[TriLUG] Wireless AP recommendation

Thu Aug 24 12:50:03 EDT 2017

Note that there are two types of POE supported by Ubiquiti APs.  The
cheaper models typically support only UniFi's passive POE.  This means you
can power them either with their dedicated POE injectors
<https://www.ubnt.com/accessories/poe-adapters/> (they come with one,
they're cheap to replace from Amazon), or with a UniFi switch which
supports their passive POE.

The more expensive APs (Pro, etc) support 802.3af/at POE
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet> which is what you'll
get from a Cisco, HP, Juniper, DLink, etc POE switch.  The basic reasoning
is that the chip to do the 802.3 standard POE is expensive, so they only
include it on the more expensive APs where they're not cutting every cost
corner.  It allows for a nicer deployment (one cable into one switch,
rather than a pile of POE injectors in a rack or a dedicated UniFi switch),
but for deployments with only a handful of APs it doesn't really matter
either way.

POE loss over distance is unlikely to be a problem for you.  Both types of
POE should be usable at a distance of 100 meters; this is the same as
Ethernet over the same wiring.

As for the mounting, each AP comes with a "ring" (most are round, some are
square) which attaches to the wall or ceiling and an associated template.
You screw down the ring, poke a hole in the sheetrock (or drop ceiling
tile) in the middle of the ring, and the AP clips onto the ring.  It's a
pretty nice system.  It doesn't require an electrical box, but it doesn't
dress the cable and attach to conduit, if that's what you were hoping for.

On Thu, Aug 24, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Wes Garrison via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org
> wrote:

> You can either use the PoE brick included with the unit or buy the 5-port
> or 8-port PoE switch:
> https://amzn.com/B00HXT8QKC
> https://amzn.com/B00HXT8QSO
>
> You do NOT need AC power near the AP.  PoE spec is the same as Ethernet:
> 100m/330ft.
>
> It is 24V passive, NOT standard 802.11af or 802.11at.
>
> Finally, you don't need a mounting box, you just have a CAT5e coming out of
> the wall.  If you have the CAT5e come out of the wall exactly 2" below the
> right screw of  the mounting plate, the AP covers the hole and it is
> invisible.
>
> -Wes
>
> _________________________________
> Wesley S. Garrison
> Network Engineer
> Xitech Communications, Inc.
> phone:  (919) 260-0803
> fax:       (919) 932-5051
> __________________________________
> "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from email."
>
> On Thu, Aug 24, 2017 at 12:07 PM, Ron Kelley via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org
> >
> wrote:
>
> > The power cord included in the box is about 3-4ft max.  As for using a
> PoE
> > switch, the following URL gives a good indication of power loss vs cable
> > length:
> >
> > http://beyond-wifi.com/poe/poe-calc.html
> >
> > Ubiquity sells a PoE switch if you want to use one:
> https://www.ubnt.com/
> > accessories/toughswitch
> >
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > On Aug 24, 2017, at 11:57 AM, Matt Flyer via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org
> >
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > That is a really good point.  I too am considering the "pro" model with
> > > the dual band.  The spec sheet for them said POE.  How far away can the
> > > injector or switch be?  I would like to avoid putting electrical
> > > outlets in the attic for them and would prefer to put the injector in
> > > the basement in the "IT" closet.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Thu, 2017-08-24 at 11:52 -0400, Ron Kelley wrote:
> > >> From what I have seen (I have the “Pro” model), you need AC power
> > >> located near the unit as it requires a PoE connection.  Either your
> > >> switch provides the power, your you have to use the included PoE
> > >> power brick.
> > >>
> > >> -Ron
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>>
> > >>> On Aug 24, 2017, at 11:50 AM, Matt Flyer via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.
> > >>> org> wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>> I want to thank everyone for the great feedback on the Ubiquiti
> > >>> products.  They sound like a winner.
> > >>>
> > >>> I do have a dumb question. Do they mount to a ceiling electrical
> > >>> box or
> > >>> something else?  This is new construction, so I can put just about
> > >>> anything in but would prefer to avoid having just a wire sticking
> > >>> through the sheetrock.
> > >>>
> > >>> On Thu, 2017-08-24 at 10:26 -0400, Matt Flyer via TriLUG wrote:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> The thread on Eero wifi reminded me that I am going to be in the
> > >>>> market
> > >>>> for some wireless access points.  We are in the process of
> > >>>> building a
> > >>>> house for my parents and while most of the rooms will have a
> > >>>> wired
> > >>>> jack
> > >>>> (or multiple) they are rather addicted to their tablets and
> > >>>> phones
> > >>>> which will run wifi.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> I was thinking of getting a couple of Ubiquity UAP-Pro models and
> > >>>> mounting them on the ceiling, one at each end of the house.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Does anyone have experience with them, good or bad, and would you
> > >>>> recommend them or recommend staying away from them and going with
> > >>>> something else?
> > >>>>
> > > --
> > > This message was sent to: Ron Kelley <rkelleyrtp at gmail.com>
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> > that address.
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> >
> > --
> > This message was sent to: Wes <wes at xitechusa.com>
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> that
> > address.
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> >
> --
> This message was sent to: Aaron S. Joyner <aaron at joyner.ws>
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