User Guide

Wi-Fi Array
48 Installing the Wi-Fi Array
Planning Your Installation
This section provides guidelines and examples to help you plan your Xirrus Wi-Fi
Array deployment to achieve the best overall coverage and performance. We
recommend you conduct a site survey to determine the best location and settings
for each Array you install.
The following topics are discussed:
z “General Deployment Considerations” on page 48
z “Coverage and Capacity Planning” on page 50
z “IEEE 802.11n Deployment Considerations” on page 59
z “Failover Planning” on page 67
z “Power Planning” on page 69
z “Security Planning” on page 70
z “Port Requirements” on page 72
z “Network Management Planning” on page 75
z “WDS Planning” on page 76
z “Deployment Summary” on page 79
General Deployment Considerations
The Wi-Fi Array’s unique multi-radio architecture generates 360 degrees of
sectored high-gain 802.11a/b/g/n or 802.11a/b/g coverage that provides
extended range. However, the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings or
other objects that the wireless signals must pass through may affect the range.
Typical ranges vary depending on the types of materials and background RF
(radio frequency) noise at your location. To maximize wireless range, follow these
basic guidelines:
1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the Array and your
receiving devices to a minimum—each wall or ceiling can reduce the
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For a complete discussion of implementing Voice over Wi-Fi on the Array,
see the Xirrus Voice over Wi-Fi Application Note in the Xirrus Library
.