| Wireless Access Point Recommendation Hello people of dslreports,
This is my first post, so I don't know if it's placed in the correct forum, but here goes 
I'm currently assigned the task of purchasing new wireless access points, for our offices, at my workplace.
We've previously been using "HP V-M200" access points, but we encoutered heavy throughput problems with these. During my tests of the network, I've seen these APs decrease their tranfer-rate to 30Mb, during file-transfer and ping-test. The issue here is concerning the transfer-rate from the Network Interface Card of my laptop to the wireless AP (did an iptraf while testing, and then noticed the 30Mb).
Suffice to say, we're after the best of the best in wireless technology, but our realistic demands are as follows:
- Supports 802.11n, a-b and g.
- Supports up to 2 ESSIDS.
- Supports VLAN.
- Supports WPA2 and RADIUS.
Any suggestions? Or is there somebody with some good experience, with certain APs that fulfills these criteria? |
|
| Unifi Pro or RT-N66U w/ Shibby's Tomato. I use and love both. The Tomato route is cheaper, but the Unifi can be managed centrally, which is nice if you have a bunch of them.
--
db |
|
|
|
 mozerdLight Will Pierce The DarknessPremium,MVM
join:2004-04-23
Nepean, ON | reply to mcbaerentzen
said by mcbaerentzen:Suffice to say, we're after the best of the best in wireless technology, but our realistic demands are as follows:
- Supports 802.11n, a-b and g.
- Supports up to 2 ESSIDS.
- Supports VLAN.
- Supports WPA2 and RADIUS. If you are serious about wanting outstanding wireless connectivity for your offices then XIRRUS is my suggestion. Outstanding without any reservations.
--
David Mozer
IT-Expert on Call
Information Technology for Home and Business |
|
Reviews:
 ·Millenicom
 ·AT&T Southeast
·Verizon Wireless..
| reply to mcbaerentzen
Ruckus Wireless at »www.ruckuswireless.com/
»www.ruckuswireless.com/products/···oor/7962
»www.ruckuswireless.com/products/···oor/7982
»c541678.r78.cf2.rackcdn.com/case···-mar.pdf
»c541678.r78.cf2.rackcdn.com/case···illa.pdf
»c541678.r78.cf2.rackcdn.com/case···gwcc.pdf |
|
 billaustinthey call me Mr. BillPremium,MVM
join:2001-10-13
North Las Vegas, NV
kudos:3 | reply to mcbaerentzen
What is your budget?
How many access points are currently in use?
How many active wireless users/devices do you have?
What is the size/construction/layout of the area they are in?
Do you really need N support? Full N requires two channels. There are only three non-overlapping 2.4ghz channels.
You may be able to alleviate the congestion by adding more access points, and you may need a complete overhaul of your wireless system. |
|
 tschmidtPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
kudos:8
·G4 Communications
·Fairpoint Commun..
 ·Hollis Hosting
| reply to mcbaerentzen
Second davidhoffman  may want to check out Ruckus and since you are using multiple AP going with a controller to make management easier.
/tom |
|
| reply to billaustin
1. The budget has not even been discussed yet, as of now it's free ball. But I think we are leaning towards it not being horrible if it's over standards, seeing as we would probably pay more, to be sure that it delivers.
2. With the HP solution we had 5 APs, but seeing as this solution didn't work for us, we now utilize 3 Apple AirPorts.
3. Well, theres the APs that's 3. Then around 45 employees, where at least 40 is not wired and uses wireless. Then of course there's an unknown number of devices, such as smart phones, tablets etc.
4. We have around 1100m2 to 1500m2 of space.
5. Yes, we do really need the N support, seeing as G does not meet the standard, as wireless is the primary entry-point for most devices on the network. We would like to have APs with at least 2 radios, in order to seperate the N band from the legacy bands (a, b and g).
Wow, I've now researched a lot on the Ruckus APs, and I've gotta say that I'm warming up to them. Their BeamFlex technology is like nothing I've ever read about before, and it looks quite legit. I would love to see them perform in real-life |
|
tschmidtPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
kudos:8 Reviews:
·G4 Communications
·Fairpoint Commun..
·Hollis Hosting
| said by mcbaerentzen:Their BeamFlex technology is like nothing I've ever read about before, and it looks quite legit. I would love to see them perform in real-life
Beamforming is not unique to Ruckus but they do it better than other vendors.
Given the small size and large number of connections you are building a "dense network." Normally when folks think about wireless they are concerned range. In your case range is not an issue, assuming the 1500M2 is reasonably rectangular, it is the number of users per AP. Beam forming/interference blocking really shines in that environment.
