility between objects is limited, due to MIMO 2x2 antenna.
Bullet series access points do not come with built-in antennas and are therefore universal. Through the N-type connector, you can configure a panel, directional, or omnidirectional antenna of the appropriate range. Mainly used for building bridges and for distributing signals in a circular direction.
Rocket series access points are designed to build provider-class point-to-multipoint connections and for highways over 40 km thanks to joint use with proprietary AirMax Sector, Dish and Omni antennas. The main advantage of the points is power, performance and support for MIMO 2X2 mode.
Access points of the AirGrid, NanoBridge and PowerBridge series are equipped with built-in highly directional antennas and are mainly intended for building bridge connections. Antennas differ from each other in performance, power, form factor and purpose.
Review of the Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 model
Setting up a Wi-Fi bridge
Once you have decided on the distance and selected a set of devices, it’s time to start setting up the bridge. I will show the example of a point wifi access mid-range Ubiquiti NanoStation M5, which operates at 5 km and supports up to 40 workstations.
Setting up the first point in Access Point mode
We connect the point to the lightning protection, and it to the PoE adapter (a device that allows you to supply power via a LAN connector), which in turn is connected to the mains via a network adapter. Also, in the PoE adapter, we insert a patch cord into the LAN connector, which also comes from the LAN router to which the Internet is connected.
After this, go to the browser at http://192.168.1.20 (it is indicated on the case or packaging), log in using your login/password "ubnt" and we get to the admin panel, which displays general data and network status.
We need the WireLess tab, in which we will configure everything we need for work. There are already familiar items here, such as SSID, and Security (encryption type, login and password for connection) - I will not repeat myself, how to set this up is described in detail in about the wireless connection.
Now I’ll focus on the new basic parameters.
Wireless Mode- the role of this device is Access Point (point) or Station (client). We set one main access point to AP mode, the second, client access point to Station. There is also a WDS mode that allows you to connect multiple devices to a network, but we don’t need that right now.
Channel Width- channel width. The channel bandwidth depends on the value in this field: 40 MHz up to 300 Mbit/s, 20 MHz up to 130 Mbit/s, 10 MHz up to 65 Mbit/s, 5 MHz up to 32 Mbit/s.
Frequency- channel frequency. Be sure to indicate certain number, which is different from the neighbor's Wi-Fi. How to determine this.
Output Power- transmitter power. Set it to maximum.
Max Data Rate allows you to set a specific information transfer rate or select automatic mode.
The rest can be left as is.
We configure all these parameters and move on to another access point.
Setting the second point in Station mode
Just as in the first case, after all the procedures for connecting to electricity and LAN, we go to its IP (the same as the first one), after which it needs to be changed, since the first point already has such an address. To do this, go to the “Network” tab and change to 192.168.1.21 .
We save the settings by clicking the “Change > Apply” button, wait for the reboot and now go to the admin panel again, but at a new, changed address.
Go to the “Wireless” tab and, as I already said, change its operating mode to “Station”.
In the “SSID” item, click on the “Select” button and in the window that opens, click the “Scan” button. The device should detect the first, already configured, access point.
Check the box next to our point, copy its MAC address and paste it into the field Lock to AP MAC
My friend Seryoga asked for internet in his house. That's what came out of it.
I recommended equipment for such links from Ubiquity. We decided to “light up” the Internet from the nearest five-story building with good unlimited Internet. There is one person living there who agreed to help us. For one thing they promised to give him internet at the dacha.
While exploring the area I discovered unpleasant feature landscape: there is no direct visibility to Seryoga’s house.
Anchor point on the garage roof. Left 5GHz, right 2.4GHz.
I had to put a repeater on the roof of the garage, which would be visible both from the five-story building and from the house.
The result is this diagram. Links at a frequency of 5 GHz were displayed in green, and 2.4 GHz in red. A long green link goes to the dacha of the owner of the Internet. The link with the “knee” is to Sergei’s house.
Ubiquiti Nanostation. On the left is Loco.
For this project we needed:
Ubiquiti Nanostation M5 3 pcs.
Ubiquiti Nanostation Loco M2 1 pc.
The numbers after the "M" indicate what range the antennas operate on. The prefix "Loco" means a simplified version at a cheaper price. We pay with transmitter power and lower processor frequency.
