Wireless Networks
Robust Wireless Network
Moving toward a more robust wireless network will not only eliminate many problems experienced in your work environment but also significantly improve your operations. The issue that seems to create the most feedback is performance. Your network likely has increased the number of devices used, including smartphones, laptops, IoT devices, and more. With this growth of devices, your existing system may not handle the traffic very well.
With workers moving about the office for meetings and collaboration, connecting facilitates answers and problem resolution. If your team can’t connect across the campus, you may have coverage gaps that must be resolved.
6 Reasons To Upgrade Wireless:
The performance issues you're currently facing are, in part, due to the aging of your network equipment. This is not just an inconvenience but a potential threat to your business operations. The urgency to upgrade to the latest standards is not just beneficial; it's a necessary step to ensure your network's continued efficiency and security in today's digital landscape.
- Improved Speed and Efficiency
- Enhanced Security
- Robust Device Management
- Future Proofing
- Advanced Features
- Ease of Use
Top 5 Wireless Challenges
Addressing the top 5 enterprise wireless network challenges is crucial and requires a strategic approach to the deployment of the right technology and the maintenance of robust management practices. Here are the top five challenges:
- Challenge #1 to Wireless Coverage and Capacity is ensuring comprehensive coverage and sufficient capacity to support all devices without dead zones or performance degradation. These are not just hurdles but potential roadblocks to your business's success.
- Challenge #2 is Wireless Network Security, which protects the network from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and data breaches. Network design is key in building a secure, robust wireless network.
- Challenge #3 is a Scalable Wireless Network that ensures the network can grow with the organization without significant disruptions or performance issues.
- Challenge #4 is Wireless Performance designed for high performance and low latency, especially in high-demand environments.
- Challenge #5 is where the rubber meets the road—a User Experience designed to ensure a seamless and user-friendly experience for all network users.
Design of a Robust Wireless Network
A properly designed Enterprise Wi-Fi enables users to access Wi-Fi connections on property using mobile devices, laptops, IoT devices, and other technology. Enterprise Wi-Fi may include a secure, private network for employees and an open, public network for guests and customers.
AERO IT Solutions will address multiple wireless network design considerations when working with your business. We understand that each company brings unique needs to the design. The needs of a school or library will include many dynamically changing users. Industrial and manufacturing operations may need to connect legacy systems and IoT devices in challenging environmental facilities. Small and medium business offices have different network considerations depending on their industry. State and Local Governments must address compliance and regulation, the highest encryption standards, and legacy integration. Overall, we focus on your Wi-Fi design based on approximately 35 considerations from over ten significant categories. We understand that each customer needs a tailored solution.
At AERO IT Solutions, we bring our expertise to the table; to collaborate with your Team and discuss your issues and goals. From there, we guide you to the right technology, the proper design, and the best practices for installation and implementation.
Wireless Site Surveys
The three types of wireless site surveys—predictive, passive, and active—serve different purposes in Wi-Fi network design and validation.
| Survey Type | Purpose | When It's Used | Requires Existing Wi-Fi? | Main Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Predictive Survey | Simulates Wi-Fi coverage using software and building plans | Before installation or during planning | No | Fast, cost-effective, helps determine AP placement | Results depend on the accuracy of floor plans and material assumptions |
| Passive Survey | Measures existing RF signals without connecting to the network | During troubleshooting or validation | Yes | Identifies coverage, interference, channel utilization, and noise | Does not measure client performance |
| Active Survey | Measures actual client performance while connected to the network | After deployment or for performance testing | Yes | Tests throughput, roaming, latency, packet loss, and user experience | More time-consuming and requires authentication to the network |
Predictive Site Survey
A predictive survey uses specialized software (such as Ekahau or Hamina) to model wireless coverage based on:
- Building floor plans
- Wall and floor materials
- Access point (AP) models
- Antenna types
- Transmit power
Best for:
Designing new Wi-Fi networks, Estimating AP quantity and placement and Budget planning
Output includes:
Coverage heatmaps, Signal strength predictions, Channel plans and Capacity estimates
Passive Site Survey
A passive survey involves walking through the site with a Wi-Fi analyzer while the device listens to wireless traffic but does not associate with an access point.
It measures:
- RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)
- SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio)
- Channel overlap
- RF interference
- Noise floor
- Existing AP locations
Best for:
- Verifying coverage
- Detecting interference
- Identifying dead zones
- Validating wireless designs
Active Site Survey
In an active survey, the survey device connects to the Wi-Fi network and performs real network tests while moving throughout the coverage area.
It measures:
- Throughput
- Latency
- Packet loss
- Roaming performance
- Connection reliability
- DHCP and authentication success
Best for:
- Validating user experience
- Troubleshooting connectivity issues
- Testing voice-over-Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) or real-time applications
- Confirming network performance after deployment
Comparison Summary
| Feature | Predictive | Passive | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network connection required | No | No | Yes |
| Physical walkthrough | No | Yes | Yes |
| Measures RF coverage | Yes (simulated) | Yes | Yes |
| Measures throughput | No | No | Yes |
| Measures roaming | No | No | Yes |
| Detects interference | Estimated | Yes | Yes |
| Best used | Before deployment | Validation and troubleshooting | Performance testing and optimization |
Typical Deployment Workflow
-
Predictive survey
Design the wireless network and determine initial AP placement.
-
Passive survey
Validate coverage and identify RF issues after installation.
-
Active survey
Confirm that clients experience acceptable performance and seamless roaming.
Using all three survey types provides the most complete approach to designing, deploying, and optimizing a wireless LAN.