HEKIMA GIRLS
SECONDARY
SCHOOL
PROJECT REPORT
Outdoor Point-to-Point
Deployment
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the project entitled” HEKIMA WIRELESS NETWORK PROJECT” submitted for the
holyday personal project is our original work and the project has not formed the basis for the award of
any degree, associateship, fellowship or any other similar titles.
Signature of the student:
Place:
Date:
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled “HEKIMA GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL POINT TO POINT
WIRELESS INSTALLATION” is the bonafide work carried out by Mujuni Stanley, Eliezer Usiri and
Faida Mbogo, students of First year, during the year 2012, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the end of the year NTA4 of Networking and that the project has not formed the basis for the award
previously of any diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other similar title.
Signature of Participate Students
Signature of the Guide:
Place:
Date:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
We would like to give thanks to those who helped us to achieve what we wanted for this project to
succeed starting with:
1. SHARE in Africa: The organization that provided the funds to accomplish the project.
2. Sir. Ester Buberwa: The Headmistress of Hekima Girls Secondary School and as the supervisor of our
project, she helped us during the hardship of our projects, advise us on what to do &he was also our
project accountant since we started our project.
3. Mr. Onesmo Matei: As our Institute (KIITEC) Principal, who gave us permission to accomplish our
project
4. TTCL: As our ISP (internet service provider).
INTRODUCTION
Abstract
The Internet offers a world of information in one place. It is a helpful tool in communicating and
researching all different subjects. It is also a great way for students to use computers with proper
supervision. Yet using the Internet in an educational system can be controversial.
The Internet helps students develop their computer skills. It can also help students with their writing
skills. In some forms, the Internet can help students with critical thinking skills. Students are faced with
more information than they could ever use or need. This requires them to sort through the information
and decide what is most important and relevant.
With e-mail, students can have contact with other students around the world studying the same things
they are.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1:
Introduction
Reference Material
Chapter 2:
Point-to-Point Networks
Chapter 3:
Requirements for Successful Deployments
Line of Sight
Site Survey
Site Acquisition
Tower Istallation
Power
People and Resources
RF Engineer
Electrician
Network Engineer
Project Manager
Chapter 4:
Installation
Chapter 5:
Point-to-Point Deployment Case Study
Staging
Mounting APs and Antennas
Choosing Antenna (RF) and Ethernet Cables
Using Lightning Arrestors
Project Challenges
LAN Connection Options
Introduction
This report provides information on how we successfully deploy an outdoor point-to-point mesh
link and how we made the right hardware choices based on project requirements. This report provides
an overview of some of the challenges in deploying an outdoor point-to-point deployment. This report
also provides a step-by-step configuration procedure to set up access points (APs).
These topics are covered in detail:
 Requirements for successful outdoor deployments
 Case study of a point-to-point deployment
 Selecting the right APs and antennas
 Installing point-to-point mesh links
 Setup, configuration, and validation of PowerBrigde M5
Figure
Figure 1 Point-to-point deployment
Chapter 2: Point-to-Point Networks
Deploying a point-to-point mesh network is the quickest and the most cost-effective method of
transferring data between two points in an outdoor or campus network. In a mesh, the total cost of
ownership per gigabit is much lower than other commonly used WAN networks such as fiber or DSL.
802.11n is the new wireless standard that is capable of speeds up to 450 Mb/s per radio. Over the past
decade, the demand has exploded for low-cost, high-capacity outdoor networks that are quick and
easy to deploy. With mainstream adoption of the 802.11n standard, outdoor Wi-Fi based mesh
networks have redefined the dollar per gigabit ratio and have now become a leading contender in the
low-cost, high-capacity network segment.
The Powerbridge M5 products are capable of achieving a combined total data rate of up to 150mb/s.
These factors have contributed to the wider acceptance of Wi-Fi based, outdoor mesh networks:
 huge increase in capacity
 free-spectrum availability
 increased reliability with the adoption of NANO, which is a critical component of 802.11n
standard
In an outdoor deployment, the type of internal antenna used with these APs is equally important as
choosing the right outdoor APs. The wide range of UBIQUITI outdoor products takes full advantage of the
new NANO functionalities by utilizing specially designed cross-polarized NANO antennas with all new
802.11n APs.
