[26134] in resnet
Re: Wireless in the Dorms
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (David Allen)
Wed Mar 30 03:24:01 2011
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Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:23:22 -0700
Reply-To: Resnet Forum <RESNET-L@listserv.nd.edu>
From: David Allen <allendp@plu.edu>
To: RESNET-L@listserv.nd.edu
In-Reply-To: <4D92C51C.5070709@ucsc.edu>
Just a quick clarification...
The rule about APs w/o external antennae being designed for ceiling
mounting is not as hard and fast as it sounds. I've seen a couple of
different product over different generations that use the wall mount
approach as their default profile. Siemens HiPath is one as is the
old Enterasys RoamAbout series. So, check with your vendor, probably
even on a per AP-family basis.
-David A.
On Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 10:52 PM, jim warner <warner@ucsc.edu> wrote:
> On 3/29/2011 8:00 PM, RESNET-L automatic digest system wrote:
>>
>> We are adding wireless to our dorm space and I would like to know how
>> other schools are running their wireless infrastructure in the dorms. Our
>> dorms are the typical cinder block rooms stacked ontop of each other. We are
>> a cisco shop and will be using the WISM and lightweight aps.
>>
>> Are you running your system manually or is the controller doing a good
>> job?
>>
> So much to say...
>
> 1. Floor to floor radio penetration is always more than you expect.
> It is important stagger APs on adjacent floors. I know this
> has been said by others. It is possible that you might have a
> steel pan between floors that would entirely block radio signals, but
> not in cinder block construction.
>
> 1a. We are not fans of a detailed preinstallation site survey.
> But it is important to know the general characteristics of your
> structure to guide in AP placement.
>
> 2. As a rule, APs without external antennas expect to be mounted
> horizontal, i.e. on the ceiling. Coverage will not be optimal
> if you put them on the wall like a clock. With external antennas,
> you can adjust the antennas for either orientation. But removable
> parts in a residential setting is not something I would do.
>
> 3. Our experience is that theft and vandalism has not warranted
> the cost of locking enclosures. Yes, we lose a few APs a year.
> But no where near enough to cover the cost of lock boxes.
> We prefer hallways and lounges rather than placement in a
> student's room.
>
> 4. To mount APs horizontal where they cannot go on the ceiling,
> you need a bracket. You can buy a professional bracket for
> $60 (Oberon). What we are doing is using nine inch steel bookends.
> http://noc.ucsc.edu/docs/wap-bracket/
> http://www.gaylord.com/adblock.asp?abid=11525
> We use the ones with a plain base (no cork).
> The AP base bracket is set so that the padlock hasp is at
> the edge of steel bookend to make it easy to install the lock.
>
> There is some hole drilling on the brackets to make them ready
> for the install. Or you can have them punched.
>
> 5. Expect that in a dense deployment that the control system
> will want to reduce the power of some of the APs. That's a good
> thing.
>
> 6. Channel assignment and power setting is too complex to get
> right without a controller like system. We use cisco WCS.
>
> 7. We haven't had a lot of trouble with foreign APs. We have had
> trouble with irregular radio devices like wifi web cams.
>
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--
David P. Allen
Director/Systems & Communications
Information & Technology Services
Pacific Lutheran University
t: 253-535-7524
f: 253-536-5099
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