topic Re: ZoneFlex 7372 AP TX power tuning in Access Points - Indoor and Outdoor

ZoneFlex 7372 AP TX power tuning

yuval_ben_ari_6 — Tue, 31 May 2016 15:32:45 GMT

We are using ZD1100 + ZF7372 AP's
We noticed that our WiFi network can be discovered also outside of our office.
I checked the TX power setting and it is set to auto, however I can see that all AP are actually operating at Full.
How can I know if it makes sense to reduce the power and to which setting? and that it will not impact clients performance?
We have quite a good coverage and I estimate that all clients are within 10 meters or less from an AP with no major interference in the way.

Re: ZoneFlex 7372 AP TX power tuning

michael_brado — Tue, 31 May 2016 17:25:46 GMT

I don't know your full topography, but if you identify the APs which are along your building perimeter,
you can create an AP Group, and lower the 2.4G and 5G radio Tx power from Full to -3/half or -6/quarter
power thru the antennas. Following such an adjustment, you need to confirm that all employees still
have adequate throughput and coverage, but this will reduce the energy transmitting thru the walls to
your parking lot, neighboring businesses, etc.

Re: ZoneFlex 7372 AP TX power tuning

yuval_ben_ari_6 — Tue, 31 May 2016 17:35:08 GMT

Thanks. For now I have set all AP's to -3/half and will follow up on performane impact.
I am just wodering what does the "auto" setting really do, as I have seen that all AP's remain on Full when auto is set...

Re: ZoneFlex 7372 AP TX power tuning

rob_krumm — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 10:13:42 GMT

Hi Yuval,

You can set the power limits to lower values to reduce coverage outdoors, but this is really just security by obfuscation. A dedicated intruder will simply use a high gain antenna pointed at your building and will be able to easily pick up your wi-fi signal even once you have lowered it.

I strongly recommend implementing a robust security network for your deployment. I don't know what security you are using now but it would be best practise to make sure you are using WPA2 with AES and if you are using a Pre-Shared Key, then make sure it is a strong password not susceptible to dictionary attacks. Alternatively look at D-PSK or even 802.1X with EAP-TLS / EAP-TTLS / PEAPv0-MSCHAPv2 if security is a big concern to your organisation.

Rob.

Re: ZoneFlex 7372 AP TX power tuning

yuval_ben_ari_6 — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 11:32:56 GMT

Hi Rob,

I did make myself clear enough but the concern was not from a security point of view but from a health concern point of view, in the sense that the radio might have been transmittng stronger than necesary.
We already use strong security as those you mentioned.

Thanks
Yuval

Re: ZoneFlex 7372 AP TX power tuning

michael_brado — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 16:09:19 GMT

Hi Yuval,

I can assure you that WiFi RF is not a hazard to human health. And I quote,
http://www.ecx.co.za/pdfs/mpe-limits-safety-testing.pdf

Ruckus Wireless products employ IEEE 802.11 radio technologies which are categorized by wireless
regulators as "Low-Power" and/or "Short-Range Devices". Ruckus Wireless products, like all wireless
products, are required to be independently tested for compliance with national regulatory and health and
safety standards. As part of the compliance testing, products are evaluated to ensure full compliance with
IEC/EN62311 and OET-65 guidelines for human exposure for radio frequencies and electromagnetic
fields.

However people should adhere to the '6-inch' rule, issued by a number of organisations, including the British
Heart Foundation (http://goo.gl/2az7Q) and manufacturers of Wi-Fi products, like Apple, that basically says
you shouldn't put any wireless or electrical device, or strong magnets closer than 15cm or 6-inches to your
pacemaker.

Re: ZoneFlex 7372 AP TX power tuning

yuval_ben_ari_6 — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 16:23:53 GMT

Thanks