Chapter 3: Requirements for Successful Deployments
To deploy a network successfully, you first must understand the various components involved. Before
you begin the deployment, you must consider not only the required hardware products, but also the
line of sight (LoS), site acquisition, and people and resources. These factors influence the type of
outdoor hardware to be used, the mounting location for each AP, and total cost of the project.
Line of Sight
RF LoS between two mesh APs is required for successful deployment of a point-to-point mesh
network. RF LoS is not the same as being able to see from one AP to another, known as visual LoS.
With deployments greater than a few kilometers, it is typical that the installer will not be able to see the
far AP at either end of the network. However the two APs might still have good RF LoS because RF
LoS is not constrained by the same limitation as the visual LoS. One of the biggest factors that
influences RF LoS is Fresnel zone clearance between the two AP points. For complete information
about Fresnel zone clearance and calculations, see the Installation chapter.
Figure
Figure 2 RF LoS vs. Visual LoS
Site Survey
The survey were done on two segments, which were between TTCL to KATOMA and KATOMA to
HEKIMA. Only the chosen site had a clear Line of Site (LoS) in all segments.
TTCL to KATOMA
KATOMA TO HEKIMA
Site Acquisition
Outdoor mesh networks typically span multiple kilometers. Unlike indoor wireless networks, the
necessary equipment is not mounted in a single building within a campus. APs and antennas are
usually placed on multiple buildings to cover the entire area. Sometimes the optimum locations chosen
for mounting APs and antennas are not within one of the buildings owned by the organization that is
deploying the network. In these situations, project manager negotiated space and lease
agreements to buy a land to mount APs and antennas on light pole. It is critical that the chosen mounting
locations be as close to optimum as possible for the placement of APs and antennas.
The Land bought for placing the Repeater
lists of essentials items that are required at each site to successfully bring up
a single mesh node.
Tower Installation:
There were two towers to be installed in two different sites, one with 40meters were to be installed at the
center (KATOMA) where we installed a repeater, the second one with 20meters were to be installed at HEKIMA.
INSTALLING KATOMA TOWER
INSTALLING HEKIMA TOWER
Power
Each location must have a power supply for the APs. We installed electricity required for
powering the AP and any accessories such as pilot light equipment on each site from TANESCO.
Deploying power to a site can be an expensive undertaking, but you can optimize the expense. Something
as simple as using the right power source (AC, PoE+, or DC) can amount to additional savings in the
deployment phase.
Installed Electricity wire ring
Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+)
All UBIQUITI AP models are equipped with a standard-based PoE+ input port that can be used to power
the APs. For ease of deployment, APs that require network backhaul should be powered with PoE+ where
possible. An Ethernet cable already is being provisioned to the AP for network backhaul, so it saves time
and money to use the same wiring to power the APs. PoE+ requires that only one conduit is constructed
and PoE may be deployed by a structured cabling resource. Standalone mesh APs can be powered with an
external PoE+ injector that converts AC power to PoE+.
AC power to PoE+ supply
PoE Out Port
An AP that runs on AC or DC power provides support for a PoE out port. In many outdoor point-topoint
deployments, video surveillance is a primary or a secondary requirement. A PoE out port that is built into
the AP can be used to power PoE-capable devices, such as IP cameras.
PoE out port
People and Resources
Outdoor mesh deployments are complex and time consuming. To save time and money, it is very
important to get the right people involved. RF, electrical, computer networking, and project
management expertise are all vital for successful completion of a point-to-point deployment. Here are the
people involved,
RF Engineer:
Mujuni Stanley.
Electrician:
Remmy
Longino
Eliezer Usiri
TANESCO
Network Engineer:
Mujuni Stanley
Justus Barongo
Eliezer Usiri
Faida Mbogo
Project Manager:
Sr. Ester Buberwa
Mujuni Stanley
Chapter 4: Installation
A successful installation requires attention to these elements:
 Staging
 Mounting APs and Antennas
 Choosing Antenna (RF) and Ethernet Cables
 Using Lightning Arrestors
 Using Paint for APs and Antennas
 Weatherproofing
Staging
Before you begin an outdoor install, you must stage your equipment indoors. Staging is the process of
making sure that all the equipment is ready, the configuration is right, and the setup works as intended
before the APs and antennas are mounted on the poles or a rooftop. Unlike indoor deployments,
mounting APs and antennas outdoors is expensive. Therefore it is important that everything works as
intended before arrangements are made for professional services personnel to install the equipment.
