Before you deploy WatchGuard APs on your network, you must research, design, and plan your wireless network deployment to make sure it meets your requirements for coverage, capacity and airtime demand, and security.
There are two primary considerations when you plan your wireless deployment:
Coverage planning
Traditional coverage planning examines your physical environment where the wireless network will be deployed and the different factors that can affect your wireless signal power, range, and attenuation.
Coverage planning provides:
- Optimal frequency usage and location of access points
- Determination of transmit power levels
- Prevents channel interference
- Examination of floor plans, physical obstructions, and building materials
Capacity planning
Previously, wireless deployment was focused primarily with coverage planning and making sure that wireless networks were available and had strong signals in all physical areas of your environment.
With so many different types of wireless devices and applications now in use, airtime utilization and demand from your clients is now the prime factor of wireless deployment planning. Simply having access to a wireless network and a strong signal does mean the wireless network has the capacity to process many connections consisting of email, web, audio, video, photos, games, and social media from multiple wireless devices.
Deployment Best Practices and Guidelines
We recommend that you review these sections for general wireless knowledge and guidelines for a successful deployment.
- Wireless Capacity and Airtime Demand — Determine the optimal number of clients per radio, including idle and active clients, airtime demand for wireless application traffic, and plan for capacity expansion.
- Site Survey — Perform a wireless site survey to analyze your current environment and wireless requirements.
- Wireless Modes and Channels — Determine which wireless modes and channels you support for your wireless clients.
- Wireless Environment Factors — Identify environmental factors that can affect the range and performance of wireless networks.
- AP Placement — Determine the best location and placement of your WatchGuard APs.
- Wireless Deployment Maps — Use the Wireless Deployment Maps feature on the Gateway Wireless Controller to help deploy your WatchGuard APs, check signal strength, and resolve channel conflicts.
Wireless Capacity and Airtime Demand
Determine the optimal number of clients per radio, including idle and active clients, airtime utilization for wireless application traffic, and plan for capacity expansion. For more information, go to Wireless Capacity and Airtime Demand Planning.
Wireless Site Survey
Perform a wireless site survey to analyze your current environment and wireless requirements.
For more information, go to Wireless Site Survey.
Wireless Modes and Channels
Determine which wireless modes and channels you support for your wireless clients.
For more information, go to Wireless Modes and Channels.
Wireless Environment Factors
Identify environmental factors that can affect the range and performance of wireless networks.
For more information, go to Wireless Environmental Factors.
Wireless Signal Strength and Noise Levels
Understand wireless signal strength and signal-to-noise ratios.
For more information, go to Wireless Signal Strength and Noise Levels.
WatchGuard AP Placement
Determine the best location and placement of your WatchGuard APs.
For more information, go to Wireless Placement.
Wireless Deployment Maps
Use the Wireless Deployment Maps feature on the Gateway Wireless Controller to help deploy your WatchGuard APs, check signal strength, and resolve channel conflicts. For more information, go to View Wireless Deployment Maps.