A small Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) in a suburban area needed a cost-effective and adaptable outdoor wireless solution. They required a device that could function as a reliable access point for their growing customer base, offering flexibility in antenna choice and the option for future expansion through additional wireless or cellular connectivity. They also needed a robust unit capable of withstanding outdoor conditions.

ALFA TECH’s Solution:

ALFA TECH recommended and supplied the MikroTik RB912UAG-5HPnD-OUT (Basebox 2). This compact and powerful outdoor wireless device offered the WISP:

Integrated High-Power 2.4GHz Wireless: Providing a solid foundation for local wireless distribution.
miniPCIe Slot: Allowing the future addition of an 802.11 wireless card, a mobile modem for backup connectivity, or even LoRa for IoT applications, offering exceptional versatility.
Gigabit Ethernet Port: Ensuring high-speed backhaul connectivity to their core network.
Outdoor Durability: A rugged enclosure designed to withstand various weather conditions in the region.
RouterOS Flexibility: Granting advanced routing, firewall, and management capabilities for network control and optimization.
The Basebox 2 enabled the WISP to deploy a reliable and scalable wireless network without a significant upfront investment, with the added benefit of future expansion possibilities.

Customer Satisfaction:

Following the deployment of the MikroTik RB912UAG-5HPnD-OUT:

The WISP experienced improved coverage and stability in their 2.4GHz service area.
The availability of the miniPCIe slot provided peace of mind for future service enhancements and redundancy options.
The Gigabit Ethernet port ensured efficient data transfer and prevented bottlenecks.
RouterOS allowed for granular control over their network, leading to better performance and management.
The robust outdoor design minimized downtime due to environmental factors.
The MikroTik Basebox 2 proved to be a versatile and cost-effective solution, empowering the local WISP to expand their services and provide reliable internet access to more customers.

Installation & Configuration Details:

Installation Steps:

Mounted the Basebox 2 units on existing poles and buildings.
Connected external antennas appropriate for the desired coverage area to the RP-SMA connectors.
Ran Ethernet cables for power and data connectivity.
Configuration Overview:

Configured the 2.4GHz wireless interface as an access point using RouterOS.
Set up appropriate security protocols and access controls.
Configured the Gigabit Ethernet port for connection to their core network.
Explored potential future uses of the miniPCIe slot based on their evolving needs.
Utilized RouterOS for network monitoring and management.