FAQ

Why do a site survey?

In simplistic terms, a site survey involves a process in order to achieve optimimum RF coverage, while also determining the quantity and location of access points. RF deployments typically have impairments that need to be compensated for such as multi-path distortion and RF interference. The goal of a site survey is to also quantify these impairments and compensate for them in the best ways possible.

All of the efforts involved in a site survey are to ensure that the actual deployment will be as trouble free and cost effective as possible. It is virtually impossible to simply calculate on paper how your wireless network needs to be designed and configured. Each and every environment is different, which is why site surveys are so important.

I've heard that human body can affect the quality of a wireless network?

Absolutely! The human body is comprised mostly of water. Microwave frequencies (which are what wireless networks use) do not penetrate any object comprised largely of water. It's common for the signal to attenuate (weaken) -20dB by passing through an average-sized human body. Integrated WiFi takes many issues into account when designing your wireless network where we design around your existing activity and, most importantly, your needs.

What level of security do I need?

What security measures you should employ absolutely depend on your application and usage of your wireless network. If you have a café or restaurant and want to provide Internet access to your customers, you often need very little security as long as it's not tied into any other equipment you use for your business. However, if you are using a wireless network for business, which provides access to secure resources, then there are many considerations. The bottom line is that every application of wireless is different. We would be happy to give you a free security assessment. Simply contact us here and we can arrange a phone call.

How do we monitor and manage deployed equipment?

Depending on the level of tolerance for downtime and onsite resolution, we structure monitoring differently. We utilize industry standard SNMP monitoring and management applications that are deployed inside some of the largest companies in the world. Additionally, we have partnerships with 3rd parties with a 24/7 call centers and NOCs providing you the highest level monitoring and management available today.

What is the difference with consumer and enterprise grade equipment?

Features and quality. Consumer equipment for wireless networks usually are made to be deployed as a single unit with a single radio hooked up to a DSL or Cable Internet feed. Most importantly, enterprise equipment has additional software functionality that is designed to work with multiple devices harmoniously. Enterprise devices also typically support more users per device and allow for advanced network functionality into a wired network. Antenna options are another critical advantage of enterprise equipment allowing us to shape the wireless signal where exactly you want the coverage and sometimes, just as importantly, where you do not want it. Radio quality inside the device is another big advantage of enterprise equipment.

Bottom line, consumer grade equipment is specifically designed for a home or SOHO environment where it will not support many users and lack a great deal of features required for a business deployment.

How do I authorize users on a wireless network?

There are several options to authorize users on a network. For some, a single access key (WEP) is sufficient simply to deter hackers, whereas in other environments you want to tap it into an existing user database such as RADIUS, Windows Account database, or a custom list. There are benefits to each type and protocol to perform authentication, which we can discuss with you for your particular application.

How far can a wireless frequency be sent?

Most of the documentation out there specifies that a 802.11b/g (2.4GHz) signal can travel 300 feet. This is true for most out-of-the-box consumer grade equipment. Unfortunately, depending on where you place the device it can be significantly less due to building construction, obstructions or other devices already present utilizing the 2.4GHz band. However, with the right design in the right conditions we've been able to make a signal travel 25 miles!