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How should we setup Access Points in a 2-story motel?
How should we setup Access Points in a 2-story motel?
Updated over a week ago

Physical Installation:

  1. Set the APs as far apart as possible with no line-of-sight to prevent wireless interference.

  2. On each floor set them in a zigzag pattern preferably with walls in between.

  3. Do not install them along the hallway. Install them inside the rooms.

  4. Set the APs in a staggered pattern from floor-to-floor. APs should not be mounted on top of each other.

Recommended Settings:

  1. Plan the channel assignment for each AP on each band.

  2. Each AP should be on alternating non-overlapping channels to avoid co-channel interference.

  3. Consider not only the APs on the same floor but also APs above and below when planning the channel assignment.

2.4GHz Wireless:

  • A. Set the Channel HT mode to 20MHz only and disable Auto-channel.

  • B. Alternate the (3) non-overlapping channels, namely, channels 1, 6, and 11. Please account for the APs above and below as well.

  • C. WPA2-PSK(AES only) is the recommended wireless security setting.

  • D. To avoid wireless interference, try to reduce the cell size by decreasing the transmit power to 14dBm. Increase by 3dBm if necessary. There should only be a slight overlap from AP to AP if at all.

5Ghz Wireless:

  • A. Set the Channel HT mode to 40MHz only and disable Auto-channel.

  • B. Alternate channels from UNI-I, UNI-II and UNI-III. Account for the APs above and below as well.

  • C. WPA2-PSK (AES only) is the recommended wireless security setting.

  • D. To avoid wireless interference, try to reduce the cell size by decreasing the transmit power to 17dBm. Increase by 3dBm if necessary. There should only be a slight overlap from AP to AP, if at all.

Note: 2.4GH wireless signals have longer range and better wall penetration compared to the 5GHz band on the same transmit power hence the difference in their transmit power settings.

Please see attached file for other recommended settings (EnGenius AP Best Practice Configuration)

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