Hello Group…
I am inviting anyone with knowledge of advantages/dis-advantages in using WDS over and above the use of AP/AP-Client configuration in a fixed wireless WiSP environment to share their experiences to help me make a decision as to how I will configure our network.
The primary reason I ask this even though we have a functioning system is due to the fact that we are just getting ready to replace all of our OLD AIRMatrix radio gear with fresh MT based AP’s and would like to make sure to make the new configuration as smart as possible in addition to best-case performance potential.
Presently our company provides service to home and business users VIA fixed wireless in both 5.8Ghz and 900Mhz.
Within the year we will deploy a few 2.4Ghz HotSpots in our area alike.
I have been looking around and have found that most AirPort wireless systems are configured as WDS rather than AP/AP-Client.
A couple things that really interested me with regards to utilizing WDS over AP/AP-Client configuration is that your system operates system-wide using 1 single SSID another advantage point is that you can operate within one frequency for each band rather than different frequencies per region per band.
My Present Points of Question
***** Doesn’t the MT client device need to feature at least a LVL4 license to take advantage of this configuration?
***** Are there bandwidth limitations in using WDS in opposition to AP/AP-Client?
***** When using WDS is it suggested/required to utilize the traditional Backhauls to link each AP site together or can you link each successive WDS AP site to the next site in an AP to AP method without performance downfalls?
***** Does the use of WDS reduce or limit the potential number of clients that connect to each WDS AP and for that fact does the use of WDS limit the total number of clients that can connect system-wide?
Example: In an AP/AP-Client configuration you can expect an AP to handle up to 75 clients in a best-world scenario.
When using WDS would each successive WDS/AP be capable of connecting the same number of clients efficiently?
***** How much coverage overlap would you suggest when deploying successive WDS/AP’s?
Example(s): Let’s say in 5.8Ghz I am attaining -70 signal quality at 9 miles out, would it be better to deploy the next 5.8Ghz WDS/AP at say the 7 mile point?
Likewise when considering 900Mhz WDS/AP’ in a NLOS environment, let’s say we are managing 4 miles NLOS from the AP with a signal of -70 would it be best to deploy the next 900Mhz WDS/AP at the 3 mile range from it’s predisessor to maintain connectivity quality and also maintain the highest quality NLOS capability as the system grows outwards?
Please make suggestions and opine all you would like in reference to your own experience when using WDS rather than AP/AP-Client configuration.
Thanking the group in advance for sharing their knowledge and suggestions…
Regards