Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) links are used routinely to serve up to 100 locations from a single Access Point (thanks to Ubiquiti's airMax technology).
There are many approaches to providing PtMP services. This example is the simplest, using a single Ubiquiti radio with an omnidirectional antenna to create a bridged network. Even a simple IP addressing schema is included!
Clearly, a more complex approach is often desired; one that uses multiple Ubiquiti radios with sector antennas along with a fully routed (rather than bridged) configuration. That however, is not this article. Most new users will benefit by starting with this simplified approach to become familiar with PtMP or to serve a smaller, limited area.
FIRST: Install a router as shown above. Configure it as a DHCP server with an IP pool that is large enough to serve the number of customer devices (e.g. - computers, printers, etc.) you need to serve. NOTE: The pool should not extend lower than 192.168.1.21. The instructions for doing this are different for each router manufacturer. Please consult their FAQ for assistance if needed.
Configuration and Setup
Accessing the Radio:
Restore your radio to FACTORY DEFAULT values. This is critical, especially if you are troubleshooting a problem. To perform a reset, press-and-hold the [Reset] button, power-on, release the [Reset] button when the lights begin to flash.
Connect the radio to your computer using an Ethernet cable. The Ethernet port is auto-sensing. You are not required to use a cross-over cable.
Using a web browser, enter 192.168.1.20 as the "URL" to gain access to the radio's management console.
Enter "ubnt" as the administration account and "ubnt" as the password.
Configure the radio labeled as 192.168.1.2 (the Access Point):
A. Choose the |Wireless| tab and change only the following values:
Wireless Mode: Access Point
WDS: [X] Enable
Press the [Change] button
B. Choose the |Network| tab and change only the following values:
IP Address: 192.168.1.2
Press the [Change] button
Press the [Apply] button
DONE with this radio (the AP), proceed to Customer Radios after repeating steps 1-4 above with them
Configure the radios labeled as 192.168.1.3 through .102 (the Customer Radios) above:
C. Choose the |Wireless| tab and change only the following values:
Wireless Mode: Station
WDS: [X] Enable
Press the [Change] button
D. Choose the |Network| tab and change only the following values:
IP Address: 192.168.1.3 (increment by x.x.x.+1 for each additional Customer Radio ... skipping 192.168.1.20)
Press the [Change] button
Press the [Apply] button
repeat the steps in this section for all Customer Radios
DONE
If using a Cable/DSL Modem:
E. Reboot or power cycle the Cable/DSL modem off and on before using this link.
ALL DONE
Radio Installation errata:
Install all outdoor radios using Ubiquiti ToughCable Pro (for routine installations) or ToughCable Carrier (when co-locating with a high-power VHF or UHF transmitter).
If the Access Point will be co-located with high-power VHF transmitters, use Ubiquiti ToughCable Carrier cable
Use UBNT's supplied Power over Ethernet (PoE) adapters and plug them into properly grounded AC outlets
Configuring Customer Computing Equipment:
The router / DHCP server will serve configuration information to all connected computers. Configure computer equipment for "Automatic" configuration.
NOTES:
1 - Secure your installation - modify the default administration account
Select |System| tab > System Accounts
Administrative Username [change it from 'ubnt']
Hover over icon to the right, "Change Password" and change it
Press [Change] button, press [Apply] button
2 - Secure your backbone/distribution wireless network from unauthorized use by others
Select |Wireless| Tab > Wireless Security
Security > WPA2-AES (do NOT use TKIP, it uses CPU cycles)
Preshared Key: [enter something long, but memorable to you]
Press [Change] button. Press [Apply] button.
Alternate Customer Premises Equipment
SOHO WiFi Router
Wiki BeansTalk-55x_WiFi_SOHO_Router.pngRather than terminate in a single device or computer, you may wish to provide your customers with a SOHO WiFi Router. Using a Ubiquiti device is advantageous because it allows you to manage the full network all the way into the home or business. It also provides an additional layer of security because you can isolate a customer from your wireless backhaul network very easily.
The isolation is a result of configuring your AP Router (the Gateway) to a different subnet (change from using 192.168.1.1 to use 192.168.2.1 instead) and then associating the SOHO routers WAN port on it, then having the SOHO router serve IP addresses to LAN customer devices within the 192.168.0.x subnet. This configuration makes the 192.168.1.x subnet invisible to customer devices!
The diagram to the right shows this variation graphically. The table below describes the simplest IP plan that will work. Instructions below that describe how to configure a Ubiquiti SOHO Router as described.
Begin by configuring your AP Router (Gateway) interface to 192.168.2.1. Because each router is different, please refer to your router manufacturers FAQ for assistance.
Bottom-loaded IP Plan in alignment with graphic
AP Router IP Access Point IP CPE Radio IP SOHO Router IP
192.168.1.1 192.168.1.2 192.168.1.3 192.168.1.103
- - 192.168.1.4 192.168.1.104
- - 192.168.1.5 192.168.1.105
- - 192.168.1.6 192.168.1.106
- - 192.168.1.7 192.168.1.107
- - 192.168.1.8 192.168.1.109
- - 192.168.1.9 192.168.1.109
- - 192.168.1.10 192.168.1.110
- - 192.168.1.11 192.168.1.111
- - 192.168.1.12 192.168.1.112
- - 192.168.1.13 192.168.1.113
- - 192.168.1.14 192.168.1.114
- - 192.168.1.15 192.168.1.115
- - 192.168.1.16 192.168.1.116
- - 192.168.1.17 192.168.1.117
- - 192.168.1.18 192.168.1.118
- - 192.168.1.19 192.168.1.119
- - SKIP / OMIT x.x.x.20/.120
- - 192.168.1.21 192.168.1.121
- - 192.168.1.22 192.168.1.122
- - 192.168.1.23 192.168.1.123
- - 192.168.1.24 192.168.1.124
- - through through
- - 192.168.1.102 192.168.1.202
Configure the Ubiquiti SOHO Wi-Fi Routers:
Assuming you begin with the units at FACTORY DEFAULT, proceed . . .
F. Choose the |Wireless| tab and change only the following values:
Wireless Mode: Access Point
SSID: (something easy for the customer to recognize such as: last name, phone number, address, etc)
Channel Width: 20 MHz
Wireless Security > Security: WPA (some older computers may not work with WPA2)
Wireless Security > WPA Authentication: AES
Wireless Security > WPA Preshared Key: (something known and relevant to the customer)
Press the [Change] button
G. Choose the |Network| tab and change only the following values:
Network Mode: SOHO Router
WAN IP Address: 192.168.2.2 (linking it to the AP Router interface, which should be set to 192.168.2.1)
IP Gateway: 192.168.2.1
Primary DNS IP: 8.8.8.8 (a public server, choose your favorite if not this one)
Secondary DNS IP: 4.2.2.1 (a public server, choose your favorite if not this one)
LAN Network Settings > IP Address: 192.168.0.1
LAN Network Settings > Netmask: 255.255.255.0
LAN Network Settings > [X] Enable NAT
LAN Network Settings > Range Start: 192.168.0.2
LAN Network Settings > Range End: 192.168.0.99
LAN Network Settings > Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Press the [Change] button
H. Choose the |System| tab and change only the following values:
Device name: (something memorable to YOU; Customer Name, etc.)
Time Zone: GMT (Western European Time)
Administrator User Name: change it to your standard; do NOT leave it at factory default
Hover over spyglass icon to the right of Administrator User Name: change password to your standard; do NOT leave it at factory default
Press the [Change] button
Press the [Apply] button
repeat the steps in this section for all Customer SOHO Routers
