Wireless Access

 View Only
  • 1.  Wireless coverage decreases after replacing Cisco AP with Aruba AP

    Posted Aug 25, 2024 10:53 PM

    HI teams

       We replaced Cisco AP with Aruba AP in a project, and the customer reported that the wireless coverage was reduced. This happened in workplaces in Europe and India. The wireless coverage area was a large open space. Why is this?



    ------------------------------
    leo ma

    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Wireless coverage decreases after replacing Cisco AP with Aruba AP

    Posted Aug 26, 2024 12:31 AM

    Hi Leo,

    Coverage depends on many factors. How does your customer define and measure "coverage"? What bands and channels are they looking at? Which AP models are we comparing here, and what Wi-Fi generation and specs apply to both of them? What are the transmit power levels for both APs, and could those still be increased?



    ------------------------------
    /Onno Harms, Aruba Wireless Product Management
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Wireless coverage decreases after replacing Cisco AP with Aruba AP

    Posted Aug 26, 2024 12:49 AM

    Hi onno

       aruba use AP534,AP574 and AP515,I don't know the model of Cisco AP in European and Indian workplaces. Since Aruba AP will be launched in China workplace in October, I want to know whether the power of Cisco AP is really higher than that of Aruba AP. Have you encountered similar scenarios?
    We will also conduct actual tests when replacing it in China workplace later.



    ------------------------------
    If my post was useful, please Accept Solution and Give Kudos.

    leo ma

    ACMX
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Wireless coverage decreases after replacing Cisco AP with Aruba AP
    Best Answer

    Posted Aug 26, 2024 01:03 AM

    Adding external antennas to the mix makes this even more complex to compare.

    Assuming that "coverage" is measured by looking at received signal strength, the first thing to look at is whether the APs you're comparing are transmitting at the same power levels (both conducted total and EIRP). Antenna patterns are therefore critical as well. Next you may want to see if the APs are transmitting at their maximum transmit power level (if range is critical, and you're not concerned about causing interference). Ultimately all WLAN providers have to comply with the same set of regulatory rules, which will typically be the limiting factor for the EIRP power.

    Given that the same rules apply to all products, and most enterprise indoor APs have similar antennas, there are typically no big differences concerning coverage between APs from different vendors. Based on specsheet comparison, as well as real-world comparisons, there's not reason to expect more coverage from a Cisco AP compared to an Aruba one.



    ------------------------------
    /Onno Harms, Aruba Wireless Product Management
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Wireless coverage decreases after replacing Cisco AP with Aruba AP

    Posted Aug 26, 2024 01:13 AM

    Hi onno

      Thanks for your reply. I also think that the coverage should not be much different. I will update you after we launch Aruba AP.



    ------------------------------
    If my post was useful, please Accept Solution and Give Kudos.

    leo ma

    ACMX
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Wireless coverage decreases after replacing Cisco AP with Aruba AP

    Posted Aug 26, 2024 08:07 AM

    We replaced Cisco 9120s with Aruba 635s and found the coverage was about the same. We have site surveys using Ekahau for both the Cisco and Aruba installs The biggest difference was in the channel selection and Transmit power via ARM that Aruba did better. The other difference was under load with 802.11ax the 9120s performed a little better do to 4x4 at 2.4 and 5.0Ghz. The 635s are 2x2x2 so its completely understandable we just design accordingly. We actually prefer less load on each AP and add to the region for transient clients and interferers. The important thing is to get data, it feels better or worse is too subjective.




  • 7.  RE: Wireless coverage decreases after replacing Cisco AP with Aruba AP

    Posted Aug 26, 2024 08:47 AM

    Hi  erichflynn

    This is very instructive. I will pay attention to the comparison when deploying. Thanks for sharing



    ------------------------------
    leo ma
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Wireless coverage decreases after replacing Cisco AP with Aruba AP

    Posted Aug 26, 2024 10:09 AM

    Hi Leo.

    As your info is very scarse others already cover majority of possible topics. The biggest coverage difference is if you go from 2.4GHz to 5GHz. Usually you can expect, if you don't adjust transmit power, that 5GHz band has only half a coverage of 2.4GHz band.

    Best practice is to lower 2.4GHz power to match the coverage of 5GHz cover. Usually you want to have 3-6 dBm lower power on 2.4GHz than on 5GHz.

    Best, Gorazd



    ------------------------------
    Gorazd Kikelj
    MVP Guru 2024
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Wireless coverage decreases after replacing Cisco AP with Aruba AP

    Posted Aug 26, 2024 10:22 AM

    Hi Gorazd

       Thank you for your reply. I know the information I described is a little insufficient. Because there are problems in the European and Indian workplaces, but we don't know the specific situation of these two workplaces. I just want to avoid the problems in the Chinese workplace as much as possible. The specific effect depends on the use effect of Aruba AP in the Chinese workplace after it goes online. Thank you very much for your attention. I will update with detailed information later.



    ------------------------------
    leo ma
    ------------------------------