Multi-AP client coverage: best practice

RouterOS Wireless Networking
1

When designing a multi-AP solution for a large facility, the goal is to ensure that low-powered devices like smartphones and older laptops disassociate and seek a stronger connection, before their weak signal drags the more distant AP into the basement in terms of bit rate.

I understand how this is done, using the Access List signal strength range and Data Rate settings. My questions are about best practice:

  • what is considered a reasonable minimum “air rate” (data rate) cutoff point? 11Mbps? Should this be determined by the expected number of clients?
  • is it then just a matter of looking at the radio’s sensitivity specs, to determine the signal strength range to allow connection? Or do other factors need to be taken into account?

Obviously it’s important to have this nailed down before deciding how far apart the APs can be…

2

Just one way of doing it, make sure each AP can see each other in a scan with a signal of around -80 to -85, depending on your clients. If it is primarily laptops, -85 will generally work well. If there are a lot of smart phones you will want your overlap tighter.

I don’t really like using the access list/signal level in this case. If the client roams on its own it is generally almost seamless. There is usually a noticeable drop if the AP drops the client.

Of course the problem then is roaming is entirely dependent on the client, but it generally is anyway.