Wireless Access

Hi,

Can someone point out to me the VRDs related to outdoor installation of the new AP-275s?

I am not sure how these APs will perform without external antenna for outdoor coverage scenarios, it would be handy to get some idea from VRDs that touch on AP-275 outdoor installation considerations and recommendations.

Thanks in advance,

William

Cappali,

Thanks for the advise.

One further query related to this, btw I am just treading new ground here in terms of WiFi RF propagation, I noted the AP-275 does not have an option for external antennae. Does this mean that overall the AP-275 will have a smaller RF footprint comparatively to the AP-175?

Cheers,

The 275 has built in I'm omnidirectional antennas. The 274 allows for external antennas.

Coverage footprint of the 275 is equivalent to the 175 with using 2005/5005 antennas. Thorughput at set ranges is actually a bit higher with the 275 when compared with the 175 (2005/5005) due to the additional chain and support for AC and 3x3. Much of the actual performance will be dictated by the client device and number of chains/support for 11ac, etc.

Hi Guys,

Considering that there is no VRD for the AP-275 yet and that there is no mention of the AP-275 in the Outdoor MIMO Wireless Networks VRD (http://community.arubanetworks.com/t5/Validated-Reference-Design/Outdoor-MIMO-Wireless-Networks/ta-p/155624), how up to date is the Outdoor MIMO Wireless Networks VRD?

Thank you.

Best regards,

François

The concepts are still the same.  There is no new approach introduced with the AP275...just the antenna pattern...

Thank you Colin,

It is mentioned that the OS used is different on the AP-175 compared to the MSR series. I suppose that the same OS runs on the AP-270 and the AP-175 right?

Thank you!

François

The IAP and controller-based versions of the 175 and 275 run the same OS, yes.

There is a draft modification to the existing Outdoor VRD awaiting approval (let's call it Outdoor MIMO VRD 1.1). We will be working this fall on an Outdoor 11ac VRD 2.0 that will cover only AOS and Instant AP-27x and 228 APs that we hope to have finished in late Dec/Early Jan. 

As Colin noted though, the existing Outdoor VRD is still the go-to source for outdoor information. The updated draft contains some data on rate v range with mesh and clients using the 27x APs, but in general all of the data is still the same. Obviously the MeshOS content is unchanged and will be the defacto VRD for any MSR products.

Thanks!

Thank you Jerrod for the update.

I will keep an eye out for the new version.

Thanks.

François

Hi Jerrod,

In the outdoor 11ac VRD, you guys are using 802.11ac for the backhaul connections, right?

With only 2 radios on the AP-270 and AP-228, you can't really use 802.11ac for the access (unless to disable 2.4).

Thank you.

François

Not sure I follow, but we are using the 5Ghz radio for backhaul. The 2.4Ghz radio is still available for client access should it be needed. 802.11ac PHY rates are supported on both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz radio. 

Does that help? You may need to provide more context to your question if not.

Hi Jarrod,

802.11ac only operates in the 5GHz band. So if you have a dual band AP and you are already using the 5Ghz radio for backahaul connectivity (possibly using IEEE 802.11ac), then all you have left for access is the 2.4GHz radio.

That is what I meant in my previous message.

So my question was, in your 802.11ac deployment/lab testing, are you going to be testing 802.11ac on the backhaul connection only?

Thank you!

Best regards,

Scratch the first paragraph...*sigh*. What I meant to add was that with Aruba's APs, and for clients that support it, we support 256QAM on the 2.4Ghz radio which allows us to use the 802.11ac rates on the 2.4Ghz radio. But not all clients support this...

http://www.arubanetworks.com/pdf/products/DS_AP270Series.pdf
"In addition to 802.11n data rates, the 2.4-GHz radio supports 802.11ac 256-QAM modulation. This gives TurboQAM-enabled clients a 33% boost to deliver up to 600 Mbps."

In terms of testing, we only test backhaul on the 5Ghz (in this case 802.11ac 5GHz at 20, 40, and 80MHz bandwidths). 

Also should add, while you CAN use the 5Ghz radio (802.11ac) for access AND mesh/backhaul, it's not recommended since it effectively splits the 5Ghz radio from dedicated backhaul to treating the backhaul to the same useage limitations as a client. 

So if the intent is to provide dedicated backhaul, disable all VAPs on the 5Ghz radios of those mesh APs and let the radios dedicate themselves to the mesh link. If the intent for mesh is NOT dedicated and you want to serve clients and mesh on the same 5Ghz radio, you can, just know the mesh link will not be as stable or as fast (assuming the antennas for mesh and client access are the same). 

Thank you Jerrod for the clarifications. You have answered my questions.

Best regards,

François

François,

I just took a look at this thread, while searching for something else.

Drop me a line (or call me) if you have questions regarding the AP-270 implementation.

Regards,

Simon Forget

Satori Interréseautage inc.

Hi Simon,

Thank you. I'll email you.

Best regards,

François