Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless ISP Systems

1. Where should I place the Base Station?
   The Base station should be placed at a high point, where the maximum number of clients can see it. It could be a rooftop of a high building, a tower, etc.

2. What equipment is included in the Base Station Package?
   The Base Station Package includes MikroTik Router, Omnidirectional antenna, and 2.2m Cable. The MikroTik Router is connected to the ISP's network. The MikroTik Router can be configured as a bridge between the wireless and cable networks. The Omnidirectional antenna can be substituted by a sectoral antenna.

3. How many wireless clients/routers can be connected to one Base Station?
   Up to 2007 wireless clients/routers. However, the system performance depends on the usage, i.e., number of computers using it. It all depends on the actual usage, how many computers are connected behind client routers and how much data is sent over. We have clients who have successfully installed around 100 clients to one Base Station. You can easily run an AP with even more sites connected, if you bandwidth shape them to ensure they get the required slice of bandwidth.

4. What do I need to connect a client's LAN?
   You need the Wireless Client Package, i.e., Wireless Router with the wireless and Ethernet interfaces, directional antenna, low-loss cable. The Wireless Router is installed as the gateway for the local network. It provides many more features, like firewall, NAT, traffic accounting, bandwidth shaping, dhcp server, etc. The antenna is mounted in a place, where it can see the Base Station antenna.

5. How many clients/LANs can I connect to one Wireless Router?
   As many as the local network (Ethernet) interfaces has the router. Alternatively, you can use VLAN capable switch connected to the router. MikroTik RouterOS supports virtual LAN interfaces.

6. What do I need to connect a single computer client?
   You need a wireless interface card, directional antenna, and low-loss cable. Wireless client card is installed into the client's workstation using drivers provided by the card manufacturer. Antenna is mounted in a place, where it can see the Base Station antenna.

7. What is the data transfer speed per system?
   For 2.4GHz in 802.11b mode, the data transfer speed is 11Mbps. However, the actual throughput is 5-6Mbps. For 5GHz in 802.11a mode and 2.4GHz in 802.11g mode, the data transfer speed is 54Mbps.
   For 5GHz in 802.11a mode, you can expect up to 54Mbps on ideal conditions, using at least 800MHz CPU on Base Station and client routers.
   All clients share the same bandwidth.

8. Can the bandwidth of each client be limited?
   Yes, the limitation can be done at each client site or centrally by the queuing option of the MikroTik Router OS.

9. What is the maximum distance between the client sites and the base station?
   The maximum distance depends on antenna gains, loss in RF cables, transmit power and receive sensitivity of the radios, interference from other radio transmitters at the same frequency band, placement of antennas.
   At 2.4GHz, maximum distance between Base Station and client is typically no more than 10-12km.
   At 5GHz, we have tested connection from a 25km distance to Base Station having 13dBi omni antenna. We used 30dBi solid parabolic dish at the client site and achieved 10Mbps actual throughput when doing bandwidth test.

10. What cable length is used for connecting the antennas?
    We ship 2.2m or 5m cable for all our packages. Different cable length can be ordered from us by the customer.

11. Can I use longer cables for connecting the antennas?
    Yes, but the maximum distance will decrease accordingly.

12. Can I use an amplifier to extend the distance?
    Yes, amplifiers can be used to extend the distance. Also, they can be used to compensate the antenna cable loss, if longer cables are required.

13. Is the line of sight really necessary?
    Yes, line of sight is always required. Direct line of sight means that there should be no physical obstacles between imaginary line connecting the two points.

14. What is Fresnel Zone?
    Fresnel Zone is the area around the line of sight that radio waves spread out. This area must be clear of obstacles. Otherwise the signal strength is going to be weakened. For example, in the middle of a 16km link at 5.8GHz, 60% of the fresnel zone is a circle of about 8.7m radius. It is 13.6m at 2.4GHz for the same distance link.
15. Can I wirelessly bridge two networks?
    Yes, you can use MikroTik wireless routers to transparently bridge two networks. See the RouterOS documentation for more information.

16. Is there special license required to use your equipment?
    The equipment operates in the license-free ISM band. However, type approval certificates might be required for the radio devices in some countries. Some countries require to obtain a permit to use the frequency.

17. What is a basic startup package for the Wireless ISP System?
    A basic startup package includes one Base Station Package and 3-5 Wireless Client Packages.

18. How much time is needed to install a basic system?
    A basic system installation can be done in 2-3 days. It includes installing one base station and 3-5 clients.

19. Do you provide training and installation?
    We provide installation and on-site training. Information can be found on our web page www.mikrotik.com.

20. What is the payment method?
    We will send you a Proforma Invoice for the equipment you list in your purchase order. The Invoice should be paid by wire transfer to our bank account or by credit card. Equipment is shipped out upon receipt of the payment in full. Delivery time usually is no more than 3-5 days by air cargo to the airport closest to your location, or by courier service (DHL, FedEx, TNT).

21. Does your equipment have Warranty?
    The equipment has one year warranty. The terms can be found on our web page.