Maximum performance settings for access points

Topic

This article describes how to configure an access point to maximize its performance.

Environment

  • Datto Network Manager

Description

Some features on your Datto Access Point can cause increased load and decreased speed. If your primary concern is to maximize bandwidth speeds for your access points, you may wish to turn these features off.

Considerations

  • 5 GHz is typically higher performance than 2.4 GHz.
  • 802.11ac requires 5 GHz.
  • Setting the SSID to 5 GHz only ensures clients are connecting to 5 GHz and not 2.4 GHz.
  • Bandwidth Throttling limits bandwidth and uses more processor time.
  • DNS Intercept requires more processor time.
  • Application Reporting (DPI) requires more processor time.
  • Bridging is faster than routing, as it uses less processor time for each packet.

Setting your access point for maximum performance will disable many advanced features. If you are using wireless repeaters, performance will be further reduced and depend heavily on the quality of the mesh connection between the repeater and its wired gateway.

If you need to use these advanced features, experiment with turning them on one by one to determine which of them causes the most significant performance cost for your environment.

SSID settings for maximum performance

To optimize the access point for maximum performance, you must choose an SSID, then change settings in several of the SSID page's navigation tabs.

mceclip1.png
Figure 1: SSID page navigation tabs

Use the following SSID settings with an 802.11ac capable access point:

Common

  • Band: 5 GHz only

Captive Portal

  • Bandwidth Throttling: Off

Advanced

  • DNS Intercept: Off

Configuration settings for maximum performance

In the Navigation menu, click Advanced, then set the following options:

  • Application Reporting (DPI): Off
  • Bridge SSID: Bridged to LAN or VLAN (whichever is appropriate for your setup)

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Figure 2: The Navigation menu

  • Disable legacy data rates.