Forum

I like how folks still refuse to look at the entire 'capacity' issue. "Coverage is Easy" is my worn out quote. It's getting the wireless network to actually perform to expectations, now that is much more difficult.

How many VoIP phones, where are they concentrated, is coverage supposed to include parking garages, helipads, kitchens, elevators, stairwells, basements? Who's VPN system, where are the concentrators. How many videos streams, where are they concentrated.

How can any 'sane' Wireless LAN Professional even start on this project without knowing what the expectations are? It's the bane of Wireless LAN design. When the folks writing the RFP don't know what they really want, they just want 'coverage', but then post install they'll start complaining when the wireless network doesn't meet their expectations.

And another pet peeve, why is Mesh the instant answer when folks talk about outdoors? This is a campus, they have buildings - why use a Mesh when you can have fiber/copper to an AP *inside* their buildings. Fiber/Copper is ALWAYS more efficient and less expensive than any Mesh. If you have it, why go directly to the Mesh answer. (Other than vendor sales folks like to get commissions on expensive Mesh installs)

Why not just 'go for gold' and ask for RTLS at the same time.

We, as Wireless LAN Professionals, *must* start to 'push back' and demand full disclosure of everything our clients really want out of their wireless LANs. Not just settle for their 'coverage everywhere' mantra. But really ask the hard questions, and refuse to design/install wireless LANs for coverage only.

Gone are the days when just getting RSSI somewhere is sufficient. People are demanding their wireless networks actually work. And the only way to do that is to actually design with the end in mind. Design FOR a specific requirement -- thus we *must* know what those specific requirements are.

Again, "Coverage is Easy" - but getting a working wireless network that actually meets all the design specs is difficult. And impossible to meet if you can't quantify, up front, what those design specs are. You also *must* be able to measure and verify your wireless network meets/exceeds those specifications after installation.

Yep - another one of Keith's little tirades. But I'm just a wee bit frustrated by trying to explain to the Certified Magazine Readers out there that you can't always get what you want. There are truly 'laws of physics' involved - and they have to committ to what they want their wireless network to be measured/desgined for *before* the design process starts.

Whew...

Keith