Internet distribution point on the roof of a five-story building
Fortunately, I was not involved in the installation of equipment, but only configured it. The photo above shows the owner’s desire to raise the antenna higher, which can later play a cruel joke: static electricity can “knock out” the device.
View of the garage from the roof of the five-story building.
We got the length of the large 5GHz link to be 500m, and the small link to be 300m.
Let me explain why I chose the main links at 5 GHz. The 2.4 frequency range is very noisy near multi-storey buildings, because... Every resident wants to have a wireless router at home. By the way, microwave ovens and Bluetooth also work on 2.4. As a result, you can always catch 10-20 strange nets near your house. The peculiarity of the 2.4 range is that it provides only 3 independent channels: 1, 6, 11. Another 2.4 is greatly reduced in power by law. With the five everything is simpler.
At Sergei’s house, we first caught the Internet using an ordinary ASUS RT-N10 home router, which stands on the windowsill. We distribute it around the house. Because of this universalism, the speed decreases, but you don’t have to buy anything. Then it was replaced with a Ubiquiti outdoor access point with a patch antenna.
As a result, the equipment shows a link of 50 Mbit/s, in fact less, but everyone is happy with it. It’s not fast enough if the declared speed can reach 150 Mbit/s, and the distance is close. The reason lies in the inaccurate alignment of the antennas and the presence of trees in the signal path. The most important thing is that the link does not fall off even in heavy rain.
As you know, thanks to the World Wide Web, users are able to exchange all kinds of files at any distance, they just need to have an Internet connection at their disposal. However, such file sharing is carried out through an Internet provider, i.e., a public network. But what to do when users need to send personal data directly to each other, bypassing online intermediaries. In this situation, a local network can come to the rescue - a special closed network connection for secure data transfer. One type of local network connection is a Wi-Fi bridge.
What is a Wi-Fi bridge
A Wi-Fi bridge is a type of local network, thanks to which you can create two network points at a distance from each other, and then use them to directly combine several devices (most often desktop computers) into one group to transfer data between them. A distinctive feature of a Wi-Fi bridge is a wireless connection, while connecting to a standard local network requires laying a network cable (twisted pair) between devices, which is not always possible or practical.
The signal range depends on the power of the network equipment
Why do you need a Wi-Fi bridge?
The use of a Wi-Fi bridge is relevant both at home (for example, to create a network between two neighboring apartments) and when organizing entire corporate networks(for example, combining all office PCs into one network group or setting up direct connection between the office building and the warehouse located across the street). Moreover, a Wi-Fi bridge can be used for other, more specific purposes (for example, to set up a video surveillance system by creating a network between desktop computer and security camera). The only limitation of a Wi-Fi bridge is its throughput range, which depends on the network equipment. The maximum distance can reach 250 km (the average signal range is about 30 km). Both regular routers and specialized routers can serve as equipment for transmitting data over such distances.
Using two Ubiquiti Nanostation M5 routers, you can create a Wi-Fi bridge with a channel speed of over 150 Mbit/s over a distance of up to 5 km in urban areas
Another important factor for creating a stable Wi-Fi bridge is mandatory presence pure Fresnel zone between two points of future local network connection. The Fresnel zone is a spatial area (segment of a straight line) through which light or sound wave. The more various kinds of obstacles (buildings, uneven terrain, other sources of radio interference, etc.) are in such an area, the worse the quality of the transmitted signal will be (connection breaks and a drop in data transfer speed are possible).
Even changes in weather conditions can affect the clarity of the Fresnel zone
Therefore, if you decide to connect a Wi-Fi bridge, be sure to try to ensure relative “purity” in the Fresnel zone, the level of which should be from 60 to 80% (naturally, the greater the distance between two points, the more interference there will be along the signal transmission path ).
Creating a Wi-Fi bridge within the apartment
To set up a Wi-Fi bridge within an apartment, the user does not need to buy expensive equipment in the form of special routers (all thanks to the fact that the distance between two points will be only a few meters). To do this, it is enough to have two ordinary routers, one of which will be a base station, and the second will become a client, or repeater, receiving the incoming signal.
It will be possible to connect devices to the Internet both through a basic router and through a repeater
It is also worth noting that to create a Wi-Fi bridge, it is advisable to have two routers from at least one manufacturer (or even better, the same model) for more stable operation. Moreover, on identical models the likelihood of failure due to incompatibility of intra-system settings (or their certain differences/features) is minimized.
