Automatic feedback for proper placement of Wi-Fi connected set top box

A method of indicating optimal location of Wi-Fi set top box (STB) devices in a subscriber network providing access to the Internet, comprising:

• defining an initial network topography comprising devices including a gateway access point (AP), the STB devices, and one or more Wi-Fi boosters located in the environment;
• calculating an amount of total channel airtime needed for data transmission without signal degradation through the gateway AP when all STB devices are using the gateway AP;
• determining an amount of free airtime within the total channel airtime that comprises a sum of unused airtime for each STB device;
• and
• automatically indicating, through a user interface, non-optimal placement of at least one of the AP, the STB devices, or the Wi-Fi boosters in the initial network topography if there is no free airtime indicating that the STB devices in the initial network topography will overload the gateway AP.

A system indicating optimal location of Wi-Fi set top box (STB) devices in network in an environment, comprising:

• a plurality of devices placed in an initial deployment, and comprising a gateway access point (AP), the STB devices, and one or more Wi-Fi boosters in the environment;
• an automated placement processing component calculating, for each STB of the STB devices, a respective fraction of a total channel airtime needed for data transmission through the gateway AP when all STB devices are using the gateway AP, wherein a portion of the total channel airtime is unusable due to signal degradation and a remaining portion is usable airtime;
• and
• a user interface displaying icons for the plurality of devices in a network topography and graphically indicating non-optimal placement of at least one of the AP, the STB devices, or the Wi-Fi boosters in the initial deployment if the usable airtime is fully utilized.