Solved: Wireless Speed explanation

Babak KHorshid · ‎10-27-2014

Hi every one

I have some problem in basic understanding of the wireless speed. can any one help me with this please?

When we are considering for example AC connection with 2x2 antenna (provided no noise and close to the AP) we expect around 20MBps speed. now the question is this speed only for 1 client? if there is another client in the room connected to the same AP would this speed dropped or share? how about a class of 30 students then?

and is there any thing we can do about client hugging the AP!? I mean when multiple clients copying file at the same time then one client is ok and the others are struggling! as soon as the first client finished then it would be replaced by another client with good speed and the rest having a battle over the AP!!!

the AP speed are 1G connection / 3700 series

5508 WLC 7.6.120.0

35 student in the class. each class has atleast 2 AP assigned to and able to read the signal from other 4 AP around from different classes

Thanks for every one for your comments

Regards

Leo Laohoo · ‎10-27-2014

35 student in the class. each class has atleast 2 AP assigned to and able to read the signal from other 4 AP around from different classes

Just because a classroom has 2 APs does NOT guarantee the wireless clients, located inside the same classroom, will join to either one of the APs. It has been well known and documented that a wireless client can join to an AP with the worst signal.

and is there any thing we can do about client hugging the AP!?

No on the Cisco side of things. You have to ensure the wireless NIC cards' driver of the the wireless clients are up-to-date.

Wireless is a shared medium (aka half duplex). This means that when one talks (including the AP) all the rest has to "back off" and wait for their turn. So, in theory, you can't have two wireless clients talking, at the same time, to another wireless client.

It's like going to a restaurant. If you go to a large restaurant during off peak, the food is prepared more quickly. However, if you go to the same restaurant during peak hours, your food is prepared much longer.

View solution in original post

Leo Laohoo · ‎10-27-2014

35 student in the class. each class has atleast 2 AP assigned to and able to read the signal from other 4 AP around from different classes

Just because a classroom has 2 APs does NOT guarantee the wireless clients, located inside the same classroom, will join to either one of the APs. It has been well known and documented that a wireless client can join to an AP with the worst signal.

and is there any thing we can do about client hugging the AP!?

No on the Cisco side of things. You have to ensure the wireless NIC cards' driver of the the wireless clients are up-to-date.

Wireless is a shared medium (aka half duplex). This means that when one talks (including the AP) all the rest has to "back off" and wait for their turn. So, in theory, you can't have two wireless clients talking, at the same time, to another wireless client.

It's like going to a restaurant. If you go to a large restaurant during off peak, the food is prepared more quickly. However, if you go to the same restaurant during peak hours, your food is prepared much longer.

Babak KHorshid · ‎10-27-2014

Thanks Leo for your prompt respond.