Wireless Access Point Model | User Manual | Page 7 of 33 |
Installation Practice
Wireless LAN systems need a little more planning than conventional wired LANs. This is because the access point relies on the propagation of radio signals, which are sometimes greatly affected by a range of factors including:-
•building materials,
•thickness and type of walls,
•proximity of metal,
•proximity of radar and other high power transmitters
•relative positions and characteristics of client devices.
Do I Need A Site Survey ?
If you are uncertain about the characteristics of an intended location for a wireless LAN system, then it is advisable to obtain a professional site survey. This will provide a report on the current radio environment and may also make recommendations about the location of access points.
It is possible to conduct your own informal site survey using the software tools provided on some client WLAN cards. This is achieved by fitting the appropriate client card into the PC, commissioning and installing the Access Point in the intended position and then moving the PC around the intended area. Whilst this is not a scientific method, it does provide a quick method of determining the likely coverage of an area by observing the relative signal strength.
Note that radio environments may change due to new radars, transmitters, access points and scientific instrumentation being installed near the access point. This means that further site surveys may be needed in the future to assist in problem diagnosis.
Location Guidelines
a)Ensure that the number of barriers between the access point and client devices are kept to the absolute minimum. In an ideal environment, there should be
b)If the access point and clients are separated by walls, then ensure that the wall is relatively thin and constructed of a material that is of high radio transparency (not steel or
c)If walls separate the client and the access point, then ensure that the wireless devices are perpendicular to the walls. This reduces the apparent depth of the wall compared with the signals needing to pass through a wall at an angle.
d)Reduce the distances between the access point and the client devices to maintain high signal strengths. This will keep the data transfer rates achieved over the wireless links to the highest possible levels.
e)Consider the availability of power for the access point. If power is not available, then the DC Power Injector Model
WLAN Security
Wireless access points are potentially a security risk to a network if no precautions are taken. However as with any network, simple precautions can greatly increase the security of a network to create a highly secure environment. These precautions include:-
1.Change the default SSID setting and password (see pages 22 and 26).
2.Hide the SSID value (see page 24)
3.Implement an 802.1x authentication scheme if at all possible (see page 25).
4.If 802.1x cannot be implemented:-
a.Use the integrated WEP encryption at the highest possible key values and change the keys on a regular basis (page 24).
b.Use the MAC address based filters (page 21)
5.Place access points on inner walls of a building and use the lowest possible transmit power settings (see page 23).
PL0356 | ©2003TycoElectronics | Issue 1 |
