HCS Technology Group has developed the following Wireless Network best practices and recommendations to better the end user experience through technological steps.  The document will serve as a useful reference for technical staff as well.

• Focus on 5GHz channels.
•  Avoid using 2.4GHz channels. If 2.4GHz channels are required use channels: 1/6/11 ONLY.
  • Reduce the Radio Transmit Power (TX) to minimal levels as 2.4GHz has tremendous range.
  • 2.4GHz channels are pervasive and will cover a wider area than expected.
• If 2.4GHz channels are required, set the 2.4GHz channels on every other Access Point (A/P) and common areas to reduce the amount of RF pollution.
• If 2.4GHz channels are required, the 2.4GHz channels should be set 10 dBm cooler than your hottest 5GHz. 
  
• Reduce the Radio Transmit Power (TX) to lowest possible so that you achieve a -80 to -90 dBm with an active Access Point (A/P). 
  
  • Wi-Fi RSSI measuring -65dBm to -60dBm or better. Apple devices will not scan until their associated Access Point (A/P). RSSI drops below -70dBm.
    
• Use 20 MHz wide channels for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. 
• Using 20 MHz wide channels and 5GHz gives you more channels for strategic mapping and reduces the chances of overlapping. 
  • If you require more bandwidth increase to 40MHz wide for 5GHz. 
    • This will reduce available channels. 
    • Proper channel mapping becomes critical. 
• Use the full spectrum including Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) channels. 
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) should be 20 dB or better.
• Test for ground based radar channel changes at sites to see if you are in an at risk area. 
  • Note: that these hops can be triggered by some Access Point (A/P) own sensitivity to RF radiation and not from actual radar. 
• Turn off any Printers that may be broadcasting a Wi-Fi setup (typically in the 2.4GHz spectrum).
• Be aware that cell phone Hot Spots broadcast in the 2.4GHz spectrum.
• Avoid using Hidden SSID’s (Service Set Identifier).
  • Use Wi-Fi authentication security protocols to protect all SSID’s. 
• Skip channels between adjacent Access Points (A/P). 
  • This provides an extra buffer between adjacent channels reducing the risk for overlap and co-channel interference (CCI). 

List of Wi-Fi recommendations: 

• Decrease the total number of SSIDs that are being broadcasted by the Access Point (A/P).
• Use 20Mhz wide channels, which will allow for more unique 5GHz channels available on their Access Point (A/P).  
• Use Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) Channels. 
• Design for -65dBm cell edge for Primary SSID. 
• Design for -65dBm cell edge for Secondary SSID. 
• Scope Access Points (A/P)  to have unique channels, and avoid channel overlapping in close proximity. 
• Configure each Access Point (A/P)  to not have the radios broadcast at 100% power (site survey will determine at what strength each Access Point (A/P)  should be configured). 
• Disable broadcasting on 5GHz 149 & 153) on Access Points (A/P) , to optimize peer-to-peer AirPlay from the Apple TVs, as documented here: https://help.apple.com/deployment/ios/#/apd8fc751f59.
• Strongly consider using 5GHz only for institution-owned devices (primary SSID).
• Strongly consider using 2.4GHz for Guest network SSID.
• Turn off any Printers that may be broadcasting a Wi-Fi setup (typically in the 2.4GHz spectrum). 
• Be aware that cell phone Hot Spots broadcast in the 2.4GHz spectrum. 

Cisco and Meraki specific suggestions for Apple Devices 

• Set Minimum Data Rate to 12 Mbps. 
• Enable 12 and 24 as Mandatory Rates.
• Design for signal-to-noise ratio of 25 dB or better. 
• Keep Retry rates of less than 15%. 
• Keep Layer 3 packet loss of less than 1%. 
• Keep Jitter less than 100ms.
• Average Channel Utilization of less than 40% – target less than 30%.
• Turn on support for 802.11r – Fast Transition. 
• Turn on support for 802.11k – Neighbor Reporting.
• Turn on support for 802.11v – BSS Transition Management.
• Apple devices will not scan until their associated Access Point’s (A/P)  RSSI drops below -70dBm. 
• Set WMM On. 
• Set AVC on – set Voice QoS to Platinum.

Determine if the Wi-Fi infrastructure is configured for “client-to-client” communications

• Wi-Fi vendors have differing terminology for client-to-client communications, some examples include:
  
• Aerohive - Enable inter-station traffic
• Aruba - Deny InterUser Traffic 
• Cisco - Peer-to-Peer Blocking
• Meraki - Bridge Mode
• Meru - Isolate wireless to wireless traffic
• Ruckus - Client Isolation
• Xirrus - Sta2Sta-Blocking

Apple TV and your Wireless network

Based on documented best practices, the following links provide Apple TV best practices with recommendations for Network design and implementation.

http://help.apple.com/deployment/ios/#/apd8fc751f59
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204291
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202618

Download the PDF.