HotPort Outdoor Series User Guide
Wi-Fi Networks
Providing a wireless backbone for Wi-Fi networks and HotSpots
is one of the most prominent applications of a wireless mesh
network. Because it supports access points of any brand, price,
size, and features, the HotPort mesh provides more flexibility
for Wi-Fi deployment than other mesh solutions. Each HotPort
node also supports multiple access points, so higher density Wi-
Fi networks can be deployed at a lower cost than using mesh
nodes that are limited to a single integrated access point.
Multiple Services over the Mesh
The HotPort mesh network provides a high-performance wire-
less infrastructure to support multiple, simultaneous applica-
tions and services, including those that require extra capacity
and fast throughput. Typical applications that benefit from this
level of performance are video surveillance networks, voice over
IP (VoIP) services, and metro-scale Wi-Fi HotZones. In addition
to ample bandwidth, the HotPort mesh also provides VLAN and
traffic prioritization functionality to group and prioritize traffic
on the mesh for maximum efficiency and throughput.
Video
The high-capacity and sustained throughput of the HotPort net-
work makes it ideal for IP video networks and video surveillance
applications, especially those requiring multiple cameras or fast
frame rates. Wi-Fi cameras are not needed because any camera
with an Ethernet interface can connect directly to a HotPort
mesh node. HotPort outdoor mesh nodes (HotPort 3200 and
3600 series) also support Power over Ethernet (PoE), allowing
you to provide power to the HotPort via an Ethernet connection
to Power Sourcing Equipment.
Voice over IP
The HotPort mesh network enables clear VoIP traffic over the
wireless backbone. In addition to benefiting from the very high
sustained throughput of the mesh, the traffic prioritization ca-
pability enables you to assign the highest priority to voice traf-
fic to ensure the best quality of service.
Data
In addition to supporting Wi-Fi data using access points con-
nected to the mesh, the HotPort mesh network also provides
direct cabled connectivity for computers and servers via the
Ethernet ports provided on each node. These direct connections
simplify connectivity and enhance performance by eliminating
the overhead and complexity of using access points and wireless
clients to connect to the mesh. A direct connection to the mesh
also eliminates the security concerns associated with connect-
ing clients via Wi-Fi access points.
Printing
With the HotPort mesh network, any wired network printer can
operate over the wireless mesh backbone without any additional
setup, drivers, or software. The printer simply connects to one
of the Ethernet ports on a HotPort mesh node the same way it
would connect to a wired network. This wireless capability al-
lows network printers to operate virtually anywhere, including
on mobile carts and in temporary settings.
Provide Ethernet Anywhere
The HotPort mesh network delivers live Ethernet service virtually
anywhere, indoors or outdoors, without a wired backbone. This
makes the mesh ideal for any location where network cabling
is too difficult, invasive, or expensive to install, such as in his-
toric buildings and outdoor locations, or in temporary venues,
such as conferences and festivals, or office space that changes
frequently. The HotPort mesh provides conventional Ethernet
functionality, so Ethernet devices do not require any additional
software, drivers, or setup to operate on the mesh.
High-Performance Nodes
Each node on the HotPort mesh features hardware optimized
for maximum speed on the mesh and at each location. In ad-
dition to providing fast transport between hops, each node
also features an integrated high-speed Ethernet switch for lo-
cal line-rate switching up to 100 Mbps per port. These Ethernet
ports support virtually any Ethernet device, including access
points, high-speed video cameras, VoIP telephones, comput-
ers, printers, and network servers. Indoor nodes (HotPort
3100/3500 series models) provide four 10/100 Ethernet ports
and outdoor nodes (HotPort 3200/3600 series models) provide two
10/100 ports. HotPort outdoor mesh nodes also support
802.3af-compliant Power over Ethernet.
Indoor/Outdoor Operation
The HotPort indoor and outdoor mesh network nodes are fully
compatible with each other for seamless network connectivity
between indoor and outdoor locations. Indoor mesh nodes are
plenum-rated and provide four 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for
indoor networking devices, such as access points and comput-
ers. Outdoor mesh nodes feature weatherproof NEMA 4X enclo-
sures, high-gain antennas for extended range, and two Power
over Ethernet-enabled 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports.
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Spectrums
HotPort mesh networks have the flexibility to operate in 2.4 GHz
or 5 GHz spectrums. Both spectrums offer high-capacity opera-
tion, with 2.4 GHz operation providing the longest range, and
5 GHz operation offering a shorter range but minimal interfer-
ence in environments that are saturated with 2.4 GHz wireless
traffic.
Wireless Mesh Network Applications