The staging process includes these steps:
1.
Unbox the AP and inspect it for any physical damage that might have occurred during
transportation and storage. Physical damage to the APs must be addressed before the AP is
mounted at the site.
2.
Check that all other equipment including cables, tools, mounting systems, grounding systems is
in place for the installation.
3.
Use the quick start guide that was packaged with the AP hardware to configure the AP. For
typical point-to-point setup, refer Chapter 4 in this guide for MeshOS configuration and Chapter
5 for ArubaOS configuration.
Engineer doing staging
Mounting APs and Antennas
Instructions for mounting APs and Antennas are included in the respective shipping box. You must
follow the installation guide to ensure that the APs and antennas are mounted correctly.
After installing the APs and antennas on the rooftop or a light pole, ensure that the antennas are
aligned correctly before climbing down the pole. In most cases, proper antenna alignment requires
having good LoS between two end points.
Almost all point-to-point deployments use directional antennas. Always align the antenna while
standing behind it as shown below. Ensure that you can clearly see the antenna at the other end
is in line. Note that the beamwidths of the standard antenna offerings are large enough that
“eyeballing” the link generally results in near optimal links.
Mounting APs and Antennas
Choosing Antenna (RF) and Ethernet Cables
In our project we used a 75mts STP cables from the wireless device to the indoor equipment (Ethernet
swith). Cable loss should be accounted for at 7 dBm in 2.4 GHz and 10 dBm in 5GHz for every 100 ft of
cable length.
Ethernet cables that are used in outdoor deployments must be shielded and outdoor rated, and they
must be run inside a conduit up to the AP location. For distance greater than 80 meters, fiber cables
should be used instead of Ethernet cables.
STP Cable
Using Lightning Arrestors
Lightning arrestors should be used with all outdoor AP installations. The device supports
frequency ranges from 2 GHz to 6 GHz and therefore can protect wide range of devices operating at
2.4 GHz, 4.9 GHz, and 5 GHz. In the event of a lightning strike, a properly installed and grounded
lighting arrestor acts as the first line of defense between the AP and the network devices connected at
the data center.
Lightning arrestors must be installed between the AP and the UTP cable that connects to the antenna
and must be covered with weatherproof material. Lightning arrestors must be properly grounded. One
lightning arrestor is required between each UTP cable and AP connector. Lightning arrestors must also
be weatherproofed.
INSTALLATION OF LIGHTENING ARESTOR
Chapter 5:
Point-to-Point Deployment Case Study 21
Project Challenges
Electricity
As we required source of power (electricity) at the center point, where we needed to install the repeater.
According to TANESCO regulatory, which has a specific duration of time to complete the full install of
electricity, we found ourselves stacking with our project progress by waiting for TANESCO to complete
their procedures.
This increased the duration to complete our project.
Price fluctuation
We also came across unexpected changes in some of materials required to complete the project, changes were
like price in some of materials and amount of materials required. This caused the contradiction between the
estimated budgets with the actual budget, hence resulted in misunderstanding with our cashier. This consumed
a lot of time to balance the situation.
Site Acquisition
Technically point to point wireless devices require Line Of Site (LoS), The first site survey which were included in
the project proposal did not work out because we didn’t compromise with the land owner, so we were forced to
survey for the new site, after we got it we also took time to negotiate with the land owner which took us more
than a week to do it.
LAN Connection Options
Ethernet Cables
We use Ethernet Cables to do connection from the station base to the control room, from control room it
distributes to other departments.
Specification:
Cable - STP cat 6, 300mt
Switch - Gigabit Ethernet Switch
Connector – RJ45
STP Wire Connection
Wireless
For Laptops and any type of devices that uses wireless as the medium of connection, we configured the access
point of point to point devices to transmit WiFi around the area.
Specifications:
Mode- WiFi
Band - a/n
Security- WPA
Coverage- 500m