Higher Education

Do we have any disadvantage or performance issues when running AP-225 in a high density area using POE 802.3af?

 

From my understanding 5GHz operate without any issues (Peformance the same regardless of the power)

in 2.4 Ghz (We use only 1 radio 1SS) 

USB turn off 

2nd Ethernet disabled. 

 

Am i correct? 

#AP225

2.4 is limited to 1x3
Correct on all others

Thank you 

Correct indeed. If you only have 802.3af capable switches, the AP-215 would be a better fit.

 

The AP-215 also has 3x3 on both 2.4GHz + 5GHz, only not dual ethernet and a single core CPU.

Since OP stated “high density environment”, I would’ve feel comfortable downgrading to an AP with a slower processor.
2.4GHz should be best effort anyway unless there’s a critical application to be discussed. Most clients nowadays will be band-steered successfully I would think.

In short, Due the fact that clients are now prefering the 5Ghz band there is no significant advantage on upgrading the switch to support 802.3at in order to improve only the 2.4 band. 

Just a few thoughts

 

1) I agree that 5 GHz is becoming very widespread

2) However, 2.4 still needs to be treated appropriately

• Number of client drivers still do not behave well with band steering and do not necessarily select 5 GHz
• 2.4 should be deployed with the power set 5- 8 dB less than 5 GHz radio in the same chassis
• the extra chains make the link more robust due to diversity benefits
• If you get a DFS event the 2.4 needs to be properly tuned to preseve your customer experience.
• 2.4 should generally be left on to ensure anyone connected to 2.4 is on the nearest AP and getting a decent user experience
• Turn off your b rates and even a couple of the low gn rates. This reduces the beacon time consumption and improves 2.4 performance.

So even if the 2.4 band performance is less than 5 GHz it is still 60 MHz of spectrum that you have access to and, deployed properly, adds value to your end customers.

 

If PoE is a constraint, then as someone mentioned AP-215 is a great option outside of higher density areas.

 

Thank you make sense!