Abstract

Xirrus, Inc. commissioned The Tolly Group to evaluate the wireless load-balancing feature of its IEEE 802.11a/b/g XS-3900 family of Wi-Fi Arrays. These devices combine the functionality of a WLAN switch/controller with Integrated Access Points (IAPs) in a single device. The Wi-Fi Array includes 16 high-gain, multi-sector antennas housed in a circular enclosure.

Engineers deployed a single Xirrus XS-3900 Wi-Fi Array to evaluate its advanced wireless load-balancing feature and the benefits provided to a typical wireless corporate network. Moreover, engineers tested the XS-3900 Wi-Fi Array for user scalability. To illustrate the benefits of the Xirrus Wi-Fi offering, some of the tests were conducted inside a specialized cage, called a Faraday Cage, to eliminate possible wireless interference. Tests were conducted in October 2006.