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Wireless-N - Four Access Point Warehouse Network - Best practices advice

Hi Experts,

I'm building a wireless network in a warehouse and will be using 4 access points. Handheld bar code scanning computers will be accessing the wireless network to make changes to inventory.

I'm confident that the 4 access points will provide total warehouse coverage. My question is, how best to configure them for smoothest operation. The hand held computer will be moved throughout the warehouse.

I want to ensure continuous communication with the application server while the hand held jumps from one access point to another. I'm looking for some best-practice advice on how to achieve this. My plan is to do it this way:

1. Create one SSID
2. Configure each A/P to use the same WPA2 Password
2. Wire each access point back to a centralized switch

An alternative would be wireless repeater and simply extend the wireless network across the warehouse from one tie-in location.

I appreciate your thoughts.

Paul

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workga

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paul_lcs

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Thanks for the response. I guess I don't know what a wireless controller is. The access points we're using are Netgear Wireless-N access points. I can get the model number if it's important.

I would have thought they would need to be on the same channel to have the device hop from access point to access point, no?

workga

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Access_Point

here is a nice article for what you need

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tylerpayne

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paul_lcs

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So we have a disagreement here on whether to use the same channel. In the article that WORKGA referenced, it does recommend different channels
:
"Use a different channel on each AP. e.g. if you are in the US and installed two access points, use channels #1 and #11. Or if three access points, then use channels #1, #6, and #11 (setting the channels at least 5 apart should help keep interference between APs to a minimum). If you have a residential gateway with wireless turned on, and just one AP, then the same applies: each gets a different channel."

But that may be if you are not roaming between the two.

Anyone else want to chime in?

Thanks,

Paul

paul_lcs

ASKER

Hi all,

I put that network together this weekend, using the same SSID, WPA2 key and same channel on all 4 APs. It works great! With the handheld device, I'm able to walk anywhere in the warehouse and seemlessly hop from A/P to A/P without losing connection.

Thank you both for your responses!

Paul