4G Broadband Router Options

NM30

NM30

NM30

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8 Apr 2020
Posts
36
I’ve had an external 4G antenna installed which has the SIM inserted into it inside the antenna.

The router provided by the company is not great so looking for a better replacement.

can I purchase any type of router thats available to buy like the Asus RT-AC68U which im looking to get or do I need one specifically for 4G broadbands.
 
they’ve supplied a Mikrotik access point so its not even a router and its located just outside the living room and the wifi signal is poor.

can I just buy any router on the market?
 
bremen1874 said:
The MikroTik will have a model number.

If it is just an access point then the router must be up the pole where you're inserting the SIM.

You don't want to be daisy-chaining routers unless you have no other choice.

Tell us exactly what you've got at the moment and you'll get an informed answer.
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its the Mikrotik hAP ac lite
 
WoodyUK said:
I presume they have a Modem somewhere separately and have run a cable down to the Mikrotik access point?

If that is the case then you can buy any router, ASUS ones are a good bet as I've personally used them and they have an Auto Wizard to detect the type of connection which is always useful for these types of situations.
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thats all they’ve done is run a single cable from the external antenna and its terminated at the other end into the access point.

how will I know if there’s a seperate modem?
 
bremen1874 said:
If you just have the access point then the router functionality must be where the SIM is inserted. If there wasn't a router you wouldn't be able to have more than one device connected at a time.

You don't really want to add another router. Double NAT on top of CGNAT isn't something you'd choose to have.

You're going to want better wireless, not a better router. The wireless could be provided by a wireless router as long as it's configured as an access point.

Are you after a single wireless point or multiple spread around the house? How much are you willing to spend?
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this is the external antenna I’ve got an it does appear the modem is built into it.

https://www.senetic.co.uk/product/R...MIwJvRp7mQ6gIVDsayCh0HjgfQEAkYASABEgIuOvD_BwE
 
so what they’ve done basically is run a cable and plugged it in the ethernet port in the antenna and an access point in the house isn’t it.
 
WJA96 said:
The ‘antenna’ that’s plugged in outside with the SIM card in it is a VERY powerful router built into a dish antenna. That’s good.

The hAP AC lite has the same router software as the LHG and they’ve just configured it to run as an access point. Which is a pity, because it’s a great router with relatively poor wireless capability.

I’m going to suggest getting the people who installed it for you back and tell them you want to swap the hAP AC lite for a Ubiquiti FlexHD access point. They’ll make a face and tell you how expensive it is and you should pay £120-ish for them to swap the hAP Ac lite out for the Ubiquiti AP. Or they could add more hAP AC lites to your network, but they’d need a lot more cables. And that will be expensive.

What sort of speeds are you getting from the system at the moment?
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im getting speeds of between 40 - 70 depending on time of day which is a huge improvement on the 15 I had on a FTTC connection.

I might just buy that Ubiquity access point you mentioned or might get one or two of their ceiling mounted ones.
 
WJA96 said:
Yeah, it just seems a shame that they ruined a good 4G WWAN system with a cheap wireless solution.
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do you know if I can daisy chain connections on the ceiling mounted Ubiquity access points or do they require their own PoE from a designated injector?
 
I’ve been offered the Ubiquity AP AC LR or the Ubiquity AP AC PRO by the guys who installed my 4G broadband.

which one should I go for?
 
WJA96 said:
Of those 2, I’d probably go with the LR but can they not get you a FlexHD? LR should be ~£100, Pro ~£130 and FlexHD ~£160 so it’s more money but from the scenario you describe it’s the right tool for the job.
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those are the ones they offer, why would you go for the LR over the PRO?
 
im after some technical help...I bought the Ubiquiti AP AC Pro and on the Mikrotik access point it won’t power the Pro over PoE...can anyone help?
 
WJA96 said:
Yes. The PoE from the Mikrotik is 24V passive. I did say to get the LR. The LR can run 24V or 48V. You need the PoE injector from the box the AP-AC-Pro came in.
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I plugged in an ethernet into the Mikrotik then the other end into the WLAN on the PoE injector then took another ethernet from the PoE on the injector to the Pro but it wouldn’t power up.
 
I plugged into port 2 and it wasn’t firing up.

I know the injector works as I plugged it into the mains and it worked that way but I really want it coming on through PoE.

Any suggestions?
 
ah really...I went for the Pro as I’d use it outdoors eventually.

what if I get a new router which supports it like the Ubiquiti security gateway router?
 
im building an outbuilding where the Pro will go so it will be covered from the weather.

my end plan is to run data cables throughout the house so next question, does the PoE network switch only provide just that or can I plug in standard data points for say Smart TV’s, Xbox into a PoE switch?
 
WJA96 said:
It will provide PoE power on as many ports as you pay for and generally PoE switches can automagically detect when PoE is required and turn it on. All ports work as standard Ethernet ports as well.
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awesome, im gonna get the 24 port version in that case.

you’ve been a brilliant help its much appreciated. thank you.
 
WJA96 said:
OK, Some things about the 24-port PoE switch.

1. there are 2 versions. Gen 1 and Gen 2.
2. Gen 1 has all the ports live for PoE and Gen 2 has only 16 of the 24 live for a PoE.
3. Gen 1 can power 24V Mikrotik equipment. Gen 2 is 48V only.
4. Gen 1 sounds live a vacuum cleaner unless you swap the fans out for 40mm Noctuas.

So unless you desperately need 24 ports. I’d get the Gen 1 16 port (US-16-150W). It’s a great switch. 24/48V power and all 16 ports live for PoE.
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when you say Gen 1 can power the Mikrotik, can I take an ethernet from the Mikrotik and the other end into the Gen 1/Gen 2 and power the Gen 1/2 from the mains?
 
I’d also like to get rid of my Mikrotik access point completely, as my current setup is an RJ45 from the outdoor antenna to the access point...can I remove the RJ45 from the Mikrotik and eventually plug it directly into the Unifi PoE switch?

just want to know my best option in doing this as I’ll have my Unifi AP AC Pro as an access point instead?
 
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