2 vs. 3 spatial streams or 3502 vs. 3602?

[mscherting]

Hello,

I have a customer asking why I would recommend a 3602E over a 3502E.

An extra spatial stream and the purported field upgradeability to 802.11ac seem to be the most compelling.

My question:  In a deployment where 5Ghz 802.11n 40Mhz client NICs have, at most, two dual band external antennas, will three spatial streams increase theoretical throughput capacity, especially in a scenario where clients are uploading multiple gigabyte files over the air?

On a related note, anybody aware of robust commercial grade 802.11ac NICs on the horizon?

Thanks!

[Scott Fella]

George has been testing some 802.11ac so maybe he will chime in. As far as 3602 vs 3502, you have the correct points mentioned. As far as throughput, well your still limited with a gigabit Ethernet port. I had a customer that had a requirement I uploading 3gig of video in 30 minutes. The only way to achieve that is to have enough AP's. only 4-5 would be able to connect to an access point to achieve that requirement.

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[mscherting]

Thanks Scott!

I'm just wondering if clients that appear to only be capable of emitting two spatial streams will see any throughput benefit if associated to a three spatial stream AP vs. a two stream AP.

[Scott Fella · Accepted solution]

I don't think they will since the client is only capable sending and receiving x number. It also depends on what the client and ap negotiate their modulation at that will determine the actual throughput and quality of the wireless.

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[George Stefanick · Accepted solution]

Hi Mscherting,

I agree with Scotts comment.

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"Satisfaction does not come from knowing the solution, it comes from knowing why." - Rosalind Franklin
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‎"I'm in a serious relationship with my Wi-Fi. You could say we have a connection."

[Scott Fella]

George,

You have any feedback on a 802.11ac client card that you prefer... or none really yet:)

Thanks,

Scott

Help out other by using the rating system and marking answered questions as "Answered"

[mscherting]

Thanks guys!

Someday I'll figure out how to rate posts.  For now +5!

[Leo Laohoo]

I'd like to chime in, since George and Scott has already discussed all aspects already.

The next question is WHAT clients?

Smartphones and tablets are notorious, in marketing data sheets, for muddling the facts.  True, they can "support" 802.11n, I'll be a d1ck and say 2 x 3 MIMO.  The question I normally throw is this:  Can the product really push 300 Mbps?   The answer is no.  Smartphones and tablets, in the current market, do not have the capacity to transmit nor the power to process 300 Mbps.

Current smartphones and tablets can't process more than MCS 7 (around 35 Mbps).  I am not sure about the new 802.11ac smartphones and tablets (like the Samsung Galaxy S4) as George hasn't gotten around yet.  

[George Stefanick]

I can't speak specific to the testing due to nda. But I can comment that clients are a struggle at the moment. USB clients at, least what is released on the market today ,isn't performing very well. This will get worked out over time ..



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