Access Point Density Sizing

[nalcadocisco]

Hi guys,

This might be a noob question, but i need to make sure of it.

How many users ideally can connect to a single Access Point:

a. AIR-SAP1602I-C-K9
b. AIR-SAP2602E-E-K9 with AIR-ANT2566P4W-R Antenna

What do i mean "can connect" is the ideal situation where the users have no high latency and so on.

Thank you

[Leo Laohoo]

How many users ideally can connect to a single Access Point:

Cisco rule-of-thumb is 25 wireless client per access point. 

This will depend on the type of LAN/WAN backbone you have.  

Ideally, if you are doing just simply web browsing, HTTP/HTTPS, chat, etc, then the number can potentially grow up to 35 wireless client per AP.  

If you want to do HD video streaming then this can potentially go down to about 5.

[nalcadocisco]

Hi Leo,

Are you saying that the Access Point grade make no difference when it comes to the user density ?

For example: Aironet 1602 and Aironet 2602 will have the same user density (25 - 35 users) with assumption that the users perform the same tasks (mostly browsing) ?

Thank you

[Leo Laohoo]

Are you saying that the Access Point grade make no difference when it comes to the user density ?

Technically?  Yes.  AP model wouldn't make any difference if you are just doing plain-and-simple web browsing, emails, chat, etc. 

You want to use higher-end model if you want to push very intensive stuffs like HD videos.  

Besides, I wouldn't recommend the 1K APs (1600 or 1700) due to the limitation of CleanAir.

For example: Aironet 1602 and Aironet 2602 will have the same user density (25 - 35 users) with assumption that the users perform the same tasks (mostly browsing)

Make sure the link between your AP and the WLC are 1 Gbps.  I have seen people with new APs but somewhere in their network they've got 100 Mbps links.  This will be your bottleneck.