Tx Power

[BeachGuy]

I have 2 story 3500 sq ft house with main router GT-AX6000, another GT-AX6000 in MoCA wired backhaul (2.5GbE) AiMesh mode, and an RT-AX58U in 5GHz wireless AiMesh backhaul mode. I want to ensure best client handoff, currently Tx Power is "Performance". Is that the correct setting or should it be lower so clients steer to the nearest AP or doesn't it matter? Thanks

 

[Ripshod]

Suck it and see. The best way to find out what's best for your network and devices is to test it yourself.
I would, however, suggest trying the 'balanced' setting first and working from there.

 

[dave14305]

Suck it and see.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I have 2 story 3500 sq ft house with main router GT-AX6000, another GT-AX6000 in MoCA wired backhaul (2.5GbE) AiMesh mode, and an RT-AX58U in 5GHz wireless AiMesh backhaul mode. I want to ensure best client handoff, currently Tx Power is "Performance". Is that the correct setting or should it be lower so clients steer to the nearest AP or doesn't it matter? Thanks

It matters, but I suspect the typical single-family residential user would prefer max Tx power to help cover outdoor living areas (subject to client Tx power). If you hold max Tx power, then you would want to set the node-to-node distance to some formula...

My formula... deploy node high, in the clear, in range of router 5.0 radio (star topology)... not too far (<-74dBm RSSI)... not too near (>-55dBm RSSI)... not too many... and not low/behind/obstructed by materials that attenuate/block WiFi frequencies.

By this formula, the sweetspot node-to-node 5.0 power level is ~-64dBm RSSI. If physical constraints require moving nodes closer together, then you might want to consider reducing Tx power to maintain an obviously much stronger signal choice for the roaming client as it approaches a node... this would also reduce coverage outside and onto neighboring property.

The numbers may vary for your radio/space conditions, but I think the general idea holds.

OE

 

[degrub]

Typically, signal power in the azimuth will be weaker at a given distance than polar. So holding the antennas (internal on the case or external projecting) will change the received signal power. We don't get to see the ASUS plots though. The clients may hear the radio, but not have the strength for the AP radio to hear the client well. So this is where the SMB approach of more APs on lower power comes into play. The ASUS and other consumer APs may not offer enough power reduction as they were designed for a different intent. Note that on ASUS at least, reducing power to the lower levels is reputed to reduce the throughput as the radio goes from 2x2 to 1x1.

You can also use the obstructions to help reduce signal as well. Putting an AP in a closet may be just right

i have a similar size space and function well with 4 APs on 5Ghz only. They are CISCO SMB though and the power is very low on a couple.

 

[BeachGuy]

Man you guys made it complicated. Of course I was hoping for "set it to..." I think I'll try @Ripshod's idea of starting at "balanced" and going from there...

 

[OzarkEdge]

Of course I was hoping for "set it to..."

If you don't put too many APs in too small an area (you have three in ~1750 sq ft), and you spread them far enough apart (~-64dBm RSSI), you can use the default settings.

My two APs are 77 ft apart and cover 2 acres, more or less.

OE

 

[BeachGuy]

If you don't put too many APs in too small an area (you have three in ~1750 sq ft), and you spread them far enough apart (~-64dBm RSSI), you can use the default settings.

My two APs are 77 ft apart and cover 2 acres, more or less.

OE

The RT-AX58U is -60 dBm

 

[OzarkEdge]

The RT-AX58U is -60 dBm

That's one AP-to-AP distance... you have three.

OE

 

[BeachGuy]

The other is MoCA wired backhaul (2.5GbE)

 

[OzarkEdge]

The other is MoCA wired backhaul (2.5GbE)

Yes, you said that earlier... most APs are wired. But that does not change the requirement to distribute and manage APs according to their WiFi coverage... if you want your wireless clients to roam and connect optimally.

OE

 

[degrub]

Measure the signal power at various important areas and create a "heat" map of the AP coverage for each AP radio. Do it one AP at a time.. You can use something like Apple Airport Utility ( change settings to allow wifi scan) to obtain values if you have an IOS device.