If you want to extend a network from one building to another, the best answer would always be running another Ethernet cable (direct-burial type) to build a wired connection between two separate networks, but if you’re trying to bridge a distance beyond 500 meters or more, you might experience severe signal degradation as the distance increases since Ethernet only supports a maximum transmission distance of 100 meters. And deploying fiber optic cables would be more expensive whether it be laid in a conduit or buried underground. To extend your network in a more budget-friendly way, you can use a pair of wireless network bridges to enable the communication between two separate networks and provide a way for them to work as a single network.
What is a Wireless Network Bridge?
Simply put, the wireless network bridge is a device designed to join different segments of a network together, and it’s created by using radio signals to connect two wireless access points over long distances. Wireless network bridging is gradually gaining popularity these days, especially in local networks, to set up a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connection in cross-building offices, neighboring districts, nearby towns, etc. And since the communication between the two units is bidirectional. They don’t simply work in an ‘emitter+receiver’ mode in which one access point unilaterally broadcasts the radio signals to another AP. In wireless bridging, the client AP can not only receive but also transmit the signals back to the master AP. And in most cases, the connection between these two APs is a point-to-point link, so it cannot be easily affected by other microwaves and spectrums.
Why Do You Need the Wireless Network Bridge?
By deploying the wireless network bridge, you can cover a larger physical area at a greater distance and higher throughput. It helps further the extension of physical networks without running any wires, saving time and installation costs. And the wireless network also makes it easier to modify the network for future expansion. It ensures the optimal performance of the network segments and reduces bandwidth waste by preventing unnecessary data flows between the networks considering the radio signals can be broadcast in a 360-degree pattern. Moreover, the network reliability is higher in the wireless network bridge, and it’s relatively easier to maintain and troubleshoot. And network congestion and collision can be highly reduced by segmenting the networks to increase the bandwidth and efficiency of each network segment. In addition, some network bridges can also connect networks with different architectures and media types, like WiFi and Ethernet.
Buying Guide for the Best Wireless Network Bridges
By any chance, if you’ve ever failed to connect two separate networks together for physical restraints, you should consider investing in the wireless network bridges. Since there are various models out there with different specifications and features, we’ve concluded a brief buying guide to help you pick the right wireless bridge for your network:
1) Speed is a highly important aspect to consider when picking a wireless bridge to ensure a high-performance network. The device should offer at least a speed of 300Mps for 2.4Ghz. And for all times a wireless network bridge with a speed of 900Mpbs will be appreciated.
2) And it’s also important that your network bridges can offer a decent transmission range for long-distance transmission. And a sound wireless bridge should be able to bridge a distance of at least one kilometer so that you can connect networks that are separated far away.
3) Security is of utmost importance in your network since the wireless network is more easily to be tempered than the wired one. Make sure the wireless network bridge you choose comes with advanced security features so unauthorized access can be effectively blocked.
4) Indoor wireless bridges are less expensive and are normally installed in well-conditioned settings like offices and shopping malls but outdoor wireless bridges are highly recommended for outdoor deployments in places like parking lots.
450Mbps Outdoor Wireless CPE
450Mbps Outdoor Wireless CPE is a useful tool to extend your current network range for improving signal strength and coverage. It offers a better network performance in long range applications to power network devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones and remote printers, without additional network cabling. The wireless bridge is equipped with a Gigabit PoE port and 1*10/100Mbps LAN port, so you can set up 2 devices at once. It comes with the next-generation WiFi standard of 802.11ac and runs flawlessly at 450Mbps at an extended range of 1km. Covered in the IP65-rated enclosure, this wireless CPE can perform well in any harsh, outdoor environment. It features a plug-and-play design so you can match the wavelength of each bridge easily by only pressing the button.
5GHz 802.11ac Outdoor Wireless Bridge
This wireless bridge is an excellent solution to extend WiFi network coverage. It’s designed to work with 5Ghz networks and comes with a superb network speed of 900Mbps and excellent coverage of up to 3km to help set up multiple IP cameras over long distances. Similarly, this device is equipped with a Gigabit PoE port and 1*10/100Mbps LAN port. It offers a clean and smooth connection Since it’s made for outdoor applications, this entire unit is weather-sealed, covered in a casing of IP65 ratings, ideal for applications in outdoor and harsh environments like parking lots, highways, and oil pipelines, or other combustible places. This wireless network bridge supports encryption modes like WEP, WPA, TKIP/AES and IEEE802.1x.) and has an invisible SSID to avoid any direct tempering on the device.
How to Set Up a Point-to-Point Wireless Network Bridge?
A wireless bridge offers a cost-effective way to extend your network range without running any wires. The wireless bridges often work in pairs and are often installed outdoors on the top of buildings and mounted on a metal pole to make sure the light of sight is not obstructed. To set up the wireless bridging, you will need the main router, two PoE adapters, a pair of wireless network bridges and some Ethernet cables.
1. Use a short patch cord to connect the LAN port of the PoE adapter to one of the network ports on the router, and take another Ethernet cable to connect the PoE port of the adapter to the Gigabit PoE/LAN port of the wireless bridge.
2. Plug another PoE adapter into the power outlet and connect it to another wireless bridge.
3. Set up the master AP and slave AP. Switch ‘master’ to ‘slave’ on the slave AP and press the reset button to connect these two access points.
4. Once both wireless bridges are linked to the network, connect the wired device directly to the slave AP with an Ethernet cable.
Note: If you don’t have PoE adapters, you can also use an external power supply (DC12V, 1A) to power the network bridges.
