Setting Up MikroTik Point-to-Point (PtP) Outdoor Wireless Link: Comprehensive Guide from Hardware to Configuration

MikroTik offers reliable and powerful solutions for Point-to-Point (PtP) wireless links. Whether you are connecting two offices of your company or extending internet from one point to another, PtP links provide flexibility and performance. However, choosing the right hardware and making the correct configuration is essential for a successful setup. In this post, we will cover the entire process of setting up a MikroTik PtP link in detail, from hardware to software.

1. Essential Hardware Cards and Components for MikroTik PtP Connection

For a flawless wireless connection, not only the routerboard but also the correct antennas and additional components are required. Here are the basic hardware components for a PtP link:

a. Integrated Devices vs. Separate Card/Antenna Solutions: MikroTik offers both integrated (antenna and radio in one) and separate routerboard/antenna solutions for PtP links.

• Integrated Devices (e.g., SXTsq, LHG, QRT): Easier to install, require fewer pigtail connections, and are generally more weather-resistant. Ideal for beginner and intermediate applications.
• Separate Cards and Antennas (e.g., RB912, RB922 + Directional Antenna): Offers more flexibility. Performance can be significantly enhanced over much longer distances by using very high-gain, narrow-beam antennas. However, there are pigtail losses and additional mounting complexity.

b. Antennas: To establish direct communication between two distant points, directional antennas (panel, dish, grid) must be used.

• Antenna Type: For PtP, directional antennas are preferred. While panel antennas have a wider beamwidth, dish antennas are much narrower-beam and higher-gain (ideal for long distances).
• Gain (dBi): Indicates how much the antenna focuses and amplifies the signal. As the distance increases, higher-gain antennas are required.
• Frequency Band: Ensure your antenna and wireless card operate on the same frequency (typically 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, sometimes 60 GHz). 5 GHz usually offers less congestion and higher speed.

c. Wireless Cards (if not integrated): The frequency range, power output, and connector types of the wireless cards you plug into your routerboard are important.

• MikroTik Card Models: Cards like R11e-2HnD (2.4 GHz), R11e-5HnD (5 GHz) can be installed in routerboards. Higher-power cards can provide longer range.
• Connectors: The antenna connector type on the card (e.g., MMCX, U.FL) and the antenna pigtail connectors must be compatible with each other.

d. Pigtail Cables and Adapters: Used to connect the wireless card to the antenna. High-quality and short cables should be preferred to minimize signal loss.

e. Mounting and Protection:

• Outdoor Enclosure: Use durable enclosures that protect your devices from weather conditions (integrated devices are already protected).
• Grounding: Be sure to perform proper grounding to protect outdoor devices and antennas from overvoltages such as lightning strikes.
• PoE (Power over Ethernet): Use PoE injectors and cables to transmit both electricity and data to the devices. Prefer high-quality outdoor Ethernet cables.

Summary: For a PtP link, either choose an integrated solution (like SXT, LHG) or combine routerboard, wireless card, directional antenna, pigtail, and protective equipment. In either case, pay attention to frequency compatibility, antenna gain, and grounding.

2. MikroTik PtP Link Setup Steps (via WinBox)

Now, after obtaining the hardware, let’s move on to the installation phase. In this example, we will configure two MikroTik LHG5 devices as a transparent bridge. One device will operate in AP Bridge mode, and the other in Station Bridge mode.

A. Main Station (AP) Configuration (Device at the main point)

1. Connecting via WinBox: Connect your computer and the LHG5 device over Ethernet. Open WinBox, click on the device’s MAC address from the Neighbors tab, and log in with the default username (admin) and password (blank or on the label).

2. Security: First, set the admin password from the System > Password menu.

3. Creating a Bridge: To set up a transparent bridge, we will combine the wireless and Ethernet interfaces.

   • Click on Bridge from the menu.
   • Press the + button, leave Name: bridge1 as it is, and click OK.

4. Adding Interfaces to the Bridge:

   • Switch to the Ports tab in the same window.
   • Click the + button, ensure Interface: ether1 and Bridge: bridge1 are selected, and click OK.
   • Click the + button again, ensure Interface: wlan1 (or your wireless interface) and Bridge: bridge1 are selected, and click OK. Now, the wireless and Ethernet interfaces are transparently connected to each other.

