Wireless Point-to-Point (P2P) systems are a way of extending a data network from one building to another via a wireless transmitter and receiver. This is useful when burying a cable is not plausible or cost effective. As long as there is a clear line of sight (LOS), a P2P system is a great solution. So, what scenario would this be helpful? Let’s say you own a business, and you recently expanded and purchased a separate building that’s located across the street or down the block. As long as a clear path can be seen between the two buildings, a P2P system can greatly benefit the business. Not only can internet access be extended to the 2nd building, but also any internal networking such as phone systems, servers, surveillance systems, and automated equipment. All of these systems can be managed from 1 location instead of having to do 2 separate networks for everything.
P2P systems not only can benefit businesses, but also residential and farm. Maybe you have Wi-Fi in your home, but do not out in the shed or barn. If you’re like me, you rely on YouTube to figure out how to take a lawn mower deck off. Many times, these outbuildings have metal siding, which is notorious for blocking cellular signal. So now I’m having to go into the house where I can get Wi-Fi, watch the video, and go back out and try remembering what was shown. This is another scenario where a P2P can come in handy. The transmitter would mount on the house, pointed to the desired outbuilding. A receiver would be mounted on the outbuilding, pointed back at the transmitter. From the transmitter, an ethernet cable would run inside the outbuilding to a Wi-Fi router, now giving you internet access.
If you made it this far, there are also Point-to-Multi point (P2MP) systems. One transmitter is sending signal to multiple receivers. This will be a topic for another day.
TLDR: A Point-to-Point system extends internet from one location to another via over wireless via a pair of transmitters.
