HP ProCurve MSM317 Quick reference guide

HP MSM317 Access Device
Deployment guide
Technical white paper
Table of contents
Introducing the MSM317...................................................................................................................... 2
MSM317 versus traditional access points ............................................................................................... 4
Installation considerations..................................................................................................................... 7
Radio frequency properties of the MSM317........................................................................................ 7
Location planning............................................................................................................................. 8
Checking radio coverage................................................................................................................ 12
Adjusting power output and data rates ............................................................................................. 12
Power over Ethernet ........................................................................................................................... 13
Uses of the pass-through port .............................................................................................................. 14
Switch functionality on the MSM317.................................................................................................... 14
Deploying Voice over IP ..................................................................................................................... 15
VLAN configuration on non-LLDP-MED capable devices ...................................................................... 15
Deploying IP phones—LLDP-MED devices .......................................................................................... 16
Authentication ............................................................................................................................... 17
Configuring per-room guest VLANs ...................................................................................................... 18
VoIP/LLPD-MED use cases................................................................................................................... 19

2
Introducing the MSM317
Over the last five years, the expectations of hotel guests for wireless connectivity have changed
dramatically. Earlier wireless deployments consisted of hotspot services in public areas such as
lobbies and food service locations. Today, wireless connectivity in guest rooms has become pervasive
in almost all brand segments. In the lucrative business and luxury markets, guests are highly valued for
their loyalty as it often leads to repeat and referral business. Consequently, pressure to meet the
wireless demands of guests for consistent, high-performance connections that support all of their Wi-Fi
devices—just like at home or in the office—is extremely high.
These expectations expose shortcomings in traditional approaches to deploying guest networks in
hospitality settings. Provisioning a traditional access point (AP) to provide coverage to multiple rooms
creates an inconsistent guest experience for two key reasons. First, the performance of an individual
connection decreases the farther away it is from the AP. Second, performance for all users is
compromised by the presence of low data rate connections, which causes degradation throughout the
system due to the sharing of the wireless medium. The proliferation of wireless devices, such as
smartphones and smartbooks adds pressure to network capacity, further eroding performance.
Figure 1: A wide variety of devices can be connected to the MSM317. You can configure the network to send traffic through
the MSM7xx Controller or, in cases where private access areas are isolated from public spaces, you can bypass the controller
completely. Where VoIP phones are deployed, for example, this avoids an additional hop that can slow service.
The MSM317 is an integrated switch/wireless AP designed from the ground up for high-density
environments. This discrete device enables an optimal Internet access experience and more. The same
device supports the delivery of other applications demanded by guests and occupants today—IPTV,
VoIP, and other IP-based services—while paving the way for future services that can further enhance
the end-user experience.

3
Requiring only a single Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable drop to support voice, video, and data, the
MSM317 simplifies installation and decreases expensive site surveys required with traditional APs. Its
four-port switch and AP are centrally managed through the HP MSM7xx Controller. This means faster
configuration of multiple devices, automated software updates, and the delivery of a consistent set of
services throughout the network. In short, the MSM317 revolutionizes the deployment of converged
environments, all at a reduced cost of ownership.
Note:
This guide assumes the use of version 5.5 software on the MSM317 and
MSM7xx Controller. If you are using an older version, it is recommended
that you upgrade immediately.
Features and benefits of the MSM317
The MSM317 is purpose-built for cost-effective, high-density deployments focused on quality of experience. Key
features include:
•Converged wired/wireless solution
•Dedicated service per room
•Simplified installation—single cable for voice, video, and data
•Mounts in standard electrical wall box
•802.11 b/g access point
•4-Port, 10/100 managed switch
•Powered by 802.3af or 802.3at PoE
•Single PoE port
•Centralized configuration and management through MSM7xx Controller*
•LLDP-MED for automatic IP phone configuration at switch port
•Quality of Service (QoS) and rate limiting for delivery of latency-sensitive applications
•Loop protection at switch ports
•Pass-through RJ-45 connection for support of legacy devices
•Bulk moving of devices between groups using controller interface
Note:
* The MSM317 is a controlled-mode only device. Use of an HP MSM7xx
Controller is required to configure it.

