Wireless mesh, Cloud managed access points

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f1y

Supreme [H]ardness
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Dec 30, 2005
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Any point me towards some good gear?

I'm looking to cover an apartment complex owned by my in-laws. It's low income government hosing for people with disabilities. Basically war damaged young service men and women.

They want to give them some sort of mesh wireless technology like a hotel.

User ID and Password. to login. Some way to manage it remotely.

What am I looking for here? I'm guessing a PoE switch, Access Points, and some sort of software...

Problem is I don't want to just guess. We pulled in a specialist, but they quoted $28,000

We're looking at less then $15,000

I'm thinking the main hub for ~3000
and then 10-15 Access Points @ 200 a pop. then lines, and software.
What am I looking for though?
 
Check out Meraki
http://meraki.com/

The Pro version is great for a mesh setup on guest wifi, you'll want Enterprise only if you need VLAN's on Multiple SSID's, LAN access without NAT, etc.

The devices come with Pro for free, Enterprise costs extra. Also if you work with a rep that likes you (CDW, Insight, PCMall). You can make them let you get the Enterprise license on the cheap models. ;) I have 14 of the cheap indoor and outdoor models with Enterprise licenses. :D

If you go with 15 of the Meraki Outdoor's with the Pro license, it's just about $3,000 total; cloud managed. They will gladly send you a demo unit if you secure it with a CC. Go through a reseller for the actual purchase and get them for like $2700~

They use PoE injectors, so you just need a regular switch. If you make them all Enterprise licenses, you're still only looking at $7500 MSRP to get rocking. Enterprise at that rate is for three years, upon which you need to renew the license.
 
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Cool, I requested a demo.

I googled "cloud managed wiresless access points"

and they came up.. Thanks for the tips
 
I'll be looking into that unifi when our Meraki renewals come up, thanks!

:)
 
Why did you suggest having a main-hub wen you are also asking for cloud managed? Why look for "Mesh" if you are expecting to run PoE?

Could you please explain the deployment in more detail? Are you going to home-run cat 5 to the AP's? How far away are they? Is the building constructed out of stucco?
 
dashpuppy said:
http://www.streakwave.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=UAP-LR&eq=&Tp=


Looks pretty nice, have you used any ? What you think about them ?
Click to expand...

I ordered one LR today, then canceled, then I ordered a 3 pack :)

I will trial this at a 25,000sqft warehouse/office space and see how seamless it really is, how easy it is to setup, and how stable it is. Can't wait! I have been longing for a good roaming access point at this price-point for small businesses.
 
The unifi stuff is great, I have deployed it in a few places. I cant wait for them to release a Linux controller software and PMK Caching.
 
awesomo said:
I ordered one LR today, then canceled, then I ordered a 3 pack :)

I will trial this at a 25,000sqft warehouse/office space and see how seamless it really is, how easy it is to setup, and how stable it is. Can't wait! I have been longing for a good roaming access point at this price-point for small businesses.
Click to expand...

The ubiquiti ap's don't roam well. If you are wanting to do any kind of voice roaming or data roaming without dropping too many packets look elsewhere.
 
MikeTrike said:
Check out Meraki
http://meraki.com/
Click to expand...

I can't in good conscious recommend Meraki. I'm dealing with their equipment right now at a client's location (someone else installed it before I arrived). It's complete trash compared to Cisco, Aruba, or Ruckus equipment. Their entire pricing structure is quite frankly mind boggling. Why should someone have to pay a per AP license fee to use a "cloud based controller"?

I would look at Ruckus Wireless as they are one of the better brands for wifi in the hospitality industry. Another option to consider is Open Mesh. They may not be as "polished" as Meraki, but the controllers are far cheaper and don't require any licensing fees. Open Mesh was started when Meraki backstabbed the open source community and everyone who had ever deployed their equipment by double and triple the cost of equipment and services.

You really need an on-site controller to manage the system. You should not rely on someone else to keep your network humming along.
 
Striker109 said:
I can't in good conscious recommend Meraki.
Click to expand...
Agreed. We just went through an RFP process asking for wireless bids. The Meraki guy that showed up just rubbed me the wrong way. And he wouldn't leave me alone after all the walkthroughs. He would call me like every other day "just to talk". No matter how many times I told him I was busy he would do everything he could just to keep me on the phone with him, asking me questions not even related to the wireless project.

Finally I just had to tell him that we weren't interested in cloud based licensing and the idea of paying over and over again for equipment we never owned (the controller)
I'd much rather have a Cisco 5508 WLC sitting in my MDF that I can manage myself, and I am responsible for keeping working then relying on someone else in some unknown location.
 
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