Wireless network design query - Using 2 different branded APs

[xylofi]

Hey there,

I have a query regarding a business network that is currently using 2 different brands of Wireless access points. I would like to find out what the negative ramifications are of doing so. This business currently has Cisco and Meraki access points that are located quite close together (within a few metres of each other). The logic they had was that one brand would be used for guest access only and the other for their internal business network.

Both brands have DCA capabilities that are enabled and the access points nearest to each other are operating on non interfering channels. I would like to know other than the potential for channel interference and being awkward to manage, what other negative side effects are there of having this setup that I'm missing? 

I would rather they just used one brand and simply used 2 SSIDs instead.

I would greatly appreciate any insight on this as I feel I'm missing something very obvious.

[marce1000]

> ....would greatly appreciate any insight on this as I feel I'm missing something very obvious.

 - Strange because you yourself summed up the disadvantage of the current design -> A centralized controller-based setup , will have the controller steer the AP's according to TPC and Channel Assignments as they sense each other and their WiFi capabilities. There you go!

M.

[xylofi]

Hey marce1000,
Thanks for the response. I forgot to mention that the Cisco access points are being managed by a WLC and the Meraki access points is centrally managed via their cloud web interface.
Thanks,

[marce1000]

- They should be able to operate besides each other , and not interfere , but on long managerial terms it would be preferable to integrate and go for a single solution (like management of SSID's , or authorization,...). WLC or Meraki is dependend on business requirements. The cheapest and most flexible is Meraki. But businesses depending heavy on local Intranet networking being available when there's no Internet may still go for WLC based solutions :

 https://www.gomindsight.com/blog/making-a-wlan-decision-meraki-cloud-or-cisco-premise-based/

M.

[Haydn Andrews]

Would make sure if going to stay with 2 brands that the APs are separated by at least 3-4 meters otherwise your going to really get hit by ACI and CCI even in the 5GHz bands. If they are too close not even DCA will save you (well the marketing people will tell you it will but it doesn't).

the biggest disadvantage of having the two separate networks is having 2x the maintenance, patching, support agreements, licencing etc

Having one brand defiantly makes it easier, and can do what your talking about Guest and Corporate networks. 

The decision would be do you want a controller based network or a cloud managed network

[patoberli]

One more point, you have to learn and manage two different interfaces for basically the same "utility" (= access points). This is in my opinion a waste of financial and personal resources. Also, the Meraki solution is half-dead if you have an internet outage.