Determining Wireless AP Deployment Needs
Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2
To determine how many wireless APs to deploy, following these guidelines:
Deploy enough wireless APs to ensure that wireless users have sufficient signal strength from anywhere within the area of coverage you want.
Wireless APs typically have an indoor range of a 150-foot radius. Depending on the type of antenna that is used, outdoor wireless APs can provide a radius of 300 feet, or less than 100 feet. Include enough wireless APs to ensure signal overlap between the wireless APs.
Determine the maximum number of simultaneous wireless users per coverage area.
Estimate the data throughput that the average wireless user requires.
Add additional wireless APs to:
Improve wireless client network bandwidth capacity.
Increase the number of wireless users supported within a coverage area.
Based on the total data throughput of all users, determine the number of users that you can connect through a wireless AP. Obtain a clear picture of throughput before deploying the network or making changes. Some wireless vendors provide an 802.11 simulation tool, which you can use to model traffic on a network and view throughput levels under various conditions.
Ensure redundancy, in the event that a wireless AP fails.