Avaya AP201 User Manual

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Meru Networks WLAN Controllers with AP100, AP201, AP208 
Configuration Guide 
Field Verified 
 
Page 10 
Wireless IP Telephones 
Wireless IP telephones use voice over IP (VoIP) technology on IEEE 802.11b-compatible 
wireless local area networks (WLANs). Access points utilize radio frequencies to transmit 
signals to and from the wireless IP telephones. 
Access Point Capacity and Positioning 
Each site is unique in its AP requirements. Please take the following points into account when 
determining how many APs are needed and where they should be placed in the facility: 
Handset range 
There must be wireless LAN coverage wherever wireless IP telephones will be used. The 
typical range for a wireless IP telephone is comparable to that of a laptop computer utilizing a 
wireless LAN PC card. However, wireless IP telephones are likely to be used in areas where 
data devices are not typically used, such as stairwells and outdoor areas. Wireless IP 
telephones have a Site Survey mode that displays dBm levels to determine adequate WLAN 
coverage. Refer to the Wireless IP Telephone Installation and Configuration document for 
details about this feature. 
Number of handsets per access point 
Estimate the number of wireless IP telephones and their anticipated call volume per AP area 
to ensure that the maximum number of calls per AP will not be exceeded. In this estimate, 
consider the data rates at which the handsets will operate. Higher data rates can only be 
sustained while well within the range of the AP. If the wireless IP telephones will be operating 
near the limits of the RF coverage from the AP, they will automatically drop to 1 Mb/s 
operation. Wireless IP telephones require approximately 15% of the available bandwidth per 
call for 1 Mb/s operation, approximately 10% of the available bandwidth per call for 2 Mb/s 
operation, approximately 7% of the available bandwidth for 5.5 Mb/s operation, and 5% of 
available bandwidth for 11Mb/s operation. 
Note: the maximum number of telephone calls per AP quoted in the summary table above is 
based on 11 Mb/s operation, and will be reduced if some or all wireless IP telephones are 
operating at 1, 2, or 5.5 Mb/s. 
LAN bandwidth 
Estimate anticipated peak call volume to ensure that the LAN has enough bandwidth available 
to handle the network traffic generated by all of the wireless devices. Network traffic can be 
monitored/analyzed using a network sniffer or a simple network management protocol (SNMP) 
workstation. 
Number of other wireless devices per AP 
The wireless IP telephones share bandwidth with other wireless devices. To ensure adequate 
RF bandwidth availability, consider the number of wireless data devices in use per AP.