Rick, If I were brave enough to do what you've done, here's what I would worry about:
- 802.11a/g devices are getting scarce, but I've heard rumors that there were 802.11g devices that required a basic rate of 6, 12, or 24 Mb/s. It's possible that there are no such devices left, that driver updates have eliminated the limitation, or that no such devices ever existed. - Many client device drivers do unexpected things when connected to networks with unconventional settings. For example, will clients with a marginal MCS 7 connection probe for their next AP before their retry rate goes through the roof? - We use 40Mhz channels, so reliable comm at MCS 7 requires about 28 dB SNR. It could be very difficult to maintain that while moving. - Even if clients roam successfully, you'll see an increase in roaming activity. Moving clients may normally hit every second or third AP along the way, in your case they'll probably hit every AP. This could increase the overhead consumed by authentication and/or stress your AAA infrastructure. That said, the AAA load could be more than offset by reduced authentication attempts to indoor APs from outdoor passers-by. I'm not suggesting these are reasons not to do it. They're just things I'd worry about. I'd be interested in hearing how it works out for you if you find the time to follow up. Thanks, Chuck -----Original Message----- From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Rick.Decaro Sent: Monday, June 20, 2016 2:10 PM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] 802.11b data rates disabled? It sound like a lot of people have already disabled the 802.11b data rates. That being said....what minimum rate is everyone using? We just changed ours last week from a minimum of 1Mbps to 54Mbps. So far we have not heard of any issues. Does anyone know what if any problems could arise from this being set to 54Mbps? Is there a sweet spot in between that is better? Thanks, Rick DeCaro (636)230-1911 rick.dec...@logan.edu -----Original Message----- From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Watters, John Sent: Monday, June 20, 2016 1:01 PM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] 802.11b data rates disabled? We have had the b rates disabled for 2 months short of 5 years. Not a single complaint that I am aware of. -jcw John Watters The University of Alabama Office of Information Technology 205-348-3992 -----Original Message----- From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Todd M. Hall Sent: Monday, June 20, 2016 10:50 AM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] 802.11b data rates disabled? Do you have all of the 802.11b data rates disabled? If so, how long have they been disabled? Did you have many complaints when you disabled them? Were there any particular devices that could not connect as a result? I'm hoping this information will help us move towards disabling these old rates. Thank you for your feedback. -- Todd M. Hall Sr. Network Analyst Information Technology Services Mississippi State University t...@msstate.edu 662-325-9311 (phone) ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