So, to create a Wi-Fi bridge, the first thing you need to do is configure a basic router that will transmit the outgoing signal. The setup instructions will be shown using the example of two TP-Link routers (the setup algorithm for routers from other manufacturing companies is similar, with the exception of the possible location of individual parameters and settings categories):
- Open any installed Internet browser and enter 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in the address bar (the IP address is usually written in back side router), press Enter.
If you enter an incorrect IP address, the browser will display the error “The page cannot be opened”
- After entering the desired IP address An authorization window will appear in front of you, in which you need to enter your login and password (the factory default values for both parameters are admin) and click OK.
If you have custom login information set, you can reset it to factory default by pressing Reset button on the router case
- In the window that opens, follow the path: “Wireless mode”/“Setting up wireless mode”. Find the “Channel” line, set the value to 1 and click “Save”.
Make sure that the checkbox next to “Enable wireless broadcasting of the router” is checked
The “Basic router” settings are now complete.
Now you need to configure the second router as a repeater that will receive the incoming signal from the base station. For this:
- Open the router settings panel (as in the first case through an Internet browser), find the “Network” / “Local network” parameter and enter the value 192.168.0.2 in the “IP address” line. Then click "Save".
The base router's IP address should have the standard value 192.168.0.1
- Next, go to the “Wireless Mode” / “Wireless Mode Settings” settings and set the “Channel” parameter to “1”. After this, place a marker next to the line “Enable WDS”, below will appear additional block with the data where you need to click on the “Search” button.
The search takes on average a few seconds
- At the end of the search process, you will see full list connections available for connection, select the very first one by clicking “Connect”. Save your settings.
The connection is made to the base router, which will always be first in the list
In order for the settings to finally take effect, you need to reboot both routers (just turn them off and on).
I conducted two tests of a Wi-Fi bridge at home, working through two of the most common routers from TP-Link and Xiaomi. The first bridge was configured for a desktop PC (router model TP-LINK Archer C5) and a laptop (router model TP-LINK TL-WR841N), located in the same apartment building, but in different apartments (on the same floor). The second bridge was created by connecting a wireless local network for two stationary PCs (one computer was connected to the TP-LINK Archer C5 router, the second to Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi 3), located in different houses (the distance between them is ~ 100–150 meters). In both cases, there was a sufficient amount of various types of interference in the Fresnel zone (in particular, concrete and brick walls, as well as sources of additional radio interference), but in the first test the distance between two network points turned out to be approximately half as much. Based on the results of the tests, we can say the following: firstly, the power of the transmitted signal in the first test was better (data transfer speed over the local network is on average 10–15 MB/sec higher); secondly, the signal in the first test turned out to be noticeably more stable (in the second case there were periodic connection breaks); thirdly, the speed of the Internet connection in the second test dropped almost twice (and at the same time the ping increased). From all this we can conclude that to connect a Wi-Fi bridge at a distance exceeding 100 meters, it is advisable to use specialized network equipment.
Features of creating a Wi-Fi bridge over long distances
If you can still use conventional equipment (simple router models) to create a Wi-Fi bridge within an apartment, then if you need to work on long distances specialized routers will be required. Home distinctive feature of such routers is the power level of the signal they transmit. If we talk about companies that produce such equipment, then it is worth highlighting three representatives: the Latvian MikroTik, the American companies LigoWave and Ubiquiti Networks (UBNT), which is considered the flagship in the development of specialized network equipment. Let's give several models of routers as an example, dividing them into categories according to signal range (the cost of equipment is current at the beginning of November 2018).
Signal range up to 10 km (equipment cost 3–32 thousand rubles)
Optimal models for different price categories it could be considered:
- budget option - MikroTik SXTsq Lite5 (signal range - up to 3 km, data transfer speed - 70 MB/sec, signal output power - 25 dBm), cost - 3,937 rubles;
MikroTik SXTsq Lite5 router operates at 5 GHz
- average price level - LigoWave LigoDLB 5–15ac (signal range - up to 7 km; data transfer speed - 450 MB/sec; signal output power - 30 dBm), cost - 6,166 rubles;
The MikroTik SXTsq Lite5 router does not have a built-in firewall(Firewall)
- high-speed equipment - LigoWave LigoPTP RapidFire 5–23 (signal range - up to 3 km; data transfer speed - 500 MB/sec; signal output power - 31 dBm), cost - 31,345 rubles.
