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  Asked: Jul 15 2008   8:53 PM GMT
  Asked by: Schmidtw

Wireless Camera Network Hopping


Wireless, Spanning Tree Protocol, WAP

Recently I installed a wireless network camera in a plant elevator. I am getting a relatively good signal but it jumps ever so often and reduces frame rate to about 1/5th of what it should be. The wireless network in the building spans 8 floors and is a single SSID being broadcasted. The make up of the building is especially harsh on wireless signals (a lot of metal, concrete, machinery, and other sources of interference). I have multiple WAPs configured with a 2 channel buffer inbetween to ensure that where the signals overlap the signals aren't confused and don't interfere with each other. I have heard some things about the Spanning Tree Protocol being bad for wireless hopping, but am not certain. I am thinking about buying separate switches for each floor that the WAPs plug into. These switches will feed into a firewall and then into the main backbone of the network.

Does anyone have any suggestions on improving the camera's ability to jump from WAP to WAP?

Does anyone know about the Spanning Tree Protocol and it's affect on wireless hopping?

Has anyone implemented a network plan as I described at the end of the above paragraph and how successful is it?

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Last Answered: Jul 15 2008  9:10 PM GMT  by Labnuke99




Your channels should be 1,6,11 at a minimum. They will not overlap. Two channel separation is too small. Spanning tree is a protocol that is more switch oriented than WAP oriented. I think your problem is 2-fold.... channels too close and also the building configuration. You should hire someone to do a good wireless spectrum survey and give you an idea about adequate coverage for the facility. This is a specialized area and is not one for just anyone to work on "by the seat of their pants". It would be money well spent and ensure the systems/services perform as desired.

You should definitely have switches on each floor unless you can ensure that the cable length does not exceed 100 meters between the client and the upstream switch.
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Schmidtw  |   Jul 15 2008  9:55PM GMT

Thanks for the info.

I have switches on each floor.

 

Schmidtw  |   Jul 16 2008  5:01PM GMT

Another detail I forgot to include is the fact that the elevator is an older style, metal cage, so it is not condusive at ALL to wireless signals.

I’m looking at NFSS DSSS and FHSS and at this point, I’m not certain which I should pursue for the wirless network camera located in the elevator.
Any suggestions?

 

Schmidtw  |   Jul 21 2008  12:14PM GMT

I’ve heard that DSSS is far more reliable, is much better for wireless hopping, and is faster because of its implementation. What I have read indicates this is only a viable solution for a 2MBps network, and I want much more, of course. Any suggestions? Is there a source for information like this that I haven’t yet found?

 

Schmidtw  |   Jul 28 2008  2:01PM GMT

I guess the point i was trying to bring out originally was kind of overlooked. I want to get a strong wireless signal into 8 floors of elevator shaft. Mounting points in the shaft are extremely limited. The best place to mount would be the cieling of the shaft, but about 2 feet above are generators and motors powering the elevators and they create a lot of magnetic and frequency-limiting fields.

 

Robert Stewart  |   Jul 29 2008  6:58PM GMT

I assume a sight survey was done before installation. You are correct the generators will produce unwanted interference along with the metal cage itself. I manage and maintain several locations around the country that use wireless access points in conjunction with Symbol MC9090g scan guns for shipping purposes, it seems the older the wharehouse the more problems we have. With that being said I have had good luck with my wireless infrastucture using a company called Ryzex Inc, you can google them they have always delivered when I was in need. They will of course ask if a site survey has been completed and will want one done if not already completed. Hope this will help you out.

 

Schmidtw  |   Jul 31 2008  4:31AM GMT

No official site survey has been done.

I will consider this option, But I think I have a workable solution. There is a retractable cable unit. If I run some cable there it should work fine. Plus it will be hard wired.

I will have to find RJ45 cable that can bend endlessly though.

 

Schmidtw  |   Aug 5 2008  4:02PM GMT

I have found continuous flex RJ45 cable. I think this will solve my problem.