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WiFi mesh recommendations for a site with multiple steel porta cabins?
Hi community,
I’m looking for some advice on a Netgear Business setup. We are setting up a temporary site office using several heavy-duty porta cabins (the structural specs are similar to these units: https://portaking.pk/).
Since these are basically large steel boxes, I am concerned about the signal drop-off between units. I’m considering the Orbi Pro WiFi 6 (SXK80) mesh system or perhaps several WAX610 Access Points managed via Insight.
In a "Faraday cage" environment like a steel cabin, would you recommend wired backhaul between every unit, or can the Orbi Pro wireless backhaul punch through windows effectively enough?
Does the Insight management platform allow me to see individual performance metrics for APs located in different units easily?
Has anyone dealt with outdoor-rated enclosures for the non-outdoor units, or should I stick strictly to the WAX610Y for the exterior?
Any insights from those who have rigged up networks for modular/portable buildings would be greatly appreciated!
1 Reply
In a "Faraday cage" environment like a steel cabin, would you recommend wired backhaul between every unit, or can the Orbi Pro wireless backhaul punch through windows effectively enough?
Hard to say if you'll get signal through the cabins, it depends in part on whether the windows are in the line of sight. Some window coatings are metallic, and might also block some signal.
You can test this by putting a wifi router or AP inside the cabin (it doesn't matter what model), and measure the WiFi RSSI outside on your phone. You'd ideally want -30 to -50 dbm at the spot where you'd put the second mesh element. I doubt you'll get that, but you will want at least -65 dbm.
Wired backhaul is a more conservative approach, as long as the distance between the cabins is less than 100m.
Do you want wifi outside the cabins? Or only inside?