LigoWave LigoPTP RapidFire 5–23 router is used for networks with high data transfer rates, for example, at providers
Signal range up to 25 km (equipment cost 3.5–33 thousand rubles)
Some examples of equipment from the presented segment:
Signal range up to 40 km (equipment cost 4.5–22 thousand rubles)
Common models are:
- budget option - Ubiquiti AirGrid M2 HP 2G20 (signal range - up to 30 km; data transfer speed - 70 MB/sec; signal output power - 28 dBm), cost - 4,840 rubles;
The AirGrid M2 HP 2G20 access point comes with all the necessary mounting hardware for installation
- average price level: Ubiquiti PowerBeam 5AC-400 (signal range - up to 35 km; data transfer speed - 200 MB/sec; signal output power - 25 dBm), cost - 7,661 rubles;
Ubiquiti PowerBeam 5AC-400 router has improved noise immunity
- high-speed equipment - LigoWave DLB MACH 5 (signal range - up to 30 km; data transfer speed - 100 MB/sec; signal output power - 29 dBm), cost - 22,237 rubles.
The router body is made of die-cast aluminum, which ensures durability when used in direct sunlight and harsh weather conditions
Signal range up to 100 km (equipment cost 7–72 thousand rubles)
The following can be considered the best representatives of routers of this class:
- budget option - LigoWave LigoDLB ECHO 5D (signal range - up to 60 km; data transfer speed - 70 MB/sec; signal output power - 29 dBm), cost - 7,149 rubles;
The software part (internal OS) of LigoDLB ECHO 5D is based on Linux
- average price level - Ubiquiti PowerBeam M5–620 (signal range - up to 60 km; data transfer speed - 450 MB/sec; signal output power - 24 dBm), cost - 13,435 rubles;
The router OS has a built-in AirView utility designed for spectral analysis of air frequencies
- high-speed equipment - Ubiquiti airFiber 5U (signal range - up to 100 km; data transfer speed - 100 GB/sec; signal output power - 27 dBm), cost - 71,606 rubles.
Thanks to dual independent 2x2 MIMO 5GHz antennas with enhanced reflector, Ubiquiti airFiber 5U can operate in Half Duplex mode without loss of speed
There are router models with a range of up to 250 kilometers, but there is quite a bit of such equipment on the market. Moreover, internal system power such devices are often unable to provide stable work local network over similar distances.
Setting up a Wi-Fi bridge on Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 routers
Let's look at an example of creating a Wi-Fi bridge using the Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 routers as an example. These devices are among the most affordable and in demand on the network equipment market. The Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 is capable of transmitting a stable radio signal over a distance of up to 7 km at a speed of 100 MB/sec, and its output power is 27 dBm. On the official website of the developer, the router costs 6,350 rubles.
Typical applications for the Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 are video surveillance systems, teleconferencing, and support for telemetry equipment
Setting up a Wi-Fi bridge using such equipment is practically no different from setting up conventional routers within an apartment:
- Connect the Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 to the modem, open any Internet browser, enter the IP address 192.168.1.20 and press Enter.
- Fill in the data in the authorization window that appears (username/password ubnt/ubnt), click on the Login button.
Settings are available in different languages, but Russian is not available
- In the station settings window that opens, go to the WIRELESS tab, where you set the following parameters:
- Then go to the NETWORK tab and set the Network Mode parameter to Bridge, save and close the settings window.
To save the settings, click the Change button
Now you need to configure the second network point(second Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 router) as a signal receiver:
After completing all settings, you must reboot all equipment.
A Wi-Fi bridge is not so much a type of one of the methods of connecting a local network, but rather a rather convenient alternative to a wired Internet connection. Thanks to this bridge, the user can combine several devices located from each other at a distance of up to 250 km into one network group. To create a Wi-Fi bridge, you only need to have specialized network equipment. The most widely known equipment manufacturer is Ubiquiti Networks.
We continue to understand the operation of different routers in repeater and bridge modes. In this manual, we will take a detailed look at setting up a Tp-Link router in bridge mode (WDS). I think that you immediately need to understand the question of what WDS is on Tp-Link routers and how it differs from the “Repeater” (repeater) operating mode.
I’ll say right away that on Tp-Link routers there is no such mode as a repeater, like, for example, Asus and Zyxel (there, routers really work like). Only access points from Tp-Link can work as network repeaters. As for ordinary routers, such as: TL-WR941ND, TL-WR740N, TL-WR841N, TL-MR3220, TL-WR842ND and other models, they have the ability to configure bridge mode, also known as WDS.
