Earlier this month, market experts Ekahau launched their latest WiFi survey software update, making Ekahau Survey available on iPhones as well as iPads. Currently Ekahau offer the only enterprise standard WiFi survey tool for mobile devices including tablets.
Our in-house wireless engineer Stewart put the latest update to the test at a construction site WiFi survey last week in the Netherlands. Here are his thoughts:
1. Augmented Reality Improves Usability
The most noteworthy update from the newest version of Ekahau Connect is the ‘Auto Pilot’ survey feature. Traditionally, survey engineers would have to plot their location on a floor plan, walk in a straight line, then plot their location again when they change direction. Auto Pilot allows the engineer to plot their initial location and, using Augmented Reality, walk the entirety of their client’s site without having to re-plot their location with every change of direction. This speeds up survey readings by 33% and ensures more accurate survey results because the software measures the engineer’s walking speed and current location in real-time. This also means the data produced can form a better WiFi network design. “It made a highly accurate and informative survey much, much easier to conduct” says Stewart.
2. Forget Worrying About Pace
The update also means that changes in the engineer’s walking pace do not affect readings, which proved invaluable on a large site where – like most – walking speed cannot be kept steady due to doorways, traffic (human or automotive!), cramped spaces or areas with lots of obstructions.
3. Improved Accuracy
The latest update also allows heatmaps to show very minor changes in direction that couldn’t be seen with Ekahau Connect without manual intervention by the engineer. The previous iteration of the software would attribute readings to a straight line, even if the engineer had deviated from this path to move around an obstruction.
The newest version of Ekahau Connect tracks these deviations using augmented reality and attributes readings to the actual walked route rather than the planned route. This ensures that a new network can be designed with fewer inaccuracies or unaccounted for obstructions.
4. Survey Equipment is Lighter for Travel
Ekahau for iPhone reduces the amount of equipment an engineer needs to take to surveys, which is an appreciated update, especially when travelling overseas!
5. Site Surveys are Safer to Coduct
Autofiring readings means surveyors can focus on their direction and surroundings. So many of our WiFi surveys take place in busy environments like warehouses, where accidents can happen easily. “I spent far less time thinking about where I was going to walk and more time thinking about potential issues with an existing solution, or a suitable design for a new wireless solution” says Stewart.
So are there any limitations of the upgrade? Stewart says yes: “although this update will be fantastic in most situations, tight spaces may be more difficult. In these locations I’ll probably be reverting back to the other methods of survey that Ekahau Connect provides”.
If you would like more information on the range of WiFi surveys we offer internationally, please head to our WiFi Surveys page to get in touch.
While it certainly helps, designing the best WiFi infrastructures doesn’t simply come down to having a lightning fast WiFi connection. If you are designing WiFi for a network environment which is high density, there are many factors to bear in mind if you want to come up with the perfect plan. In this article we offer some key WiFi design tips:
WiFi Design – Place your APs wisely
Where you position your access points (APs) is one of the single biggest considerations which you will have when designing a WiFi set-up. You should ensure that your APs are not blocked by physical objects, and to take into account the effect of thick walls inside a building. Aim to have clear lines of sight from APs to areas which are commonly used by people connecting, and try and keep them at a distance from water, such as pipe networks.
WiFi Design – ‘Aim high’ on your AP numbers
It might be said that you can never have too many APs, and while this could be exaggerating a little, it is undoubtedly the case that it is best to ‘shoot high’ and overestimate, rather than underestimate, the number of APs which you will need when you are planning the investment. If you do end up with surplus APs, you might need them in the long run should performance begin to degrade over time.
WiFi Design – 5GHZ radio bands
5GHZ radio bands are definitely the way forward when it comes to designing your WiFi set-up. You’ll be able to take advantage of much higher connection speeds than you would with 2.4GHZ, and get around the problem of the packed radio band which 2.4GHZ poses. You don’t want to end up competing with Bluetooth and other technologies for the same frequency range, so save yourself the hassle and use 5GHZ.
Those are just three pieces of advice from us on WiFi design. Especially where education WiFi is concerned, in the modern day, institutions require a high level of connectivity to meet the demands of many people on campus – from students to lecturers, administrators and guests – making optimum WiFi design all the more important. Contact us for more details.
