How to Get Better and Faster with Wireless-N

When will your company begin to use next-generation wireless technology?

Wireless-N (802.11n technology) has already been in users' newer devices-laptops, desktops, IP phones, and smartphones.

"Next-gen" isn't hyperbole. Wireless-N provides the wireless LAN user real-world throughput as much as 150 Mbps-quicker than Fast Ethernet. An 802.11n entry way (AP) offers cellular devices 2 occasions the policy, 11 occasions the capability, and 5 to eight occasions the information rates of the 802.11g AP. And 802.11n is backward suitable for 802.11a/b/g.

Why Should You Go Wireless-N? Four Business Advantages

The 802.11n standard-the culmination of seven many years of work and many draft versions-was printed in 2009. Now companies are installing Wireless-N APs to:

• Have reliable mobile use of multimedia and mission-critical applications, including streaming video and video surveillance, voice, and enormous documents.
• Enlarge the policy of the wireless LAN. Wireless-N reduces fading and dead spots, as well as an AP with 802.11i pre-authentication, like the 'cisco' AP 541N Wireless Entry Way, provides seamless roaming for voice.
• Safely connect users. Security measures for example MAC address filtering, client isolation, WPA2 (AES file encryption), multiple SSIDs and VLAN support safeguard network access.
• Extend the expertise of a wired Ethernet LAN. A radio LAN (WLAN) could be a good fit where installing Ethernet cables is tough or when most network users take presctiption cellular devices.

How you can Deploy Wireless-N APs

Guidelines to make a radio-N upgrade efficient and price-effective include:

1. Decide for a moment start once again or incrementally.

To produce a bigger, faster, and much more reliable wireless network-and simplify your management-start fresh with all of-new dual-band Wireless-N APs. Configure one radio band to aid only 802.11n clients, and something to aid legacy 802.11a or 802.11b/g clients as lengthy because they last. An AP that utilizes clustering intelligence to centralize control, like the 'cisco' AP 541N, can help you save many hrs of your time and also the expenses of the controller. By having an AP 541N, you configure one, and therefore are done: it pushes the configuration to as much as 10 APs within the cluster, and may instantly manage radio settings and security measures.

Or you might want to begin incrementally with Wireless-N. Let much of your 802.11a/b/g APs support old clients, and dedicate 802.11n APs to supporting new coverage areas and applications that need faster, more reliable connections.

2. Create a home around the range, and users is going to be liberated to roam.

Don't merely convey a Wireless-N AP into the house of a classic AP and expect the policy you would like. Here's why: 802.11a/b/g APs create circular WLAN cells, and should balance their overlaps sufficient to avoid dropped connections without putting things off bouncing clients between APs. An 802.11n AP's multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas stream data in various directions (multiplex) and stream redundantly over different pathways, growing connection throughput and quality. The streaming helps make the form of 802.11n WLAN cells more jagged. Additionally, it means Wireless-N APs could be deployed more densely to improve WLAN capacity.

To put a Wireless-N AP, use RF planning tools. Then measure application performance (not only signal strength) on 5-GHz channels, using a number of client devices from various locations to refine the position.

Establishing secure guest access is straightforward using the 'cisco' AP 541N. Its graphical guide demonstrates how to permit visitors online without compromising your company network.

3. Funnel traffic in to the best band.

Wireless devices connect with each other in a single radio band at any given time, either the crowded 2.4-GHz ISM band (utilized by 802.11b/g) or even the 5-GHz UNII band (utilized by 802.11a). Congestion and overlapping channels within the bands causes interference.

Wireless-N APs reduce interference by doing the work all: they are able to be employed in either band, on any one of their channels. They may also double 20-MHz channels to provide a person 40-MHz bandwidth. Take full advantage of your 802.11n investment by connecting wireless voice clients towards the 5-GHz band.

4. Optimize AP settings.

To obtain the fastest data rates, make use of the AP's multiple antennas, 40-MHz channeling, featuring that increase transmission efficiency. For instance, you should use short guard interval to shorten the frame acknowledgment pause.

5. Locate an expert for integration, security, management, and continuing support.

If WLAN technology is not your specialization, look for a technology partner who are able to:

• Integrate Wireless-N together with your existing network, like the 'cisco' Smart Business Communications System
• Provide strong centralized security and hang SSIDs
• Configure your WLAN management
• Deliver responsive support. A 3-year "reassurance" service and support subscription can be obtained using the 'cisco' Small Company Pro Number of network products.