Wireless Access

I have an opportunity to upgrade the wirless network using pre-existing CAT5 cable. My understandanding is that 1000 Mbps is possible but not guaranteed. I'd really like to add an additional 40 access points to the building. What problems would I run into running 802.11n over CAT5 and are there AP Configurations that I can make to overcome those problems?

Is it 5e at least?  Also, what about distances?

Unfortunately no it's just plain old CAT5 and the distances would be max 215 ft.

On the off chance that the cable doesn't meet the  IEEE 1000BASE-T standard would it be worthwhile to try to use it as an uplink for the 105?

Keep in mind that the AP-105 can operate in 100Mbps mode if it can't achieve 1000Mbps, OR 1000Mbps isn't offered from the switch side.  

The Ethernet LED will be 'amber' in these cases. 

I have plenty of installations with 100Mbps capable ports and the AP-105.

JF

Most of our dorms are running APs at gig over legacy Cat 5 wiring.

Great data point Tim.

JF

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@cappalli wrote:

Most of our dorms are running APs at gig over legacy Cat 5 wiring.

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That's encouraging. What's the longest cabke run you have back to the switch?

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@jfernyc wrote:

Keep in mind that the AP-105 can operate in 100Mbps mode if it can't achieve 1000Mbps, OR 1000Mbps isn't offered from the switch side.  

 

The Ethernet LED will be 'amber' in these cases. 

 

I have plenty of installations with 100Mbps capable ports and the AP-105.

 

JF

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When they operate at 100Mbps do you have a custom AP Configuration to accommodate the slower uplink or does the access point compensate automatically? I understand that with a faster client connection and uplink that the time on the air would be lessened by getting the work done quicker but I wasn't sure if there would be a potential bottleneck that a configuration adjustment could prevent.

Typically, the utilization on a given AP-105 is much  much less than the 100Mbps mark.  e.g. a 100Mbps port DOES NOT limit you.

What does?   Typically the egress connection to the internet...  e.g. if all users are doing is hitting the internet, the likelyhood that they will overwhelm a 100Mbps connection is very low.   So there is no penalty to running in 100Mbps and no special items we need to do.

You can use Airwave to tell you what the utilization is AP by AP, user by user, radio by radio and determine what the loading is on your network.  Likely under 100Mbps per AP ;)

JF

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@jfernyc wrote:

Typically, the utilization on a given AP-105 is much  much less than the 100Mbps mark.  e.g. a 100Mbps port DOES NOT limit you.

 

What does?   Typically the egress connection to the internet...  e.g. if all users are doing is hitting the internet, the likelyhood that they will overwhelm a 100Mbps connection is very low.   So there is no penalty to running in 100Mbps and no special items we need to do.

 

You can use Airwave to tell you what the utilization is AP by AP, user by user, radio by radio and determine what the loading is on your network.  Likely under 100Mbps per AP ;)

 

JF

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You're correct, I don't think I have a buildings worth of access points that are pushing over 100 Mbps at this time let alone a single AP. I don't forsee a problem but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything and if the cables test to 1000Mbps even better.

Thanks everyone for your quick responses!