Determining How Many Wireless APs to Deploy
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.