Fine-Tuning WLAN AP Density for VoiceFine-Tuning WLAN AP Density for Voice
Here's an interesting item from Joanie Wexler, one of the best reporters on the wireless beat, about a wirelesss LAN deployment that challenged the conventional wisdom about needing more access points if you're planning to deliver voice on the WLAN.
October 13, 2008
Here's an interesting item from Joanie Wexler, one of the best reporters on the wireless beat, about a wirelesss LAN deployment that challenged the conventional wisdom about needing more access points if you're planning to deliver voice on the WLAN.
Here's an interesting item from Joanie Wexler, one of the best reporters on the wireless beat, about a wirelesss LAN deployment that challenged the conventional wisdom about needing more access points if you're planning to deliver voice on the WLAN.In the case study Joanie cites, not only do the excessive APs represent a waste of money, they actually degrade voice connectivity, which is an effect I hadn't heard of before. Read the article for Joanie's explanation of why this happened.
Site surveys have always been an important prerequisite for WLAN deployment, and Joanie's article hints at another factor that I've seen mentioned about WLANs generally: Many experts recommend an ongoing site survey routine, to help you deal with changes in the physical environment that occur over time and that may not have really registered as a factor that will alter the WLAN coverage you're getting.
When it comes to voice, this issue of site surveys is another consideration to add to your troubleshooting list: If you're doing VoWLAN and users start experiencing quality degradations, reviewing the RF environment for changes post-deployment makes sense.
I don't think Joanie's article necessarily signals (so to speak) that WLAN coverage for data communications will necessarily suffice for voice in every situation. Furthermore, it's likely that your initial WLAN deployment was deliberately limited--you may not have covered hallways, stairwells, restrooms--you might have only planned to cover conference rooms and get by on whatever spillover you get from that. If your VoWLAN deployment is aimed at giving users a replacement for their desk phones, coverage will have to extend into all the nooks and crannies of the site.
