MERU

We've been having great success again this year with Meru's wireless access solutions. The biggest advantage that Meru brings to the table is single channel deployment.

Most 802.11 wireless access solutions utilize a three channel deployement. Multiple access points installed in a facility each need to be on channels 1,6 or 11. There can be no overlap in coverage from AP's using the same channel. This means that the AP's have to be strategically placed so no AP using channel 1 can be near another AP using channel 1. The same goes for channels 6 and 11. This can make designing a solution challenging and adding to an exisiting system even more challenging.

Meru circumvents this problem with their single channel deployment. Unlike the 1,6 and 11 solutions where the AP's decide where you will be connected, Meru's decision points are made by the controller. This allows them to have a single channel throughout the building. As you move from one area to another, the controller moves you from one AP to another.

This is particulary important with 802.11n installations. 802.11n AP's provide significantly more range than 802.11a/b/g AP's. However, the coverage for N is very spikey compared to the a/b/g AP's. N signal bounces off walls giving more coverage, but weird coverage patterns. With the single channel deployment this is not an issue at all. If you have an area of weak coverage you just install another access point. If you are using a product without single channel deployment and want 802.11n AP's, it will become very difficult to get optimal coverage without designing and re-designing to avoid channel conflicts.

Check out our website, www.necomm.com , for more information on Meru if you are considering wireless access.