Summary: Quick and Dirty 802.11n Design Right-Click Here To Download This Episode I've been teaching about 802.11n for many years now. All about the new acronyms, technology at the hardware layer, PHY layer and MAC layer. There is so much to learn about this new protocol. But invariably the discussion leads to the question on how to design for .11n. I was going to also talk about the 'morality' of designing and selling a Legacy Access Point solution in today's market, when .11n APs are available and you KNOW they are better than any Legacy AP ever could be. But I'll leave that discussion for a different episode. There is the very long, technical and perhaps a bit boring answer. Or, as I've found after sharing this with hundreds of individuals, there is the "Quick and Dirty" method. This is NOT the best way to design for .11n. But it is a way that is very quick, simple, and provides the 80 in the 80/20 rule. If you have lots of money, plenty of time, and want to over architect your Wireless LAN - there are much more sophisticated models. This isn't the answer to all possible scenarios. Remember, it's the "Quick and Dirty" method - so "don't be hating" on this... Well, here goes. This method of designing for .11n makes a couple of initial assumptions. First, you currently have an 802.11abg system in place that is working fine for you. If you are thinking of designing for a brand new installation, you could design for 802.11abg, then follow the "Quick and Dirty" method and you'll also be alright. (Again, there are many more sophisticated design methodologies for .11n - this isn't one of them) So if you do meet the stated assumption above, you already have an 802.11abg system in place - then you can choose from either of the two simple options listed below. The first is the easiest, and cheapest, but doesn't take into consideration for current .11a clients. If you HAVE TO use current .11a clients, you might want to look to the second option. Option 1 - Replace Access Points Each location where you have abg AP replace with abgn AP 2.4Ghz Frequency 2.4GHZ is for Legacy Only 2.4GHz is 20MHz - 1, 6, 11 ONLY -(normal channel planning) Turn off support for .11b (if you can) - Require 6Mbs Turn off support for 1, 2, 5.5 and perhaps also 11 data rates SSID = Corp (or whatever your current SSID is) Legacy Only - Everyone who is non-HT No .11n Support needed in 2.4GHz 5GHz Frequency 5-GHz is for HT Only (also known as Greenfield) 5-GHz is 40MHz - use UNII-1, UNII-2, UNII-2e, or UNII-3 as country allows Turn off support for all Non-HT legacy devices (.11a) SSID = Corp-Fast HT Clients only (.11n) No 20MHz support Adapt channel plan if DFS situation within range Complaint Driven Solution Everyone who can 'see' the "Corp-Fast" network will self-move over to the faster network. Each person that moves over to .11n not only receives a huge boost in their own throughput, but also takes a small load off the currently over-crowded 2.4GHz band. The only issue with this scenario, is if you have people currently using their .11a devices, they will no longer be able to access the 5GHz frequency and will have to return to the 2.4GHz mess. So if you have folks in this category, and they complain, just get them a brand new .11n card, either internal or external and they'll be able to reap all the benefits of a .11n Greenfield. What is you have either lots of .11a clients, or your firm has already committed to a .11a 5GHz VoIP WiFi Phones... Well then, if you fit in that category, you ought to try out Option 2, below. ___________________ Option 2 -Additional Access Points Each location where you have .11abg Access Point, leave it in place, and then add a new .11n Access Point 2.4Ghz Frequency - Same as in Option 1 above Turn off the 2.4GHz frequency from the old legacy AP. This legacy AP is now only supporting .11b and .11g clients. 2.4GHZ is for Legacy Only 2.4GHz is 20MHz - 1, 6, 11 ONLY -(normal channel planning)
