User Guide

Wireless Array
24 Installing the Wireless Array
Planning Your Installation
This section provides guidelines and examples to help you plan your Xirrus
Wireless Array deployment to achieve the best overall coverage and performance.
We recommend you conduct a site survey to determine the best location and
settings for each Array you install.
The following topics are discussed:
 “General Deployment Considerations” on page 24
 “Coverage and Capacity Planning” on page 26
 “IEEE 802.11n Deployment Considerations” on page 35
 “Failover Planning” on page 41
 “Power Planning” on page 44
 “Security Planning” on page 45
 “Port Requirements” on page 47
 “Network Management Planning” on page 51
 “WDS Planning” on page 52
 “Common Deployment Options” on page 55
General Deployment Considerations
The Wireless Array’s unique multi-radio architecture generates 360 degrees of
sectored high-gain 802.11a/b/g/n coverage that provides extended range.
However, the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings or other objects
that the wireless signals must pass through may affect the range. Typical ranges
vary depending on the types of materials and background RF (radio frequency)
noise at your location. To maximize wireless range, follow these basic guidelines:
1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the Array and your
receiving devices to a minimum — each wall or ceiling can reduce the
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For a complete discussion of implementing Voice over Wi-Fi on the Array,
see the Xirrus Voice over Wireless Application Note in the Xirrus
Resource Center.