First it needs to be determined if an all outdoor solution is needed over the advantages of a Split system. There are numerous third party Split systems just as inexpensive as all ODU units. So price should not be the only factor to decide all outdoor product. (For example Ligo just released one). In Split Archetecture, if price is not a factor, the Dragonwave still has an upper hand on upgradablilty "IF" that is neededed, meaning an Airpair can be upgraded to DUO or Quantum with just an indoor unit upgrade, to get beyond the 800mbps limit of Dual polarity available in other solutions.
The Trango Apex and Horizon Compact more or less offer the same thing as All ODU config, and to be honest, both Radio brands are so excellent, I cant pick one over the other as a preferred better product. We use them both. My buying decission has been primarilly decided by best Price on a given day, or unique requirements of a specific job. I personally prefer Trango for two reasons.... I love the intuative OS and easy to remember commands. Its also a way easier buying experience. (Everything all in one place at a good price, no confusing part numbers, etc). As it turns out, I'll be putting more Dragonwaves on my network than Trango because there is a larger secondary market for Dragonwave (As they upgrade), to find deals.. So far, my Dragonwaves have shown to be solid, install and leave. Without checking the quick install guide, I wouldn;t even know how to configure one anymore, because I haven't even had to log in since the day they were installed. However, that does not mean that the APEXes aren't reliable. My APEXes have also operated very reliably, although it took a couple Firmware upgrades to get there. Antenna selection is also a relevent factor. Both models cab use any antenna with a Cable adapter, but that results in loss DB and added expense, so we'll consider only "waveguide" direct antenna models in this advise. Dragonwave has the option to use the Andrews 2.5' dish. This is relevent because it has the same DBi and radiating characteristics as the 3ft models, except that it can be shipped UPS (a big savings, not requiring freight shipping), Lower cost mounting because less windload and can use thinner pipe, and easier to fit colo where a 6" can make quite a difference. The DBI of 2.5ft and 3ft dishes are often needed to get five 9 reliabilty Link budgets for typical link distances at full modulation, at lease it was relevent for our links. (For example a 10 mile 11Ghz link should ahve a 2.5ft or 3ft dish). IF buying 1ft, 2ft, 3ft, or 4 ft, Both Dragonwave and Trango can use the lower cost RadioWaves dishes, although unique proprietray versions of. Trango is the winner, because Trango's version Dishes are about $200 cheaper than Dragowave versions. Link budget also matters, because rf power differences between Compact and Apex. IF we talk 11Ghz, At low modulation (qam16) Dragonwave HP has higher power 25db compared to Trango's 19db or so, so gets longer links. However, at High Modulation (qam256) Trango has a longer distance in link budget. The reason is that at higher modulation both Apex and Compact are limited to 19dbm power, except Trango has better sensitivity, of about -65 compared to Compact's -60. (I dont have manual infront of me and that may not be exact, but its about a 4-5db difference in sensitivity). It should also be noted that Compact comes in a low power and high power model. The PRice Comparative model to APEX is the LOW Power version. The low power version can only do like 10dbm in power or so. So to get High Power it requires an additional $1000 upgrade for Dragonwave. But these power levels are relevent in establishing price per link. For example, If you can get a way with a 2ft dish (instead of 2.5 to 3ft), the price drops from $1300 to $600. $700 is a huge savings. So if a 100mb link, ther is a better chance you'll accomplish the Link budget with Compact. IF 200-400mb link there is a better chance it can be accomplsihed with the Apex. It should also be known that Trango power supplies are about $200 per link, and Dragonwave has Install kits (w/ power supplies and POE) for $700 per link. So Trango has some savings their to. As well Trango's fiber option is less expensive. Both Trango and Dragonwave have unique advance technical features. I dont need any of them, so its not a factor for me. But if you need those unique advanced feature, then you should study the manuals of each to determine which OS is best suited for you. I'm talking about meeting a specific standard, or a specific QOS model, or something like that. There was one thing that got me stuck on Dragonwave, and that was how it did VLANs. It has something to do with how it treats VLAN1 and compared to how common switches and Linux Treats VLAN1. With Trango it was trouble free and plug and play. With Dragonwave it was a headache, that I never solved, and I had to revise my methodology, (or inject specific brand switches inline to avoid the incompatibilty). Dragonwave comes in many different configurations, whether its A MIL conn, 1 port versus two, with fiber option or not, etc, so it can be more confusing selecting the right part number. With Trango its one model that can be used for any of its various user configurations. There will be some that analyze the Firmware features to death, and will swear to teh advantages of one Brand over the other becaues of how that advanced feature works. But to me, none of that really matters. They are both are extremely capable and mature products, where to me it comes down to teh link budget, and the total cost to acheive that, after considering all above that I mentioned. It might also be afactor of whether you want to have the distribution channel in the loop or not. Distributors often ease with replacement parts availabilty, leasing programs, and License processing. Dragonwave offers that. IF you dont need that, efficiencies can be acheived because you work direct with Trango's fine staff. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband ----- Original Message ----- From: "Randy Cosby" <dco...@infowest.com> To: <lp...@essex1.com>; "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 6:38 PM Subject: Re: [WISPA] 11Ghz BH comparison- > The one I have up works fine. There are quirks in the firmware, but no > show-stoppers. Inband management is still a work in progress. Don't > particularly care for the fiber port cover design, but if you're using > copper, it's fine (unless you use extra-large / heavy ethernet that may > not fit). > > Randy > > > On 2/11/2010 4:28 PM, Luke Pack wrote: >> We have quite a few Dragon wave 11Ghz links deployed right now. We are >> looking at another path of 11Ghz now and have come across the apex >> system by Trango. We use the Trangolink45s on many links off the >> licensed path currently. I'm looking for people's "real-world" >> experience with the Trango Apex system (since they are relatively new) >> and a contrast of this system to the Horizon Compacts from Dragonwave. >> I know their implementation is similar to that of the horizon units >> however, what seems to be the Apex failure rate, software features, >> hitless adaptive modulation success, etc. >> >> Thanks all! >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> WISPA Wants You! Join today! >> http://signup.wispa.org/ >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >> >> Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >> http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >> >> Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >> > > -- > Randy Cosby > Vice President > InfoWest, Inc > > 435-674-0165 x 2010 > > http://www.infowest.com/ > > "Letting off steam always produces more heat than light." - Neal A. > Maxwell > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wants You! 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