Wireless network outside for workplace ...large area

H

Headbust

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Oct 10, 2003
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i would like to create a wireless network outside of my workplace for our department. This network would be used for consumer grade home automation products such as security products( video cameras, motion sensors)

Due to security concerns we are not allowed to run most devices on the company's wireless network that are not a company owned laptop or phone. Any devices that are approved takes upwards of 8-10 weeks to have a decision made which as you can imagine is unacceptable, especially if your request is denied after that period of time passes.

This outside wireless network would be standalone and the main connection would run off of a LTE cell modem.

Do any of you have recommendations for wireless extenders and routers? Would a consumer grade router such as ac68u or better be ok for something like this with a bunch of extenders? For example the main road is about 3000'. I figure a wireless extender on maybe every other light pole coming down the road?

I am going to talk to a couple contacts in IT to see if they can help with selection. But for the most part they want nothing to do with anything but the company network. I can put in a ticket and see what happens though I guess.
 
The chances of your internal IT team helping you with this is slim-to-none. With that being said, if this is being used for the business, then why is your technology dept not involved with this? I imagine home products would work, such as the router you listed, but if this is actually being used for the business I would look up some easy to acquire, affordable wireless options such as Ubiquiti. They have a pretty large product portfolio that will fit the bill for this with a nice management plane.
 
If it really is for business there should be no reason they can't set up a lab network for your department. That's a pretty common set up across various industries/companies in order to protect internal resources.

Just don't be mad if your torrents don't work on the lab network. I've actually had that discussion with someone before.....
 
Do coordinate with IT and Cyber Security. The last thing you want to deal with is explaining to the company CEO why your impromptu non IT approved network was involved in a child porn download sting due to poor security or one of the IOT automation gizmos being compromised and spreading malware all over. Main road = black van with shaded windows using your network after hours.
 
A wireless extender is going to lose roughly half throughput every hop. It sounds like you want to service a very large outdoor area. Also it sounds like you'll be sending video over this network. I'm thinking potentially high bandwidth demands, as well as security concerns. Is this network going to need to be reliable?

If this is important at all, the IT department should be involved. I manage network infrastructure for a medium sized business and have had people go rogue and build their own "mesh" networks because it's cheap. Then they call complaining that it sucks. Don't be that person, because your IT department won't care.
 
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