Whether you are a baby boomer or a millennial it is safe to say that during the past decade or so technology has evolved massively. We live in the ultra-modern world where if you do not have an online presence you simply do not exist (not literally, just figuratively). A lot of our personal and professional lives are intertwined with technology which in continuation is hugely dependent on WIFI. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to say that a good and reliable WIFI system is a must for our day-to-day lives.
Large Residential Estate
If we lived in a small apartment, a single WIFI device with exceptional coverage would be able to cater to all our needs, making our life easy and serving our WIFI needs with a simple piece of technology. But that’s not the case! In reality for a WIFI system to work seamlessly in a large residential estate, many intricate types of equipment need to be installed in different places, which is not a piece of cake for sure. ‘Why’ and ‘where’ you need the WIFI system ultimately decides the kind of equipment you will need and the cost you will incur. Basically, large houses cannot be catered to by a consumer-grade WIFI system, it needs an enterprise WIFI system like UniFi WIFI which provides larger coverage and supports more devices.
Planning and Implementing an Enterprise WIFI System
1. Ethernet Cabling
Cable installation is a cumbersome and elaborate process and is often suggested to be planned in the earlier stages so that it can be handled simultaneously with construction. A lot of residential areas, as well as commercial areas, opt for planning Ethernet cabling while deciding the layouts of the structures and spaces. This works well because cable installation in a built-out environment is a burden both in terms of finances and aesthetics. Imagine drilling, cutting through walls, digging up the ground to run the cable, and then put it all back together to make the cabling invisible!
2. Choosing the Right Equipment
Large residential areas need a WIFI system with a wider coverage which cannot be compensated with a consumer-grade WIFI system, hence an enterprise WIFI system like the UniFi WIFI is considered one of the best in the market. The multiple access points in an enterprise WIFI system increase the coverage and the number of devices supported, which makes the user internet experience seamless. Now, all these access points not only need to be high performing but also need to work in sync with other technical and core equipment. This is why choosing the right equipment is of utmost importance and involves planning and purchasing a whole lot of technical instruments like access points, firewalls, network interface controllers, switches, wireless bridges, and more. If you do not have the technical know-how of an expert this is where you will need a professional wireless service provider like SimpleFly Tech to help assess and provide the best equipment to enhance the wireless performance and minimize the limitations.
3. Unified Management System
The most important feature of enterprise WIFI systems is the Unified Management System that comes in the form of physical or cloud controllers. With changing times cloud controllers are becoming more and more popular, slowly phasing out the need for physical controllers. Enterprise WIFI systems like Unifi WIFI provide noteworthy cloud controllers that not only improve the analytics but also provide a more centralized control system. What makes cloud controllers more popular is the fact that these can be managed and updated without going on-site; simply through mobile apps. Also, it provides better accessibility than on-site controllers which if fail need to be replaced physically and incur extra cost.
4. Positioning the Equipment
Access Points need to be placed strategically to cover a large area and provide an uninterrupted wireless network all across. Well, this involves strategic planning and if you need professional help, SimpleFly Tech has got you covered. A site survey is conducted and accordingly, the number of access points required and the placement plan is devised before moving ahead with the installation process. Other than that the positioning of core technical equipment is also determined. Areas like the server room or equipment like the IDF switches need to be secured in a dust-free and climate-controlled environment prohibiting unauthorized access, which needs detailed planning and flawless execution.
5. Equipment Configuration
The kind of space you want to support ultimately decides the configuration you need to opt for. Also, budget plays an important role here. In places with multiple levels or floors numerous access points with reduced signal cell size can be installed to provide a continuous wireless connection across all floors. Alternatively in open spaces and with limited budgets which restrict the number of access points you can install, signal cell size can be increased so that each access point can cover as much area as possible.
6. Wireless Bridges
Wireless bridges are the simplest way to extend wireless coverage. These devices don’t provide WIFI connectivity but extend the range of the existing WIFI signal. Wireless bridges are the best alternative if you don’t want to invest in Ethernet cabling or have a limited budget. The extra cost incurred in the cable installation can be heavy on the pocket, especially in a built-out space where the additional cost to run and hide the cable on top of the labor cost can be massive. In such cases wireless bridges turn out to be a savior since these are usually installed on the outside of the buildings and are weatherproof, requiring less upkeep. Furthermore, they require a single Ethernet cable which can provide power too. Wireless bridges provide good connectivity as long as the line of sight is uninterrupted therefore providing internet access across a large space.
For a non-IT professional assessing, planning, installing, and maintaining a WIFI system in a large residential estate can be an overwhelming task and for this reason, we at SimpleFly Tech exist to make your life easy. We take up all the surveying, planning, and installation in our hands, keeping your requirements in mind and provide an efficient and reliable WIFI system to take care of your wireless needs.
If you need any further assistance regarding your WIFI system needs feels free to contact our wireless specialists for a free consultation.
