Wireless Best Practices - Revision history

HooperJM: Hid obsolete files until new ones can be created

2026-05-14T21:53:17Z

Hid obsolete files until new ones can be created

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:53, 14 May 2026
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	\|203 m²		\|203 m²
	\|}		\|}
			<!--
	Examples of wireless heat maps showing AP placements are provided below. Green circles indicate approximate AP installation locations. For each building design selected, a base and expanded wireless coverage example has been provided.		Examples of wireless heat maps showing AP placements are provided below. Green circles indicate approximate AP installation locations. For each building design selected, a base and expanded wireless coverage example has been provided.

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	'''Base Coverage ~ 4,768ft²/443m² per wireless access point'''		'''Base Coverage ~ 4,768ft²/443m² per wireless access point'''
	[[File:Heat map for Legacy expanded.png\|none\|thumb]]		[[File:Heat map for Legacy expanded.png\|none\|thumb]]
	'''Expanded Coverage ~ 3,971ft²/369m² per wireless access point'''		'''Expanded Coverage ~ 3,971ft²/369m² per wireless access point'''
			-->

HooperJM: Updated the table for Example AP Placement to reflect recommendations based on current hardware. The drastic change is reflective of differences between 2.4 and 5 and 6 GHz bands.

2025-11-20T20:34:24Z

Updated the table for Example AP Placement to reflect recommendations based on current hardware. The drastic change is reflective of differences between 2.4 and 5 and 6 GHz bands.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:34, 20 November 2025
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	== '''Example AP Placement''' ==		== '''Example AP Placement''' ==
	Below are general guidelines for how much area a single AP can support, based on two different wall material types:		Below are general guidelines for how much area a single AP can support, based on two different wall material types: (Updated Nov 20, 2025 to match current hardware specs)
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|'''Material'''		\|'''Material'''
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	\|-		\|-
	\|Cinder Block Wall		\|Cinder Block Wall
	\|4,~~467ft²~~		\|2,092 ft²
	\|~~415m²~~		\|194 m²
	\|-		\|-
	\|Drywall		\|Drywall
	\|5,~~113ft²~~		\|2,187 ft²
	\|~~475m²~~		\|203 m²
	\|}		\|}
	Examples of wireless heat maps showing AP placements are provided below. Green circles indicate approximate AP installation locations. For each building design selected, a base and expanded wireless coverage example has been provided.		Examples of wireless heat maps showing AP placements are provided below. Green circles indicate approximate AP installation locations. For each building design selected, a base and expanded wireless coverage example has been provided.

Brandg423: Added a breadcrumb

2022-06-22T19:10:28Z

Added a breadcrumb

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:10, 22 June 2022
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			> [[Meetinghouse Technology]] > [[Meetinghouse Networking]]



	Poor wireless access point (AP or WAP) installation can degrade the speed and performance of the wireless network. Below are some “best practices” to consider when installing a wireless network in a building. It is understood that not all buildings are the same and the recommendations below may not be practical in all buildings.		Poor wireless access point (AP or WAP) installation can degrade the speed and performance of the wireless network. Below are some “best practices” to consider when installing a wireless network in a building. It is understood that not all buildings are the same and the recommendations below may not be practical in all buildings.

Bretbassett: Bretbassett moved page User:Brandg423/Wireless Best Practices to Wireless Best Practices: Go live

2022-05-24T15:53:17Z

Bretbassett moved page User:Brandg423/Wireless Best Practices to Wireless Best Practices: Go live

← Older revision	Revision as of 15:53, 24 May 2022
(No difference)

Bretbassett: Moved Wireless Best Practices from MHTech to Tech Wiki

2022-05-19T16:00:05Z

Moved Wireless Best Practices from MHTech to Tech Wiki

New page

Poor wireless access point (AP or WAP) installation can degrade the speed and performance of the wireless network. Below are some “best practices” to consider when installing a wireless network in a building. It is understood that not all buildings are the same and the recommendations below may not be practical in all buildings.

== '''Mounting Considerations''' ==
Mounting APs to the ceiling where they are visible and the wires run above the ceiling is preferred (see diagram 1). If APs cannot be installed in this manner due to security or other considerations, mount APs above the ceiling in the attic space ''facing down'' (see diagram 2). Do not mount APs on top of a desk, shelf, or similar type of surface.
[[File:Wireless Best Practice img 1.png|none|thumb|375x375px]]
'''Diagram 1:''' Ceiling Mounted Example
[[File:Wireless Best Practice img 2.png|none|thumb|319x319px]]
'''Diagram 2:''' Attic Mounted Example

Three primary factors impact the number of APs required within a meetinghouse:

# '''Building Material—'''Dense building material, such as brick and concrete, will impede the wireless signal more than materials such as drywall. Buildings with thicker internal building materials may require more APs to provide sufficient wireless coverage.
# '''Building Size—'''The larger the area requiring wireless coverage, the more APs will be needed. APs have a limited coverage area that is decreased by environmental conditions such as building materials, as noted above. The farther away a device is from an AP, the slower the connection will be between the device and the AP.
# '''Devices—'''The number of devices connected to a single AP and the type of traffic generated by those devices will greatly impact wireless performance. Members should be encouraged to use the wireless network only for Church purposes and to disconnect from the network when they are not using it. To optimize performance, APs should be installed in or near rooms that will have the most devices connected to the wireless network.