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When it comes to wireless networks, hands down, the most common cause of premature poor performance, inability to meet requirement, or obsolescence is poor Wi-Fi planning during the design stage.
In recent years, the demand for networks that can support increasing devices, platforms and applications has grown exponentially, placing even more pressure on the underlying foundations of your IT architecture; those with poor designs are becoming more and more evident as the pressure on networks grows.
Planning a next-generation Wi-Fi network requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure optimal performance and scalability, and getting this stage wrong is both a costly and highly frustrating mistake to make. The cost of a disappointing digital experience for end users is not to be underestimated in today’s world, in addition to the elevated costs of managing a cumbersome network with frequent problems.
As experts in the field, we’re going to share our tips for Wi-Fi planning and design to help your organisation safeguard against a network that becomes legacy ahead of its time.
So, how do I plan a Wi-Fi network?
Planning a new wireless network can feel like a daunting process, but below we’ve listed some key questions to ask yourself to get off to the best start.
– What are my current needs and future requirements?
Before embarking on planning a next-generation Wi-Fi network, it is crucial to assess the current needs of users and anticipate future requirements. This assessment involves evaluating the number of devices, the types of applications, and the desired coverage area. Understanding these factors will help determine the capacity and scalability needed for the network.
– How to choose the right Wi-Fi standard?
The next step is to choose the appropriate WiFi standards that align with the network requirements. The latest WiFi standards, such as IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and the upcoming 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), offer significant improvements in speed, capacity, and reliability. Evaluating the benefits of each standard in terms of throughput, latency, and support for multiple devices is crucial for future-proofing the network.
– How do I design for capacity and coverage?
Designing a next-generation WiFi network involves optimizing both capacity and coverage. It is essential to consider factors such as building layout, physical obstructions, and user density. Conducting a site survey and using network planning tools can help identify potential coverage gaps, interference sources, and optimal access point placement. Additionally, deploying a mesh network or using beamforming technology can enhance coverage and improve capacity in high-density areas.
– What about network segmentation and security?
As WiFi networks grow in complexity and size, network segmentation becomes crucial. Dividing the network into multiple virtual LANs (VLANs) or subnets allows for better security, improved traffic management, and increased network efficiency. Each segment can have different access controls, quality of service (QoS) policies, and security measures to protect sensitive data.
– How will I implement quality of service (QoS)?
Quality of Service is vital in ensuring that critical applications receive priority and adequate bandwidth. By implementing QoS policies, network administrators can prioritize specific applications, such as voice or video conferencing, over less time-sensitive traffic. This improves user experience, reduces latency, and ensures efficient utilization of network resources.
– What about network monitoring and management?
To maintain optimal performance, a next-generation WiFi network requires robust monitoring and management capabilities. Network administrators should invest in network management systems that provide real-time monitoring, traffic analysis, and troubleshooting tools. These tools enable proactive identification of network issues, capacity planning, and performance optimization.
– How do I future-proof a wireless network?
Planning for the future is essential when designing a next-generation WiFi network. Considering emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), is crucial. These technologies will place additional demands on the network, requiring higher bandwidth and lower latency. By ensuring scalability and flexibility in the network design, future upgrades can be seamlessly incorporated.
Other considerations…
– Think about a professional Wi-Fi survey
A sure-fire way to make sure you kick off the process of designing a new wireless network to a great start is a Wi-Fi survey done by specialists in the field. This should give you a full report, detailing where and why your current network has failed to give your organisation the performance it needs, covering layout, interference, AP mounting locations and expected capacity requirements.
The cost of a Wi-Fi survey varies, and any provider worth their weight will always offer a bespoke service that delves into your exact requirements and uses accurate, industry leading survey tools, such as Ekahau. Cheaper survey tools don’t offer the accuracy needed when planning to invest in a future-ready network, don’t examine packet loss, and often they only detect Wi-Fi interference, not non-Wi-Fi interference coming from electronics, metals or radar events (as common examples!). We’ve seen so many instances of this causing poorly performing wireless networks, from schools to warehouses.
– Is Wi-Fi 6 a must?
