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4 reasons why 5G cellular won’t be a threat to Wi-Fi

by | Apr 6, 2017 | Classic Hotspot, WiFi Networks

4 reasons why 5G cellular won’t be a threat to Wi-Fi

resto2
5G is the next big revolution in mobile connectivity, is expected to be able to handle the increasing traffic related to the higher need for mobile data. The 5G wireless technology aims at providing better mobile broadband connectivity and speed for a wider range of customers.

 

In this scenario, is there a chance that the new 5G cellular network will eventually replace Wi-Fi?

 

We answered this question providing the main 4 reasons as to why the 5th generation wireless system (5G) and next generation Wi-Fi will probably coexist without representing a threat one for the other. In doing so, we relied on information collected by different sources, including: The 5G vs WiFi False Debate by Adlane Fellah, Shared Spectrum: Enabling 5G Mobile Broadband by Alex Marcham and 5G CELLULAR: WHY WI-FI NOT JUST SURVIVES, BUT PROSPERS by Craig Mathias.

 

1. Mobile users will likely continue to favour Wi-Fi over mobile connectivity 

 

Currently, many mobile users prefer using Wi-Fi networks instead of 4G cellular ones. In particular, in developing countries where mobile connectivity is lacking and in developed mobile markets where mobile data is overpriced and limited, Wi-Fi is a valuable choice among smartphone users. Accordingly, as 5G is going to be the evolution of the current 4G cellular network, it is likely that many users will still favor Wi-Fi over 5G.

 

2. Wi-Fi will still be an affordable alternative to 5G

 

According to Cisco, by the end of 2021 data traffic on mobile networks per month will reach 49 EB (exabytes), in line with the development registered between 2011 and 2015. Consequently, the new 5G cellular, other than on the licensed spectrum, will also operate on the more affordable unlicensed and shared spectrum. This spectrum, in fact, currently enables technologies like Wi-Fi to foster connectivity and facilitate innovation while also carrying the growing number of data traffic expected in upcoming years.

To handle the large of amount of data traffic coming their way, network operators will opt to work with all technologies operating on the unlicensed spectrum, as opposed to solely relying on private licensed ones. This scenario might make it possible for customers in the Wi-Fi market – other than mobile network operators – to opt for 5G over Wi-Fi in the unlicensed and shared spectrum. Nevertheless, despite 5G’s well-performing connection, it is likely that it will be offered at a high price. This will continue to make Wi-Fi a valuable and affordable alternative choice for many customers due to the fact that lot of effort and money is required to enable the 5G connection to work with both the licensed and the unlicensed spectrum based on different protocols.

 

3. Wi-Fi already masters dense deployments

 

Given the expected extensive data traffic in the upcoming years, 5G will also rely more and more on small cells, which are known to be very effective to improve capacity, coverage and data range in congested areas. From this point of view, as opposed to 5G, Wi-Fi already has a big advantage, as it masters crowded deployments. Compared to the other wireless access technologies, Wi-Fi has the right requirements to handle the growing demand for connectivity by being able to increase the capacity of mobile networks and carrying large amounts of data traffic.

 

4. The Wi-Fi market is expected to increase 

 

In the past few years, WI-Fi along with other cellular networks have developed extensively and its growth predictions are far optimistic. In fact, the global hotspot predictions for 2015-2020 made by Cisco’s VNI Mobile, show that Wi-Fi traffic, both from mobile and Wi-Fi-only devices, will account for 53% of total IP traffic by 2019.

 

Discover how to leverage Wi-Fi with Tanaza

 

Related articles:

The 5G deployment in Europe in 2020

Wi-Fi stumblers complete list | Windows Mac Linux Android

https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/5-features-need-wi-fi-network/

5 best network monitoring software in 2017

by | Mar 22, 2017 | Classic Hotspot, Industry news, Network Monitoring

5 best network monitoring software in 2017

network monitoring software
If you are the network administrator of a Wi-Fi network deployment or if you want to set up a WLAN for your business, you should look for the right network monitoring software able to satisfy your needs.

In a previous article, we wrote about WirelessMon and Ekahau, two well-performing software for Wi-Fi monitoring. Today, we have selected the 5 top network monitoring software in 2017 that, in our opinion, can help you monitoring your Wi-Fi network anytime. In this way, you will always be informed about the status of your access points and be able to avoid network problems that, otherwise, would undermine your Wi-Fi router’s correct functioning.

But first of all let’s answer the following question:

 

What are the main features the right network monitoring software should have?