/tom |
|
 AnavSarcastic Llama? Naw, Just AcerbicPremium
join:2001-07-16
Dartmouth, NS
kudos:3 | reply to mcbaerentzen
I believe Bills response is the most useful input here.
I wish the technogeeks would come out of their closets after the requirements are fully understood. ;-P
Sorry thats Mr Austin for all except the op. ;=) |
|
billaustinthey call me Mr. BillPremium,MVM
join:2001-10-13
North Las Vegas, NV
kudos:3 | reply to mcbaerentzen
said by mcbaerentzen:1. The budget has not even been discussed yet, as of now it's free ball. But I think we are leaning towards it not being horrible if it's over standards, seeing as we would probably pay more, to be sure that it delivers.
2. With the HP solution we had 5 APs, but seeing as this solution didn't work for us, we now utilize 3 Apple AirPorts.
3. Well, theres the APs that's 3. Then around 45 employees, where at least 40 is not wired and uses wireless. Then of course there's an unknown number of devices, such as smart phones, tablets etc.
4. We have around 1100m2 to 1500m2 of space.
5. Yes, we do really need the N support, seeing as G does not meet the standard, as wireless is the primary entry-point for most devices on the network. We would like to have APs with at least 2 radios, in order to seperate the N band from the legacy bands (a, b and g).
Wow, I've now researched a lot on the Ruckus APs, and I've gotta say that I'm warming up to them. Their BeamFlex technology is like nothing I've ever read about before, and it looks quite legit. I would love to see them perform in real-life
There seems to be a bit of confusion. N is not a frequency band, it is a communications standard. 802.11a is the legacy standard for the 5ghz band, and 802.11b/g are the legacy standards for the 2.4ghz band. The 802.11n standard is for both the 2.4ghz and 5ghz bands. 802.11a and 802.11g are more than adequate for devices that just need internet access.
I would recommend an inventory of ALL the wireless devices used in the facility, what frequency bands they support, and their primary use. Any device performing a lot of file transfers should be put on a wired connection. Any device that always stays in the same location, if possible, should be put on a wired connection.
I would also recommend an evaluation of your network infrastructure. It is pointless to setup a wireless N network with 150mb or 300mb connection speeds if your back-end transport is only a 100mb network connection.
If you have 40+ active wireless devices, I would recommend a wireless network that utilizes a controller and at least six access points. Even though each access point can support multiple simultaneous clients, each radio can only service one client at a time. Any device doing file transfers will monopolize the radio and slow down network access for everyone else. |
|
Reviews:
·Millenicom
·AT&T Southeast
·Verizon Wireless..
| reply to mcbaerentzen
The Tom's Hardware review is one of the best at analyzing real world performance for Ruckus. »www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bea···390.html |
|
mozerdLight Will Pierce The DarknessPremium,MVM
join:2004-04-23
Nepean, ON | Beamforming is CHEAP to implement consequently most are now going with beamforming ...... Spatial multiplexing that works with Multipath is far superior but much more expensive to implement. The advantage with spatial multiplexing is that each wireless user gets far more bandwidth especially with Multi-User MIMO. For Business who want to go with wireless only the XIRRUS solution provides far more bandwidth per user than any other so called commercial vendor. Multi-User MIMO changes the paradigm for wireless transmissions but only applies to the N/AC world of wireless.
--
David Mozer
IT-Expert on Call
Information Technology for Home and Business |
|
Reviews:
·Millenicom
·AT&T Southeast
·Verizon Wireless..
| Xirrus is another solution that seems to work well. They installed some Xirrus equipment for part of the general public and visitor access system where I work. But the entire public and visitor AP system is a mix of Xirrus and other manufacturers, so I cannot comment on what a Xirrus only system would do. People seem happy with network performance so far. |
|
Markie
join:2003-07-26
Kalispell, MT | reply to mcbaerentzen
The HP V-M200 is junk. I really like the new EnGenius EAP600, I beta tested it and am now using final firmware. It's an excellent product if you want an unmanaged AP.
Nevermind, I just read your replies sorry - I was assuming you wanted something similar in cost/deployment to the HP V-M200. If you're willing to spend the $$$$ to play in the big leagues with Ruckus, by all means do. Cisco is great for VoIP. Aruba makes a nice setup too, but I like Ruckus better. Just avoid Meraki like the plague, they're the worst (and most expensive long-term). |
|
 Juke BoxHis Word Never FailsPremium
join:2001-01-29
Proverbs 3
 ·WOW Internet and..
·Knology
| reply to mcbaerentzen
I would suggest Aruba Networks Mobility 600 Series Controller and AP-90 Access Points.
Very flexible and easily manageable.
--
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 |
|
