Difference between Range and Throughput Setting

[RICHARD MESSINGER]

Here is the question. What is the difference in a AP350 when you set the radio to optimize for range vs. optimized foor throughput? We have a customer that has some "cheap" laptops that will only associate with the AP's if they are set for throughput. Is there an explaination of what is actually happening inside of the AP for the association negiation?

Thanks.

[a-vazquez]

When you set the radio to optimize for Throughput it maximizes the data volume handled by the access point,whereas when set to Range it maximizes the access point's coverage in terms of distance.

[RICHARD MESSINGER]

This really does not answer the question that I have. With the AP set for Throughput, does it not auto select a lower speed to a client is requested? A more preciece answer is needed.

[jczaplewski]

The essential response you're wanting here is that when you configure the settings, it is actually just changing the buttons to REQUIRE, ENABLE, or DISABLE. So to configure it so that you understand what is happening:

If you don't want anyone to connect at lower speeds that occur at the fringe of wireless cells, you would DISABLE connectivy at the desired lowered rates (thereby 'configuring the ap to maximize throughput'). If you wanted to allow all rates and thus maximum range, you would enable all rates. One rate must be REQUIRED, as that's the rate that all unicast and bcast traffic will be transmitted at (on the VxWorks this was called the BASIC rate).

Here's what HELP says for those two settings:

Data Rates

Use the data rates setting to choose the data transmission rates. The rates are expressed in megabits per second. The device always attempts to transmit at the highest rate selected. If there are obstacles or interference, the device steps down to the highest rate that enables data transmission.

Click the Best Range button to optimize access point range or the Best Throughput button to optimize throughput.

Note: When you configure the 802.11g access point radio for best throughput, the access point sets all 802.11g data rates to basic (required). This setting blocks association from 802.11b client devices.

For each of the rates, choose Require, Enable, or Disable.

Require - Enables transmission at this rate for all packets, both unicast and multicast. At least one data rate must be set to Require. A client must support a required rate before it can associate.

Enable - Enables transmission at this rate for unicast packets only.

Disable - Does not allow transmission at this rate.

Note: The client must support the basic rate you select or it cannot associate with the access point.