Aruba IAP install - Issues

[johbreaking]

Thursday and Friday last week we have recently just installed some new IAP 515 to replace the ageing Ruckus system we had. Very small school with 6 classrooms and then 3 offices. Each classroom had a Ruckus AP in and then the offices are just next to 3 of the classrooms. We took out the Ruckus system and replaced with the IAP and now all of a sudden in some of the offices where we had 3 bars of signal I only get 1 or no wifi at all, I walk into the classroom and i get full bars. As a test I plugged the Ruckus AP in with a new SSID and the signal worked straight away whereas the Aruba was 1 bar again.

 

I am no wifi expert but how is my 12 year old Ruckus system out performing my new Aruba's? The Head and Business manager are already questioning the decision for replacing as it has got worse. Hoping I have missed something but any solutions?

[snagrat]

Potentially your old system was only 2.4Ghz and the new is 5Ghz.

2.4Ghz will travel further and will penetrate was better.

 

Have you taken this up with who install the system?

Edited November 24, 2024 by snagrat

[ColonelPanic]

What snagrat said ^^

 

You can easily test it by logging into the web GUI, selecting Configuration > Networks on the left, hit advanced options at the bottom, expand the 802.11 entry, and select 2.4GHz under band.

 

We had to enable it in one of our IT rooms, as some of our new (2022) PCs had much better performance on 2.4GHz rather than 5Ghz. This was due to a combination of terrible network cards, broken antennas, and a questionable AP location.

[Net-Ctrl]

One thing to consider - if not done so already - The 515 needs PoE+ for full functionality - your older Ruckus APs were very likely on PoE - I assume you have checked your POE budget on switches?

 

Whilst the AP would work on POE you would get limited functionality which may explain performance loss.

 

What was the Ruckus AP you replaced?

[johbreaking]

What snagrat said ^^

 

You can easily test it by logging into the web GUI, selecting Configuration > Networks on the left, hit advanced options at the bottom, expand the 802.11 entry, and select 2.4GHz under band.

 

We had to enable it in one of our IT rooms, as some of our new (2022) PCs had much better performance on 2.4GHz rather than 5Ghz. This was due to a combination of terrible network cards, broken antennas, and a questionable AP location.

 

Is there a way of disabling the 5ghz band completely?

[Primus]

Is there a way of disabling the 5ghz band completely?

 

Not a good idea - it sounds like you might want some more support with this - did you do the work yourself or pay a contractor?

[johbreaking]

Not a good idea - it sounds like you might want some more support with this - did you do the work yourself or pay a contractor?

 

I did the work, swapping out 6 AP's for brand new ones didn't seem like ws going to be the hardest job in the world.

[Primus]

I did the work, swapping out 6 AP's for brand new ones didn't seem like ws going to be the hardest job in the world.

 

There's so many things it could be that us diagnosing it on here is going to be really difficult - have you tried Aruba support?

 

Are you experienced with WiFi or is this the first time you've done anything like this?

[psydii]

Deja vu?

 

https://www.edugeek.net/forums/wireless-networks/229570-aruba-515-poor-wifi.html

 

It wouldn't surprise me if 802.11ax cell size is smaller and more subject to attenuation than than that of a late-gen 802.11n access point. Can you disable ax and force the APs to ac/ng only? (probably achieved by disabling the MCS 10 and 11 data rates). Pushing all the radio chains at 1024QAM draws way more power than 802.11n radios, so it follows (well kinda, in my mind anyway) that you may get reduced range.

 

Also wasn't Ruckus' main selling point its (to paraphrase) magic aerials that allowed it use one AP when other vendors required two (or three)?

 

That said our 802.11ac Aruba network has 25% fewer aps than our previous (first-gen) 802.11n network, so YMMV.

 

Quick question - do you have your APs mounted on the ceiling or on a wall?