Cisco AP541N Dual-band Single-radio Access Point Administration ...

4WirelessModifying Advanced SettingsTable 19FieldAdvanced Settings Field DescriptionsDescriptionFragmentationThresholdSpecify a number between 256 and 2,346 to set the framesize threshold in bytes. The fragmentation threshold must beset to an even number within the range.The fragmentation threshold is a way of limiting the size ofpackets (frames) transmitted over the network. If a packetexceeds the fragmentation threshold you set, thefragmentation function is activated and the packet is sent asmultiple 802.11 frames.If the packet being transmitted is equal to or less than thethreshold, fragmentation is not used.Setting the threshold to the largest value (2346 bytes)effectively disables fragmentation. Fragmentation plays norole when Aggregation is enabled.Fragmentation involves more overhead both because of theextra work of dividing up and reassembling of frames itrequires, and because it increases message traffic on thenetwork. However, fragmentation can help improve networkperformance and reliability if properly configured.Sending smaller frames (by using lower fragmentationthreshold) might help with some interference problems; forexample, with microwave ovens.By default, fragmentation is off. We recommend not usingfragmentation unless you suspect that there is wireless radiointerference. The additional headers applied to eachfragment increase the overhead on the network and cangreatly reduce throughput.87 Cisco AP 541N Dual-band Single-radio Access Point Quick Start Guide