Wireless Performance - Planet WAP-4030 User Manual

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Wireless Performance

The following information will help you utilizing the wireless performance and operating coverage of
WAP-4030.
1. Site selection
To avoid interferences, please locate WAP-4030 and wireless client away from transformers,
microwave ovens, heavy-duty motors, fluorescent lights and other industrial equipments. Keep the
number of walls or ceilings between AP and clients as few as possible. Otherwise the signal strength
may be seriously reduced. Place WAP-4030 in open space or add additional WAP-4030 as needed
to improve the coverage.
2. Environmental factors
The wireless network is easily affected by many environment factors. Every environment is unique
with different obstacles, construction materials, weather, etc. It is hard to determine the exact
operation rage of WAP-4030 in a specific location without testing.
3. Antenna adjustment
The bundle antenna of WAP-4030 is adjustable. Firstly install the antenna pointing straight up, then
smoothly adjust it if the radio signal strength is poor. But the signal reception is definitely weak is
some certain areas, such as location right down the antenna.
Moreover, the original antenna of WAP-4030 can be replaced with other external antennas to extend
the coverage. Please check the specification of the antenna you want to use, and make sure it can
be used on WAP-4030.
4. WLAN Type
If WAP-4030 is installed in an 802.11b and 802.11g mixed WLAN, its performance will reduced
significantly. Because every 802.11g OFDM packet needs to be preceded by an RTS-CTS or CTS
packet exchange that can be recognized by legacy 802.11b devices. This additional overhead
lowers the speed. If there are no 802.11b devices connected, or if connections to all 802.11b devices
are denied so that WAP-4030 can operate in 11g-only mode, then its data rate should actually
54Mbps.
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