NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

Forum Discussion

fanofai's avatar
fanofai
Guide
Apr 19, 2021

Seeking feedback on Mesh network design

Hi,   We are evaluating how to design a mesh network for our apartment community using the Orbi RBK53 router along with 2-RBS50Y outdoor extenders. The main idea is to support security cameras (& n...
Before You Buy
CrimpOn's avatar
CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Apr 19, 2021

All this to monitor 1 out of 4 dumpsters?

(and from pretty far away)

I would be tempted to look at an LTE solution, such as this one:https://reolink.com/us/product/reolink-go/ 

Those distances will be a struggle for WiFi.

 

You might look at Ubiquiti, rather than a mesh system intended to support a single house.  I believe they have products specifically designed for things like mounting security cameras.

 

  • fanofai's avatar
    fanofai
    Guide
    Apr 19, 2021

    Thanks CrimpOn. 

     

    "All this to monitor 1 out of 4 dumpsters?"

    Nope! The plan is to have 1-camera per dumpster (see attached) to monitor illegal dumping & dumpster abuse, as well as 1-camera for each of the 2 entrances. In total 6-cameras, and possibly a few more if the need arises.

     

    The LTE solution wouldn't work for us due to the high traffic. The existing camera uploads ~2GB of data every day!

     

    "You might look at Ubiquiti, rather than a mesh system intended to support a single house. "

    Thanks..I shall check that too.

     

    -Sharath

    • FURRYe38's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru - Experienced User
      Apr 19, 2021

      Orbi 50 series is for home class configurations. You might try Orbi pro. There meant for low end business. However distance will still be a problem along with other noise and conditions. 

       

      For cameras, you should look into wired camera solutions instead. 

       

      Good Luck. 

      • fanofai's avatar
        fanofai
        Guide
        Apr 19, 2021

        Thanks Furrye38

         

        "For cameras, you should look into wired camera solutions instead. "

        We've debated these internally. It seems the work needed to install a wired system is a lot esp for a big property that spans 250,000 sq. ft, though i admit we aren't necessarily targeting installing cameras at periphery of community, and that in the long run, a wired system may be cheaper.

         

        BTW, It seems the RBS50Y Outood Extender is not compatible with the Orbi Pro! Amazon page states:

        "Not compatible with Orbi WiFi 6 Systems"

         

        I looked instead at an Orbi Pro Wifi 6 system (both router & satellite. While the Orbi Pro page says the wifi-6 satellite is good for Indoor & Outdoor usage, the datasheet says nothing about outdoor compability. Has anyone used these units outdoors?

         

        Thanks,

        Sharath

    • CrimpOn's avatar
      CrimpOn
      Guru - Experienced User
      Apr 19, 2021

      Thanks for the explanation.  Security cameras present logistical problems:

      • How to get power to the cameras.
      • How to get the video signal from the camera to the NVR (or other server).
      • How to protect the camera from valdalism/theft.

      In my (limited) experience, the logistical issues often interact.  Power & signal can be handled with Power over Ethernet which uses one cable to provide both power and communications.  This is obviously impractical given the scale of this installation. When ethernet cannot be run to the camera location, WiFi can provide communications as long as there is a local power source. (I have used both solutions.)  The suggestion of Ubiquity (or something similar) easily handles the distance for communication and supports high resolution PoE cameras, but requires electrical power at each location (costly and probably unsightly).

       

      You solution addresses the issues without requiring cable or electrical outlets:

      • Solar/battery to provide power to the cameras.
      • WiFi to provide communications.
      • Mounting "out of reach" for physical security but totally independent of power/communication cables.

      My 5MP cameras which record "motion only" on a really quiet street produce 3-6GB/day.  At 2GB/day, my guess is that your cameras are 1024 resolution and the WiFi is 2.4G. Whatever solution is deployed, it might be a good idea to provide for future camera upgrades to provide higher resolution (and needing higher bandwidth.)

       

      Would you mind sharing how all those individual housing units get Internet service?  (Obviously somebody has a network spanning the entire property. Maybe there is a way to tie into it?)

       

      What is the plan to get electrical to the Router (in the test setup) and the Extenders?

       

      I like the idea of running tests first. I would use an inexpensive WiFi router, like a TP-Link A7 and move a camera around to see what distances "work".