When planning a WLAN in schools, you should consider that a large number of concurrent users are connected to your Wi-Fi. Also, given the increasing number of Wi-Fi-enabled device users use – tablets, laptops and mobiles – a high amount of data traffic across your network is generated. In this scenario, IT admins are challenged to find effective ways to ensure both coverage and capacity. Indeed, providing good quality wireless signal strength and propagation (coverage) that satisfies the higher bandwidth needs of people accessing the network simultaneously in a delimited area (capacity) is key for a well-performing WLAN. To deliver a successful high-density Wi-Fi solution in educational institutions, such as schools, training institutes, colleges and universities, you should consider the following 5 basic recommendations:

1. Understand your bandwidth needs

In order to calculate the bandwidth required for your deployment, you first need to determine the types of applications users will use while connected to your network. In a school setting, students and  faculty will most likely use common applications, such as WhatsApp and Facetime (for VoiP calls), Spotify (for music), YouTube and Netflix (for video streaming), and other such applications for things like printing, browsing internet and file sharing. The next step is to determine the applications’ requirements in terms of bandwidth and throughput. For instance, web-browsing requires approximately 500 Kbps (Kilobits per second) and does not consume much bandwidth. Conversely, video streaming has different throughput requirements depending on the video resolution: SD videos require 1 Mbps (Megabit per second), HD videos require 3 Mbps, full HD videos require 5 Mbps, and 4K videos require up to 20 Mbps. Read this article to know in detail how much bandwidth and throughput the most common web applications need. By multiplying the minimum required bandwidth per application by the expected number of connections, you can determine the amount of bandwidth you need for your Wi-Fi network. Check out this article to see a practical example of how to calculate your Wi-Fi bandwidth need. Consider that the higher the number of concurrent users accessing your network, the slower the data transmission will be.

2. Opt for dual radio APs

It is recommendable to install a dual-band access point for your Wi-Fi deployment. Compared to single-band devices operating only on the 2.4 GHz band, dual radio access points support both the 2.4 and 5GHz band. This is a relevant aspect to consider, as high-density Wi-Fi networks work better on the 5GHz band. The reason for this is that 5 GHz provides a higher number of frequency channels, of which 23 do not overlap. On the contrary, 2.4 GHz only has 3 channels where signals don’t overlap. As a result, because the 5 GHz band is less congested than 2.4 GHz, it is often the to be preferred band setting for networks deployed in educational institutes. That being said, remember that, even if you adopt a dual radio solution that works on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, users might not divide themselves properly between the two bands and might still use the 2.4 GHz band. Your network performance not only depends on the characteristics of the access point deployed, but it is also related to the way users behave.

3. Know where to position your AP

When adding access points to your new deployment, it is crucial to position them where your wireless signal is the strongest. In order to find the best spot for your access point’s location, you need to be conscious of possible physical obstacles that create interference limiting the signal propagation, such as construction materials, i.e. concrete and brick. Also, you should consider the number of floors of the building, their ceiling height, and identify the areas where a wireless connection isn’t needed. Furthermore, high-density environments such as schools are affected by co-channel interference: when many access point use the same radio frequency channel, data transmissions can shift from one access point to another one, causing a delay in signal reception. We recommend conducting a thorough site survey using Wi-Fi analyser tools to detect the best area in terms of signal strength. For instance, you can rely on a Wi-Fi network stumbler to examine and survey your Wi-Fi network in order to better plan, optimise and troubleshoot it.

4. Install the right number of APs

In general, schools are characterised by classrooms with a small number of Wi-Fi devices deployed per user. In this kind of environment, the number of access point you need to cover the area depends on the bandwidth at your disposal and on the number of users expected to use your Wi-Fi connection. On average, one access point can support and ensure a good Wi-Fi experience to approximately 15 concurrent users. Accordingly, you can install one access point per classroom, assuming that each classroom hosts on average 20-30 students. If you are not sure what model of access points best suits your WLAN deployment, check our extensive list of supported access points: Tanaza is vendor-agnostic and supports a broad range of access points from different brands, depending on your needs.  

