Client Link(beamforming) downsides

[spencerondrusek]

The 7925g deployment guide recommends enabling beam-forming, I have 30 / 160 MIMO antennas and coverage is an issue. Are there any disadvantages to enabling this setting? Will it cause any problems on the APs attached to a single antenna?  Will it make much of a coverage difference on these phones that are not 802.11n capable?

Do I need to disable data rates to get this feature to work? What is the point of enabling beamforming on 802.11b when all of the data rates aren't supported. I have some devices that only support 802.11b.

"Beamforming is not supported with data rates 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps"

Thanks in advance,

7925g Deployment guide.

http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cuipph/7925g/7_0/english/deployment/guide/7925dply.pdf

[Rasika Nayanajith]

Refer this for more details on beam-forming.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/aironet-3600-series/white_paper_c11-722622.html

Ideally you should deploy 7925 on 5GHz band.

I have some devices that only support 802.11b.

This would be a serious performance killer of your WiFi. So plan to stay away from these devices & do possible upgrade for those client devices. If you doing voice in 2.4GHz with those 802.11b rates enable, then I would suggest to move 7925G to seperate 5GHz only SSID.

HTH

Rasika

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[spencerondrusek]

We have RFID Tracking tags that only have a 2.4ghz radio. We are stuck with these. Additionally 70% of our area is covered with 1242 APs that are attached to a single 2.4ghz antenna.

Would it be viable to only enable clientlink on 802.11a?

[Rasika Nayanajith]

if it is 2.4GHz deployment, I do not think client link can help much

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/aironet-1130-ag-series/white_paper_c11-516389.html

 Cisco ClientLink technology helps solve the problems of mixed-client networks by making sure that older 802.11a/g clients operate at the best possible rates, especially when they are near cell boundaries. Unlike most 802.11n access points, which only improve the uplink performance, Cisco ClientLink technology improves performance on both the uplink and downlink providing a better user experience during web browsing, email, and file downloads. Similarly, the improved robustness of the link benefits connectivity-oriented applications such as voice and SAP database on handheld appliances

Regarding configuration yes you can enable it on band specific or AP level. See below

http://mrncciew.com/2013/03/17/configuring-clientlink/

HTH

Rasika

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[spencerondrusek]

Ok it is fine that this will only affect the new style of AP.  Are there any downsides to enabling beamforming on 802.11a?

Thanks

[Rasika Nayanajith]

I cannot think any downside of enabling this on 802.11a band in your case.

Note that this can enable  on both bands (to help 802.11a & 11g clients). In your case since many 802.11b clients are there (not using OFDM), not much value for them.

HTH

Rasika

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[spencerondrusek]

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