How to scale a Wi-Fi network

To deploy a 100 feet Wi-Fi coverage in a network site has several steps to protect your set-up with a profitable outcome.

Clear understanding is required to expanding your Wi-Fi network , in order to achieve high performance outcome without overspending. Step one is to analyze the current setup about their performance in coverage area, and then go for designing and deploying the access points (APs).

Set your goals

Grading up a Wi-Fi network can be achieved by different models. That is entirely deploying a new network set-up with upgraded facilities, or increasing the existing network setup geographically or cumulating its frame to assist additional customers in the similar zone. Based on the project requirements, the setup may vary in order to set them appropriately.

Initially, calculate the number of clients using the network at a given time and also analyze application demands for the particular bandwidth what they use. The main goal of profitable network is to provide better coverage with minimum number of access point (Aps).

Analyze the current setup

Site survey

The most significant set is Wi-Fi survey, its origin us a proper way to deploy APs within the coverage location. Before initialing your current network, approximately create a baseline idea regarding the performance of the entire network. The outcome of the surveys supports us to discovery the optimum locations for new access points if needed.

With the upgraded Wi-Fi network, measure the space that needs to improve the coverages. Based on the needs, estimate the access point based on the number of clients present in the particular location.

Consecutive APs

In a real world solicitation, the number of Aps required is being computed by performing certain math to acquire uneven client-to-AP ratios. Even the AP vendors may affirm on handling 100 to 300 users per AP, real-world applications mean it may be probably required to support 15 to 50 clients per AP radio depending on the nature of the applications the clients are exploiting. The ratio might be advanced while using Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) APs and clients in high-density surroundings like arenas.

Scaling up the network is not necessarily mean splitting and exchanging all the present APs, but before it is performed, the age and capabilities of the current Aps are computed. In calculating and substituting all of them at the time of the ascending if they provision only up to 802.11g, and maybe even consider replacement if it’s 802.11n. If it is focused to replace the APs, prudently estimate and relate features, and contemplate about future proofing by sticking out the process of Wi-Fi use may change over time. Also reflect the Wi-Fi values that the clients support.

As it is a constraint, perform the task that can be enabled to escalate the capacity of the network without accumulating more APs. The fewer radio-frequency signals flying around, the less the chance they compete and cause co-channel interference, and the better off the network will be. Some ways to avoid this interference are tuning down power levels and even disabling the 2.4GHz band altogether on some APs. It is also be considerate about where does it place the APs because retaining them in spots where it can be utilized the building or furniture to source of lessening, can help to better contain the signals from each AP.

Further, if it is required to diminish co-channel interfering by consuming Wi-Fi analyzers to assure the attention of the APs overlay enough to confirm seamless roaming, but not adequate to restrict with each other. Also it is required to be sure APs are not broadcasting a much higher power level than the distinctive client used in the network. Aim for the APs and the clients to have about equivalent influence in their transmission ranges.

Capacity Verification of the wired network

While evaluating the existing Wi-Fi gear, it is assured to perform the same for the networking substructure it links to. Consider the number of APs that the wireless controller is accomplished of supporting. The upgrade may thrust it outside its limits, and so it may have to be substituted.

It is computed towards the network switch capacity that is new or additional APs will require, and make sure there are adequate and large enough switch ports to handle the upgrade. Considering that placing APs may require new Ethernet cable runs between them and a switch. If the APS support Wi-Fi mesh or wireless distribution system (WDS) mode where certain APs receive their LAN connection wirelessly, they can be used as a temporary fix to attach the new gear until the Ethernet can be pulled. Wi-Fi mesh and WDS are not recommended for permanent use unless it’s impossible to run ethernet out to the APs.

Extending coverage of existing Wi-Fi

If it is required to slightly extend the Wi-Fi coverage area may be of 100 hundred feet or less, first analyze the heatmaps to see whether tweaking the existing APs could accomplish the task. Making a few minor AP moves and increasing power levels slightly push out the coverage a little further. If it is required significantly more coverage, possibly have to enhance more APs and run more cables after doing some surveying for find optimum locations.

Encompassing Wi-Fi outdoors with existing APs

In order to expand Wi-Fi coverage outside or to an outbuilding without network connectivity, there are several ways to go about it depending on how far from the main network it is required for coverage. If it is looked-for a few hundred feet of coverage away from a building with network connectivity, consider running the Ethernet through the external wall and mounting outdoor-rated APs on the outward of the building. Most likely it is required to utilize steering antennas pointing to where the clients are.

Focusing to reach the distances that are more than a few hundred feet from the main building, consider running Ethernet out to the desired AP locations. If that is not possible, may look it if the AP supports wireless mesh or WDS functionality for the backhaul instead of Ethernet. For lengthier distances, it can be utilized special long-distance APs like wireless ISP (WISP) equipment.

If the desired outside area is too far for truly spreading the current Wi-Fi, maybe contemplate using a distinct cellular-based internet connection for the outside area. It could utilize an enterprise-level router with cellular support for the WAN connection, or for smaller and simpler needs just use a consumer-based Wi-Fi hotspot.

Adding Wi-Fi for whole new sites

If it is required to expand the Wi-Fi by accumulating new locations with no existing Wi-Fi network, there may be a need to perform certain site surveying to discover the optimal AP locations. Also, reflect homogeneousness of equipment across all of the sites. If it is already utilized a Wi-Fi brand with a cloud-based controller system that can certainly make managing the existing sites plus your new ones easier. If it is not already having a cloud-based solution for Wi-Fi management, and have multiple sites, consider moving towards one. This is a major feature to consider if it needs to upgrade a network.