Design and Architecture
A successful deployment of a wireless network begins with a thorough design and architecture. Included in this
step would be needs assessment, integration into your existing wired network, type and desired activity of
wireless clients, security, density, calucations of signal strength and distance...and much more.
Site Surveys
This is often an underestimated and overlooked component to an effective
wireless deployment. A proper site survey entails visiting a location prior to deployment to gain a
real-world understand of a site's physical considerations, activity, any existing wireless interference, and
staging an actual simulation to experience how desired equipment will perform.
Physical considerations include the construction and occupation. One construction consideration
includes the facility walls, ceilings and floors. Metal, concrete, and timber construction (including their shape)
vastly alter the strength and distance of microwave (2.4GHz & 5.8GHz) wireless frequencies. Occupation covers
such things as how many people, number of network clients, and what's housed in a facility.
One of the benefits of using todays WiFi technology is that you don't need an FCC license. That being said, one
of the downfalls is that you don't need an FCC license. The point here is that anyone
can use these frequencies. For example, wireless video cameras, microwave ovens, newer cordless phones, blue
tooth and other technologies use the same frequencies. In some instances, this means that your wireless network
may not operate properly because the devices cannot receive an adequate signal. A down-to-earth analogy
would be similar to being at a rock concert with thousands of screeming people while trying to talk to your
friend from across the room. ...wireless networks have ears too, and when more than one device is talking at
the same time problems can arise.
Fortunately, we have worked in the largest metro areas in the world where large amounts of interference and noise
is present. We've learned through experience how to handle even the most difficult of situations. Our clients are
often amazed just what's occupying their airwaves.
Site surveys also include placing a test device in the environment and mapping out how well its signal covers the
desired area of need. In this step we experiment with different antennas and options of covering the space
properly without weak signals.
More importantly, taking a thorough site survey often results in a decreased budget
than what was originally calculated to adequately meet project requirements. Specifically, that's less
equipment to purchase, but most of all, less equipment to install and maintain.
Access Control
Controlling access to your wireless network is critical to security and applications that run over it. A single
wireless infrastructure can be controlled so that it may serve two or more groups of people with their own
security considerations. The access to your network can also be integrated into an existing user account database
that you already maintain. Yes, that means that you don't have to create and maintain yet
another user database.
If your needs are to offer free WiFi access for your customers
or clients, access control technology allows you to serve a 'splash page' each time a user logs on. This splash
page is a website where you can deploy any content you wish to market, sell or inform your customers of.
Deployment
Deployment entails the wiring, installation, placement, alignment, configuration and location of the wireless
network infrastructure. Often asthetics play an important role to the building owner/operator whereby relocating
equipment is often necessary solely based its appearance where it was originally specified.
Integrated WiFi handles all areas of the deployment leaving you to tend to your existing business.
Security and Security Auditing
Questions about security always arise with our customers. WiFi has gotten a bad rap in the news, but fortunately
things have greatly improved. In June of 2004, the IEEE ratified 802.11i, the latest security standard for
WiFi networking. Entailed in this new standard are many areas of security previously not offered. Today, even our
own United States Government uses WiFi. In other words, yes, they are secure.
However, good security means much more than simply using secure-capable means of communication. Organizationally,
a policy and training must be put in place before a network is truly secure. Integrated WiFi can help you write
this policy and train your staff how to ensure security is actually maintained.
Backend Systems: Billing, Internet, RADIUS
What you want out of your network depends on what you will ultimately deploy. If charging for WiFi access is what
you're looking for, then the type of backend system you deploy is different than that for free access. We help
to eliminate the confusion and complications of using these systems by giving you the solution that suits you best.