4
MSM317 versus traditional access points
The MSM317 offers several features that distinguish it from a standard access point and make it the
right choice for high-density deployments. The table below provides a side-by-side comparison of the
MSM317 and the HP E-MSM310 AP.
Feature MSM317 MSM310
Connectivity Dedicated wireless connectivity per room.
Excellent choice for high-density deployments
where high-quality guest experience is
top priority.
Shared bandwidth across many users. Correct
choice for public spaces such as conference
rooms, lobbies, restaurants, and outdoor areas.
Coverage area Designed for a small space of up to
430 square feet (40 square meters).
Designed for medium to large spaces of up to
10,000 square feet (930 square meters).
Output power 802.11g–14.5 dBm (28 mW) or
802.11b–6 dBm (39 mW) maximum. Ideally
suited for high throughput with the fewest
errors and least amount of interference
between APs.
Approximately 20 dBm (100 mW). Higher
output power delivers adequate coverage to
large spaces.
Antenna Two internal omnidirectional antenna chips
with separate horizontal and
vertical polarities.
Two, 2 dBi dual-band 2.4/5 GHz
omnidirectional antennas for 360 degree
horizontal radiation pattern.
Power 802.3af PoE and 802.3at PoE+. Less
cabling, cheaper than AC power, reduced
carbon footprint, and fits into standard
electrical wall boxes.
802.3af PoE or 5 VDC from available AC power
supply. May require new wiring to add
access points.
Switching Integrated 4-port, 10/100 Ethernet switch for
delivery of voice, video, and data services.
None.

5
Figure 2:Traditional APs transmit at a higher output power than the MSM317 in order to provide coverage to a large area.
Multiple users need to share bandwidth.
Figure 3:Designed with small spaces in mind, the MSM317 helps to reduce interference with other APs.

6
In a typical hotel configuration, the AP resides in a corridor and provides shared bandwidth to
multiple rooms. This set up generally works well for a limited pool of users. As network load
increases, however, performance is likely to degrade, especially during peak usage periods.
One solution is to boost the AP’s output power to extend its reach, however, this presents several
potential pitfalls. First, clients at the periphery may not have enough power to reach the AP.
Second, there is the matter of fairness to users. Those on the periphery may experience lower
throughput, while those closer to the AP may see a lack of responsiveness. Third, the risk of
interference and transmission errors increases at higher power levels. Another option is to add APs,
but this would require paying for new wiring and site surveys and does not address delivery of
IP-enabled services.
In contrast to a standard AP, the MSM317 delivers dedicated, predictable coverage per room,
providing distinct advantages over conventional deployments. Benefits include a dedicated wireless
connection per user and reduced risk of signal interference due to the unit’s radiation pattern and
lower output power. Scaling up is also easier and more affordable as the MSM317 fits into a
standard electrical wall box and requires only a single PoE cable drop. Finally, its built-in Ethernet
switch delivers voice, video, and data services, while the pass-through port allows for the integration
of legacy devices.
Note:
Roaming is supported between traditional APs and the MSM317.
Figure 4:Output power to data rate ratio of the MSM317 compared to a full-power AP.
0
5
10
15
20
25
6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54
Output power (±1.5dBm)
Data rate (Mbps)
MSM317
MSM310

