Hi Matt,

I haven’t been thrilled with the Enterprise version of Open Mesh, but the basic Open Mesh units are still…functioning. In a situation where you really need mesh, I’d probably look at them again. Only for limited internet access though, not really for robust LAN networking. They fill a need, but anywhere I can I’m using Ubiquity’s UniFi APs instead of Open Mesh. They do have wireless uplinks that are OK (not true mesh, you control each uplink) but if you can wire all or more access points, they’re a much better solution that’s more flexible and powerful, and reliable. At around the same price; less if you consider they include their PoE (proprietary, not standard PoE) adapter and the Open Mesh adapters cost an extra $20. For a single building where I can get wires to switches and APs, I’d do UniFi all day long (I’ve done several small deployments plus one 8-AP and one 20-AP deployment of UniFi and they’re all working great).

There are also some other Ubiquity products such as the NanoStations and NanoBridges that can do directional point-to-point connections, and PicoStations that are omnidirectional but use the same software as the Nano devices instead of the centralized “Enterprise wifi” controller of the UniFi solution. It might cost a little more, but I’d actually prefer a solution using all Ubiquity gear over the Open Mesh stuff. For example, I’d have a central building with a PicoStation AP with each remote building using a NanoStation or NanoBridge directional unit pointed at the PicoStation and running a cable to a UniFi AP that would serve clients at each location. Preferably the central location would also be directional but if they’re close enough, a PicoStation (or possibly even a UniFi AP) placed centrally with directionals pointing in toward it would probably work well enough. If you can do all the backhaul on 5GHz (not possible with UniFi AP as central since it only does 2.4GHz but PicoStation comes in 5GHz flavors) and then use UniFi on 2.4GHz for clients you’ll be even better off, if you can get line-of-sight for 5GHz. Nice thing is for larger buildings you could still put a switch in and put multiple UniFi APs off of it around the building.

I’d need a lot more detail about the physical structures to make any more specific recommendations. However, I’m just “mostly satisfied” with Open Mesh and not really thrilled or excited about it. It still works where I put it in, but I probably wouldn’t do it that way again.

David

PLEASE contact me with your observations and thoughts.
Thank you.
Matt