WAP4410N bridge settings - best performance?

[kriegtiger]

I ordered a pair of WAP4410N to use as a bridge for a split office. So far they have worked without a hitch but the throughput is less than stellar and I was wondering what the recommended configuration was for best performance (and how much speed could be expected in general) out of these two?

The setup:

2 WAP4410N devices connected to cisco SF300 series POE managed switches, on 100mb PoE port for data and power

static IP's for both

Wireless mode set to B/G/N mixed on a channel where other AP's don't reside

security as wpa2-personal with a 16 character complex password

AP mode is 'bridged' and each node has the other's MAC

Firmware:

PID VID:     WAP4410N-A V02

Software Version:     2.0.4.2

The two nodes are separated by about 25 yards across a parking lot with direct LoS to the other, placed inside a window mounted on the wall - elevated at about 10' so cars in the lot outside do not block visibility. At best the throughput I've seen is 1megabyte/sec, and that seems very slow/clunky to me for the 802.11n specification. Am I missing some setting, updated firmware, or physical setup (AC power instead of PoE for better antenna output maybe?) to have such limited performance?

Thanks in advance.

Updated firmware after posting from 2.0.2.1 - Tib

[rmanthey]

Have you used any kind of wireless analyzer to determine what other wireless signals are in the area? One I use often is INSSIDER. Even if the SSID is not being broadcast it will pickup that wireless signal. Try to move to a clearer channel. If possible try using N only. Most users are not using the N channels yet and if you are using it in bridge mode you may not need to use G. Also glass can reflect the signal having an exterior antenna might help as well.

Cisco Small Business Support Center

Randy Manthey

CCNA, CCNA - Security

[kriegtiger]

That's how I chose channel 4 - I have a wi-fi analyzer tool that was used to look for other AP's in the area. I will try the N-only option  and see if that helps.

[kriegtiger]

I set the devices to N-only and unfortunately had no performance increase.

[rmanthey]

Receiver sensitivity

802.11.n: 300 Mbps at -69dBm

802.11.g: 54 Mbps at -73dBm

802.11.b: 11 Mbps at -88dBm

These speeds are perfect environment, which is nearly impossible to get. If they are in the same building closer together do you get higher speeds?  How are the antenna's angled? Many things could cause interference can you provide a drawing or topology of the designed layout including windows and other obstacle.

Also is there any other wireless equipment in the area. This would include radio towers, Phone systems, and any other wireless equipment.

Cisco Small Business Support Center

Randy Manthey

CCNA, CCNA - Security

[kriegtiger]

There is a cisco/linksys E2000 wireless access point in the same room as one of the wap4410n's that provides wireless network access to people at that location. It runs on a different channel than the wap4410n, but I could see about relocating it to a different room if that would help. Also - the three antennas on each of the wap4410n are able to be moved/oriented - but is there a 'best' direction of alignment to improve signal quality?

[Eric Moyers]

Hi, My name is Eric Moyers. I am a Network Support Engineer in the Cisco Small Business Support Center.

I work with Randy that answered you earlier.

The recommended alignment for these antennas is standing straight up at a 90 degree angle, parallel to each other. From the factory they are calibrated for this position. The signal will radiate out from them, imagine a doughnut, with the antenna sticking up through the middle, with the center pinched in. Close to the antenna the signal is very narrow, vertically, but the farther you get away the more it spreads out

The antenna are moveable so that if you mount the Unit sideways or stand it up on its side you can orient the antennas so that they still point up at a 90 degree angle.

I hope this helps, please let us know if you have any other questions.

Eric Moyers
Cisco Network Support Engineer
CCNA, CCNA-Wireless
1-866-606-1866

[kriegtiger]

The antenna alignment has helped make performance consistent (instead of peaks and valleys) but throughput is still less than spectacular.

Would speed improve if both ends were plugged into their power adapters (rather than taking PoE) and using gigabit ports on their associated switches?