Advanced WiFi Settings

 What is an RTS packet?

RTS stands for “Request to Send”. This parameter controls what size data packet the low level RF protocol issues to an RTS packet. The primary reason for implementing RTS is to minimize collisions among hidden stations. This occurs when users and access points are spread out throughout the facility and you're finding a relatively high number of retransmissions occurring on the wireless LAN.

Using a small value causes RTS packets to be sent more often, consuming more of the available bandwidth, therefore reducing the apparent throughput of the network packet. However, the more RTS packets that are sent, the quicker the system can recover from interference or collisions -- as would be the case in a heavily loaded network, or a wireless network with much electromagnetic interference.

 What is WDS Mode?

WDS Stands for Wireless Distribution System. Allows access points to link together and provide repeating. Note however, this repeating comes at a cost of reduced bandwidth. Bandwidth will be reduced by 30-40%, and it is recommended that NO multiple repeating hops be done for this reason.

 What is a Beacon Period and DTIM Interval?

Beacon Period is the amount of time between beacons in kilomicroseconds. Data Beacon Rate (DTIM), is a multiple of the beacon period, and determines how often the beacon contains a delivery traffic indication message (DTIM). A traffic indication map is present in every beacon. The DTIM notifies power-save client devices that a packet is waiting for them. If power save clients are active, the access point buffers any multicast traffics and delivers them immediately after the DTIM beacon.

Power save nodes always wake for the DTIM beacons. The longer the time, the more buffering the access point does, and the longer the multicasts are delayed. If the beacon period is set at 100 (its default setting), and the data beacon rate is set at 2 (its default setting), then the device sends a beacon containing a DTIM every 200 Kusec. One Kusec equals 1,024 microseconds.

 What is Fragmentation Threshold?

This setting determines the size at which packets are fragmented (sent as several pieces instead of as one block). Use a low setting in areas where communication is poor or where there is a great deal of radio interference. The default value is usually 2346 which means Fragment Threshold is disabled.