Guide to on site Boadband & wifi networks

Network Users & Usage

Each user on a network expects a certain level of functionality and availability so that they can perform tasks and do work conveniently and reliably, with different users having varying network requirements for the specific tasks and work that they carry out.

Some of these users may also have more than one device connected to your network at any given time, which can impose greater demand with respect to data throughput and bandwidth that would not ordinarily be accounted for.

Broadband Cabling

Running any kind of sustainable network requires dedicated cabling, as Wi-Fi alone has a limited usability range (this varies according to the bandwidth capabilities of each wireless access point), which complicates the process of providing stable and consistent connection speeds across your network for all users and devices.

All wireless access points require some form of power, including standard repeater units that promise to deliver high bandwidth availability, as they depend on direct routing and location power.

Be aware of mains power synchronicity when equipment is located in different areas and connected to the mains on a different supply phase.

Saturation & Interference

Networks can suffer from detrimental mapping effects in cases where access points bleed over onto channels that overlap in frequency, which can lead to performance regressions or even stop Wi-Fi from working entirely through the introduction of signal interference.

When planning the layout of your network, device locations should be mapped out in a way that reduces and mitigates the level of interference broadcast to and from installed equipment that can cause and/or produce electromagnetic interference (EMI), such as telecommunications infrastructure and air conditioning.

Extra care and attention must be afforded in densely populated areas, where there is an increased likelihood of more network devices being used simultaneously, causing greater signal overlap and resulting in larger bandwidth congestion.

Strength Testing

Testing the resilience of your network is fundamental in ascertaining how many users and devices that it can support under general workloads.

Simulating high bandwidth levels through the creation of multiple connections that all demand sizeable volumes of data concurrently is one of the easiest ways to determine how capable your network is of handling the types of usage that you expect it to fulfil.

The strength of your network is integral to its usefulness and comprises the defining factor regarding how beneficial it will be as an asset.

Other Connectivity

Even after setting up your network, there are still other aspects of network topology to take into consideration, such as the potential need for additional devices to be integrated into your existing infrastructure (for example, wireless printers, PDQ machines, network-attached storage, and digital video recorders) without causing undue disruption.

This must be considered when building a network for the purposes of longevity, durability, and scalability.

Additional Information

You will find more details (including information pertaining to user management, whitelists and blacklists, granular access control, file repositories, backup systems, diary and calendar management, redundant network power, etc.) in other articles published on our website at tempelec.co.uk.

We hope that you found this article both useful and informative, plus we look forward to receiving any comments and/or feedback that you may have.

Thank you.