Proxim AP-2000 manual Distance Between APs

Performing Advanced Configuration

•Frequency Channel: When Auto Channel Select is enabled, this field is read-only and displays the Access Point’s current operating channel. When Auto Channel Select is disabled, you can specify the Access Point’s operating channel. If you decide to manually set the unit’s channel, ensure that nearby devices do not use the same frequency (unless you are setting up a WDS). Available Channels vary based on regulatory domain. See 802.11b Channel Frequencies.

•Distance Between APs: Set to Large, Medium, Small, Microcell, or Minicell depending on the site survey for your system. By default, this parameter is set to Large. The distance value is related to the Multicast Rate (described next). In general, a larger distance between APs means that your clients operate a slower data rates (on average). This feature is available only if you are using an Orinoco Classic Gold card. See Distance Between APs for more information.

•Multicast Rate: Sets the rate at which Multicast messages are sent. This value is related to the Distance Between APs parameter (described previously). The table below displays the possible Multicast Rates based on the Distance between APs setting. By default, this parameter is set to 2 Mbits/sec. This feature is available only if you are using an Orinoco Classic Gold card. See Multicast Rate for more information.

Distance between APs	Multicast Rate
Large	1 and 2 Mbits/sec
Medium	1, 2, and 5.5	Mbits/sec
Small	1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbits/sec
Minicell	1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbits/sec
Microcell	1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbits/sec

•DTIM Period: The Deferred Traffic Indicator Map (DTIM) is used with clients that have power management enabled. DTIM should be left at 1, the default value, if any clients have power management enabled. This parameter supports a range between 1 and 255.

•RTS/CTS Medium Reservation: This parameter affects message flow control and should not be changed under normal circumstances. Range is 0 to 2347. When set to a value between 0 and 2347, the Access Point uses the RTS/CTS mechanism for packets that are the specified size or greater. When set to 2347 (the default setting), RTS/CTS is disabled. See RTS/CTS Medium Reservation for more information.

•Interference Robustness: Enable this option if other electrical devices in the 2.4 GHz frequency band (such as a microwave oven or a cordless phone) may be interfering with the wireless signal. The AP will automatically fragment large packets into multiple smaller packets when interference is detected to increase the likelihood that the messages will be received in the presence of interference. The receiving radio reassembles the original packet once all fragments have been received. This feature is available only if you are using an Orinoco Classic Gold card. This option is disabled by default.

•Closed System: Check this box to allow only clients configured with the Access Point’s specific Network Name to associate with the Access Point. When enabled, a client configured with the Network Name “ANY” cannot connect to the AP. This option is disabled by default. See Broadcast SSID and Closed System for more information.

•Wireless Service Status: Select shutdown to shutdown the wireless service on a wireless interface, or resume to resume wireless service. See Wireless Service Status for more information.

•Load Balancing: Enable this option so clients can evaluate which Access Point to associate with, based on current AP loads. This feature is enabled by default; it helps distribute the wireless load between APs. This feature is not available if you are using an ORiNOCO ComboCard or a non-ORiNOCO client with the AP.

•Medium Density Distribution: When enabled, the Access Point automatically notifies wireless clients of its Distance Between APs, Interference Robustness, and RTS/CTS Medium Reservation settings. This feature is enabled by default and allows clients to automatically adopt the values used by its current Access Point (even if these values differ from the client’s default values or from the values supported by other Access Points). Note that this feature is available only if you are using an Orinoco Classic Gold card. Proxim recommends that you leave this parameter enabled, particularly if you have ORiNOCO clients on your wireless network (leaving this parameter enabled should not adversely affect the performance of any ORiNOCO ComboCards or non-ORiNOCO cards on your network).

Distance Between APs

Distance Between APs defines how far apart (physically) your AP devices are located, which in turn determines the size of your cell. Cells of different sizes have different capacities and, therefore, suit different applications. For instance, a typical office has many stations that require high bandwidth for complex, high-speed data processing. In contrast, a typical warehouse has a few forklifts requiring low bandwidth for simple transactions.

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