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Setting up a wireless network

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by jbiohaz

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I'm trying to set up a wireless network for a condominium complex. The complex consists of 2 buildings w/112 units each on 10 floors. I tried to go w/a network consisting of pointing some antennas to the buildings to send the wireless signal, this plan has been scrubbed because of poor quality signal. So I have to go hard wire. This resort was not built w/internet in mind, so all cabling to the units is only telephone. But I can string 4 or 5 CAT5 wires along the conduits. Which would leave the option to install 4 Wireless N AP's per floor.
Now, here's where I need some input (since I'm not that knowledgeable with networks). I have to go thru the elevator shaft to set up the network, I was thinking of having a network switch on each floor to take care of each AP. One of my questions is, Will I need to set up one switch at the ground floor so I can feed each floor's switch, or can I piggy back on each floor's switch to reach the next floor? I don't know if piggy backing would have a negative impact on the network. Also from the elevator shaft there's not a problem to run the wires to each floor's switch (the limitation I have on space is from each floor to the units).

8 replies

by ---tk---

I wouldn't really think it would make that much of a difference b/c Wireless N max speed is 144 Mbit/s, your average switch is 10/100/1000, and what is your ISP speeds? maybe 1.5 Mb/s up and 10 Mb/s down or it might be faster... regardless your ISP will be the bottle neck.

I would feed all the AP's to one switch per floor, then feed the 10 switches (10 floors) to the main switch which goes out to the net (or where ever).

Plus you add in encryption, thats also going to slow the network down. The only way to get some seriously spanking speeds is the have the 10 switches have a fiber link that goes to a fiber switch.

**This is purely speculation, I am not a wireless expert or a network administrator. I know a little about a little lol... Maybe someone that has done this before will post up.

by jbiohaz

The service provided will be limited, we want to limit available bandwith for users, so the available bandwith is sufficient for each building.

by ---tk---

With Cat5, one thing to watch out for is if a cable comes close to exceeding 328 feet (100 meters), you will need a switch/hub between the cables or you will get attenuation.

by drmweaver

Most switches has a port to plug another switch into. You should verify that your switches have that plug. It's not the same to plug a switch into a switch using the normal network plugs. It has to have the piggy back port. I'm not sure what it's called, but like I said most have those.

I believe there's also a limit in feet that you can cable those different switches, I believe that is 300 feet.

Hope that helps.

by jbiohaz

I'm looking into maybe trying PoE, so a special switch needs to be used, the distance from the router to the last switch (10th floor) is 100 feet, from each floor, the max length we're looking at would be less than 150 feet, so there would be no problem with cable lenght. Thanks for the feedback.

by ian

Hi,

a couple of pointers you should be aware of

1: the MAX distance is 100mtrs in any cat5/6 run - aim for 90mtr to be safe -

2: if you are going up the elevator riser you should consider shielded cable to protect against interference from the high voltages in the riser (unshielded then from each access switch to the APs

3: the best way to design this is to install a small PoE switch on each floor and then a dedicated cable back from each to the core - you can daisy chain but troubleshooting may be a pain

4: security may be a concern, depending on the use of the building ie if it is a college dorm, once the users end device connects to the LAN it will have access to all other devices

5: lastly a managed wirless solution will save you a lot of pain - what I mean by this is as follows:

Basic AP's broadcast their SSID and operate on a channel. Multiple independant AP's will interfer with each other casuing you a massive headache, especially if you don't have the experience to complete a WIFI survey.

A managed solution introduces a Wireless Controller. This device holds all configuration and controls the AP's. The AP's then become basic radios and will automatically ajust power, channel etc so there are no issues.

Ruckus is a great product and you may not need as many AP's as you think

Colubris (now HP Procurve) is another very good WLAN controller system

Both these options are nowhere as expensive as the Cisco\Meru etc.. offerings but just as good if you ask me

by jbiohaz

Your feedback is pretty much what I've had in mind, but was looking for a second opinion to see if I was on the right track. The longest stretch between AP & switch would be 150 ft., so I'm covered on that aspect. Thanks for the shielded cable suggestion, I had not thought about that. Yes, I had planed one PoE switch for each floor. Security is not a big issue, since this would be an open network for public use, if someone should need a secure network connection we have a conference center available. I have been looking into possible solutions from Aruba, but then saw an article regarding Ruckus & I do think this could work out good for my needs.
Now I just have to look at costs to get the best bang for my buck.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

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