Businesses today need a fast and reliable Wi-Fi network for cloud-based applications or IoT devices. But getting the right wireless network design is more than just putting access points in place and hoping for the best. Planning is the first step to ensure your deployment will meet user expectations. There are crucial phases you must follow to plan successfully:
Identify Requirements
Identifying your business’s wireless network requirements is the first step in planning your network. It includes understanding the network’s use and what devices are expected to connect. This information helps to determine the protocols and signal types your network will need to function properly. It’s also important to consider capacity in your planning process. It requires calculating the average and peak airtime demand and determining the number of devices connecting to the network. Capacity planning must also account for any spikes in usage that may occur seasonally or during events. It’s important to perform a wireless site survey using an application to measure the physical environment where the network will be deployed and existing wireless signals. It will help to identify sources of interference and determine the best locations for your wireless access points (APs). Traditional coverage planning considers the RF environment that will impact your wireless network’s power, range, and attenuation.
Analyze the Environment
The physical environment is key to the network’s performance. It affects RF (radio frequency) signal propagation and can create interference or degrade wireless signals. An assessment of the RF environment is necessary to identify potential sources of interference. It also identifies the spectrum capacity available in the regulatory domain to determine possible use cases. Using Wi-Fi network planning tools to map the environment is critical for determining how to deploy the best access points and what AP models to purchase. Some software requires inputting a building floor plan and defining wall materials.
In contrast, others offer automated modeling that accounts for power consumption and RF propagation distances, including coverage heatmaps. Reliable wireless services New England should be capable of growing and adapting to the organization’s needs. It can include accommodating the expected number of BYOD devices and a variety of wireless networking applications.
Design the Network
Understanding the wireless network needs and requirements before starting the design process is important. It includes understanding the number of users and devices, identifying applications and services required by users, and knowing the physical environment. The next step is to perform a wireless site survey using tools or other heat mapping software to measure the environment and existing Wi-Fi signals. It will give you a rough wireless network layout and help you determine how many access points are needed to provide adequate coverage for your wireless network. Capacity planning is also included in this step and looks at how much bandwidth will be required to support the expected load of users. It will determine airtime demand and minimum data rates for various applications, including email, web, video, social media, and streaming. It will also include deciding how to segment the wireless network into logical networks for employees, IoT devices, and visitors/customers.
Implement the Network
A well-designed wireless network is a critical component of a successful business. The benefits of a wireless network include reduced costs for installation and the ability to easily accommodate new locations or reorganizations without physically rewiring your facility. Taking the time to plan your network properly will also ensure that you have enough capacity for future growth. Creating segregated networks for employees, IoT devices, and visitors/customers will reduce bandwidth needs while improving network security. Doing a pre-design floor walk survey can provide the proper data to input into predictive design software that will help avoid mistakes like over-allocating access points or placing them too close to each other. It can also reveal factors that need to be considered, such as ductwork, ceilings with acoustic treatments, large furniture and other construction elements that may impact RF performance.