Other mounting recommendations and considerations include mounting APs in the following areas:

* In areas free from physical barriers such as metal structures, pipes, beams, air conditioning ducts, and so forth.
** As noted above, when mounting near ductwork or metal structures, mount the APs so they are facing down, away from the ductwork.
* Inside offices or classrooms where possible, as opposed to hallways.
** The Meraki MR33 will increase power and extend its range when there aren’t other APs nearby. By placing APs so they are not in direct line of sight in hallways, it forces the AP to power up to find the next closest AP. If APs are run only in hallways, they will see each other too easily and will power down their coverage.
* Near principle teaching and administrative areas, such as Relief Society rooms, elders quorum rooms, and bishop's and clerk’s offices.
* At least 10 feet (3 meters) from signal-emitting devices, such as microwaves, fluorescent lights, electric fans, cordless phones, and building automation equipment.
** These devices emit a wireless signal that can degrade AP performance.
* In clean, climate-controlled locations to increase the operational life of the APs.
* Less than 300 feet (91 meters) from a network switch or firewall.
* In locations that are accessible for future troubleshooting and support.
* Away from the exterior walls of the building to increase coverage within the building.
** Note that the MR33 emits a spherical pattern, connecting with devices in all directions. Take this into account when making decisions about placement locations.
* At standard ceiling levels of 10 feet (3 meters).
** Placing APs in vaulted ceilings makes them less effective because of extreme distances to connecting devices and makes them difficult to access for future troubleshooting and support.

'''NOTE:''' If physical security is an issue, mount the AP in a location that is not visible from the outside of the building.

Also, when the ISP modem has APs built in, be sure the modem AP is turned off, as it can create instability in the system.

Wireless is also impacted by the rest of the network infrastructure, such as the firewall, switches, and cabling. For current network infrastructure standards, visit the “Networking Hardware” section of Meetinghouse Tech.

== '''Example AP Placement''' ==
Below are general guidelines for how much area a single AP can support, based on two different wall material types:
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Material'''
|'''Square Feet'''
|'''Meters'''
|-
|Cinder Block Wall
|4,467ft²
|415m²
|-
|Drywall
|5,113ft²
|475m²
|}
Examples of wireless heat maps showing AP placements are provided below. Green circles indicate approximate AP installation locations. For each building design selected, a base and expanded wireless coverage example has been provided.

* '''Base Coverage:''' Provides minimal coverage required per building design to be usable in all parts of the building. If usage is high, areas of the building with minimal coverage may become unusable.
* '''Expanded Coverage:''' Provides increased wireless capacity throughout the building. This may be used when minimal coverage has proven insufficient in the past.

=== '''Carter Building Design with Cinder Block Walls''' ===
[[File:Heat map for Carter.png|frameless]]

'''Base Coverage ~ 4,488ft²/417m² per wireless access point'''
[[File:Heat map for Carter expanded.png|none|thumb]]
'''Expanded Coverage ~ 3,595ft²/334m² per wireless access point'''

=== '''Fairmont Building Design with Cinder Block Walls''' ===
[[File:Heat map for Fairmont.png|none|thumb]]
'''Base Coverage ~ 4,542ft²/422m² per wireless access point'''
[[File:Heat map for Fairmont expanded.png|none|thumb]]
'''Expanded Coverage ~ 3,767ft²/350m² per wireless access point'''

=== '''Cody Building Design with Drywall''' ===
[[File:Heat map for Cody.png|none|thumb]]
'''Base Coverage ~ 5,113ft²/475m² per wireless access point'''
[[File:Heat map for Cody expanded.png|none|thumb]]
'''Expanded Coverage ~ 4,251ft²/395m² per wireless access point'''

=== '''Sage Building Design with Drywall''' ===
[[File:Heat Map for Sage.png|none|thumb]]
'''Base Coverage ~ 5,242ft²/487m² per wireless access point'''
[[File:Heat map for Sage expanded.png|none|thumb]]
'''Expanded Coverage ~ 3,928ft²/365m² per wireless access point'''

=== '''Legacy Building Design with Drywall''' ===
[[File:Heat map for Legacy.png|none|thumb]]
'''Base Coverage ~ 4,768ft²/443m² per wireless access point'''
[[File:Heat map for Legacy expanded.png|none|thumb]]
'''Expanded Coverage ~ 3,971ft²/369m² per wireless access point'''