What is the difference between bridge mode and repeater mode? I’ll explain it in simple language: in bridge mode, we simply connect two routers via Wi-Fi. This mode can also be used for Wi-Fi extensions networks. For example, we have some main router, which distributes the Internet via Wi-Fi. And we need to expand this network, increase its range. We take a Tp-Link router, configure it in bridge mode according to these instructions, it receives the Internet via Wi-Fi from the main router, and distributes it further. But, unlike a repeater, you will have another wireless network, with your own name and password.
Of course, repeater (or router in repeater mode) much better suited for this purpose. It simply clones and strengthens an existing network, and in bridge mode another wireless network appears. And you will have to choose which network to connect to.
I was recently asked this question in the comments:
Good afternoon. The question arose, how to configure the tl-wr941nd router to receive Wifi, and then transmit the Internet via cable. That is, just use it as a receiver. Is it possible to somehow accomplish this?
By configuring your Tp-Link in WDS mode, it can be used as a receiver. To connect to the Internet, for example, a TV or computer that does not have a Wi-Fi receiver.
A few more points:
- You can have any main router. Of course, it’s good if both devices are Tp-Link, and even better if they are the same models. I have a main router, and I will configure the bridge on the TL-MR3220. By the way, I was unable to connect Tp-Link with the old Asus RT-N13U.
- We will also change the settings of the main router. We need to ask static channel.
- This method is ideal for wireless connection two routers in bridge mode. For example, on the first floor you have a router, and on the second we install another one and connect it to the first one via Wi-Fi. There is no need to lay the cable anymore.
Setting up a bridge (WDS) on a Tp-Link router
1 First of all, we need to change the channel wireless network on the main router. Please note that the router to which we will connect in bridge mode must be configured. That is, the Internet must work, it must distribute a Wi-Fi network.
My main router is D-link DIR-615.. This means that we need to set a static channel for the wireless network in the settings on the main router. I don’t know what kind of router you have, so see the instructions. In it, I wrote about changing the channel on devices from different manufacturers.
If, for example, you also have Tp-Link as your main router, then the channel can be changed in the settings (which open at 192.168.1.1 (192.168.0.1), or see the instructions), on the tab Wireless. In field Channel specify a static channel. For example 1, or 6. Press the button Save to save settings.
The static channel has been installed. You can exit the settings of the main router.
First, we need to change the IP address of our Tp-Link. This is necessary to ensure that there are no two devices on the network with the same IP. For example, if the main IP address is 192.168.1.1, and the second one is 192.168.1.1, then there will be an address conflict. Go to the tab Network - LAN. In field IP Address replace the last digit from 1 to 2. You will get the address 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.0.1. Click the button Save. The router will reboot.
We need to know what IP address the main router we are going to connect to has. If it has 192.168.1.1, then on the router that we want to connect via WDS we change the address to 192.168.1.2. And if the main one has an address of 192.168.0.1, then set the second one to 192.168.0.2. It is important that they are on the same subnet.
Go to the settings again, only the IP address will be different - 192.168.1.2. Which we indicated above.
3 Go to the tab Wireless. In field Wireless Network Name you can specify the name of the second wireless network. And in the field Channel be sure to specify the same channel that you set in the settings of the main router. I have channel 1.
Select the desired network from the list from which the router will receive Internet. Against the desired network click on the link "Connect".
4 All we have left is the drop-down menu Key type select the type of security for your network (which we connect to). And in the field Password specify the password for this network. To save, click on the button Save.
Reboot your router. By turning off the power and turning it back on, or in the control panel by clicking on the link "click here".
5 After the reboot, go to the settings again. And right on the main screen (Status tab), look at the section Wireless. Against WDS Status should be written Run.
This means that our Tp-Link will already connect to the main router. And it must distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi and cable. The setup is complete.
If you need IP addresses to be issued by the main router (not the one configured in bridge mode), then on the router that we just configured, you need to disable the DHCP server. You can do this in the settings, on the tab DHCP. By installing a switch near Disable, and saving the settings.
6 Don’t forget to set a password for the Wi-Fi network that the router we configured will distribute. You can see the details. Everything is simple there. In the settings, on the tab Wireless - Wireless Security, highlight the item WPA/WPA2 - Personal(Recommended), in field Wireless Password set a password (minimum 8 characters), and click the button below Save.
