Indoor installations typically focus on a secure mounting location, nearby Ethernet cabling, and access to passive Power over Ethernet (PoE) power. Outdoor installations call for a radio designed for outdoor use, such as one with a UV-resistant enclosure, along with pole mounting, protected cable routing, and a clear path between bridge endpoints.

Connect these radios to the network over Ethernet, with M5 versions offering two 10/100 Mb/s ports and AC versions providing a Gigabit Ethernet interface. The M5 descriptions specify passive Power over Ethernet (PoE) from a compatible adapter or network switch, so plan for a suitable PoE source to provide power through the Ethernet connection.

Standard wireless bridge configurations use a full-size enclosure, while compact configurations use a smaller form factor that can simplify placement where mounting space is limited. For either option, plan coverage around the integrated antenna’s orientation, link distance, obstructions, and mounting location, with pole mounting available for indoor or outdoor installations.

Compare the Ethernet interface, from 10/100 Mbps to Gigabit, supported channel bandwidths from 10 to 80 MHz, and whether the radio includes a dedicated Wi-Fi management connection. Also review the integrated antenna design, available polarization and beamwidth information, passive Power over Ethernet (PoE) requirements, pole-mount hardware, and indoor or outdoor installation suitability.