When it comes to getting the best performance out of your Plume network, pod placement is everything! While every business has a unique size, shape, and Wi-Fi environment, here are some guidelines for maximizing your speeds.
The size of your workplace
We recommend starting with at least one SuperPod for small businesses of 1000 square feet or less, with an additional SuperPod for every additional 500 square feet. We recommend placing one piece of hardware for every two rooms, spread evenly throughout your workspace to maximize performance. If your office occupies multiple levels or has several separate, enclosed offices, you might want to consider additional coverage.
Typically, SuperPods should be placed about 30-40 feet apart through walls and 60-80 feet apart for large open spaces.
Be sure to position pods in central locations along the interior walls of your business to ensure a strong backhaul connection between each other.
Additional Tips to Improve Coverage & Performance
Use your existing Ethernet infrastructure
- Using your existing Ethernet wiring to provide a reliable connection for your SuperPods.
- Be sure to follow this guide whenever connecting SuperPods by Ethernet.
Turn Off Additional Wi-Fi Networks
- Parallel networks from an upstream router or additional access points increase interference, dramatically decreasing your Plume network's performance.
- If your secondary network shares an SSID and Password with those of your Plume WorkPass network, devices will often become confused and hop between the two networks, hurting their connectivity.
Steer Clear of Furniture
- Dense padding and metal/wood framing in furniture can inhibit your Wi-Fi performance. Try placing your SuperPods in open, exposed areas to improve signal and show off your new hardware! Although be sure to keep your SuperPods out of reach from your guest if possible.
- Similar to how mirrors reflect light, they also reflect Wi-Fi signal, decreasing signal strength. Try to position SuperPods to connect around large mirrors and windows, rather than through.
Avoid placement near appliances and equipment
- TVs, refrigerators, commercial equipment, and other metal objects are Wi-Fi killers. Avoid placing SuperPods too close to or behind these items.
- Devices like microwaves, cordless phones, industrial, medical or scientific equipment often share the same frequency as your Wi-Fi networks, creating additional interference when placed too close to your SuperPods.
Work around the construction of your workplace
- Just like mirrors, energy-efficient windows can negatively impact your Wi-Fi signal.
- Metallic blinds/shades can also prevent your network from reaching outside areas.
- Avoid heavy metal doors directly in between your SuperPods that can severely impact performance.
- Reinforced concrete floors and HVAC ducting can prevent Wi-Fi signals from passing between floors in your workplace. Try placing pods near stairs where they might have a more direct line of sight between SuperPods on other floors.
Avoid making SuperPods physically accessible to guests
- SuperPods are easy to unplug from an outlet and may accidentally get unplugged by a guest looking for an outlet or out of simple curiosity.
- Connecting a device to the Ethernet ports on a SuperPod will connect that device to the Secure Zone.
- Use outlets that are out of your guests' immediate reach like those closer to the ceiling or behind a counter.