It is important to use local building, fire, and electrical codes when
designing WLANS. The Cisco Aironet series of products are not plenum rated.
Plenum rated devices ensure that items do not give off poisonous fumes. Always
stay within the code guidelines when designing WLANs. This will virtually
eliminate the need to redo installations that do not meet code. Specify the
appropriate equipment and supplies in the plan up front to avoid costly
overruns.
Remember that the cost of replacing or fixing the problem will
usually be the installer’s responsibility. Any damages or personal injury due
to an improperly installed WLAN will also be the responsibility of the
installer. Be sure to consult or have licensed professionals perform
installation tasks such as tower erection, grounding systems, and electrical
service. Do not lower the standards when designing or installing WLANs in order
to save money. This could lead to a bad reputation, lost jobs, or even
litigation.
For example, a corporate customer would like to hide the APs
above the ceiling and provide the maximum amount of bandwidth to the users. In
this case, it is best to reduce the antenna power to get the maximum number of
APs over the floor, and use a third party plenum enclosure from a company like
LXE to get the plenum rating. Coaxial cables between external antennas and APs
may also need to be plenum rated.
The National Fire Protection Agency
(NFPA), shown in Figure
, develops,
publishes, and disseminates codes and standards intended to minimize the
possibility and effects of fire and other risks. These are assembled in the
NEC. Virtually every building, process, service, design, and installation is
affected by NFPA documents. More than 300 NFPA codes and standards are used
around the world. More than 225 NFPA Technical Committees, each of which
represents a balance of affected interests, develop NFPA documents.
In this lab, students will identify various
applications of WLANs. Students will then choose one application and detail a
WLAN design for it. The detailed design presentation should include drawings,
configurations, topologies, issues, advantages, disadvantages, and
challenges.