Manual:Choose wireless device: Difference between revisions
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Wireless capabilities of a router can greatly enhance the usability of your home or office network or provide a solution for industrial structures. Choosing the right device for your setup can be a puzzle to inexperienced users. This guide intends to explain different parameters and suggest a thought process to not get lost in the vast selection of MikroTik routers. | Wireless capabilities of a router can greatly enhance the usability of your home or office network or provide a solution for industrial structures. Choosing the right device for your setup can be a puzzle to inexperienced users. This guide intends to explain different parameters and suggest a thought process to not get lost in the vast selection of MikroTik routers. | ||
Frequencies | =Frequencies= | ||
MikroTik provides routers with interfaces in 3 frequency bands - 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz. Each frequency band has its own advantages and use cases. | MikroTik provides routers with interfaces in 3 frequency bands - 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz. Each frequency band has its own advantages and use cases. | ||
2.4 GHz | ==2.4 GHz== | ||
As legacy band nowadays is considered the 2.4 GHz band. If you have a wireless client like phone, laptop or other IoT*(ADD NOTE!!!) device, it will most probably support this band. The 2.4 GHz band has a bigger range than a 5 GHz device, but it also usually have smaller throughput (internet speed). Also, it can severely suffer from interference (noise) from other 2.4 GHz wireless devices, because of almost every home access point support's 2.4 GHz band and it doesn't weaken so good with walls and distance and there are fewer frequencies to choose from (3 non-overlapping). If you have many close neighbors (apartments, shared office building) chances are 2.4GHz band will be saturated and performance will be lower. This band can also be used for industrial links. | As legacy band nowadays is considered the 2.4 GHz band. If you have a wireless client like phone, laptop or other IoT*(ADD NOTE!!!) device, it will most probably support this band. The 2.4 GHz band has a bigger range than a 5 GHz device, but it also usually have smaller throughput (internet speed). Also, it can severely suffer from interference (noise) from other 2.4 GHz wireless devices, because of almost every home access point support's 2.4 GHz band and it doesn't weaken so good with walls and distance and there are fewer frequencies to choose from (3 non-overlapping). If you have many close neighbors (apartments, shared office building) chances are 2.4GHz band will be saturated and performance will be lower. This band can also be used for industrial links. | ||
5 GHz | ==5 GHz== | ||
Usually, new phones and laptops besides 2.4 GHz band also support 5 GHz band. Other devices like TVs sometimes also support this band. If your client and router support 802.11ac (sometimes referred to as just "ac") it will be faster than a 2.4 GHz band. 5 GHz band has more frequencies to choose from, but also usually has a lower range than 2.4 GHz band. If you have new client devices, your network will benefit from ac router. The 5GHz band also are often used for industrial links, because of the big frequency range. | Usually, new phones and laptops besides 2.4 GHz band also support 5 GHz band. Other devices like TVs sometimes also support this band. If your client and router support 802.11ac (sometimes referred to as just "ac") it will be faster than a 2.4 GHz band. 5 GHz band has more frequencies to choose from, but also usually has a lower range than 2.4 GHz band. If you have new client devices, your network will benefit from ac router. The 5GHz band also are often used for industrial links, because of the big frequency range. | ||
==60 GHz== | |||
Currently, there are very few, almost none client devices (phones, laptops) that support the 60GHz band. However, it offers cutting edge solutions for industrial links. For example, if you have 2 points that must be connected up to 1500 meters you will get 1 Gbps duplex link. We call it wireless wire because it provides same speed as 1Gbps wired connection. The 60GHz band has no interference from neighbor devices, but you will need a clear line of sight for 1 Gbps in 1500m. | Currently, there are very few, almost none client devices (phones, laptops) that support the 60GHz band. However, it offers cutting edge solutions for industrial links. For example, if you have 2 points that must be connected up to 1500 meters you will get 1 Gbps duplex link. We call it wireless wire because it provides same speed as 1Gbps wired connection. The 60GHz band has no interference from neighbor devices, but you will need a clear line of sight for 1 Gbps in 1500m. | ||
Use case | =Use case= | ||
RouterOS software on MikroTik devices broad and coherent configuration possibilities. It is possible to configure home AP as a point to point wireless link and router with a directional antenna as an access point for phones and laptops. That said it is best to use hardware for its intended purpose. | RouterOS software on MikroTik devices provides broad and coherent configuration possibilities. It is possible to configure home AP as a point to point wireless link and router with a directional antenna as an access point for phones and laptops. That said it is best to '''use hardware for its intended purpose'''. | ||
Revision as of 14:49, 9 July 2019
Wireless capabilities of a router can greatly enhance the usability of your home or office network or provide a solution for industrial structures. Choosing the right device for your setup can be a puzzle to inexperienced users. This guide intends to explain different parameters and suggest a thought process to not get lost in the vast selection of MikroTik routers.
Frequencies
MikroTik provides routers with interfaces in 3 frequency bands - 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz. Each frequency band has its own advantages and use cases.
2.4 GHz
As legacy band nowadays is considered the 2.4 GHz band. If you have a wireless client like phone, laptop or other IoT*(ADD NOTE!!!) device, it will most probably support this band. The 2.4 GHz band has a bigger range than a 5 GHz device, but it also usually have smaller throughput (internet speed). Also, it can severely suffer from interference (noise) from other 2.4 GHz wireless devices, because of almost every home access point support's 2.4 GHz band and it doesn't weaken so good with walls and distance and there are fewer frequencies to choose from (3 non-overlapping). If you have many close neighbors (apartments, shared office building) chances are 2.4GHz band will be saturated and performance will be lower. This band can also be used for industrial links.
5 GHz
Usually, new phones and laptops besides 2.4 GHz band also support 5 GHz band. Other devices like TVs sometimes also support this band. If your client and router support 802.11ac (sometimes referred to as just "ac") it will be faster than a 2.4 GHz band. 5 GHz band has more frequencies to choose from, but also usually has a lower range than 2.4 GHz band. If you have new client devices, your network will benefit from ac router. The 5GHz band also are often used for industrial links, because of the big frequency range.
60 GHz
Currently, there are very few, almost none client devices (phones, laptops) that support the 60GHz band. However, it offers cutting edge solutions for industrial links. For example, if you have 2 points that must be connected up to 1500 meters you will get 1 Gbps duplex link. We call it wireless wire because it provides same speed as 1Gbps wired connection. The 60GHz band has no interference from neighbor devices, but you will need a clear line of sight for 1 Gbps in 1500m.
Use case
RouterOS software on MikroTik devices provides broad and coherent configuration possibilities. It is possible to configure home AP as a point to point wireless link and router with a directional antenna as an access point for phones and laptops. That said it is best to use hardware for its intended purpose.