suggested wifi design for warehouses

[Andrey128]

In many cases warehouse is a building with high roof ~10...15 meters high.

For wifi coverage in warehouse I plan to use 2702 with external antennas AIR-ANT2524DW-R= and mount access points on the roof

 There are possible solutions to use :

- more powerful omnidirectional antennas

- use directional antennas and put access points on walls

- increase Tx power signal to high level when it is needed

- put access points on sticks, which should make distance from ceiling to wifi clients shorter, hence stronger signal near clients

or other measures for good coverage and design.

[Leo Laohoo]

I plan to use 2702 with external antennas AIR-ANT2524DW-R= and mount access points on the roof

- more powerful omnidirectional antennas

These two statements contradict each other.  ANT2524D is an "regular" gain, articulated, rubber duck antenna.  There's nothing "powerful" about it.  

"powerful omni-directional antenna" is very vague.  There are a lot of "powerful omni-directional antennas" in the market.  

- increase Tx power signal to high level when it is needed

Not a good idea. 

I have a question for you:   Where is the proposal to conduct a wireless site survey?  

Wireless in a warehouse is challenging.  VERY challenging.  The cost is more expensive than an office installation.  This is why a lot of us would seriously recommend a wireless site survey done because there is no room for error here.  

[Andrey128]

 - for AIR-ANT2524DW-R=  it is 2.4 GHz 2 dBi/5 GHz 4 dBi Dipole Ant, I am not clear if there are other dipole antennas with higher gain compatible with 2702 can be used

- based on my view, survey should offer amount and locations of access points or I am not 100% right here?

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

 - for AIR-ANT2524DW-R=  it is 2.4 GHz 2 dBi/5 GHz 4 dBi Dipole Ant, I am not clear if there are other dipole antennas with higher gain compatible with 2702 can be used

Rubber ducks/duckies are low-gain antennas.  There are a number of suitable dual-band antennas but there are several factors about an antenna which makes them suitable for the application or not.  Deciding on a "dipole" immediately without understanding what the signal propagation (or footprint) is like or, worst, without a site survey is like buying a Porche in order to buy milk at the corner grocery.  

Site survey will determine WHERE to install the APs, HOW MANY are required and, in the case of warehouse, the effective use of antennas.  

[Andrey128]

got it, thanks

[Leo Laohoo]

Thanks for taking the time to rate our post.  :)

[George Stefanick]

I would add .. having designed my share of warehouses depending on the size you should consider patch antennas to direct the signal downwards tonlinit cci. The problem becomes when doing Omni dipoles at hight these aps normally see each (line of sight) well a above the racking. While a patch antenna with a downward tilit limits the cci. 

Having a proper site survey is important .. 

[robert.leavens]

One antenna design is not more powerful than another; antennas give shape and polarity. When designing a warehouse layout, a low gain antenna will help to limit contention (CCI), as many warehouses are open (limiting the attenuation you would get in an office area). Also, a low gain antenna helps to get the signal to the floor (a higher gain antenna would push the signal horizontally, limiting the vertical coverage). Note: this assumes the antennas are in a vertical orientation. Hang the antennas from the roof truss, in open space, away from light fixtures (but check the fixtures for damage ... if they are scraped, the APs/antennas will probably be damaged, so find a location where the AP will not get hit). Also, experience has shown the controller RRM settings for channel and power work poorly in the warehouse, so lock these settings down! Cisco calls this out in their documentation.