Locating wireless access points

[randallnhopkirk]

I'm looking to AMX control my home using a wi-fi wireless control panel, but this means I need to get wireless network coverage right around the place. The ideal solution seems to be wireless access points above the ceiling in major rooms but since I have plasterboard ceilings this presents an issue. ie. how to get ongoing access in case of failure.

What's the usual way around this? Do you cut access panels in the ceilings or just locate the WAPs somewhere below ceiling. Must be difficult to hide all the cables etc?

[ntslik]

Originally Posted by randallnhopkirk

I'm looking to AMX control my home using a wi-fi wireless control panel, but this means I need to get wireless network coverage right around the place. The ideal solution seems to be wireless access points above the ceiling in major rooms but since I have plasterboard ceilings this presents an issue. ie. how to get ongoing access in case of failure.

What's the usual way around this? Do you cut access panels in the ceilings or just locate the WAPs somewhere below ceiling. Must be difficult to hide all the cables etc?

You would normally situate all the control units within one location and then depending on distance use the Panel to control using the wi-fi of the AMX for control, what products are you looking at?.

AMX is a very complex system, are you aware of whats involved

Cheers

Neil

[randallnhopkirk]

Hi,

Not sure what you mean by locate all the control units in one place - are you talking about the WAPs or the AMX processor + source gear? It's because I want to get coverage right around the house that I want to put a WAP in every other room or so.

Pretty well up on the AMX side of things thanks, I used to be an AMX programmer! Mind you, that was in the day of cardframes and EL panels - all this Netlinx stuff is a new challenge. Should be fun though.

[The Dude]

Are you talking standard WiFi access points here?


The installed antennae on all APs are just about useless, a cheap upgrade to a decent omni-directional should give you pretty much full house coverage from a single AP, unless you live in a castle obviously..

Do you have something to test connectivity with, say a laptop?

I'd UG the Antennae on your existing AP ( if possible) and give that a try before you start cutting any holes....

Have a look at the ones here: Solwise

You could maybe try the NET-WL-ANT-012CN, mounted high up in the roof and firing downwards, or just about any of the Omni-Directional if you're in a single floor building.. You should easily get full house coverage.

Something like a 8-10db Omni should be enough, and they're not pricey..

[randallnhopkirk]

Great, thank Dude. That seems to be a much wiser course of action than simply installing loads of standard WAPs.

[The Dude]

Everyone...

If you want a *very* good WAP for a fairly critical role such as this...

Ignore the cheap 'home' kit, and go for something like the NetGear WG302

This is professional quality kit, It's 'plenum rated' so designed and guaranteed to be fit and forget...

Perfect for mounting up in lofts etc, I have some myself used in a fairly interesting wireless bridge , and these are all you'll ever need for home use.
108mb capable without any modification, Detachable Dual Antenna, and an absolutely superb (unique?) 'Bridge&Access Point' mode that really does work! These are every bit as reliable, and secure, as the £800-£1000 Cisco WAPs I manage at work.

Get one.

[randallnhopkirk]

I'll be taking you up on that recommendation. Don't forget to collect your commission from Netgear..

[The Dude]

I was using the Netgear 'plastic' £65 range before, the WG302 is worth ten times more for my particular installation at least , let alone double.. ;-)

[Dominic]

randallnhopkirk

have a look at NETSTUMBLER.

install it on a laptop and after you have located a single or multiple AP's then have a strole round your house and netstumbler will give you a realtime output showing signal strength for each room, This way you can lash up a couple of AP's, IE one upstairs and one down, and then check the total coverage for the property. netstumbler will show the AP's regardless of whether you are connected to the AP. ( ie you dont have to spend ages setting up your WiFi network just to test potential coverage)
As a tip you might want to install enough AP's to overlap the coverage so if one fails then you still have a connection.