We had the lowest level, cheapest UniFi APs. I think the UniFi Pro APs support more features, including 5 GHz + 2.4 GHz. Ultimately, the hardware controller in the Ruckus system is far more stable and more flexible than the software controller used by UniFi. Another issue I saw with UniFi - there's no good way to manage WiFi networks in multiple different buildings from a single computer/controller. The controller assumes that all APs you add are within the same building and network, so for my application of managing 2 - 3 buildings at once it doesn't work at all. I would have to install the controller software on a different computer per building, and I don't really want to carry around 3 laptops. You could probably do it with a different VM per building, but even that is a pain, having to launch a new VM for each building. For some of my clients, I've installed the UniFi software controller onto their on-site server, and then connect remotely through my laptop to make changes. This approach will of course only work if the building has a server already, or if you are willing to install a server just to run UniFi.
On Wednesday, February 26, 2014 9:09:52 AM UTC-8, Christian M. Macy wrote: > > Sonicwall allows bandwidth management, which is a good solution but is > harder to configure correctly. Also Unifi does actually support caps - not > sure if you had an older controller version? > > On Sunday, February 23, 2014 6:48:47 PM UTC-7, Tom Brandt - Workantile > wrote: >> >> Stephen, >> >> Could you give a little more detail about the microwave antenna solution? >> Who's your service provider? Did they provide the equipment? >> >> On Friday, February 21, 2014, Stephen Shumaker <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> We were having the same issue at our more 'techy' building with lots of >>> heavy bandwidth users, here was our expensive but effective solution: >>> >>> >>> 1. Upgrade bandwidth to as much as we could afford, which is 50/50 >>> mbps symmetrical. One-time cost of $5k (to install microwave antenna on >>> roof), then $125/mo. We also have backup dual-line DSL for failover and >>> VOIP. We have the option to upgrade to 100/100 in the future if needed. >>> 2. Upgrade Wifi Access Points to Ruckus Wireless. We originally had >>> the Unifi APs, and they worked reliably and provided good coverage, >>> however >>> they do not have any sort of load balancing or rate limiting features. >>> Ruckus APs are a significant cost at $660 per AP and over $1000 for the >>> hardware controller, but they have some incredible features, such as AP >>> roaming, rate limiting, and what they call 'airtime fairness'. Airtime >>> fairness works to dynamically shifting more RF energy to the devices >>> that >>> need it the most (such as those streaming video or syncing to a cloud >>> server). Most APs shoot RF in every direction, like a lightbulb, meaning >>> that all devices get the same 'priority' in terms of the RF reaching >>> them. >>> Ruckus APs 'point' their RF in a particular direction, like a lighthouse >>> with a rotating spotlight. This means that light users browsing the web >>> or >>> checking email won't be bogged down by heavy users streaming or syncing. >>> Ruckus also supports rate limiting at the AP level, though we've found >>> that >>> just the airtime fairness feature was enough to solve our bandwidth >>> issues, >>> so fine-tuned rate limiting isn't needed. However, I did configure a >>> hard >>> cap of 45/45 mbps via the Ruckus APs, so that no single device can ever >>> max >>> out our bandwidth, leaving a 5/5 mbps buffer for all the hardwired >>> devices >>> that bypass the APs. >>> >>> At $10-15k this is not a cheap solution, but it has solved all of our >>> network/bandwidth-related problems practically overnight. For our third and >>> future buildings we will be rolling out this system from the beginning. >>> >>> -- >>> Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com >>> --- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "Coworking" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >>> >> >> >> -- >> twb >> @twbrandt >> Sent from my Phone of i >> > -- Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
