Smart Mesh Networking Best Practices
139
NXA-WAPZD1000 ZoneDirector Smart WLAN Controller
Step 2
Once this ideal AP number (all Roots) is determined, it needs to be adjusted for mesh performance
degradation. The mesh degradation depends heavily upon the number of APs that can be Roots - in other
words the number of APs that can be cabled via Ethernet. The more APs that can be cabled as Roots, the more
the performance resembles the ideal (best) case. The table below shows the AP Multiplier for a given
RAP:MAP ratio.
Once the AP multiplier is determined, the formula below is used to calculate the total number of APs required
for the site.
Formula: Total Number of APs (RAPs and MAPs) Required = #APs x AP Multiplier
Using an example to calculate the number of APs for a mesh is useful:
EXAMPLE: Calculate the number of APs required for enterprise grade coverage (10Mbps throughput)
in a 100,000 square feet coverage area that is 25% line of sight/ cubicle, 50% dry wall and wood, and
25% concrete and tile.
STEP 1: Use the calculator on the Big Dogs Portal or to calculate the ideal number of APs.
From the Number of APs Required table = 20 APs
STEP 2: There are only 10 Ethernet drops available due to building considerations and some outdoor
coverage requirements. Therefore the RAP:MAP ratio is 10:20, or 50%. Using the AP Multiplier to
Account for Mesh table, because 50% is between 40% and 60%, the more conservative (higher is more
conservative) AP Multiplier of 1.6 is chosen.
# of APs = 20 x 1.6 = 32 APs (10 RAP, and 22 MAP)
Placement and Layout Considerations
Utilize two or more RAPs: To prevent having a single point-of-failure, it is always best to have 2
or more RAPs so that there are alternate paths back to the wired network. In the example above, the
number of RAPs should be increased from 1 to 2 to meet this best practice.
More roots are better: the more Roots in the design, the higher the performance. Therefore, as far
as possible, try to wire as many APs as is convenient.
Design for max 3 hops: Avoid an excessive number of hops in your mesh topology. In general, the
goal should be to have the lowest number of hops, provided other considerations (like Signal >=
25%) are met. Limiting the number of hops to 3 or less is best practice.
Place a Root towards the middle of a coverage area to minimize the # hops required to reach some
MAPs.
If there are multiple Roots, ensure that the Roots are distributed evenly throughout the coverage
area (not clumped up close together in one area). Of course, the whole purpose of mesh is to
Number of APs required (all Root)
Square Feet:
# APs Needed Internet
Grade (Throughput 1Mbps):
# APs Needed Enterprise
Grade (Throughput 10Mbps)
10,000
4
5
20,000
4
6
50,000
5
11
100,000
9
20
200,000
15
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AP Multiplier to Account for Mesh
RAP:MAP Ratio:
AP Multiplier:
20%
1.8
40%
1.6
60%
1.5
80%
1.3
100%
1.0
Summary of Contents for NXA-WAPZD1000
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