Novell ZENWORKS ENDPOINT SECURITY MANAGEMENT 3.5 - ADMINISTRATION Administration Manual page 106

Figure 6-22
The following settings can be adjusted above or below the current defaults:
Search: When this signal strength level is reached, the Endpoint Security Client begins to
search for a new access point to connect to. The default setting is Low [-70 dB].
Switch: In order for the Endpoint Security Client to connect to a new access point, that access
point must broadcast at the designated signal strength level above the current connection. The
default setting is +20 dB.
The signal strength thresholds are determined by the amount of power (in dB) reported through the
computer's miniport driver. As each Wi-Fi card and radio may treat the dB signals differently for
their Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) the numbers vary from adapter to adapter.
The default numbers associated with the defined thresholds in the Management Console are generic
for most Wi-Fi adapters. It is recommended you research your Wi-Fi adapter's RSSI values to input
an accurate level. The Novell values are:
Name
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Low
Very Low
Although the above signal strength names match those used by the Microsoft Zero Configuration
Service, the thresholds may not match. Zero Config determines its values based on the Signal to
Noise Ratio (SNR) and not solely on the dB value reported from RSSI. For example, if a Wi-Fi
adapter were receiving a signal at -54 dB and had a noise level of -22 dB, the SNR would report as
32dB (-54 - -22=32), which on the Zero Configuration scale would translate as Excellent signal
strength, even though on the Novell scale, the -54 dB signal (if reported that way through the
miniport driver, possibly reported lower) would indicate a Very Good signal strength.
106 ZENworks Endpoint Security Management Administration Guide
Signal Strength Control
Default Value
-40 dB
-50 dB
-60 dB
-70 dB
-80 dB