Chapter 6. Wireless LAN Deployment Considerations

Deploying an enterprise-class WLAN is a complex and lengthy process that requires you to deal with many interdependent factors. Chapter 3, "Preparation and Planning," introduced the prepare, plan, design, implement, operate, and optimize (PPDIOO) solutions lifecycle. Using this model, the deployment of an enterprise-class wireless network falls under the implement phase of the lifecycle, as shown in Figure 6-1.

Figure 6-1. Implementation Phase

During the implementation phase, the architecture and technical design you have defined is deployed into your production environment. Many of the questions and issues raised in earlier chapters will now have a direct impact upon your deployment plans. Topics such as the breadth and scope of your deployment may dictate how you actually deploy and implement your solution.

Although there are no hard and fast rules for deploying enterprise-class WLANs, this chapter provides some real-world, tried and tested strategies that have proven successful in large-scale deployments.

Deploying an enterprise-class WLAN is a complex and lengthy process. You must deal with many interdependent factors. The following sections briefly discuss some of the high-level factors that you must consider or address and summarize a proposed process in a WLAN deployment checklist.