Enterasys Networks 802.11 - Manual (Page 39)

2-5
Transmit Rate
Transmit Rate
The transmit rate identifies the preferred data transmission speed of the AP. The actual data
transmission speed is subject to the type of PC Cards at both ends of the wireless link and
the communications quality of the link.
Transmissions at faster rates allow for higher data throughput and quicker network
response times. However, transmissions at lower rates are usually more reliable and cover
longer distances than the higher rates. You might use a lower rate when the client is at the
extreme edge of the coverage area (see
Figure 2-1 ). Using a lower rate covers the longer
distance more reliably than a higher rate.
As shown in Figure 2-1 , an AP can have clients using different transmit rates in a wireless
infrastructure network.
The following sections describe the auto rate and fixed rate settings.
Figure 2-1: Using Various Transmit Rates
Intermittent
Noise
Fixed
Higher
Rate
Higher
Rate
Lower
Rate