I'm searching for a cost effective (or lowest price) for a single node that I can use as a gateway to a home router. I'm using several Bullet's, M2's, M5's, AiirRouter HP's and a couple AirGateways and 2 M900's. I'm looking for the absolute simplest lowest cost device to use as a gateway to a home router and connect a relatively short distance to the nearest node (~100 feet) which is on 2.4 Ghz. I don't think the home router supports VLAN. It sounds like most of the UBNT devices that have one Ethernet port require a VLAN capable router to get a WAN connection -- which obviously bumps up the cost. I generally try to stick with the UBNT HW but wonder if the TP-LINK CP210 with 2 Ethernet Ports would be a good option. My next consideration seems to be the AirRouter (including HP), but I'd prefer to use Hardware that I can use Outdoor.
Thanks for any advice provided.
AirRouter HP
Ditto Darryll's comment. The TP-Link CPE series suffers the same issue as the Nanostation XW models in that the 2nd port is the DTD port AND it will NOT back-feed power to the first port (without modification) thus you would need 2 runs of cable to that unit. Besides, you probably can't beat the price of the AirRouter models. The ARAR is around $38.00, but I would go with the HP for the increased power output. Why does it need to be outdoors?
Thank you K5DLQ and K1KY. It does not have to be outside. I appreciate your advice.
Our local area Aredn network is on Channel 1. So I use a HSMM-Pi to link my home router (Sophos) to my Aredn node. If our local Aredn network changes to a different channel outside of the range of the HSMM-Pi. Then I'll use two of the HSMM-Pi.
"Just food for thought".
David
Sophos UTM Home Edition
I understand what you are doing, but, keep in mind... You are adding 2 additional routes to the mesh (that must be propagated and maintained by ALL nodes) by doing the double-pi technique.
just an fyi....
Yep your right. If I need the two Pi's then I use them as a wireless bridge. So they won't be on the Aredn network.
David
I've been convinced by the prior replies that the AirRouter is probably the lowest cost solution for a Gateway. ....and I really like having a few Pi's in the Mesh. I like the idea of using CH-2. As far as I know the Pi's won't go there. But I'm interested to know if a Pi can be DTD linked, then offer CH 1+ to other Pi's.
Pi's are perfect *LAN* devices on the mesh.