[TriLUG] Wireless AP recommendation

Thu Aug 24 13:04:00 EDT 2017

Great explanation!

I did notice the two systems, the regular and "pro".  My initial
thinking was that the pro version would be better, primarilly as it
operates on 2.4 and 5 GHz, so that if you have interference issues with
other devices you've got an option, but I am not sure if it is worth
the cost.

It looks like the big thing I will need to do is run the Ethernet cable
from where the AP will go to the where I plan to put the switch(es).

On Thu, 2017-08-24 at 12:50 -0400, Aaron Joyner via TriLUG wrote:
> 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 tri
> lug.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 tri
> > lug.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 tri
> > > > lug.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
> > > > > > @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>
> > > > To unsubscribe, send a blank message to trilug-leave at trilug.org
> > > >  from
> > > that address.
> > > > 
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> > > > 
> > > > Welcome to TriLUG: http://trilug.org/welcome
> > > --
> > > This message was sent to: Wes <wes at xitechusa.com>
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> > > from
> > that
> > > 
> > > address.
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> > > lug
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> > > 
> > --
> > This message was sent to: Aaron S. Joyner <aaron at joyner.ws>
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> > from that
> > address.
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> > g
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> > 