WLAN FOR SCHOOLS LUXEMBOURG

WLAN Design for Schools

In today’s digital era, a robust and reliable wireless network is an essential part of a school’s infrastructure. This blog post will explore the key considerations when designing a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) for schools, drawing from various expert resources.

Crucial Factors for Wi-Fi Network Design

When designing a Wi-Fi network for schools, several factors come into play:

AP Placement: The strategic positioning of APs is vital to ensure optimal coverage and signal strength. APs should be placed in areas where students and staff will need access, such as classrooms and libraries.
AP Coverage Control: This involves managing the coverage area of each AP to prevent overlap and ensure efficient use of the available spectrum.
Dominant Use Case: The network should be designed with the primary use case in mind. For schools, this could be online learning platforms, video conferencing, or digital textbooks.
Vertical Markets: The network design should consider the specific needs of the education sector, such as high-density environments like classrooms or lecture halls.
Interference Management: The network should be designed to minimize interference from other devices and networks.
RF Band Steering: This involves directing dual-band devices to the less congested and higher capacity 5GHz band.
Capacity Planning: The network should be designed to handle the expected number of concurrent users and devices.

Cisco’s Approach to School Networks

Cisco’s Unified Wireless Network (CUWN) architecture provides a detailed overview of deploying a wireless network in schools. It addresses wireless network security, deployment, management, and control aspects. The guide discusses Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) access points (LAPs), the Wireless Control System (WCS), and the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC).

Aruba’s Approach to School Networks

Aruba’s approach to WLAN design for schools is based on their ESP (Edge Services Platform) architecture. The Aruba ESP WLAN portfolio provides a range of products for indoor or outdoor coverage, and centralized or distributed bridging with policy enforcement. The Aruba ESP WLAN can be designed using three different traffic engineering approaches: Bridge Mode, Tunnel Mode, and Mixed Mode. Furthermore, the Aruba AP-5xx series access points, featuring Wi-Fi 6 technology, incorporate Bluetooth and IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee) radios to facilitate connectivity and management of IoT devices¹.

Ekahau’s Approach to School Networks

Ekahau provides K-12 and higher education institutions with solutions to design, optimize, and troubleshoot Wi-Fi networks. Ekahau’s solutions are designed to work in a variety of environments, from buildings built in the 1800s to crowded, outdoor stadiums². Ekahau also offers powerful tools to optimize and manage wireless networks, reducing total cost of ownership, effortlessly optimizing the network to stay ahead of changes, and efficiently troubleshooting for less network downtime².

In conclusion, designing a WLAN for schools involves careful consideration of several factors, including AP placement, coverage control, use case, vertical markets, interference management, RF band steering, and capacity planning. By taking these factors into account, schools can ensure a robust and reliable wireless network that supports their educational objectives.

If you’re looking for professional assistance in designing a WLAN for your school, don’t hesitate to reach out to Itnet Luxembourg. Their team can provide you with personalised consultancy and solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Contact Itnet Luxembourg today and take the first step towards a reliable and efficient WLAN for your school.

Sources:

Key Factors to Consider When Designing Wi-Fi Networks
Cisco Service Ready Architecture for Schools Design Guide
WiFi Design Considerations For K-12 Schools
Aruba WLAN Design
Ekahau for Education