 

  • Remote monitoring, in order to save time and money as there is no need for an on-premise system administrator to manually check the network
  • Real-time status of the access point(s), so as to be able to fix a detected problem wherever you are
  • Bandwidth monitoring, in order to check upload and download speed, the bandwidth utilization, the devices’ load percentage, and to avoid bottlenecks and connectivity problems.
  • Possibility to set up customizable instant alerts, i.e. through emails or SMS, should the system have irregularities or failures (such as capacity overloads or faults)
  • Easy installation and integration within your current network
  • Tracking and traceability of connected devices and usage trends, so as to rely on availability of data and based on that generate useful reports for your system’s performance and improvement

Let’s now see our list of the best 5 network monitoring software in 2017

 

1. EventSentry by Netikus: a customizable solution

 

Eventsentry-logo

 

 

 

EventSentry is a tool to monitor any SNMP-capable device such as Linux servers, routers and switches using SNMP. EventSentry offers a status webpage useful to see which services are currently online or offline.

Main features: real-time event log monitoring, real-time analytics, bandwidth monitoring.

Pros: EventSentry is compliant with regulatory bodies like PCI, HIPAA, SOX, GLBA, FISMA and others.

Price: After a 30-day free trial, for the first year you need to pay 1 license at a price of $84,00 (per each Windows device).

More info

 

2. OpManager by ManageEngine: an expandable platform to manage your entire network

opmanager-logo

OpManager is a network management platform that allows large and medium-small companies to effectively manage and monitor their IT infrastructure. It provides a wide range of tools for monitoring networks, servers and data centers, and for the identification of performance issues.

Main features: bandwidth monitoring and analysis, server monitoring, Internet usage monitoring, performance monitoring.

Pros: OpManager is a platform that covers different areas at the same time, from networks, to physical and virtual servers, to event logs. The included dashboard enables you to monitor and track all connected devices in real-time. OpManager is used by well-known clients such as DHL, Siemens and even NASA.

Price: After a 30-day free trial the starting price you need to pay can vary from $16,495 for large enterprises (limited to 500 devices) to $595 for small and medium enterprises (limited to 25 devices).

More info

 

3. Tanaza: the cloud-based software for remote monitoring

 

tanaza logo

 

Our easy-to-use, affordable cloud-based software for managing Wi-Fi networks and social hotspots allows businesses from various size to remotely monitor your access points and WLANs, all in one place: if an access point goes down, you will receive a customizable alert and you will be able to check its status from our centralized dashboard.

Main features: network and access points statistics, bandwidth and load monitoring, real-time status of the access points, Internet usage monitoring, detailed analytics about your clients.

Pros: remote monitoring, which allows you to save time and monitor in real time your APs being deployed in one place or in multiple locations worldwide; the Cloud Dashboard, accessible from any device: smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktops; remote monitoring plug-and-play.

Price: 15-day free trial with all features included. The all-in-one plan for partners starts from $8 per AP per month + entry fee.

More info

 

4. PRTG Network Monitor by Paessler: an all-inclusive solution

 

paessler-logo

 

PRTG Network Monitor is an all-inclusive, affordable and easy-to-use monitoring solution that allows you to monitor every aspect of your infrastructure: from LANs to servers, websites, apps and WANs. It measures real-time status and last access of all connected devices, traffic, load, and signal strength.

Main features: real-time maps and dashboards for analytics, bandwidth monitoring, in-depth reporting, flexible alerting, Internet usage monitoring, remote distributed monitoring.

Pros: prices are public and there are no hidden extra-costs; one license covers all features; the software is suitable for large as well as small businesses, scaling to networks of any size; other than measuring traffic, it is able to scan your network’s components to avoid issues; being user-friendly and intuitive, this solution is suitable for both IT professionals and non-expert users.

Price: there are different editions according to the number of sensors clients need, whose prices vary accordingly. A 30-day free trial and a free edition (limited to 100 sensors) are available.

More info

 

5. Spiceworks IT Desktop: a free and simplified solution

 

spiceworks logo

 

Spiceworks is a simple to install and very intuitive to use network monitoring software. With Spiceworks, businesses can monitor what happens in their networks, servers and devices from one dashboard, in real time and in one place.

Main features: bandwidth monitoring, Internet usage monitoring, real-time analytics, customizable alerts, Process and service monitoring.

Pros: 100% free, unlimited devices, free support.