5. Create different SSIDs

Different users will access and connect to your school’s Wi-Fi network: students, the faculty, and guests. Accordingly, it is recommendable to create different SSIDs for each user group. With Tanaza, IT admins can choose among a variety of authentication methods for each user segment: access through a password, login through email or phone, registration through forms and social login. For instance, you can create a WPA2 password-protected SSID for the staff members, a SSID for students access through captive portal, and a SSID for visitors requiring social login, email address or phone number to access it.  

Do you want to know how to offer a secure browsing experience to all users in your school Wi-Fi deployment? Check out our content filtering tool!

Let’s discuss in this post the main benefits of Wi-Fi networks over wired for small deployments.

Small networks, such as home and small business LANs deployments, can be set up relying on both wireless and wired technology. In this post, we discuss the main reasons why you should consider building your network using the Wi-Fi technology instead of Ethernet.

1. Cloud-based Wi-Fi easy setup

Firstly, Ethernet cables need to reach all computers to work. Accordingly, it becomes tricky when more computers are required for your deployment and are positioned in different areas, as you might need to pass through walls or under the floor to reach them. On the contrary, Wi-Fi is less time-consuming and easier to setup, especially if you operate your wireless infrastructure in the cloud, like Tanaza. Indeed, cloud-based management allows you to remotely install your access points and configure your network, with no need for an IT expert on-site. Furthermore, the most innovative cloud-based systems, such as Tanaza, are characterised by zero-touch deployment tools, meaning that also the provisioning and the first configuration of your network is performed remotely through the cloud. No matter where you go, thanks to cloud-based Wi-Fi management, you can manage and control your network anywhere, saving a huge amount of time and money.

Read this article to know how to cloud-manage your first Tanaza powered access point.

2. Wi-Fi is fast enough

Thanks to the new standards, Wi-Fi has become increasingly fast over time, to the point that the difference between Ethernet and Wi-Fi regarding speed is not so relevant anymore. Indeed, the latest WiFi 5, also known as 802.11ac, standard provides a speed of up to 3200 Mbps, making Wi-Fi enough good performing for the majority of tasks. Also, latency is not a big issue either: it is true that with Wi-Fi there is a higher delay when signals travel from a wireless device and a wireless router, but this does not prevent a good performance if you use your network to browse online, stream videos and listen to music. On the other hand, being less affected by latency, Ethernet connections are a better choice for online gaming and VoIP calls.

Read these instructions to discover how Tanaza helps you to remotely improve your Wi-Fi speed.

3. Wi-Fi uses encryption to protect data

Using Ethernet cables, wired LANs are more secure than wireless. On the other hand, with Wi-Fi data travel in the air, which increases the likelihood that your sent and received data can be intercepted. Nevertheless, nowadays the majority of Wi-Fi networks use encryption to protect data. In particular, WPA2 is currently the most recommended encryption mechanism for Wi-Fi secure connections.   

If you want to know how to protect your SSIDs using WPA2-PSK with Tanaza, click here.

4. Wi-Fi is versatile

Thanks to Wi-Fi, businesses achieve faster client onboarding: indeed, instead of providing Ethernet cables, it is only necessary to provide a password or to use a system that allows the BYOD policy, like Tanaza. The Tanaza software also allows you to successfully connect to your Wi-Fi network devices with no Ethernet port, such as Es smartphones. Furthermore, Wi-Fi networks allow more user to use the same connection at the same time, remotely, simplifying files access and data sharing and transfer. Tanaza Wi-Fi, for instance, allows an unlimited number of concurrent users to browse online. Also, on the Tanaza Cloud dashboard, you can check the number of people connected to your wireless network anytime. Not to mention that thanks to Wi-Fi, people are free to move around a location and access the network anywhere within coverage range, instead of being constrained in the place where the router is physically located.

Click here to learn how to create a new network in Tanaza Cloud.

5. People love Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is the ideal choice for small businesses located in public areas, such as cafes and bars. Indeed, Wi-Fi has become an expected service among people and can be therefore leveraged by businesses to increase their revenues. Furthermore, customers can enjoy wireless internet connection using any type of Wi-Fi-enabled device, including smartphone, tablet, wearables, sensors, etc.

