backhaul question for far away Access Points

[sugar2]

Hi, I would like to see your opinion, in how should I solve this...

I have a complex with three buildings:
- Will install WIFI Access points in all the complex and some of them will be up to 900 ft of distance.
- Building A have two Cable modems
- Building B have one Cable Modem
- Building C have one Cable Modem

I need to connect all the AP's to my LAN Switch at office for better management and its always better to have wired connections instead of mesh.
ALso, I need to load balance all the four cable modem connections because I am going to add free Wi-Fi service for all my guests (1000-2000 people) and will need to increase the bandwidth since in my area is not launched yet more speed.

The three buildings are physically separated by more than 300 ft (what is recommended for maximum CAT5 distance cabling, so just run cables is not an option... right now I can think on two ideas:

1) Install a three LAN switches, each one near each Modem and uplink all next other until get connection to my WAN balancer router.

2) Install a LAN switch in a position that is near all the Modems, and just install a wireless link between that LAN switch and my WAN balancer router at office.

Can please tell me what you think? You guys might have a better ideas than I


thanks in advance!!

 

[Elixer]

The three buildings are physically separated by more than 300 ft (what is recommended for maximum CAT5 distance cabling, so just run cables is not an option... right now I can think on two ideas:

Is laying fiber out of the question? It is far more future proof ( & reliable), and getting the required hardware isn't that much more expensive than the alternative.
Then, you don't have to worry about having 300ft runs, heck, you can even wire up all three buildings with fiber.

 

[jpal251]

Maybe a point to point wifi link between each building would work if there is line of site. Is 2 or 3 modems going to be enough for that many people. Most hotels around here have 50mb for only 80 rooms and that is slow... sounds like a headache to you for free to them internet

 

[azazel1024]

Either P2P wifi, or preferably run fiber. Just need a couple of media converters and SFP modules for them. Total damage is about $200 + fiber costs (I suggest running two fibers for redundancy). Or you can have switches that support SFP modules on either end.