More info

Related articles:

Wi-Fi Monitoring Software – AirMagnet AirMapper

The 5 features you need for your Wi-Fi network

https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/cut-operating-costs-with-remote-wifi-management/

Top 10 most used access points with Tanaza

by | Mar 21, 2017 | Classic Hotspot, Wireless Hardware

Top 10 most used access points with Tanaza

Top 10 APs the most used by Tanaza's customers
Tanaza is vendor-agnostic and works great with a wide range of access points in order to give as much freedom as possible to its partners.


If you want to see the full list of supported access points, click here.


Regardless to the model chosen by our partners, Tanaza empowers the access points by adding a complete set of features for cloud and hotspot management.


In this article, you can find the list of the 10 access points most used by Tanaza’s users between 2015 and 2016. 

 

 

Ubiquiti UniFi LR Ubiquiti UniFi LR

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G/N)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 20 dBm / 100 mW
Radiation Shape Sector
Installation Ceiling
Power Supply PoE

 

Ubiquiti UniFi

Ubiquiti UniFi

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G/N)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 20 dBm / 100 mW
Radiation Shape Sector
Installation Ceiling
Power Supply PoE

TP-Link TL-WR841N/ND

TP-Link TL-WR841N/ND

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G/N)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 21 dBm / 126 mW
Radiation Shape Omni
Installation Desktop
Power Supply DC

TP-Link TL-WA901N/ND

TP-Link TL-WA901N/ND

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G/N)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 20 dBm / 100 mW
Radiation Shape Omni
Installation Desktop
Power Supply DC;PoE

 

TP-Link TL-WR740NTP-Link TL-WR740N

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G/N)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 18 dBm / 63 mW
Radiation Shape Omni
Installation Desktop
Power Supply

 

Ubiquiti PicoStation 2Ubiquiti PicoStation 2

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 15 dBm / 32 mW
Radiation Shape Omni
Installation Pole
Power Supply PoE

 

Ubiquiti NanoStation M2Ubiquiti NanoStation M2

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G/N)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 22 dBm / 158 mW
Radiation Shape Sector
Installation Pole
Power Supply PoE

Ubiquiti NanoStation Loco M2Ubiquiti NanoStation Loco M2

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G/N)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 23 dBm / 200 mW
Radiation Shape Omni
Installation Pole
Power Supply PoE

 

OpenMesh OM2P    OpenMesh OM2P

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G/N)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 23 dBm / 200 mW
Radiation Shape Omni
Installation Desktop;Wall
Power Supply DC;PoE

 

MikroTik RB951UI-2HnDMikroTik RB951UI-2HnD

Radio 2.4 GHz (B/G/N)
Max Power (2.4 GHz) 20 dBm / 100 mW
Radiation Shape Omni
Installation Desktop
Power Supply DC;PoE


Discover the access points supported by Tanaza




Related articles:

 

https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/802-11ax-will-improve-wi-fi-network-capacity/

Wireless access points drive the market in Western Europe

https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/4-ways-boost-wifi-signal/

5 things you should know about Wi-Fi speed and distance covered

by | Mar 17, 2017 | Classic Hotspot, Networking, WiFi Networks

5 things you should know about Wi-Fi speed and distance covered

speed wifi
 

In this post, we are going to provide the main reasons why distance covered affects your Wi-Fi speed, together with some suggestions to improve your Wi-Fi network’s performance.

When setting up your Wi-Fi hotspot you should consider one of the main aspect affecting your Wi-Fi network’s speed: distance. Indeed, you may experience that the speed of Wi-Fi-enabled devices (i.e. smartphones, laptops, tablets) varies according to their distance from your installed wireless access point.

The further you move from your router the lower your Wi-Fi signal and, accordingly, the lower your network’s speed. Let’s answer the following questions to know the main reasons why this occurs.

 

1. Can I cover a large area with a 802.11n access point?

The 802.11 standard your access point is based on is relevant to determine the area your device can cover: for instance, the maximum Wi-Fi signal range your access point is able to reach under the current 802.11n standard is 230 feet (70 metres), whereas under the newer 802.11ac the covered range is similar but the maximum throughput is greater – 1.33 Gbps VS 600 Mbps. Furthermore, it is useful to know that, when using the traditional 2.4 GHz band, Wi-Fi access points generally reach the signal up to 150 feet (45 metres) indoors and 300 feet (91 metres) in open areas. Nevertheless, keep in mind that when you are 150 feets away from your access point, even if you can connect, you will never have an outstanding Wi-Fi experience because Wi-Fi can be slow.

