3G Router for a 200 people event

amalenky · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:21 am Post subject: 3G Router for a 200 people event

I am now organizing an outdoor event for 200 people. We need to provide internet connection in a tent of 40x40 sqft. We estimate that as maximum there will be 50 concurrent users. We need one or a couple of powerful mobile broadband routers. Some commercial routers (or the majority) only handle 5 concurrent users, so 10 commercial routers will be a very untidy solution.
In the place of the event, satellite or wimax connectivity is too expensive and DSL is not avialable.
After some research, we came to the conclucion that 3 routers MBR 1000 all with two 3g modems will be the best solution for the event. Other solutions analyed were Portabella's and Pepwave which seem really good but much more expensive. My doubt is if 3 MBR 1000 would be ok?

Appreciate any kind of help.

Cheers!
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Andres Malenky

im_electronic · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:39 am Post subject:

what kind of internet traffic are you expecting(email, browsing, video, chat)?

what kind/strength is the coverage at the event?

what are the client devices(wired/wireless)

are you providing the client devices?

what's your budget?

(ohh, and where is it at, can I come???)

Alex · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:41 am Post subject:

andres, is this for an event in argentina?
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amalenky · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:44 am Post subject:

Yes, the location is Buenos Aires Argentina: 3g connectivity through HSDPA.
Service in Argentina is not as smooth as in the US. Average speed 512kbps-1mbps.
About internet usage: it is a wi-fi connection for journalists. I estimate 50x100kb=5MB bandwith will be ok. That is why I believe that 3 MBR1000 with 3 modems would be fine (sorry i said two before!).
The client will only provide electricity. We are in charge of the internet connectivity and all necessary devices.
Budget: the minimum possible with good service (sorry for that common answer!). If you want numbers I would love a below 1500 USD solution that works (3MBR about 750, and 6 devices 360USD, i already have three modems).

The event is in Buenos Aires: obviously you are invited. Indeed, this is a public event!
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Andres Malenky

im_electronic · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:48 am Post subject:

I'll assume laptops/pda's, belonging to attendees

two cradlepoints with three cards in each sixth post down here
then use 4 of these meshing AP's.
one plugged into each MBR, the other two in the opposing corners of the tent/area. ++ The mesh AP's also do DHCP based on the clients MAC address, so no issues shoudl come up with your IP space.

each mesh AP would handle 12 people fine, and optimum data route for each client based on available bandwidth would be made in the mesh.
this will also provide a failover between the two MBR's

something to play with would be to plug a mesh AP into the WAN port on each MBR too, providing a failover to the failover (or possibly a black hole)

the problem I foresee in your idea is making sure people connect to separate AP's, and I cant' seem to find the connection max's for the cradlepoint, but I've seen something somewhere.

my solution will also give you a pretty interface to watch the mesh do it's thing (the open-mesh dashboard) the wireless on the MBR's would be admin access only, or for permanent fixtures in your wifi tent.

amalenky · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:54 am Post subject:

Thanks for your reply. Very nice the info you provided me about the possibilitty to use 3 usb modems.

Not an expert in the subject. Which meshing AP you recommend? They seem to be really cheap, but wouldn't it be enough with 3 MBR 1000? Why are meshing AP needed? Number of concurrent users for MBR 1000, according to the specs, are 32 and 64 according to the sales agent I spoke with (I presume its 32 and hope it is).
I totally agree with the problem you mention about concurrent users in the same AP.
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Andres Malenky

im_electronic · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 11:27 am Post subject:

im_electronic · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject:

if your providing chairs and tables just label each spot at the table with the info for their wireless network they are to connect to

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 409

im_electronic · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject:

amalenky · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:07 am Post subject:

Thank you so much for the answer and ideas.

Is to provide wi-fi for the press in an outdoor event.
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Andres Malenky

im_electronic · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:25 am Post subject:

be sure to let us know what you do! how it goes, and pictures!

are you renting the extra modems?