Point-to-Point & Point-to-MultiPoint

Linking locations

Point-to-Point (PtP) and Point to MultiPoint (PtMP) links are cost effective solutions to extending your network to another location wirelessly, without digging cables. This guide recommends PtP and PtMP solutions for different distances, densities and environments using Ubiquiti airMAX and airFiber devices.

Point-to-Point

A Point-to-Point (PtP) solution is a method of connecting two remote locations via a wireless data link. Presenting an Ethernet port at each end, a wireless point-to-point link link will provide a totally transparent connection between your two chosen points.

Solutions are available in different frequencies (2.4,5 or 24GHz) and form factors to suit different environmental conditions and distances. Dish antennas are typically used for Point-to-Point wireless links due to their high gain and interference rejection properties. Here’s a few more factors to consider when choosing PtP solutions.

What to consider when choosing a PtP solution

• Line of site – always required for PtP. If anything gets in the way you’ll lose data
• Distance
• Throughput requirements
• Antenna gain
• Antenna design, shape and size

See our PtP buying guide for details of these factors to consider.

This guide offers powerful PtP solutions for short, medium and long distances:

Short distance Point-to-Point links

Recommendations for creating short distance PtP links up to 0.5km.

Please Note: If you require enhanced noise immunity and wind loading performance for cold, coastal environments (for example), add the PowerBeam PBE-RAD-400 Radome to the PowerBeam AC PBE-5AC-620 CPE for extra weather shielding.

Medium distance Point-to-Point links

Recommendations for creating medium distance PtP links between 0.5-5km.

Long distance Point-to-Point links

airMAX CPEs (Customer Premises Equipment), base stations and radios are recommended with compatible antennas depending on range, frequency and environment. Dish antennas are recommended for longer Point-to-Point links due to their high gain and ability to reduce interference.

The base station is usually located on top of a building with the height determining maximum coverage. When choosing a base station, it’s normally recommended to choose an antenna with the smallest coverage for the desired area to avoid interference.

Recommendations for creating long distance PtP links between 5-15km:

Ubiquiti Rocket BaseStation with Ubiquiti RocketDish Antenna

Recommended options:

Point-to-MultiPoint

A Point-to-MultiPoint (PtMP) solution is a method of connecting three or more remote locations via a wireless data link. PtMP solutions are typically used to provide data to buildings within a large site or campus or where slower/unstable VPN tunnels over existing connections are not ideal.  PtMP performance depends on both sides of the link. If you want to reach long distances, you must choose the right Base Station AND the right Customer Premises Equipment for each case

Base Station

The base station is usually located on the top of a tower, building or mast with the height determining maximum coverage. When planning the base station, it’s usually ideal to plan for an antenna with the smallest coverage that still covers the desired area. Antennas with wider beamwidth, covering a wider zone reaching more stations, may be more susceptible to interference, resulting in decreased scalability and performance.

What to consider when choosing PtMP solutions

• Distance between locations
• Speed (throughput)
• Interference
• Degree of coverage (density)
• Form factor (size, shape, physical specifications

View our PtMP buying guide for details of these factors to consider.

This guide offers powerful PtMP solutions for short, medium and long distances:

Short distance Point-to-MultiPoint links

Recommendations for creating short distance PtMP links up to 0.2km.

Please Note: If you require enhanced noise immunity and wind loading performance for cold, coastal environments (for example), add the PowerBeam PBE-RAD-400 Radome to the PowerBeam AC PBE-5AC-620 CPE for extra weather shielding.

Medium distance Point-to-MultiPoint links

Recommendations for creating medium distance PtMP links between 0.5-5km.

Long distance Point-to-MultiPoint links

Recommendations for creating long distance PtP links between 4-7m:

NOTE: Range is shorter than PtP than PtMP as for PtMP links, BaseStation gain is much lower.

Ubiquiti Rocket BaseStation with Ubiquiti RocketDish Antenna

Recommended options:

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