 

2. Can I trust the speed and coverage written on my access point’s box?

You should know that it is basically impossible to get from you Wi-Fi access point the maximum speed written on the box. Here is why:

  • The maximum speed and coverage of any Wi-Fi access point are theoretical, as they are affected by many external factors, as well as the capabilities of the connected device.
  • Wi-Fi speed and coverage are inversely proportional, by means of which it is impossible to have maximum speed and maximum coverage at the same time. For instance, if the maximum coverage of your access point is 300 feet, in that point you will never get the maximum speed. 

It is also relevant to point out the following factors, which stumblers don’t generally consider:

>> Do you want to estimate your WiFi network bandwidth need? Try our free Access Point Selector!

 

3. How can I check what’s the speed of my Wi-Fi network?

Online you can find many free Wi-Fi connection tests to check your network’s average and maximum speed: even if these tools are sometimes unreliable, as they don’t consider all the factors potentially affecting your Wi-Fi, you can use them to check your Wi-Fi speed in a specific moment in the different areas covered by your signal. You can also rely on stumbling and surveying tools available on the market, as a way to detect how strong your Wi-Fi network’s signal is. Here, for instance, you can find the best 17 Wi-Fi stumblers for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS, according to Tanaza. In this way, you will be able to gain insight of your network’s Wi-Fi coverage and detect where Wi-Fi devices get the best signal.

 

4. One powerful access point that covers a large area, or multiple access points?

The choice is easy. Install multiple APs if you want to set up a Wi-Fi connection in a large area, as relying only on one access point is generally not enough. Indeed, there is the risk that people connecting their devices far from your Wi-Fi access point get bad signal, or, if outside the router’s Wi-Fi range, get no signal at all. A way to overcome this issue is to invest in some additional access points, so that the area covered by your signal can be effectively expanded and users can access your Wi-Fi hotspot connection. Furthermore, it is recommended to use the 5 GHz band when hotspots areas are deploying more than one access point: indeed, the 5 GHz frequency has a shorter range, which makes the channel it uses less crowded compared to the traditional 2.4 GHz band. Accordingly, it is less affected by interferences coming from other devices connected around you.

 

5. Should I invest in AC models?

Among the existing 802.11 standards, routers relying on 802.11ac provide the best connection and benefit from the farthest range. Accordingly, consider equipping your Wi-Fi hotspot with an AC device in order to enjoy a higher-quality Wi-Fi experience. For instance, Tanaza includes a wide range of AC devices among supported indoor and outdoor access points.
Now that you know more about the relation between distance and your overall Wi-Fi network performance, you are ready to start setting up your public Wi-Fi hotspot properly!

>>See the list of the best affordable 802.11ac access points supported by Tanaza

Check out the list of supported access points

Related articles:

The 4 best Wi-Fi analyzer apps to boost your network speed

https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/bitrate/

https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/4-tips-to-speed-up-the-wi-fi-at-your-store/

How 80211ax will improve your Wi-Fi network capacity

by | Mar 14, 2017 | Classic Hotspot, Networking, WiFi Networks, Wireless Hardware

The new IEEE’s 80211ax standard will make it possible and will dramatically improve your Wi-Fi network capacity.

802.11ax will improve your Wi-Fi network capacity

Are you dreaming of being provided with super-fast Wi-Fi anytime and continuous network connectivity, without worrying about network congestion from devices’ overlaps?

Nowadays, users are using more and more devices while being online, which means Wi-Fi networks and devices need enhanced performance to handle the increased amount of traffic produced. For this reason, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is working on the new 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard, which in 2019 is expected to be publicly released replacing the actual 802.11ac.

In the meantime, Qualcomm, the chipset vendor specialized in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies have recently announced the development of IPQ8074 and QCA6290, two new system-on-chips (SoC) compatible with the new standard features, designed to improve the connected user experience. It will take a while to see 802.11ax Wi-Fi devices available on the market: Qualcomm’s IPQ8074 SoC-based Wi-Fi routers should be released by the end of the year, whereas the QCA6290 ones are expected to be out in 2018.

IPQ8074 will target transmitting routers, gateways and enterprise access points, and is expected to reach a peak speed of 4.8 Gbps across 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. QCA6290 will be instead adopted for receiving Wi-Fi devices (smartphones, laptops, and tablets) and will reach a peak speed of 1.8 Gbps in clients’ wireless devices. Furthermore, the new 802.11ax standard will provide better signal coverage on both 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, which will also improve connections’ range and responsiveness. Interestingly, QCA6290 is going to be the first-ever released client-side SoC. Fast speed is only one of the many benefits 80211ax will bring to Wi-Fi devices.