If you are curious to know how to start a business in the Wi-Fi market, read this article.

In order to design and implement a successful Wi-Fi network, you need to be familiar with the following 3 RF fundamentals.

1. WIRELESS CHANNELS

The first thing to know is that all Wi-Fi devices communicate through a channel. Each channel is characterised by a number, which corresponds to a precise radio frequency. The 2 main frequency bands used among WLAN access points are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Worldwide there are 14 channels using the 2.4 GHz band, whose availability varies from country to country (for instance, channel 14 is only available in Japan). It is good to know that the only 3 channels where signals don’t overlap are the number 1, 6 and 11. Nevertheless, especially in highly congested spaces such as working environments, all channels are used. As a result, signals invade other channels’ bandwidth and end up creating interference. A solution to this is to opt for channels operating on the 5 GHz band. In fact, 5 GHz is less congested, as the majority of Wi-Fi devices such as computers, Bluetooth devices, cellular and cordless phones operate on the 2.4 GHz band. Furthermore, 5 GHz provides a higher number of frequency channels, of which 23 do not overlap: all access point operating on the 5Ghz band usually support channels 36, 40, 44, 48, 54, 56, 60 and 64. Lastly, it is useful to point out that, in the 2.4 GHz band, active Wi-Fi signals are 20-22 MHz wide, whereas in the 5 GHz band signals can be 20, 40, 80, up to 160 MHz wide. In general, 20 Mhz channel width is recommended for high-dense enterprise deployments, while 40 MHz works well in areas with medium-low crowded Wi-Fi networks.

Read this article to know how to pick the right channel for your Wi-Fi deployment.

2. RF PROPAGATION

Radio frequency propagates through space with different behaviours: reflection, absorption, refraction, diffraction and scattering. Being aware of how RF moves around a particular space is relevant to understand why, when positioning an access point in a location, radio frequency waves can or not reach certain places within a room and neighbor areas.

• Under reflection, RF signals bounce to another direction when they hit reflecting materials that are larger than the wave, i.e. metals; reflection highly occurs in indoor WLAN deployments.
• Absorption occurs when RF signals are converted to heat and absorbed by certain materials, such as concrete or water.
• In the case of refraction, RF signals change direction when they pass through a material with a different density; refraction mainly occurs in outdoor WLAN deployments, which are affected by changes in atmospheric conditions and air temperatures.
• With diffraction, RF waves change direction when they move around an object of a certain size, shape or material.
• Scattering can be intended as “many reflections of the RF wave”, and occurs when the wavelength of the RF signal is larger that the one of the medium/material/object the signal is passing through.

Knowing how radio frequencies react depending on the material they come into contact with, helps you avoid possible interferences caused by physical obstacles, i.e. water, bricks, trees, microwaves, etc. In this way, you will know better where to design your WLAN and where to place your access points.

Read this article to learn how to position your Wi-Fi router properly.

3. RF MEASUREMENTS

In order to understand how strong the RF signal of your WLAN is,  you need to know how to measure it. We measure RF power levels through milliwatts (mW) and decibel-milliwatt (dBm): a mW is an absolute unit corresponding to 1/1000th of a Watt, and a dBm is a decibel relative to a milliwatt. In general, it is more convenient to use dBm than mW: as we use very low output power levels, generally comprised between 0 and 1 mW, it is easier to say that your access point transmits  X dBm rather than saying it transmits 0.0000X mW. The table below shows the relation between mW and dBm.

1 mW = 0 dBm

10 mW = 10 dBm

100 mW = 20 dBm

1 W = 1000 mW = 30 dBm

Keeping in mind this table, you can now measure RF power levels with the rule of 10s and 3s, according to which:

• For every gain of 3 dB, the power in mW is doubled
• For every loss of 3 dB, the power in mW is halved
• For every gain of 10 dB, the power in mW is multiplied by 10
• For every loss of 10 dB, the power in mW is divided by 10

In this article, you can learn how the rule of 10s and 3s works together with an example of its application.