"we are seeing more 802.11a users than we expected and we are seeing more 802.11g users than expected."
- I find these stats interesting as we try to trend who is using what. In general, at SU, we are seeing peak usage of almost 3,500 simultaneous associations on our 950+ APs in the afternoons. Of these- we've gotten into a solid pattern of 20-25% of all associations being 802.11a. This doubles where were this time last year for "a" usage, and in certain locations we see periodic spikes to over 50% 802.11a usage (where specific programs have recommended it to users, I'm assuming). Just looked at our biggest dorm- over 500 users on- of these, 125 are 802.11a. Regards- Lee Lee Badman, KC2IYK CWNA, CWSP Network/Wireless Engineer Syracuse University 315 443-3003 >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 3/29/2007 1:48 PM >>> We just installed a project and are still in testing mode. We do have a project going with Xirrus (ADC version). The Array is ...interesting... (Did I mention that we just installed them). Anyway, our installation is for a classroom building about 88,000 gsf. Security is performed by Bluesockets on the back end. It holds about 2500 people. We are using the 3700 series with 4 802.11a, 3 802.11g radios and 1 Sensor. We installed 15 arrays and wanted about 2M of throughput per user. Please forgive me as I'm using approximate numbers here because I believe we can actually get more out of the units (still testing). We are delivering about 25-35 people per radio. (Xirrus says we could deliver more about 40 +/- users per radio, not sure if this is still 2M of throughput.) I'm sure it could be provided you did a 60 - 40 split for 802.11a etc. Largest room is a 500 users auditorium. We have 2 3700 units. We planned for a 60-40 802.11b network but we are seeing more 802.11a users than we expected and we are seeing more 802.11g users than expected. Likes: Sensors are built-in - no need for an additional project to install or find location for sensors. Minimum installation - no additional conduit for sensors or multiple APs. They have plenty of bandwidth radio and network side (gig interfaces (2G ports). The possibility of 802.11n upgrade as a radio module replacement. Dis-Likes: Different serial number on box not the same as inside unit (I think this is only an ADC to Xirrus problem) getting this fixed now. Concerns: Management platform is relatively expensive (still not as expensive as others) and only a single vendor. Not sure if Xirrus is in Amp Airwave (multi-vendor). If it is in Airwave, how much control Airwave will provide compared to the Xirrus management platform. If the Xirrus product was used in a mixed environment it would work like any other product in that the channel used should be far enough way from the two Xirrus channels you will see. Basically, you would follow all of the 802.11b type co-location issues. If you understand this you shouldn't have any problems. -----Original Message----- From: Frank Bulk [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 8:35 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Highrise dorm RF design I can't recall if there are any Xirrus users on this listserv, but the vendor has a couple of case studies on their website. Frank -----Original Message----- From: Steely, John [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 2:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Highrise dorm RF design I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has used the Xirrus array. In particular, is Xirrus your total Wi-Fi architecture, or have you successfully integrated it/created a coexistence with another vendor's solution? Thanks in advance. John Steely Network Manager Infrastructure Systems Department Library and Information Services Dickinson College P.O. Box 1773 Carlisle, PA 17013 717-245-1613 (Voice) 717-245-1690 (Fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: David Gillett [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:11 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Highrise dorm RF design > Dropping power would only help a > little, and at the expense of room penetration. Surely if your *floors* are only 10db, room penetration shouldn't be a problem, should it? I've stayed in hotels about this size that seemed to be adequately covered by an AP every couple of floors, alternately offset toward the ends.... Of course, usage volume is likely to be higher in a dorm, but if wired ports are also available then perhaps not beyond capacity. I haven't actually used them yet, but the places where I need density of coverage without reducing power, I'm looking at the Xirrus wi-fi array product as a likely solution. David Gillett > -----Original Message----- > From: Karl Reuss [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 6:53 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] Highrise dorm RF design > > We're getting ready to expand our campus wireless coverage into the > dorms; full coverage for 12,000 students over the next year. The > recent dorm discussions here have been very helpful. > > I'm wondering if anyone has experience with dense AP deployments in > traditional high-rise dorms. About half of our students live in these > monsters. 8 floors, 250' straight hallway down the middle of each, > rooms on either side, block walls, 70 users per floor. Sort of like > prison cells:) Our field guys and residential facilities folks would > rather not put the APs in student rooms, which basically just leaves > the hallways. I'm worried about co-channel interference on the b/g > side. 6 or 7 APs down a hallway in clear sight of each other will > surely step on each other. Loss through the floors only seems to be > 10db, which means we need to watch the vertical as well. Dropping > power would only help a little, and at the expense of room > penetration. External patch antennas are one idea were looking at. > If anyone has any experience or advice in this area they could share, > I would be grateful! > > Thanks, > -Karl Reuss > University of Maryland, College Park > > ********** > Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE > Constituent Group discussion list can be found at > http://www.educause.edu/groups/. > ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
