Courier™ Case Studies

Building-to-Building Wireless Networking

Organization:

Materials Recovery Ltd.

Location:

Kingswood, UK

Type of Business:

Waste management and recycling

Products Used:

USR5450 802.11g Wireless Multi-Function Access Point, USR5446 Power over Ethernet Kit

The Challenge

Materials Recovery Ltd. needed to connect two Local Area Networks, one in their recycling warehouse and the other in the main office, nearly 200 meters away. This distance made a simple CAT5 cabling run insufficient as it was almost twice the distance recommended to support Ethernet traffic.

Their search for a solution led them to XWLAN, a computer networking firm that specializes in the design and implementation of wireless alternatives. XWLAN was asked to develop a cost-effective, highly reliable LAN to LAN connection.

The Solution

While many companies have become familiar with wireless networking as an alternative to CAT5 cable for connecting desktop and laptop computers, the use of wireless in outdoor situations is less prevalent. After completing a site survey to determine the availability of clear radio channels and if any significant interference existed in the area, XWLAN proposed a wireless bridge solution for Materials Recovery.

Using two USRobotics Wireless Turbo Multi-function Access Points (APs) configured in bridging mode, XWLAN was able to establish connectivity between buildings. One AP was installed in a weather proof enclosure on an exterior wall of the main office, the other near the roof line inside the warehouse. They both used USRobotics Power over Ethernet Kits to deliver electricity to the APs.

The Benefits

The primary issue associated with providing connectivity between the recycling warehouse and office building was the length of the cable required, which was overcome with the implementation of the wireless bridge. It is also important to note that had a wired connection been feasible, the cost of installing a reliable cable would have been as much, or more than, this solution.

Additionally, the use of Power over Ethernet (PoE) Kits allowed the APs to be placed in optimal locations (i.e. outside the main office and inside near a high window of the warehouse), where there were no power outlets. Installing new power outlets in these locations would have been significantly more expensive. The combination of Wireless APs and PoE provided an elegant solution, installed within 3 hours, that delivered a tested 18.88 Mbps throughput.

Of course, security is always a concern with wireless networks. In this implementation, the wireless bridges will not appear on a conventional wireless survey, nor can they be seen as available wireless networks. They are configured to communicate only with each other. This is a security feature employed by bridge mode operation in USRobotics’ Wireless Turbo Access Points, to maintain the security of network data.

Wireless LAN to LAN Bridging - A cost effective method of providing data connectivity between buildings.