When metal is played outside, the network also has to be tough. Especially at large temporary events such as open-air festivals, the network infrastructure is often exposed to extreme conditions. This is exactly where the MikroTik NetMetal AX with the model number L23UGSR-5HaxD2HaxD-NM comes into its own.

Today we are showing you a specific use case: temporary outdoor supply with WLAN and uplink backbone on a festival site – robust, redundant and scalable.

The use case: Backbone for festival infrastructure

Establishing a functioning network at major events is a real challenge:

• WLAN for crew & press
• Access to cash register systems and logistics databases
• IP cameras for site surveillance
• Connection of remote stages or technical islands

Nothing must fail – and the technology must be weatherproof, energy-efficient and easy to configure.

Why the NetMetal AX (L23UGSR) fits perfectly

This model combines Wi-Fi 6 performance, outdoor suitability and gigabit uplink flexibility. Here are the most important features for use in the event sector:

• IP66 aluminum housing: Dustproof, weatherproof, shock-resistant – ideal for wind, rain and sun.
• Wi-Fi 6 dual-band (2.4 / 5 GHz): Stable throughput, high client density, OFDMA support.
• 1× SFP combo port + 2× Gigabit Ethernet: Ideal for fiber optic connections over long distances (e.g. between FOH, stage and media tent).
• PoE-In (802.3af/at): Easy to inject via switch or midspan.
• External antenna connections: Free choice between omnidirectional, directional or panel antennas – particularly important for targeted supply and point-to-point routes.

Example setup on the premises

In the real scenario, four NetMetal AX L23UGSR devices were set up in a ring topology network. Two of them acted as Wi-Fi cells for crew and press, two as backhaul bridges for the connection to the remote areas (such as FOH or sanitary facilities with cashless terminals).

The connection was made via SFP modules with single-mode fiber optics, the switches on the premises were L3-capable and enabled VLAN separation between the crew network, cash register network and monitoring.

The highlights:

• Stable 700+ Mbit/s TCP throughput over 5 GHz (80 MHz bandwidth)
• Up to 100 simultaneous clients per AP, with no drop in performance
• Low-latency VoIP connections between security posts
• Central monitoring via SNMP and RouterOS logging

Advantages in event operations

• Flexibility: SFP port for fiber optic backbones, Ethernet for direct connection – one device, many possibilities.
• Security: WPA3-Enterprise, VLAN isolation, Layer 3 firewall possible directly on the device.
• Stability: No reboots, no overheating – even at 38 °C in the technical tent.

Long-term benefits beyond festivals

The NetMetal AX (L23UGSR) also shows its strengths away from events – for example in agriculture, on building yards or for temporary campus extensions. The combination of Wi-Fi 6 and SFP enables both wide-area client coverage and stable point-to-point links via fiber optics.

This makes the device suitable not only for festivals, but also for permanent installations in harsh environments. The NetMetal AX can even be used as an outdoor CPE in regions with poor mobile network coverage – LTE modems, VPNs and traffic policies can be easily integrated with RouterOS.

Our conclusion: Hard, stable and flexible

The MikroTik NetMetal AX (L23UGSR-5HaxD2HaxD-NM) is made for extreme applications. Especially for temporary installations such as festivals, outdoor events, construction sites or disaster control solutions, it scores with performance, weather resistance and variable connectivity.

Especially in comparison to indoor access points with rubber seals or consumer routers in an “outdoor box”, the L23UGSR is a real heavyweight – the guitar amplifier among access points, so to speak.

Wacken may start tomorrow – but our network is already up and running.
And that’s not least down to the right equipment.