User Manual

Advanced Configuration
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• Load Balancing: Enable this option so clients can evaluate which Access Point to associate with, based on
current AP loads. This feature is enabled by default; it helps distribute the wireless load between APs. This feature
is not available if you are using an ORiNOCO 802.11a/b ComboCard or a non-ORiNOCO client with the AP-600b.
• Medium Density Distribution: When enabled, the Access Point automatically notifies wireless clients of its
Distance Between APs, Interference Robustness, and RTS/CTS Medium Reservation settings. This feature is
enabled by default and allows clients to automatically adopt the values used by its current Access Point (even if
these values differ from the client’s default values or from the values supported by other Access Points). Note that
this feature is not available if you are using an ORiNOCO 802.11a/b ComboCard or a non-ORiNOCO client with
the AP-600b. Proxim recommends that you leave this parameter enabled, particularly if you have ORiNOCO
clients on your wireless network (leaving this parameter enabled should not adversely affect the performance of
any ORiNOCO 802.11a/b ComboCards or non-ORiNOCO cards on your network).
Distance Between APs
Distance Between APs defines how far apart (physically) your AP-600b devices are located, which in turn determines
the size of your cell. Cells of different sizes have different capacities and, therefore, suit different applications. For
instance, a typical office has many stations that require high bandwidth for complex, high-speed data processing. In
contrast, a typical warehouse has a few forklifts requiring low bandwidth for simple transactions.
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This feature is not available if you are using an ORiNOCO 802.11a/b ComboCard or a non-ORiNOCO client
with the AP-600b.
Cell capacities are compared in the following table, which shows that small cells suit most offices and large cells suit
most warehouses:
Coverage
The number of Access Points in a set area determines the network coverage for that area. A large number of
Access Points covering a small area is a high-density cell. A few Access Points, or even a single unit, covering the
same small area would result in a low-density cell, even though in both cases the actual area did not change — only
the number of Access Points covering the area changed.
In a typical office, a high density area consists of a number of Access Points installed every 20 feet and each
Access Point generates a small radio cell with a diameter of about 10 feet. In contrast, a typical warehouse might have
a low density area consisting of large cells (with a diameter of about 90 feet) and Access Points installed every
200 feet.
Figure 4-7 Low Density vs. Ultra High Density Network
The Distance Between Cells parameter supports five values: Large, Medium, Small, Minicell, and Microcell.
Small Cell Large Cell
Physically accommodates few stations Physically accommodates many stations
High cell bandwidth per station Lower cell bandwidth per station
High transmit rate Lower transmit rate