Fixed Wireless Access

Most of our wireless customers use the Benton PUD Fixed Wireless network for transport to OWT and the Internet. The basic setup is that you have a radio mounted outside on your building usually under the eaves or on the roof. From the radio an Ethernet cable is run inside to an a "J-box" that is a small little box with some LED lights on it where you plug in the Ethernet cable from the radio, the Ethernet cable to your router and the power supply that powers the radio (radio power is delivered via Power-Over-Ethernet). (See diagram - click on it to zoom) The most common troubleshooting procedure with fixed wireless access is simply rebooting the hardware. Here are the steps:

1. Unplug the power supply that feeds the J-box from the wall
2. Unplug or power off your router
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Plug in the power supply feeding the J-box
5. Wait 30 seconds
6. Plug in or turn on your router. At this point your connection will usually come back but if not try rebooting your computer as well. If you connection does not come back up be prepared to describe the lights on your J-box and router and call technical support.

Many of our fixed wireless customers are in areas where the reliability of power is not superb.  Lightning also seems to affect these areas more than others.  In the end wireless communications can be disrupted by these issues but generally a simple power cycle of all network equipment (radio and router) will resolve any post-storm or post-power spike issues.  If you are not familiar with how to cycle the power on your radio please contact us.  The article above covers the details but it is crucial you know exactly which device provides power to your radio as many customers have thought they cycled the power but really didn't. 

During a storm, even if your power does not go off for any noticeable period, line fluctuations can cause issues with networking hardware and so even if you do not think there were any power issues if you notice your wireless connection is not working after a storm you should go ahead and try the power cycle solution.