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The 9160 G2 Wireless Gateway allows you to balance the distribution of wireless client
connections across multiple access points. Using load balancing, you can prevent scenarios
where a single access point in your network shows performance degradation because it is
handling a disproportionate share of the wireless traffic.
The following sections describe how to configure Load Balancing on your wireless network.
18.1
Understanding Load Balancing
Like most configuration settings on the 9160 G2 Wireless Gateway, load balancing settings
are shared among clustered access points.
Note: In some cases you might want to set limits for only one access point that is consis-
tently over-utilized. You can apply unique settings to a particular access point if it is
operating in standalone mode. (See ""Understanding Clustering" on page 55 and
"Navigating To Access Points Management" on page 55.)
18.1.1 Identifying Imbalance: Overworked Or Under-utilized Access Points
A typical scenario is that a comparison of Client Association data and Transmit/Receive
data for multiple access points allows you to identify an access point that is consistently han-
dling a disproportionately large percentage of wireless traffic. This can happen when
location placement or other factors causes one access point to transmit the strongest signal to
a majority of clients on a network. By default, that access point will receive most of the
client requests while the other access points stay idle much of the time.
Imbalances in distribution of wireless traffic across access points will be evident in Client
Association data and Transmit/Receive statistics, which will show higher "Utilization" rates
on overworked APs and conversely, higher "Idle" times on under-utilized APs. An AP that
is handling more than its fair share of traffic might also show slower data rates or lower
transmit/receive rates due to the overload.
18.1.2 Specifying Limits For Utilization And Client Associations
You can correct for imbalances in network AP utilization by enabling load balancing and
setting limits on utilization rates and number of client associations allowed per access point.
18.1.3 Load Balancing And QoS
Load balancing also plays a part in contributing to Quality of Service (QoS) for Voice Over
IP (VoIP) and other such time-sensitive applications competing for bandwidth and timely
access to the air waves on a wireless network. For more information about configuring your
network for QoS, see Chapter 19: "Quality Of Service (QoS)".
Psion Teklogix 9160 G2 Wireless Gateway User Manual
Chapter 18: Load Balancing
Understanding Load Balancing
181
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