Using wireless technology to "bridge the gap"

Physically connecting multiple buildings to the same network in a campus environment is a relatively straightforward process, especially during new construction phases. Exterior grade "tube cables" that house bundles of air-blown optical fibers can be run through trenches to each building. The fibers can be easily deployed through the tube cable or removed and repurposed, creating a scalable, future-proof horizontal network (see our article from the Dec. 22 issue, "Air-Blown Fiber Optics for the Campus Network Provide Financial and Logistical Benefits"). But what if you need to connect multiple locations in a busy metropolitan setting, such as busy Manhattan Island? An organization may have locations as close as across the street from each other. But there is considerable expense in acquiring municipal permits and hiring construction crews to trench and repair streets and sidewalks. This practically prohibits the possibility of running physical cable highly unlikely in a metropolitan setting. Leased lines for data transmission, such as T1 and T3 circuits offer a secure and reliable method for connecting a company's locations via a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, at increasing costs as locations are added and bandwidth requirements increase. Return on investment Recent technology improvements have made wireless a viable option for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint network communications in the metropolitan environment. Technology manufacturers such as Cisco Systems, with their Aironet 1400 series of bridges, offer solutions that enable high-speed wireless communication with a quick return on investment. The Aironet 1400 series delivers throughput that is several times faster than T1 lines, at a fraction of the cost. Savings from the elimination of leased line charges - T1 and T3 circuits can cost several thousands of dollars per month - can quickly pay for the cost of hardware and professional installation. How wireless bridges work Wireless bridge networks use the same technology as common home and office wireless access points, but at greater distances and higher bandwidths. They operate on the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) radio bands, an unlicensed set of frequencies that is commonly used for cordless phones, RFID communications, and Bluetooth devices. Bridges couple powerful radio transmitters with highly sensitive receivers and high gain antennas to deliver point-to-point data rates from tens of Mbps up to Gigabit speeds over several miles. This gives a network the ability to wirelessly span obstacles such as roads, railways, and rivers - obstacles that are difficult to overcome with copper cable or fiber optics. A well-designed wireless bridge will be constructed with an outdoor-grade enclosure and should be tolerant of a wide range of temperature and weather conditions. Installation Because there is no wait time for municipal permits, telecommunication circuit turn ups, or trench digging, the installation process for a point-to-point wireless network is relatively quick. A qualified installer can mount a bridge device on poles, walls, or rooftops with the proper mounting kit. Product specifications should be based on a professional network assessment, based on bandwidth needs, number of locations, and other considerations such as line-of-sight (LOS) or near-line-of-sight (NLOS) radio transmission. Security The most advanced security measures can be applied to a wireless bridge network, ensuring the protection of an organization's information and network communications. Leading wireless manufacturers offer devices that are compliant with IEEE 802.1x standards. In addition, several are equipped with proprietary features for remote management and of a secure wireless network. The use of strong encryption protocols and radio mutual authentication provide security that meets standards for military over the air communications. A wireless bridge network can help organizations in metropolitan settings to rapidly deploy and redeploy multiple points for access to safe and secure network communications. Based on cost and bandwidth considerations, secure point-to-point wireless could be a cost effective alternative to expensive construction digs or recurring leased line charges. Layne Frank is director of sales for BBH Solutions, Inc., New York, N.Y.