Installation Guidelines
Installation Guidelines
In addition to antenna orientation, wireless access point installation location with respect to all wireless clients plays a significant role in determining overall network performance. Clients at the furthest coverage points might have 10% to 50% of the bandwidth of clients close to it. Wireless network coverage in one area or location might need to be lowered to improve the performance of other clients.
Because antennas transmit and receive radio signals, their performance can be adversely affected by the surrounding environment including distance between access point and client, physical obstructions, or radio frequency (RF) interference.
Follow these guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:
•Mount the antenna to use its propagation characteristics. One way to do this is to orient the antenna vertically and mount it as high as possible.
Note This antenna must be mounted vertically in order to maximize its directional propagation characteristics. Mounting it horizontally may noticeably decrease the antenna’s range and overall performance.
•Wherever possible, mount the AP HWIC and antenna where the wireless devices would be within sight and avoid physical obstructions. Barriers along the line of sight between client and access point will degrade the wireless radio signals. AP HWICs and antennas can be installed above floor level in office environments or near the ceiling for better performance since most obstructions tend to be near floor level.
•The density of the materials used in a building's construction determines the number of walls the signal must pass through and still maintain adequate coverage. Consider the following before choosing the location to install your antenna:
–Paper and vinyl walls have very little effect on signal penetration.
–Solid and precast concrete walls limit signal penetration to one or two walls without degrading coverage.
–Concrete and wood block walls limit signal penetration to three or four walls.
–A signal can penetrate five or six walls constructed of drywall or wood.
–A thick metal wall or
•Avoid mounting the antenna next to a column or vertical support that could create a shadow zone and reduce the coverage area.
•Keep the antenna away from reflective metal objects such as heating and
Caution Install the AP HWIC and any antennas away from appliances that share the same frequency bands. Microwave ovens, cordless telephones, and security monitors can temporarily interfere with wireless performance.
Cisco Multiband
8 |
| |
|
