HP MSM317 Deployment Manual page 6

In a typical hotel configuration, the AP resides in a corridor and provides shared bandwidth to
multiple rooms. This set up generally works well for a limited pool of users. As network load
increases, however, performance is likely to degrade, especially during peak usage periods.
One solution is to boost the AP's output power to extend its reach, however, this presents several
potential pitfalls. First, clients at the periphery may not have enough power to reach the AP.
Second, there is the matter of fairness to users. Those on the periphery may experience lower
throughput, while those closer to the AP may see a lack of responsiveness. Third, the risk of
interference and transmission errors increases at higher power levels. Another option is to add APs,
but this would require paying for new wiring and site surveys and does not address delivery of
IP-enabled services.
In contrast to a standard AP, the MSM317 delivers dedicated, predictable coverage per room,
providing distinct advantages over conventional deployments. Benefits include a dedicated wireless
connection per user and reduced risk of signal interference due to the unit's radiation pattern and
lower output power. Scaling up is also easier and more affordable as the MSM317 fits into a
standard electrical wall box and requires only a single PoE cable drop. Finally, its built-in Ethernet
switch delivers voice, video, and data services, while the pass-through port allows for the integration
of legacy devices.
Note:
Roaming is supported between traditional APs and the MSM317.
Figure 4:
6
Output power to data rate ratio of the MSM317 compared to a full-power AP.
25
20
MSM310
15
MSM317
10
5
0
6 9 12 18 24
Data rate (Mbps)
36 48 54