Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (
More info?)
<k.moore@i.hate.spam> wrote in message
news:02dsj0po75j2j7d1u3lfhjjam9nr0n9npa@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 19:53:08 GMT, Lucas Tam <REMOVEnntp@rogers.com>
> wrote:
>
> >k.moore@i.hate.spam wrote in news:3o6nj0dnnsdoq0h8877nc31flce3k9nqup@
> >4ax.com:
> >
> >> Is it possible with 802.11g to oversaturate an area with access
> >> points?
> >
> >Yes, multiple APs within the same range maybe using the same channel.
> >
> >Just remember that there are only 3 "real" channels to use.
>
> Any idea why this never affected me when I was running 802.11b? I've
> had AP saturation at least this dense, plus my understanding is that
> 802.11b has an even longer range. Is this channel clutter something
> that is only rearing its head now with higher speed wireless. How does
> one manage to maximize speed (directly proportional to signal
> strength, which is inversely proportional to distance), maintain
> coverage, and minimize interference -- all within a multistory
> environment?
802.11b and 802.11g use the same frequency band and have pretty much the
same range, and the same aborption characteristics in building materials.
The difference in your experience between "b" and "g" might be explained by
many vendor-specific differences: transmitter power, receiver sensitivity,
antenna design.
>
> Intelligently deploying access points to ensure no overlap across
> three floors when I have to watch for two types of lateral overlap,
> vertical overlap, and several possible diagonal overlaps -- this is
> like a puzzle on the SAT. I assumed the "auto" setting for the
> channels would sort all this out between the 11 channels the AP uses,
> but it sounds like the technology requires more hand holding than
> 802.11b to have even a chance of success.
It sounds like you should hire a professional to do a survey, unless you
feel confident that you can learn enough by reading website material and
books to do a good one yourself. A large wifi installation in a limited area
is usually not going to just work without planning.
>
> Do I really need to play some 3-dimensional chess here placing access
> points, or is there an easy out I'm missing? 801.11a, maybe? It has
> more channels, right? And shorter range? That should minimize APs on
> the same channel overlapping. Or is it just a more expensive option
> replete with its own pitfalls?
>
802.11a has a smaller range, so you *might* have to deploy more APs to
effectively cover your space. But it has more channels, so the overlap
problem is greatly reduced. No-one will be able to use it unless you supply
802.11a client cards and software to everybody.