The wireless networking market is growing rapidly as businesses discover the productivity benefits of going wire-free. The increased mobility that WiFi networks offer has proved beneficial in operations throughout manufacturing facilities, warehouses, transportation depot, hotels, airports, hospitals, colleges, large enterprises as well as convention centers. In the corporation, conference rooms, public areas, and branch offices constitute ideal venues for wireless LANs (WLANs).
Today’s business environment is characterized by flatter organizations and an increasing mobile workforce. Users need access to the network well beyond their personal desktops. The WiFi networks fit well with this work environment, giving mobile users real-time access to information, regardless of worker location, for faster and more efficient decision making. Wireless LANs benefit the IT managers as well, allowing them to design, deploy, and enhance networks regardless of cabling / wiring, saving time, efforts and money.
The Advantages of WiFi Networks / WLANs
Mobility – The most obvious and significant advantage of WiFi networks. Workers can access shared resources without looking for a cable and a place to plug in.
Range of Coverage – Coverage of a WLAN node can be extended by the use of access points.
Ease of Use – Users need very little information to take advantage of a WLAN because it is transparent to a user’s network operating system.
Installation Speed and Flexibility – Installation of a WLAN system can be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Furthermore, wireless LAN enables networks to be set up where wires might be impossible to install.
Reduced cost of ownership – particularly in dynamic environments requiring frequent modifications’ thanks to minimal cabling and installation costs per device and user. WLANs simplify moving, additions, and changes, the indirect costs of user downtime and administrative overhead are reduced.
WiFi / WLAN Network Design / Engineering.
Deployment of a wireless network requires careful planning. Business requirements and objectives need to be evaluated and a site survey must be undertaken to determine possible sources of interference. WiFi Networks can be tricky to implement in high interference areas, be incompatible with existing equipment and can open up security risks. WLANs are best used in addition to – rather than a replacement to wired networks. Our engineers will assure proper planning when designing and implementing your wireless network. The complexity of your network will vary depending on the obstacles within and the size of your facility.
Site Surveys.
A site survey is always performed first. This is a physical survey of the customer’s premises to locate the best possible places to install access points and ensure 100% wireless coverage and optimum performance.
Before installing any wireless devices we perform a radio frequency (RF) test in order to better understand the behavior of radio waves within a facility. This is recommended because various obstacles such as doors, walls, elevator shafts and people might affect the radio frequency pattern, causing it to be irregular and unpredictable. Even if you are using omni-directional antennas, radio waves do not travel the same distance in all directions. The RF test can also detect any radio interference that might come from other sources and could affect the performance of the wireless LAN negatively. The ultimate goal of the site survey and RF test is to help determine the number and placement of the access points.
Access Points – WLAN Installation.
SouthPaw will integrate the WiFi system into your current network as well as install all the required wireless equipment and certify its operation. All cabling and power runs should be done and tested prior to the installation of access points.
Below is a list of activities that one might expect during an installation:
Mounting Access Points
Installation of enclosures on case-by-case basis (physical security)
Mounting antennas
Connection of antennas to access points
Connection of backbone LAN to access points
Connection of power to access points
Installation and connection of remote power system
Verification of coverage
Configuration of access points and hardware to include:
Proper firmware level
Radio information (SSID, channel, bit rate)
IP addresses
- Verification of backbone connectivity