The new IEEE standard also aims at improving Wi-Fi networks’ capacity by limiting congestion on Wi-Fi networks, so that connections of high-traffic wireless deployments can work well even when thousands of devices are connected simultaneously, creating interferences. It is likely that vendors will start developing new product lines in order to base enhanced Wi-Fi devices on the new standard.

Are you interested in calculating your Wi-Fi networks’ capacity? Click here

 

How will 802.11ax improve Wi-Fi network capacity?

 

  • Switching from SU-MIMO to MU-MIMO

 

Single-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (SU-MIMO) is the current technology compatible with the current 802.11ac standard, which allows routers to shift connections using multiple inputs and outputs in order to serve a single user at a time. Soon, it will be replaced by the Multiple-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO), based on 802.11ax, which will be able to serve a higher number of users simultaneously.

 

  • MU-MIMO together with OFDM

 

The 802.11ax standard will use Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), the technology currently used to enhance LTE networks’ capacity that allows low data rate transmission from several users at the same time. 802.11ax access points will be able to combine OFDMA with MU-MIMO, so that they will have full control of all aspects of multiple user operations and will be able to further increase the data transfer to multiple devices at the same time, by subdividing signals in the same channel bandwidth into smaller sub-channels.  

By virtue of these capabilities, the new 80211ax Wi-Fi standard will boost Wi-Fi networks’ capability and performance.


Which Wi-Fi devices can be Tanaza Powered? CHECK THE LIST OF SUPPORTED MODELS

Related articles:

 

https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/the-capacity-planner-tool-for-network-administrators/

Wi-Fi Monitoring Software – WirelessMon

https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/bitrate/

https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/things-you-should-be-aware-of-when-deploying-a-wi-fi-network/

How to add your Facebook news feed to your splash page

by | Mar 9, 2017 | Classic Hotspot, Social WiFi, Splash Page

How to add your Facebook news feed to your splash page

How to add your Facebook news feed to your splash page

 

Tanaza features a built-in captive portal, a web page that users see when they try to log into your Wi-Fi network. Thanks to Tanaza, you can personalize this page by adding your logo, background, text, and video and image advertising .

In this article, we will see how you can add the news feed of your company’s Facebook page to your captive portal.

 

How to add your Facebook news feed to your splash page

Screenshot 1: a splash page with Facebook news feed

By adding your Facebook news feed on your captive portal, you can promote articles, events or other news about your business to your Wi-Fi users. In fact, users will be able to easily see your latest activities and be aware of your events, promotions, news, etc.


Having their Facebook news feed on the splash page can be a real plus for locations like bars, clubs, gyms and other sport venues, restaurants, hotels and malls. With it, Wi-Fi users will be able to see all the latest information that the businesses want to share with them before connecting to their Wi-Fi network.

If you already use Tanaza and you want to know how to add the Facebook news feed to the authentication page, follow the instructions below:

 

Step 1: Open the Tanaza Splash Page Editor and create a new splash page

 

Step 2: Add the Facebook login button

 

How to add your Facebook news feed to your splash page

 Screenshot 2: add the Facebook login button to your splash page

Step 3: Drag & drop a custom HTML object

 

Step 4: In the following code, change the red part by writing the name of your Facebook 

 

Code:

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/page.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDisney%2F&tabs=
timeline&width=340&height=500&small_header=false&adapt_container_width=true&hide_cover=false&show_facepile=true&appId"
 width="340" height="500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true"
 allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>

Connect to your professional Facebook account and find the code here. 

To show your Facebook page, write the name of your page as it is written on your Facebook page URL as highlighted in red on the example below with the Disney Facebook page URL:  https://www.facebook.com/Disney/

Step 5: Paste the code in the custom HTML object

 

How to add your Facebook news feed to your splash page

 Screenshot 3: drag and drop the custom HTML object and tape the code in “source code” field

Walled Garden: 

Remember to check that the Facebook icon is active on your splash page settings. If the icon is not active, click on it to activate it. This will allow users to see your Facebook stream before connecting to Wi-Fi.

 

How to add your Facebook news feed to your splash page

Screenshot 4: remember to active the Facebook icon on your splash page settings to allow users to see your Facebook stream before connecting to Wi-Fi

Can users Like or Share my page directly through the feed?

Before clicking “Like” or “Share” on any news on your Facebook stream, the user must authenticate using their Facebook account. This authentication does not provide the user with Wi-Fi access. In order to access Wi-Fi, the user will must perform a second authentication on your splash page, via Facebook.

Learn more about splash page and Social login
 

Related articles: 

Splash Page Configuration – WiFi for retail

Use case: splash page for promotion and controlled browsing

Promote a mobile app on your restaurant splash page