User's Manual

Wireless Array
26 Installing the Wireless Array
Planning Your Installation
This section provides guidelines and examples to help you plan your Xirrus
Wireless 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:
 “General Deployment Considerations” on page 26
 “Coverage and Capacity Planning” on page 28
 “IEEE 802.11n Deployment Considerations” on page 35
 “Failover Planning” on page 42
 “Power Planning” on page 45
 “Security Planning” on page 46
 “Port Requirements” on page 48
 “Network Management Planning” on page 52
 “WDS Planning” on page 53
 “Common Deployment Options” on page 56
General Deployment Considerations
The Wireless 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. (Note that XR500 Series radios are omni-directional rather than
sectored.) 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
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For a complete discussion of implementing Voice over Wi-Fi on the Array,
see the Xirrus Voice over Wireless Application Note in the Xirrus
Resource Center.
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For optimal placement of Arrays, we recommend that a site survey be
performed by a qualified Xirrus partner.