Every modern organization needs to provide stable and secure internet access to their employees, guests, students, customers/clients, etc. Modern consumers (and even employees) have come to take Internet access for granted. Wireless connections, in particular, have become a standard expectation for many.
Wireless access points (WAPs) provide a convenient method of connecting people to the internet. A WAP allows for multiple wireless connections between people and web-based resources. Though, ironically enough, even wireless access points require data cables to connect the wireless network to the world wide web.
It’s important to note that there is a major difference between the local area network (LAN) created with a WAP installation and mobile wireless technology offered by a cellular carrier. Cellular carrier networks offer a connection method over a large area using 3G, 4G, or LTE (long-term evolution) data connections that are routed through a cell phone tower, then relayed to the wider internet from there.
Meanwhile, WAPs create a wireless local area network that is generally confined to a smaller area. The advantage of WAPs over using cellular data is often that the wireless network of the access point is free for users to access, whereas a cellular network may cost money to use (unless they’re on an unlimited data plan, in which case they may face data throttling after hitting a certain data limit).
Additionally, not all mobile devices have a cellular data option at an affordable cost—requiring users to employ a mobile hotspot device or to rely on local wireless networks. So, it’s important for organizations of all kinds to provide a wireless network option.
Here are a few WAP installation guidelines to help you optimize your access point installation and return on investment for wireless networks.
When planning a WAP installation, it’s important to carefully consider how many access points you should have in a structure and where they should be placed to ensure consistent wireless connections throughout the facility. To do this, you need the following information:
For example, if you want to cover a larger area with thick walls, odds are that you’ll need to install more wireless access points to ensure consistent coverage and connection. If you’re expecting to have a lot of people who use data-intensive applications, you’ll probably need more access points with higher data transfer speeds to avoid slowdown and other issues with the wireless connection (keep in mind that the data cables you use to connect WAPs to the internet may also be a limiting factor).
Prior to selecting where your WAP installation points will be, consider conducting a predictive survey and/or on-site survey with a professional to determine what your needs are.
Having a professional assess conditions at the WAP installation site can give you a much clearer picture of how many wireless access points your facility needs, as well as provide optimal placement tips to ensure smooth and stable connections throughout the facility. As an added bonus, a professional installer can help you assess your projected consumption as your organization grows so you can future-proof your WAP installations—avoiding having to make an expensive upgrade or new installation when needs increase.
In the absence of the above information and assessments, a good general rule of thumb is that there should be at least one WAP device installed in a honeycomb pattern for every 1,600 square feet of floor space. However, this rule of thumb does not account for any interference from walls or objects that may be in a facility.
One of the most frequently-forgotten elements of any wireless network installation is the need for data cables to carry traffic from the wireless access point to the network switches typically installed in the Telecommunications Room (TR). Here are a few basic guidelines for specifying data cabling for a WAP installation:
Need help with provisioning cables for a WAP installation? Want to know more about the different requirements for a wireless network? Reach out to the Blue Wave team for information and advice.