Fortinet FortiGate FortiGate-100A - Using Multiple Access Points

Using a wireless network Setting up a wireless network
FortiGate-60 series and FortiGate-100A FortiOS 3.0 MR4 Install Guide
01-30004-0266-20070831 69
• Consider more FortiWiFi-60 APs to help strengthen the signal. The weaker the
signal, the slower the transmission will be as it tries to compete against other
wireless devices.
• Set a channel that users and FortiWiFi-60 APs will specifically use can
improve signal quality.
Using multiple access points
If you cannot avoid some of these impediments due to the shape of the office or
building materials used, you may need to use multiple FortiWiFi-60 APs to help
distribute the radio signal around the room. Figure 13 shows how positioning two
FortiWiFi-60 APs within a uniquely shaped office space helps to distribute signals
around the area.
Figure 13: Using multiple APs to provide a constant strong signal.
This sample office has washrooms, a stairwell and an elevator shaft in the center
of the building, making it impossible to use a single FortiWiFi-60 AP effectively.
The elevator shaft and multiple metal stalls in the washrooms can cause signal
degradation. However, placing a FortiWiFi-60 AP in opposite corners of the office
provides maximum coverage.
When using multiple APs, each FortiWiFi-60 AP should be set to a different
channel to avoid interference in areas where signals from both FortiWiFi-60
devices can be received.
Elevator
Washrooms
Stairs