To implement a high-performance WLAN, it is essential that those who design the networks consider external variables, such as the applications’ requirements in terms of bandwidth and throughput network.
Find in the infographic below the bandwidth needed and the throughput requirements for 5 common ways to use Wi-Fi: video streaming, video call, social media, VoIP calls and web browsing. The throughput requirements are estimations done by Tanaza’s tech team. (more…)
Tanaza list for you what are the WiFi network features that you need:
– Remote monitoring;
– Guest access;
– Social login;
– Wi-Fi marketing;
– Couponing system.
Thanks to the increased adoption of Wi-Fi enabled devices and applications, the cloud-managed Wi-Fi market is rapidly growing.
Companies like Tanaza allow you to start your business in the Wi-Fi market quickly and easily, with its complete set of features. To offer the best service to your clients, you should adapt your Wi-Fi network to fit the industry you are targeting.
Due to its incomparable set of features and reliability, Tanaza has been chosen by many companies worldwide to manage their Wi-Fi network in industries like retail, education, hospitality, healthcare, to name a few….
In the infographic below, we present you with a checklist of the top 5 most indispensable features, according to our customers, based on their applications in different industries.
.jpg?t=1489655444658&width=720&name=Industry%20Application%20(1).jpg "Find out more information about the top 5 most indispensable features for your network based on their applications in different industries.")
The remote management function is indispensable to all industries. Tanaza allows you to monitor each access point from the remote: if an access point goes down, you’ll receive an email alert and will be able to check its status in seconds through the dashboard.
Guest access refers to the possibility to create various ways to access a Wi-Fi network. Tanaza allows you to create up to 8 SSIDs per access point, which means that you can adapt the network to fit the kind of users. For example, in the education sector, Tanaza will enable you to create separate SSIDs; one SSID for students, one for administration staff, and another for guests. Regardless of the industry in which a network is deployed, this feature is very handy for administrators managing networks or networks with multiple types of users.
The social login feature allows Wi-Fi users to access the network using their social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and so on. With social login authentication, you can ask Wi-Fi users to like your business’ Facebook page or check-in their position in your location. Social login helps you to increase your visibility on social media and create word of mouth around your location. For example, when organizing a special event, you could offer users access to Wi-Fi through Twitter and ask them to tweet something with “#yourlocation” before connecting to Wi-Fi. If you are working for a restaurant, ask for a review on TripAdvisor or a check-in in your location…
In addition, log in through social media is appreciated by users of mobile that usually have already their social accounts activated on their smartphone. Through social login authentication, you will be able to collect data about the social profile of Wi-Fi users and create a complete database on your Tanaza dashboard.
Wi-Fi marketing is a feature that allows you to turn your hotspot into a new marketing tool. By collecting data from the captive portal and analyze it, you will have a clear idea of who your clients are: age, gender, city, name, surname, phone number, email address. All collected data can be analyzed through the Tanaza dashboard or you can decide to export them on a marketing platform like MailChimp (the application is integrated into Tanaza). Wi-Fi marketing is complementary to social login and will help you to increase your visibility and offer tailored services to your clientele.
Last but not least, the couponing system gives you the possibility to configure whether your users have free or paid access to your network. It also allows you to control the time of a session, upload and download quota, the number of connected devices per person, and the bandwidth. For example, in hotels, guests could initially be given a free 20-minute session on your network and if they wish to extend their session, they can pay based on the amount of time they wish to have a Wi-Fi connection… You are completely free to configure network access as you want!
There are tons of possible configurations for your Wi-Fi network and you are free to set up as you like and according to your needs. Tanaza is a scalable software thanks to its multi-vendor aspect and can be easily used whether for a café/restaurant than for a university or a sports venue.
https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/public-wi-fi-a-market-of-3-billion-dollars-in-2017-infographic/
The following are useful methods you can use to boost WiFi signal for better connectivity, wherever you are located:
1. Relocate the access point
2. Add an additional wireless access point to your network
3. Change the radio channel
4. Upgrade your device with antennas
The intensity of the Wi-Fi signal is one of the most important elements in a WLAN. In fact, if the signal of the Wi-Fi is too low, users might complain because they are in a blind spot, with no coverage. In this article, we will suggest easy ways to way to boost a Wi-Fi signal, improve coverage and avoid interference.
The place where your access point is located can have a significant impact on your Wi-Fi signal. The Wi-Fi electromagnetic waves bounce on the walls and lose intensity. Often, the ideal position for an access point is in the center of the room, with minimal physical obstructions around. It is important to take into consideration that the other electromagnetic devices like microwaves, TVs, phones, fridges, etc. can also create interferences with your access point.
Also, if your access point has external antennas, don’t forget to modify their direction. Although we usually put antennas in a vertical direction, engineers recommend that one be positioned in a horizontal direction and the other in a vertical direction, in order to enhance the propagation of the electromagnetic waves.
 |
|
| Source: Macg.co |
The bigger the area to cover with your network, the more wireless access points needed to guarantee a ubiquitous signal.
To add an AP to your network, you will have to connect it through a cable to your router.
Take into consideration that every access point has different features. An AP must be chosen based on the type of environment in which the network is deployed. For example, an indoor access point should only be used inside a building and a desktop AP should be positioned on a table, while a ceiling mountable AP can be fixed on the wall.
If you want more information about Wi-Fi devices commonly used in public networks, you can check our infographic about the different models, brands, prices, indoor or outdoor usage and capacity of access points.
 |
 |
| Outdoor AP: Ubiquiti Nanostation loco M2 | Indoor AP: Linksys WRT160NL |
As you know, there are different Wi-Fi radio channels. If your neighbor’s APs use the same channel as yours, there may be interference that creates issues with Wi-Fi and its speed. If you change the radio channel, you can get better-working Wi-Fi. To maximize throughput and avoid interference, channels 1, 6, and 11 are the best choices because as they are spaced out far enough to avoid overlapping. For example, if your neighbor intensively uses channel 2, your best choice will be channel 11. If you are interested in the radio channel, have a look at those two articles:
Auto-channel selection to avoid interference
How to configure radio mode, channel and power level of an AP
Routers are in constant evolution and old wireless devices might not pick up radio signals as well as new wireless devices. For a better Wi-Fi experience, be sure to have an upgraded access point and selected it according to your needs. For example, access points have different types of antennas: the omnidirectional that spreads signal in every direction, the unidirectional that spreads signal in only one direction and the bi-directional that spreads signal in two opposite directions. Use an AP with omnidirectional antennas when it is positioned in the center of a room and choose the unidirectional AP when it is positioned in a corner.
https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/how-to-calculate-wi-fi-bandwidth-need/
https://www.classichotspot.com/blog/quick-guide-7-tips-on-how-to-position-your-router/
Nowadays, hacking attacks that threaten Wi-Fi network security are the order of the day.
In order to prevent malicious users from accessing networks and sensitive data, such as email password and bank account information, administrators should effectively improve their wireless network security by regularly changing their APs’ username and password, and configuring them with password-protected SSIDs.
A survey conducted by ZK Research revealed that Wi-Fi issues are mostly based on users’ false perceptions.
Nowadays, a high-quality and secure wireless connection is a must-have, specially considering many devices today function via or with Wi-Fi and require a reliable connection. In order to investigate the perceptions versus the realities of Wi-Fi issues, ZK Research surveyed 102 Wi-Fi users. (more…)
It’s time to consider moving from on-premise to Saas for your business. Nowadays with the cloud revolution, SaaS is slowly becoming more and more common thanks to its “easier to manage” side.
If you did not do the jump yet, find in the list below, facts to keep in mind when switching from on-premise software to a SaaS.