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Wireless LAN, WiFi and Wireless HotSpots
Wireless networking suffers a great deal of bad press due to wireless networks failing to deliver on their promise. The root cause of failure rarely lies with the technology, or the manufacturers equipment, it is generally due to poor design, lack of survey and bad installation practice.
Unlike copper and fibre media where the characteristics of the media are fixed and stable, wireless media is completely unbounded and is susceptible to interference from any other device emitting radio frequencies.
Noise is a critical factor in wireless network design. It is important to note that any signal other than the signal we are trying to tune in to is noise. Noise may be from other wireless devices within our own network, from wireless devices outside of our control, and from electrical devices with poor noise suppression. Noise is unavoidable so the wireless designer must take this into consideration when preparing their design.
Wireless LAN equipment typically operates within one or two public unlicensed frequency bands – 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 5GHz band is generally used as an intra-site backhaul or inter building link solution. It is rarely used for user access. The 2.4GHz band is the most common frequency for user access but this can also be used for inter-building links.
The 2.4GHz frequency band has 13 available channels within the UK. It is possible to use any of these channels but they cannot all be used within the same vicinity without degradation of service as the channels overlap considerably, causing interference to adjacent channels, therefore, appearing as noise. To achieve best frequency separation the operational channels will be seven channels apart leading designers to opt for channels 1, 7 and 13 for their design. However, only 11 channels are available in the US. So, to ensure compatibility with US equipment in the UK designers generally opt for channels 1, 6 and 11 to maintain compatibility in exchange for a small noise overhead.
In addition to the noise and channel restrictions there are many parameters that have to be taken into consideration when designing a wireless network. To ease the process we break these down into two sections, the first being the operational or business requirements and the second, the technical requirements…
Operational requirements:
- Number of users to be supported
- Concurrency of users
- Applications to be supported
- Operational bandwidth required
- Class of Service required for each application
- Quality of Service requirements
- Susceptibility to latency and jitter
- Over-subscription ratio
- Anticipated future developments
Technical parameters:
- Radio Frequency protocols to be used (802.11a/b/g/n, etc)
- Radio Frequency channel plan
- Signal strength, Modulation Rate and Bandwidth
- Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
- Radio Frequency Reflections and Attenuation
- Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR)
- Unbalanced Power Effect (UPE)
- Access Point positioning
- Antenna choice
- Automated Wireless Controller Systems
- Backhaul cabling
- Backhaul radio
- Mesh radio
- Alternative backhaul
- Switching and routing requirements
It is absolutely essential to the success of any multi Access Point wireless network to carry out a thorough survey. During the survey, all of the above requirements and parameters can be taken into consideration in relation to the location. The survey phase is often seen as a very expensive option and is skipped in favour of guess work. However, every Wireless LAN we have been called in to troubleshoot that was deployed in this manner has resulted in remedial work exceeding the cost of the original installation. Missing the wireless survey phase is a false economy. The survey results dictate the location and density of the Access Points, get this wrong and the whole design is flawed.
Wireless Security
If your wireless network is not secured effectively your entire network security may be at risk. In some of the installations we have been called in to troubleshoot we have found wireless equipment with sophisticated security features disabled. This is the equivalent of having secure window and door locks on your house and then leaving the street door open when you go on holiday. It is always essential to establish the level of security required for your business before your wireless network is specified and installed. Your wireless security solution must match the requirements of your business. These requirements may be dictated by your own compliance requirements such as PCI DSS and/or Government Code of Connection (Co Co). Your security requirements may eliminate wireless vendors from your original choice.
How can we help you?
Our engineers have over 15 years experience surveying, designing, installing, maintaining and troubleshooting secure wireless networks. We understand the requirements and parameters we are required to meet to effectively design and implement your network. We carry out extensive surveys and do not leave anything to chance as this can be the difference between a successful deployment and total failure. Our largest installed wireless network has 240 Access Points, the largest wireless network we have surveyed and designed has over 350 Access Points. We have installed wireless networks for Local Authorities, Education Establishments, Leisure Complexes, Offices, Ports, Open Spaces and many other locations.
Vendors
We have worked with many vendors solutions over the past 15 years, including Cisco, HP (Colubris), BelAir, Lucent, Symbol, Proxim, Griffin, SMC and WaveLength Digital. Our preferred solution for wireless LANs are Meru Networks, HP and Cisco.
Meru Networks
Simply out perform other wireless solutions. Meru Networks design is fundamentally different to all other vendors. The easiest way to describe the difference between Meru Networks and other wireless vendors is to liken other vendors to Ethernet hub solutions - a shared, contended solution. Whereas, Meru Networks wireless solutions can be likened to an Ethernet switched network, providing individual users with an effective class of service. For more information on Meru Networks wireless solutions, Click here.
Cisco
We have won two awards with Cisco solutions. The first in 2004 - Network Project of the Year Award for our innovative satellite overlay solution. The second in 2005 - Network Team of the Year Award. We have been successfully supplying and supporting Cisco wireless network solutions across the UK for many years.
HP ProCurve
We have a long working relationship with Colubris having deployed many networks across the UK. Colubris were acquired by HP in 2008 and we are continuing our relationship with them.