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Business owners that are interested in setting up a wireless network have a lot of decisions to make. Small and large businesses have the option to go the wireless route and forgo messy wires. You can get off to a great start with an office wireless network by following the five steps below. For more information and tips, you can search this blog.

Why The Wireless Site Survey Matters

Doing a wireless site survey is vital to find the best place to put the access point. Your entire configuration will be determined by the placement, amount and size of the access point(s). Choosing the wrong spot will give you a weak signal, and possibly interfere with other wireless devices in the nearby vicinity. Site surveys are pretty straightforward, but can last from a few hours to a few days. The size of your office will make a big difference in the length of the survey. Other complications related to building layout can further delay the amount of time it takes to complete the survey. Since this is the foundation of your entire network, rushing will only make things difficult when a problem arises. Adding an extra access point to fix wireless problems is a band aid when it is applied to an already existing network. Site surveys are a must for professional and non-professional setups.

5. Choose The Correct Equipment

Business owners should always choose commercial networking equipment. Home networking products are not meant to support business needs. By using the right equipment, you guarantee that your network can handle heavy loads of data at peak times. The access point will be the most expensive portion of your wireless network. This is by design, since only in a few circumstances will you need more than one access point. That is why the site survey is important- it saves you money.

At some point you will have to use the built-in software of your network to manage the wireless network. Choose a system that is comfortable to navigate but extensive in its features. Controller software is available to manage multiple access points. This is on the advanced side of features, but is required for larger setups.

4. Security

A hardware firewall is your first line of defense against attacks meant for your network. There is no reason a wireless network should be open and without a password. But even with the built in password and firewall management, that is considered the bare minimum for security. Everyone that connects to your network can gain access to any computer connected to that network. Security breaches can be prevented by using multiple SSIDs instead of a dominant one. Separate workers, managers, guests and other users into their own zone. Add security levels to each zone, and you’ll never have to worry about unauthorized access from an outside user.

Before starting up your network for the first time, install any firmware updates. These often contain several security patches and fixes that are required for a smooth-running network. With this in mind, it may be beneficial to stick to a single company when getting networking equipment. Try not to mix Cisco with Aerohive if you want the best results. Incompatibility between software and equipment can cause even bigger security concerns.

3. Aesthetics Play A Role In A Wireless Network

Your wireless networking still requires wires in order to function. A power and data cable is all that is required to make entire buildings wireless. Part of the original survey will determine the best placement for coverage, but you should also consider the aesthetic value of access point placement. The AP should be put in a place where the power and LAN cable are not in view. Intelligent placement will keep you from having to drill a hole or move things around to hide a wire. Adding an extra outlet can be costly if the position is not ideal.

With the right equipment, ethernet cables are not required. This is known as power over ethernet, and is available in many modern setups. When the survey shows that the best AP setup is not near an outlet, the single wire solution of POE is the recommended setup. With this choice, you keep the look clean and can save money by avoiding costly construction.

2. Don’t Be Afraid To Seek Professional Help

Some of the things you will encounter with the initial install may be out of your comfort zone. Instead of powering through, call a professional for help. They can provide insight into your current situation or finish the job on their own. Software issues are a common brick wall that may stump beginner or intermediate users. Remember, the software setup is just as important as the hardware for wireless networking. All of your quality of life settings are stored digitally and can speed up how your office handles data. Wireless network setups that are on a schedule for backups rely on having full access to the network. Anything less can slow down the transfer, and possibly cause corruption with the backed-up files.

1. Test Once, And Then Test Again

The most important step after installing your network is to test it for performance. The default speed test won’t really give you an idea of real-world performance. Instead of a one-minute speed test, use the built-in line tests provided by your new wireless network. The detailed results can point to faults in your connection that require minor or professional attention. Iron out all of the problems, and then test again. The idea is to get as clean a connection as possible without any prolonged issues. Once everything is clear, store your password in a safe place to keep the login protected from hacks.

Wrap Up

A good business has dependable Wi-Fi to transfer important data. A strong wireless network setup will keep your company moving without any worry about downtime. Make sure your wireless environment is set up to your standards by following the five listed tips. It’s your branding, and it deserves the personal touch of the owner.

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