5. Wireless Configuration:

   • Click on Wireless from the menu.
   • Double-click on the wlan1 interface.
   • Go to the Wireless tab.
   • Mode: Select ap bridge (this device will be the main transmitter).
   • Band: For 5 GHz AC devices, you can choose 5GHz-only-N or 5GHz-A/N/AC. For other compatibilities, choose bands like 2GHz-b/g/n or 5GHz-a/n.
   • SSID: Determine the connection name (e.g., PtP_Link_Main).
   • Frequency: It is important to choose a clean frequency. Scan the surrounding frequencies with the Scan button and manually select the emptiest one, or you can leave it on auto (manual gives more control).
   • Security Profile: Press the + button to add a encryption profile (or edit the default profile). Check Mode: dynamic keys, Authentication Types: WPA2 PSK, Unicast Ciphers/Group Ciphers: aes-ccm. Type a strong password in the WPA2 Pre-Shared Key section and click OK.
   • Select the profile you created as the Security Profile on the main Wireless tab.
   • In the Channel Width section, you can select 20MHz or 40MHz, 80MHz depending on speed requirements (wider channel, higher speed but more pollution sensitivity).
   • Click OK to save.

6. Assigning Management IP:

   • Go to the IP > Addresses menu.
   • Click the + icon.
   • Type 192.168.88.1/24 (or any management IP you desire, can be on the same subnet as your main network).
   • Select Interface: bridge1 and click OK.

B. Client Station (Station) Configuration (Device at the distant point)

To configure the other LHG5 device at the distant point, repeat most of the steps above, but the wireless mode will be different:

1. WinBox Connection & Password: Connect to the device and set a password.

2. Creating a Bridge: Create a new bridge named bridge1 from the Bridge window.

3. Adding Interfaces to the Bridge: Add ether1 and wlan1 (or relevant wireless interface) interfaces to bridge1 from the Ports tab.

4. Wireless Configuration:

   • Double-click wlan1 from the Wireless menu.
   • Go to the Wireless tab.
   • Mode: Select station bridge (this device will connect to the AP Bridge). This mode provides a transparent bridge when combined with a bridge.
   • Band, SSID, Frequency: Enter the exact same values you determined on the main station. (SSID: PtP_Link_Main, Frequency: The frequency you chose).
   • Security Profile: Create the exact same security profile as on the main station or edit the default one and enter the same password. Then, select this profile on the main Wireless tab.
   • Click the Scan button to perform a scan. When you see the main station’s SSID, click on it and say Connect. If frequency and password are correct, it will connect shortly.
   • Click OK to save.

5. Assigning Management IP:

   • Go to the IP > Addresses menu.
   • Click the + icon.
   • Type 192.168.88.2/24 (different management IP from the main station but same subnet, any IP you desire).
   • Select Interface: bridge1 and click OK.

3. Antenna Alignment and Testing

After the configuration is complete, physically aligning the antennas is very important.

• Physical Alignment: Roughly align the devices to face each other.
• Alignment Tools:
  • MikroTik Alignment Tool: Double-click the interface in the Wireless menu and go to the Status tab. Here you can see values like signal strength (Tx/Rx Signal Strength), CCQ (Signal Quality).
  • Built-in LEDs: Many integrated MikroTik devices have LEDs that show signal strength. Try to increase the number of LEDs on the back of the device.
• Fine Tuning: Slowly move the antenna on one side on the horizontal and vertical axes. Let the other person follow whether the signal strength increases or decreases (or you follow via WinBox). The lower the signal strength (e.g., -50 dBm, -60 dBm, better than -80 dBm), the stronger the connection. The CCQ value should be as close to 100% as possible.
• Adjusting Both Sides: After aligning one side, finely align the device on the other side as well. Try to capture the best signal values.
• Connection Test: After the devices are connected, ping from one station to the other. Ensure ping times are low and lossless. You can also test connection speed and throughput values using the Tools > Bandwidth Test tool.

Conclusion

By selecting the correct hardware and following these steps, you can establish uninterrupted and high-performance Point-to-Point outdoor wireless connections with MikroTik devices. Remember, antenna gain, frequency selection, grounding, and meticulous antenna alignment are key to a successful PtP link. Thanks to the transparent bridge structure, you can gain flexibility by merging your main network and distant network as if they were a single network.