Wifi Router range Cisco Aironet 3702i and 3502i

dave_angel · ‎04-10-2018

I was wondering if anyone has an algorithm to determine the optimal power levels based for a specific distance for the Cisco Aironet 3702i and 3705i.

The reason I ask is we have a client who gives away free wifi at their 100s of stores on the high street but they need a way so that the power levels can be set to cover the store itself (or as close as possible).

The reason why this is an issue is our client has millions of people registered to their wifi proposition and as it autoconnects to a router we want to minimise the number of people connecting to the router 5m+ away and not actually looking to use the wifi.

We have the dimension for each of the stores too and may be able to move the router to an optimal part of the store to maximise coverage within the store and minimise it outside of the store.

Can someone help......

Leo Laohoo · ‎04-10-2018

At the end of the the day, the wireless clients make the ultimate decision which AP to join.

However, we can "influence" the decision making of the wireless clients to join the nearest AP by:

1. Adjusting the Data Rates;

2. 2.4 Ghz or 5.0 Ghz;

3. Allowed channels used in 5.0 Ghz.

dave_angel · ‎04-11-2018

Hi Leo,

Thanks for response. Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by 'Data Rates'? From our point of view we want to configure the APs to maximise performance for those in the range we want them to be in and minimise connections from customers that outside that range. In this instance we want people in our client's store to have a great experience and those not in the store to not even connect. I walked past one of their stores this morning on the way to work and whilst walking past where I was around 20 metres from the store front I was connected with 2 out of 4 bars. Going forward we'd like to create a solution where someone so far away wouldn't be in range to connect to any of the APs.

Leo Laohoo · ‎04-11-2018

Has anyone done a wireless site survey of the place of business?

@dave_angel wrote:

In this instance we want people in our client's store to have a great experience and those not in the store to not even connect.

I have no idea what part of the world this shop is but there are commercial tinted window glass which can block wireless signal. The "tint" used is made out of specks of metal. Because of this the glass window pane acts like a Farraday cage.

dave_angel · ‎04-11-2018

Hi Leo,

My client has over 400 stores so we wouldn't be able to do a survey of all of them unfortunately. The information I can get is the dimensions of the store and where the APs are. Based on this information we are hoping to write an algorithm to tell the client the optimal configuration for each AP in each of their stores. We believe that the Power Level will have the biggest impact so that is what we are focusing on in our model.

dave_angel · ‎04-11-2018

Wow! I'll definitely look into that but if cost is prohibitive then they might not be too keen. They've asked to optimize the power levels so we definitely need to out a plan that can help them remotely rather than going to each individual store.

Thanks again for the advice.

Leo Laohoo · ‎04-11-2018

@dave_angel wrote:

Wow! I'll definitely look into that but if cost is prohibitive then they might not be too keen.

The glass panes are commercially known as "low-e" (read THIS) or Pilkington K.

Did anyone do a wireless site survey of the site?

Are the APs controller-based or autonomous?

Go HERE and go to the section "5. Optimize channels, power, and data rates". The document maybe tailored for voice but if you can get the wireless network to a voice-grade standard then it's good enough for data.

Another is to read the Cisco 8821 WLAN Deployment Guide (attached).