WAP 321 best practice

[Dariusz Semeniuk]

Hi

I've got 4 AP placed in the corners of the house.

I would like to provide the best possibilities of roaming users which will be moved in the building.

What kind of parameters I can change to set sensivity of reconnection user to another AP ?

Many times I saw that device works with AP with weak signal when available is another with much stronger signal.

Is any way to change moment when device will be reconnected ?

Is this process related to OS of the device ?

Generaly to avoid interference AP in neighborhood should work on different channels 1 6 11.

To configure WDS all AP should work on the same channel. Why ?

Is WAP 321 is salt water resist ?

Could it be install on boat ?

Of course inside of cabin but I can imagine that salty fog or steam available around can be dangerus.

Please advice if I can use this model or should chose differrent ?

Best regards

Darek

[jeffrrod]

Dear Dariusz,

Thank you for reaching the Small Business Support Community.

Please find below an article that explains how to go about WDS Bridge configuration settings;

http://sbkb.cisco.com/CiscoSB/Loginr.aspx?login=1&pid=2&app=search&vw=1&articleid=2040

Just in case you would like to know more about the different wireless settings on the WAP321, I suggest you looking at chapter 5 of the admin guide;

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/access_point/csbap/wap121/administration/guide/WAP121_321_AG_en.pdf

I suggest you using different wireless channels, being 1, 6 and 11 the most appropriate.  None of these Small Business devices are salt water resistant and as with any other electronic appliance not intended for that matter, the salt water steam/fog is going to affect the device somehow after time.

I hope you find this information helpful and please do not hesitate to reach me back if there is any further assistance we may help you with.

Kind regards,

Jeffrey Rodriguez S. .:|:.:|:.
Cisco Customer Support Engineer

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[Dariusz Semeniuk]

Hi

To be honest, I've expected more advantages information.

I've read very carefuly admin guide.

I've decided to create this post because I need additional information.

Could you tell me which exactly parameters are responible for switching clients between APs ?

Regarding WDS, in admin guide we have:

"

Before you configure WDS on the WAP device, note these guidelines:
• WDS only works with Cisco WAP121 and Cisco WAP321 devices.
• All Cisco WAP devices participating in a WDS link must have the following
identical settings:

- Radio
- IEEE 802.11 Mode
- Channel Bandwidth
- Channel (Auto is not recommended)

"

So if I good understand recomnedation is to use the same channel.

So it should be the same or different on local APs ?

Best Regards

Darek

[Nagaraja Thanthry]

Hello Dariusz,

What kind of parameters I can change to set sensivity of reconnection user to another AP ?

Generally, the clients control which AP they want to connect at any given point of time. If you are using Windows operating system, you can set the roaming mode to aggressive where the wireless interface on the device will constantly monitor the signal strength from different Access Points in the viscinity (on the same SSID) and when it finds an AP with better signal than the current one it is attached to, it will switch the association to the new AP.

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-015906.htm

Many times I saw that device works with AP with weak signal when available is another with much stronger signal.

Is any way to change moment when device will be reconnected ?

Answer is included in the link below:

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-015906.htm

Is this process related to OS of the device ?

This is typically controlled by the Client Operating System/wireless card driver.

Generaly to avoid interference AP in neighborhood should work on different channels 1 6 11.

To configure WDS all AP should work on the same channel. Why ?

Essentially, WDS is sort of bridging/repeating across multiple Access Points without the need for a wired infrastructure to connect the access points. Since the WAP321 has a single radio interface, it cannot switch between different channels on the fly when communicating with another AP and with the clients. In order for the AP to bridge/repeat data from a neighboring access point, it has to be on the same channel as the neighboring access point and for association purposes, all other radio parameters should remain the same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_distribution_system

If you have a wired infrastructure connecting these access points, then you can use Single Point Setup to connect these access points in a clusture and manage the channel assignment.

http://sbkb.cisco.com/CiscoSB/ukp.aspx?vw=1&docid=268839bea50742079bdf0ae12a245002_Single_Point_Setup_Wireless_Neighborhood_on_WAP551_and_WAP56.xml

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Nagaraja

[Dariusz Semeniuk]

Hi Nagaraja

Thank you for this information.

Are very helpful.

Do you know how Android and iOS behavior in this case ?

Can we manage this process here ?

So from WAP321 we can only change signal strength to influence on switching clients betwen APs ?

I know that AIR 11xx and bigger can manage clients.

Do you know if any other can ?

Most popular scenario is when clients use diferent devices (OS) in one network.

Can you recommend me which AP is the best for that ?

I mean network in multifloor building (minimum 300 m2)?

Best Regards

Darek