THE BAD-FI

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This WiFi is screwed up.

While on a site survey we came across this datacom closet. Looks like a new two post rack for every new 24 port switch. Then we noticed this AP placement–Held down by a package of drywall anchor screws to make sure it doesn’t float away.

via @802dotme

Another webinar to help keep you away from the “Bad-Fi” in your life.

Another webinar to help keep you away from the “Bad-Fi” in your life.

Mer-ific placement!— “More Points-of-Access, Pinky! To take over the world… WE. NEED. MORE!!!” SUBMITTED BY: @playinpearls

Mer-ific placement!

—

“More Points-of-Access, Pinky! To take over the world… WE. NEED. MORE!!!”

SUBMITTED BY: @playinpearls

APs in hallways is always a bad idea. Sometimes there's no other option and I get that. But, RF is a bit like water in that it will take the path of least resistance. A hallway basically becomes a tunnel for all the RF to pour into. What's left going into the rooms is typically not very good, low signal. 

Another reason against hallway placement is that it exacerbates CCI, especially in 2.4GHz. And it plays havok with a systems auto-RF features because the APa can here each other every well. APs may power down to try and avoid interference and then signal levels in rooms go down. 

By placing APs within rooms you use the building itself (walls, doors, furniture, etc) to your advantage by attenuating the signal and helping to reduce CCI. Another benefit of placing APs within room is your getting getting the signal where it's supposed to be - IN THE ROOMS. 

Mid you just place APs in hallways again try to use the building - insets where doors are, or other architectural features, to TRY and put some separation between APs. You could also use external antennas that are more directional to place the RF where you want it. Another option are APs that use beam-forming. That can help with CCI and getting the RF where you want it

The take aways here are

  • Try to get your RF as close to the clients as possible. 
  • Use the buildings structure to your advantage.  
  • Ue directional antennas where you can.  

You’re a Winner. Yay. 🎉

After much angst, hoopin’ and a hollerin’, it has been determined, by a carefully selected committee of me, that the winner of this amazingly-gorgeous, stupendously-awesome, Aruba Airheads Hat..

A hat.

 is none other than…

Ben.

🎉

yay. 

For this:

Redneck Weatherproofing

“REDNECK WEATHERPROOFING" 

So, Ben, contact me to claim your prize.

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How to be a bad wifi citizen: Put your hotspot on a 80MHz channel in 2.4. Bonus: Leave it on during the flight. pic.twitter.com/Ta2AVowuFs

— Ian Beyer (@ianbeyer)

August 4, 2015

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Someone needs to break this down to Evelyn.

Or, just stomp “Evelyn’s hotspot” into tiny, little peices.

Either way, I’m good.

Just kidding :-). This isn’t Evelyn’s fault. The fault lies with those *evil, greedy, unlicensed-frequency stomping, mobile carriers that INSIST on setting their default options to the WORST, POSSIBLE, SETTINGS!.

* Just to clarify those evil, greedy, disgusting, revolting, unlicensed-frequency stompers would be the likes of AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and their ilk.

You know, just to be clear.

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@HeyEddie quality airport AP mounting pic.twitter.com/66rR5diudU

— Shaun Neal (@sv_neal)

August 7, 2015

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Yes, Wi-Fi is EXACTLY like Magic Pixie Dust! You sprinkle a ‘lil over there, and a ‘lil over here, and Voila! Inter-webs at your service!

It’s a nice fairy-tale, but in reality Wi-Fi is “stuff”. Invisible, high-frequency stuff, mind you, but “stuff” none-the-less. That’s means it’s affected by other stuff like, oh, I don’t know GIANT, METAL, KIOSKS, maybe?

Metal AFFECTS radio frequencies. Water AFFECTS radio frequencies. Heck, PEOPLE affect wireless frequencies! 

Take care where you place your APs, and understand how the antennas propagate the RF signal. Even a base understanding of this would have kept this wonderful, little example of “Wireless Design” from happening.

Yeah, we could complain about TP-Link this, and Ubiquiti that, but properly designed and INSTALLED Wi-Fi solutions work pretty well in most situations.

AND GET YOURSELF ONE OF THESE. You’ll thank me. →

Well, AFTER you read it you’ll thank me.
No need to thank me now.
But, you will.
Go ahead - I’ll wait.

“Did You Have to Use Every. Single. Channel?” Why, Yes. Yes, We Did.

Ah, channels. Those infinitely reusable channels…. NOT!

No Wi-Fi for you!

NON-OVERLAPPING CHANNELS! ONLY use 1, 6, and 11!

NEVER, EVER user 40MHz channels in 2.4GHz!

THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!

THE FINE FOLKS @METAGEEK HAVE A SWELL LITTLE BLOGPOST THAT TALKS ABOUT THIS.

Please read it before you come back here.

You disgust me. 😘