No, Wi-Fi 6 is not a MUST. That said… the latest standard brings unparalleled performance when it comes to speed, capacity and dealing with high-density environments. As more devices and applications demand higher bandwidth and lower latency, the latest standards will step into their own, outweighing the cost-savings of older ones. Devices are also increasingly equipped with Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, so adopting the standard now can ensure future compatibility.
– Don’t forget the wire!
Your new Access Points will connect back to a wired network, so it’s always beneficial to consider both elements in tandem to get the best possible end-performance. Will the switches and cabling support the throughput required for the demands of your new Wi-Fi network? Will the new Wi-Fi network introduce new bottlenecks on your wired network? These are questions that need to be considered in the context of your end-result performance.
So, what’s the crux of it?
In conclusion, planning a next-generation Wi-Fi network involves careful assessment, strategic decision-making, and future-proofing. By understanding the current needs and future requirements, selecting appropriate standards, optimising capacity and coverage, implementing network segmentation and security, prioritising QoS, and investing in network monitoring and management, organisations can build a Wi-Fi network that delivers high-speed, reliable, and scalable connectivity – that brings the greatest possible ROI.
Taking the time to plan your wireless network carefully is an investment in the future productivity of your business, and cutting corners now will cost you significantly later on. We offer a range of wireless site surveys to assist with the planning and design of your wireless network, just take a look.
In the past, networks were designed with either coverage or capacity in mind, however in today’s world WiFi has become such an intrinsic part of life that high-performance connectivity must be offered in spite of the simultaneous demands on capacity and coverage. Network managers must ensure that the digital experience is both seamless and superior whether a user is underground, surrounded by interfering materials, in a football stadium or in an office meeting room. Slow speeds, drop-offs or black spots are simply no longer accepted.
Understanding the interplay between capacity and coverage in today’s world of WiFi is key to understanding how to balance the two elements.
What is wireless coverage?
The coverage of a wireless network tells us just how far your wireless signal transmits; if you’re running a large institution or organisation, ensuring that your WLAN coverage reaches everywhere on the premises is crucial. Predicting the area a WLAN will cover isn’t always simple; power settings, environmental obstacles and antenna gain can all affect coverage. One of the most accurate ways to assess wireless coverage is wireless surveys, which may include heat maps and spectrum analysis.
What is wireless capacity?
Wireless capacity relates to the number of users who can use your wireless simultaneously in one place, and how (and at what rate) they are using bandwidth. Wireless capacity is just as big a consideration as coverage when designing a new WLAN; if your network doesn’t meet capacity in peak locations, the result is unusable WiFi and disconnected clients.
As an example, in schools, colleges and universities you might find that canteens, social areas and computer rooms are WiFi hotspots – these are areas where large groups of students gather to study, socialise and check their Twitter accounts on smartphones and tablets. In these locations it’s important to maximise WiFi capacity to meet the needs of all users in the network, taking into account potential traffic at peak hours.
Do I need more coverage or more capacity?
So how do you know whether your coverage or your capacity is the problem? Or both! The best way to find out is to have an on-site survey done by certified WiFi engineers. This will diagnose network problems and offer a series of immediate fixes as well as longer-term recommendations with the future of connectivity in mind.
Do I need more access points?
Wireless networks need to be usable to be worth having, and in today’s constantly connected world, WiFi is no longer optional in large businesses and educational institutions. More access points are a potential solution, but can cause overlapping signals and even poorer performance – yes, it is possible to have terrible performance despite high signal! Currently there are only 3 channels in the UK wireless spectrum which guarantee zero interference, so overlapping signals can very easily become an additional problem compounding your wireless’ poor performance.
How can I resolve coverage and capacity issues?
If you’re experiencing issues with capacity and/or coverage, there are other ways to resolve the problem: upgrading your institution’s wireless network can improve coverage and capacity without the need to install more access points, and will offer long-term ROI rather than simply putting a plaster over an increasingly problematic flaw in your network infrastructure.
Newer solutions can offer automated network management to avoid overlapping signals and channel ‘conflict’ which means network managers can save time and focus on more important tasks. As devices, applications and security risks continue to rise, networks that support machine learning and automation will be increasingly valuable to IT departments and businesses as a whole.
The best solution will depend entirely on your WLAN design and requirements.
For more details about capacity and coverage in your wireless network, contact us today.