I have a wifi network setup in my company’s office, which I would like to optimize, as sometimes I get complaints that the wifi is very slow, or is not really working at all. I have noticed it myself, loading websites on wifi takes forever, but if I shut off the wifi, the website loads normally on 4G.
- I don’t really know how to analyze the network to assure it is optimally configured.
- I don’t know how to really troubleshoot what is going on when users complain.
Any help with those two issue would be greatly appreciated. I have a mix of AP One and AP Rugged, using the Peplink InControl web portal
hey, thanks for posting this buddy!!
i am also looking for the same and an easy guide for router access. Can anyone help??
thanks in advance.
best regards!
@mldowling knows a thing or two about this stuff - more than me for sure.
Personally I install wifi survey tools (free ones) on my phone and just walk about to see whats going on. Then fine tune TX power on the APs to manage their coverage areas and try and reduce wifi channel usage overlap.
Peplink do have a clever device called an airprobe that is worth a look https://download.peplink.com/resources/pepwave_airprobe_datasheet.pdf
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Hi,
as Martin said. I also use my Smart-Phone at first.
You have to check
- Signal strength
- Noise Signals (other WiFis, Microwaves …)
- Check the Connection of the AP (using a notebook instead of the AP on the same cable)
- use iperf on a wired computer and iperf on a wifi computer (or nperf with a smartphone)
the iperf-test will show yaou the real throughput.
Ofcourse you can use AirProbe as well. If it’s important to have WiFi, you can monitor your WiFi with AirProbe 7/24
Regards
Dennis
Hello @mlynch1958,
Radio signals of which Wi-Fi operates on may seem like simple things, though are very complex due to the effects of so many environmental impacts (be that human-made or nature), radio waves also behave in very different ways depending on their frequency.
Here is a couple of tips:
- Do not run your WAPs at full power (that goes for any brand). Run them at 50% to 75%. Running at full potential is like screaming into a microphone, you distort the signal plus it makes everything work harder. We usually find a single WAP running at lower power levels often performs better. Going for distance with a higher power level is not the best idea.
- In the Peplink WAPs we also adjust the allowable signal limits, most people are not aware that the worst performing device connected to your WAP can drag down the entire WAP.
- Get a professionally done Wi-Fi Survey/assessment of the location.
When you are using external antennas on any of the WAP, there is a large amount involved in correctly choosing an antenna system that will deliver the most suitable outcomes for your applications.
Most wireless (be that cellular/mobile or Wi-Fi) antenna system for MIMO work best with an out of phase antenna array (+/- 45 Degrees of the vertical), meaning you can have a very tightly packed antenna with exceptional performance. The cabling system needs to be 50 Ohm impedance (not 75 Ohm as used for Terrestrial TV & most MATV systems). The quality of the cable system can make just as significant impact as a quality antenna; we run over 50-meter cable runs for some of our clients and get excellent results as we supply a professionally designed fit for purpose solutions.
We suggest that you contact your local Authorised Peplink Partner for specialised assistance.
Your local Certified Peplink Partner can help you with a copy of the Antenna Selection Guide for Peplink Partners, this is a detailed guide and is only available to the Peplink Partners so to ensure that you get help in working through it to get the most suitable antenna solution to your application.
Remember that the majority of these systems are MIMO (Multi-In, Multi-Out), so you must ensure you use antennas and cabling that are suitable for the application.
Happy to Help,
Marcus 
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I had the same problem… thank you for the solution
Hi mldowling,
Thanks for getting back to me, and being so thorough. I appreciate the info. I had a couple questions about your suggestions:
- Where do I set the power limits? I am using the InControl2 Cloud controller to administer my devices, but can’t seem to find where I can set power settings.
- Same goes for the signal limits. Where do I configure them.
- I use the out-of-the-box AP One Rugged. Is there some other/add-on antenna I should be using?
- Do Peplink Partners do Wifi Surveys or assessments? IS there an online guide to Wifi surveys and assessments for DIY? Do you suggest any particular firm?
Thanks again for your response.
Michael
Hello @mlynch1958,
You can change the settings for the radio power in the “Group wide Radio Settings”
This is an example of what can be done on differing models.
With the AP One Rugged, this requires all three antennas to be connected, the three antennas must be of the same capacity and equal cable length, the antennas need to be mounted within one meter of each other. 99% of the time we use the antennas that come with the AP One Rugged.
Peplink them selves do not do Wi-Fi surveys, some Peplink Partners do (such as ourselves), you can ask you local Peplink Partner if they do RF & Wi-Fi Surveys, if they don’t, then most likely they have an arrangement with some who can do it (note that RF Wi-Fi Surveys are time intensive and costly).
Happy to Help,
Marcus
Marcus,
Thanks for all your help. I noticed on the InControl2 that there isn’t a percentage available in the Power Settings. Just Max, High, Medium, Low, Custom. You suggested AP’s at 50 -75%. Would that be Medium and High?
Also, you gave general directions about adjusting the allowable signal limits. Do you have baseline figures for that?
Thanks,
MIchael