Now our Tp-Link router receives the Internet from the main router and distributes it further. Select right place to install a second router so that it is within range of the main router.
Setting up a wireless bridge (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) on the new firmware version
Decided to update this article and add current information on setting up WDS on TP-Link routers with new firmware. Which is in blue tones. Everything is set up a little differently there. I will show you now.
If you have a router with new panel controls, then you need to go to the "Advanced settings" section - " System Tools" – "System parameters". If you have a dual-band router, then there you will see the opportunity to configure the bridge mode in two bands. At a frequency of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
1 Check the "Enable WDS Bridge" checkbox next to the required frequency. For example, I checked the box next to 2.4 GHz. Click on the "Search" button
2 Select the network you want to connect to from the list. Just click "Select" next to your network. I think you will easily find your network in the list of available ones.
3 If necessary, you can change the security settings (Protection, Password) and click on the “Save” button. If you set a password, then select "WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK". You can also leave the network without a password. If necessary.
The Roture will connect via Wi-Fi to another router and will receive the Internet via a wireless network.
If you need to disable the DHCP server, you can do this on the “Advanced settings” – “Network” – “DHCP server” tab.
If the Internet does not work via cable in WDS mode
If you complete the settings that I showed above, the Internet will only work via Wi-Fi, and when connected to a router (which is in WDS mode) via cable, the Internet does not work. No internet access. This, of course, is not the case, and using the router as a Wi-Fi network receiver, for example, will not work. Therefore, I wrote a question to TP-LINK support, and they answered me.
When setting up the WDS function, you receive IP addressing from the original router (the device to which the WDS client is connected) over both a wired and wireless network. For correct settings For this function, you must definitely disable the DHCP server on the equipment on which the WDS bridge is configured. You also need to local IP address was on the same subnet as the original router.
I checked everything on the TP-LINK TL-WR740N, and indeed, after disabling the DHCP server, the Internet immediately started working network cable. Disabling DHCP is not difficult at all. In the router settings, open the tab DHCP, set the switch near Disable(disable), and save the settings.
We reboot the router and everything works fine. I immediately got internet via cable. You can go to the settings of this router at the address that we set in the second step. For me it is 192.168.1.2.
If you can't set up a WDS connection
Update. There is often a situation when the router does not want to connect in bridge mode. Of course, there can be many reasons. In the comments, Edward suggested one thing interesting solution – disabling WPS function on both routers. If you have problems setting up WDS mode, you can try. Moreover, few people use a WPS connection, and it is often recommended to disable this function for security reasons and to solve other problems with the wireless network.
On TP-Link routers it's not difficult to do. In the WPS (or QSS) section, you just need to disable this function.
And in the new firmware.
You need to disable it on both routers. On the main one, and on which we are trying to set up a connection in bridge mode. More information (including devices from other manufacturers) can be found in this article: .
If you have any questions, advice, or comments, write them in the comments.
Today, due to the territorial distribution of company divisions, the problem of combining them into one common network often arises. If a solution to this problem is also of interest to you, then we can offer installation of equipment to provide wireless communication between objects via a WiFi radio bridge. Under ideal conditions, with line of sight* and no interference, the maximum uninterrupted range WiFi work bridge is 5-10 km. Although there are also stable wireless bridges with a communication range of up to 25 km.
2. ADVANTAGES OF WIFI RADIO BRIDGE
- The implementation of the last mile is ideal where it is not possible to lay a cable.
- For comparison, cable laying work takes about a month or more.
- The cost of installation is tens of times lower than the cost of laying cables.
- Stable connection over long distances
- Data connection speed via radio bridge can range from 10 Mbps to 1.4 Gbps
(Speed depends on your requirements and equipment) - The object with which the connection is established will be able to access the Internet through your network or vice versa.
- Radio bridges can be used for various purposes, from data transmission, including the Internet, to the installation of video surveillance. In places where it is not possible to lay a cable or the cost exceeds reasonable limits.
We recommend installing a wireless bridge ( WIFI link) use equipment from Ubiquiti Networks at your site. Radio bridges from Ubiquiti Networks have proven themselves to be reliable and high-quality equipment for building radio bridges, time-tested. Leave your request in the form feedback and we will prepare for you Commercial offer.