Determining How Many Wireless APs to Deploy

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To determine how many wireless APs to deploy, following these guidelines:

  • Include enough wireless APs to ensure that wireless users have sufficient signal strength from anywhere in the area of coverage.

    Wireless APs typically have an indoor range within a 150-foot radius. 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 in a network and view throughput levels under various conditions.

  • Ensure redundancy, in the event that a wireless AP fails.