7
Installation considerations
Proper planning and configuration of the MSM317 are critical for providing high-quality wireless
service. This section provides an overview of the radio frequency properties of the MSM317,
considerations for setting output power and data rates, and guidelines for where to install the unit.
Radio frequency properties of the MSM317
The MSM317 features a built-in 802.11 b/g radio with two integrated 2.4 GHz omnidirectional
antennas. This helps to produce the strongest possible signal and reduce leakage between rooms. The
signal propagates away from the wall on which the unit is mounted, resulting in reduced radiation
from the back of the device and less risk of interference with the adjacent room.
Figure 5:Comparison of actual throughput between an 802.11n and 802.11g 1x1 device.
Comparing 1x1 wall
jack solutions
When comparing wall jack
solutions that support one
spatial stream (1x1
configuration), 802.11n
enabled devices can deliver
higher throughput, but there
are limitations in the
implementation of the
standard. This is due to the
RTS/CTS overhead that
occurs when servicing
legacy clients, which
prevents a 1x1 device from
using a 40 MHz channel.
The throughput comparison
chart shows in real-world
terms the difference in
performance between a 1x1
b/g and an 11n wall jack
solution. As the chart shows,
the difference in data rates
between the two is small
and becomes even less
significant when you factor
in RTS/CTS overhead.

8
Figure 6:The MSM317 provides 120 degrees or greater signal coverage on the horizontal plane and a vertical signal that is
narrower than that of a traditional AP.
Location planning
Care should be taken to install the MSM317 in a location where there are as few obstructions as
possible to the signal. It is recommended that you mount the unit in an exposed area, such as under a
desk (without a courtesy panel) or on a wall. You may also consider mounting it in a hollow hidden at
the back of a wood desk (however, there may be some signal attenuation depending on the density
of the wood). In addition, be sure to install the unit with its faceplate as this helps to keep the antenna
external and maintain airflow around the device.
Before deployment, closely consider your environment, including building materials, building design,
and equipment. Metal, which may be contained in walls, windows, or equipment, is likely to block or
diminish the signal.
In addition, if you deploy the MSM317 in certain places, such as behind a minibar or wall, expect to
see significant variation from ideal conditions. Glass and wood, on the other hand, generally have
less impact on signal strength.

9
Figure 7:The faceplate of the MSM317 helps to prevent the antenna from being blocked behind a wall or enclosure and keep
the unit from overheating. The trim panel is vented to allow airflow..
The following figures are WLAN coverage maps created using HP RF Planner software for two
different room types. These maps reveal available signal strength in dBm at various points in
the rooms.
Figure 8 shows an actual configuration of two typical rooms in a luxury hotel. The map is overlaid
with the anticipated RF coverage pattern, and an MSM317 is deployed in each room (A).
The area of each room is 34 square meters (that is, within the 40 square meter guideline for
successful deployment).
The signal strength in the sleeping and living areas (B) is excellent, as is the delineation of coverage
between the rooms. Signal strength at the periphery of the coverage area, and in particular in the
bathrooms (C), has diminished to the point that higher-speed connections would be difficult
to maintain.
The primary contributor to signal degradation in the bathroom is room construction, as the interior of
the room is lined with granite tiles. The coverage characteristics could easily have been improved by
moving the MSM317 to a more central position on the same wall. In this case, however, room décor
and colocation with other in-room services was traded off against improved coverage in the
bathroom, and deployment was continued at the planned location.

10
Figure 8:WLAN coverage map for two typical rooms in a luxury hotel.
Figure 9 shows a room from the same property in a suite configuration. The room is 110 square
meters (more than twice the recommended size). Based on deployment of the MSM317 (A), coverage
in the sleeping and living area (B) is excellent. The bathroom (C), which features granite tiles, has
useable coverage due to its proximity to the MSM317 (although the tiling impacts coverage in the
area adjacent to the bathroom). Coverage in the sitting and kitchen area (D) is inconsistent, ranging
between good to nonexistent. This can be attributed to the reinforced concrete wall separating the
room’s two main areas. Given the room’s size and construction, the coverage pattern of the MSM317
is expected. Solutions for improving coverage in these high-value rooms include:
•Deploying a second MSM317
•Using a standard AP in the room as an alternative to multiple MSM317s
•Filling in the coverage gaps for multiple rooms by installing a standard AP in the corridor
A
B
C
C
A
B