I've just started testing wireless for our building, we plan to implement it across the board this fiscal year. Currently we have no wireless except in our IT area (DSL for outside testing). I've borrowed a Cisco LAP1142N AP from a friend that works in another sister organization, they have these and had an extra. I've plugged it in and it talks to their controller just fine, etc. The question i have is...what is the "average" radius i can expect from this device? I know it's not an easy thing to say specifically, based on the environment and obstructions, interference, etc. We are in a typical cubible environment for the most part with offices on the outer walls. I've set it up and have used WaveDeploy to survey both of the devices we have, the Cisco and the SOHO Linksys Wireless-G router. Both seem to put out the same radius of coverage. I get slightly better speeds with the Cisco device but expected it to also cover more area. I have a decent signal up to about 35-40 feet away, then drops off pretty quickly.
So really there are two questions here: is there a reason that this Cisco device isn't pushing out a stronger signal (i've asked the friend who manages the controller, he says they're not turned down or anything as far as he knows) than the Linksys, and secondly, why would i want to pay 10 times the cost per AP, as well as have to buy a $10k controller if the Linksys will pretty much deliver the same coverage? I'm assuming i'm missing something as far as the Cisco device goes but so far it's not obvious to me.
I'm just now reading about and learning the wireless world, so i'd appreciate any thoughts or input on this from some more experienced wireless gurus out there. Thanks!