Wi-Fi Access Points placement. Advice needed
Hello Experts!
I'm replacing / adding additional access points to the 6 story older building in San Francisco (and basement floor). The building size is pretty narrow, but fairly long (going 1/2 block in depth). Walls are old, regular drywall. Zyxel G-1000 are used for AP's, and they're about 1-2yrs old.
There are 2 AP's on every other floor (1, 3, 5), however, I've noticed that there are issues with signal reaching 6th floor. So now we've decided to add some more powerful AP's w/ external antennas (ubiquity bullet 800mW, w/ 7dB Omnidirectional antennas), and possible replace some of the less performing Zyxel's.
Here's the dilemma:
As far as i know (please correct me If i'm wrong), the Wi-Fi signal travels better from TOP to BOTTOM, therefore, moving AP's to the 6th floor (and expecting them to cover 5th floor as well) would be the best idea. - Is it?
Also, they would have to be mounted on the 5th floor ceiling, leaving very little space between the antenna and the ceiling itself (as i heard, it's good to leave room between the wall and antenna to penetrate it - is this true as well?).
My boss - who doesn't know much about Wi-Fi, insists that if we put an AP on 6th floor, we will loose about 50% of the signal b/c AP's antenna is Omnidirectional and spreads signal evenly everywhere (will go up to roof w/o anybody using it). While this does makes sense logically, is my argument also correct (that Wi-Fi signal travels downward better)?
Thanks in advance!
I'm replacing / adding additional access points to the 6 story older building in San Francisco (and basement floor). The building size is pretty narrow, but fairly long (going 1/2 block in depth). Walls are old, regular drywall. Zyxel G-1000 are used for AP's, and they're about 1-2yrs old.
There are 2 AP's on every other floor (1, 3, 5), however, I've noticed that there are issues with signal reaching 6th floor. So now we've decided to add some more powerful AP's w/ external antennas (ubiquity bullet 800mW, w/ 7dB Omnidirectional antennas), and possible replace some of the less performing Zyxel's.
Here's the dilemma:
As far as i know (please correct me If i'm wrong), the Wi-Fi signal travels better from TOP to BOTTOM, therefore, moving AP's to the 6th floor (and expecting them to cover 5th floor as well) would be the best idea. - Is it?
Also, they would have to be mounted on the 5th floor ceiling, leaving very little space between the antenna and the ceiling itself (as i heard, it's good to leave room between the wall and antenna to penetrate it - is this true as well?).
My boss - who doesn't know much about Wi-Fi, insists that if we put an AP on 6th floor, we will loose about 50% of the signal b/c AP's antenna is Omnidirectional and spreads signal evenly everywhere (will go up to roof w/o anybody using it). While this does makes sense logically, is my argument also correct (that Wi-Fi signal travels downward better)?
Thanks in advance!
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
manav08
Let me know how you are going with your SITE SURVEY as per point 3 above??
ASKER
Thanks for reply!
I used another Mac tool to find out nearby access points and check signal strength > AirRadar, but I will try using NetStumbler as well, and will report back.
I used the 'AirRadar' to see whether there were any other AP's nearby with same Channel number, and tried to avoid using the channels that are in high concentration in that are already (from neighbors . etc). And sometime I adjust a channel up or down to avoid using the same one as neighbors. Is that a good tactic? Or as long as my AP's with the same broadcast name are spread out at 1,6,11 - i'll be good?
please advice
Thank You!
I used another Mac tool to find out nearby access points and check signal strength > AirRadar, but I will try using NetStumbler as well, and will report back.
I used the 'AirRadar' to see whether there were any other AP's nearby with same Channel number, and tried to avoid using the channels that are in high concentration in that are already (from neighbors . etc). And sometime I adjust a channel up or down to avoid using the same one as neighbors. Is that a good tactic? Or as long as my AP's with the same broadcast name are spread out at 1,6,11 - i'll be good?
please advice
Thank You!
When I was doing my CISCO Qualification this is what I remember reading.
The furthest you have the channels seperated the better. With a total of 11 channels the best signal strength you will get when you place the APs on channel 1,6 and 11 respectively. Cisco even suggests knocking the doors of your neighbors and get them on the right channel. LOL
OKay say if your neighbors were on channel 3 and you put yourself on channel 6 then you will have overlapping of channels and as a result signal strength will be affected. Whereas if you are on channel 8, it will have no overlapping.
I have drawn out a shitty diagram for you on PAINT BRUSH. Please forgive me for doing a bad job on the diagram but I have shown you the placement of Access Points in the diagram below to make you understand the placement of APs
hexgrid.jpg
The furthest you have the channels seperated the better. With a total of 11 channels the best signal strength you will get when you place the APs on channel 1,6 and 11 respectively. Cisco even suggests knocking the doors of your neighbors and get them on the right channel. LOL
OKay say if your neighbors were on channel 3 and you put yourself on channel 6 then you will have overlapping of channels and as a result signal strength will be affected. Whereas if you are on channel 8, it will have no overlapping.
I have drawn out a shitty diagram for you on PAINT BRUSH. Please forgive me for doing a bad job on the diagram but I have shown you the placement of Access Points in the diagram below to make you understand the placement of APs
hexgrid.jpg
Each hexagon above represents an Access Point. Notice all neighbouring APs are seperated by a channel "difference of 5"
ASKER
Thanks! Your answer is very helpful and will make my life much much easier!