Replace your hardware will not solve your signal strength.
It is not about how far an access point can transmit but more about how the client can transmit it back to the access point. The most important thing is to map the attenuation of your walls and properly place your access points with the correct transmit settings required by your mobile devices. There could be other reasons to replace your AP-300 WiFi-5 access points to WiFi-6 or WiFi-6E, but depends on your requirements.
Some basic WiFi principles for medium density office environments:
- AP distance 12 to 15 meter from each other.
- Deploy horizontal below ceiling in the office areas (avoid hallways deployment if you can).
- Place in Honeycomb pattern.
- 1e office, 3e office, 5e office, and so one....
- place AP's on different floor not above each other.
- max. 30 clients per radio (802.11ac design)
- Give priority for conferences rooms
- 2,4GHZ at min.6 max.9 dBM / 20MHZ channel width
- 5GHz at min.9 max. 15dBM (32mW) / 40MHZ channel width (or smaller if needed)
- disable lower basic/transmit rates, 12-54mbps (disable anything lower)
- Enable 802.11k/v/r
- MEASURE YOUR WALL ATTENUATION
I would advise you to hire a CWNA or Ekahau certified engineer to create a WiFi design.------------------------------
Marcel Koedijk | MVP Expert 2023 | ACEP | ACMP | ACCP | ACDP | Ekahau ECSE | Not an HPE Employee | Opinions are my own
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Original Message:
Sent: Jan 15, 2024 11:33 AM
From: onno
Subject: Aruba AP655 vs AP303
Agreed. While the 4x4 radios on the AP-655 may improve the uplink performance a bit (equivalent of 3dB better SNR is to be expected), the downlink signal strength is typically limited in terms of EIRP per regulatory rules. A 4x4 radio will not be able to transmit at a higher EIRP level (unless the rules allow the radio to operate without restrictions at the max capabilities of the hardware, which is unlikely).
BTW, I'm assuming the AP transmit power has already been maximized?
Original Message:
Sent: Jan 15, 2024 10:33 AM
From: chulcher
Subject: Aruba AP655 vs AP303
Changing APs isn't going to help that much, the better answer would be to do a proper wireless design and place the APs to provide the necessary coverage. A good Wi-Fi design will almost never call for all of the APs to be placed in halls or corridors.
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Carson Hulcher, ACEX#110
Original Message:
Sent: Jan 15, 2024 07:24 AM
From: yeowkm
Subject: Aruba AP655 vs AP303
I am currently 40-50 AP303 and AP505 in my building at different floors. 10-12 units at every floor.
the APs are installed at the common corridors right now.
i have received feedback from users that the WIFI signals are quite weak if they are inside the rooms with the door closed. eg mobile devices like ipads and tablets.
our reseller is proposing that we replaced that current AP303 with AP655 to boost the WIFI signals strength.
How much improvement can i get if we were to untake the tech refresh to replace the AP303 with AP655 ?
while waiting for them to provide us AP655 for testing for 1-2 weeks.