3Com OfficeConnect WX1200, Reference Manual, Page: 138 / 520

138 C
HAPTER
5: P
LANNING THE
3C
OM
M
OBILITY
S
YSTEM
Computing MAP
Placement
After you provide information about floor plans, RF obstacles, and
wireless coverage requirements, 3WXM can design your 3Com wireless
network for this floor using the following process:
„
Compute and place MAPs (See “Computing and Placing MAP Access
Points for a Coverage Area” on page 138.)
„
Assign channels to MAPs (See “Assigning MAP Channels” on page 146.)
„
Compute optimal power (See “Computing Optimal Power” on
page 149.)
3WXM determines the number of MAPs that need to be installed in the
area and the number of WX switches needed in the wiring closet (if the
floor has them), and then places them on the floor plan. You can move
the MAPs on the floor plan to more convenient locations to simplify
installation. 3WXM also determines the WX to which a MAP should
connect.
3WXM assigns transmit power levels and channels for each MAP. The
power levels and association rates are set to optimize cell sizes for the
coverage area. 3WXM shows the expected (simulated) coverage of the
completed design, and allows you to see how the coverage changes
when you make adjustments to MAP location or power levels.
Computing and
Placing MAP Access
Points for a Coverage
Area
When you perform Compute and Place for one or more coverage areas,
3WXM automatically calculates the number of MAPs you require, based
on coverage area information, and also places them in appropriate
locations on the floor.
3WXM assumes that MAPs are mounted on the ceiling and takes the
ceiling height into account when placing MAPs. 3WXM assumes that
coverage is required down to 3 feet above the floor (the average height
of a user’s desk). By default, 3WXM assumes that you want to directly
connect the MAP access points to WX1200 switches and that you do not
want redundant MAP connections for backup. You can change these
design constraints.
By default, especially when you are performing Compute and Place for a
coverage area for the first time, the results do not account for existing
MAP access points. Manual overrides of the MAP results are not taken
into account if you perform Compute and Place again.