“Network error: The connection is interrupted.” Not a message you want to read – whether it gives the suspenseful series an unwanted cliffhanger at home on the couch, stops e-mail-traffic in the office or paralyses communication between mobile end devices in the warehouse. A stable Wi-Fi connection is immensely important, especially for companies. Therefore, whether it’s an existing building or a new construction: the course must be set correctly so that the Wi-Fi network performs stably. Stay tuned for tips and tricks!
With the help of Wi-Fi simulations, heat mapping and the like, we plan the optimal Wi-Fi infrastructure for your new building or optimise the existing network in the logistics hall. We find out where the problems are and ensure strong Wi-Fi with well-placed access points.
What goods are currently in the warehouse, how many trucks are on the route, and when will the new delivery of spare parts for the forklift trucks arrive? Questions upon questions that can be answered with a single click these days. Devices, data, and people are becoming more and more interconnected: the Internet of Things is almost all-encompassing and is leading to a sharp increase in the number of internet-enabled devices. But the more devices are connected to each other, the more important it is that the Wi-Fi works with full coverage and without interference. Whether in the office, in the warehouse or outdoors: The connection should not fail. But which networking solution is the best? For the optimal planning and design of a network, it pays to call in professionals.
When a new building is constructed, it is often not even foreseeable how many clients will be needed and what bandwidth will be required in this respect – after all, the location should be in operation for as long as possible, even if only forecasts can be made for the data traffic of the future. Precise planning and preparation for future growth in utilisation are therefore important. System house professionals carry out a Wi-Fi simulation or, in the case of complex environments, on-site illumination and thus support Wi-Fi planning.
Even if the network of an existing hall is to be optimised, the experts know what to do and support with analysis and troubleshooting. Often the signal flow can be optimised with just a few measures.
As a Wi-Fi signal, you don’t have it easy these days. Physical obstacles such as concrete walls or large metal objects tend to get in the way and only let a fraction of the signal through. Other obstacles such as frequency congestion, radio frequency interference and unfavourable router configurations do their bit to make life difficult for the signal. It is therefore all the more important to determine exactly where amplification measures are required. From areas between 100 m² and 200 m², a single access point that receives network data via an Ethernet cable and then transmits it to Wi-Fi devices is usually no longer sufficient to provide a strong Wi-Fi signal everywhere on the premises. The best remedy for poor reception: placing additional access points at strategically favourable points to remain “on air” with mobile devices. Mobile phone, tablet or pick-by-voice: Mobile devices are now smart enough to notice when the signal in one network is no longer sufficient. They then automatically switch to another Wi-Fi that promises a stronger signal – without the users noticing. A heat map provides information about the best strategic locations for additional access points.
The ultimate tool for planning a new Wi-Fi is the heat map. It provides important information about the range of the network: Where does the connection work perfectly, is there a problem? The entire area in which the Wi-Fi coverage is to function is mapped for this purpose. The areas with the strongest or weakest signals are marked with a colour spectrum in traffic light style, so that it quickly becomes clear where there is a need for improvement.
Repeaters can also help in some cases. The signal that still arrives behind the obstacle (e.g. behind a concrete wall) is collected and amplified so that it can continue in full bandwidth on the other side of the wall. However, the access point originating from the cable network remains the most convincing variant in terms of performance.
Thanks to the new standard Wi-Fi 6, more devices can access a network at the same time, because the data is distributed in a more bundled and efficient manner than was the case with the predecessor Wi-Fi 5. In addition, the latency time has decreased significantly, which speeds up communication. The use of Wi-Fi 6 devices is therefore particularly interesting for so-called high-density environments, i.e., those in which a high number of devices are using the Wi-Fi at the same time.
More information on the new Wi-Fi standard can be found here.
Especially in warehouses, there are often adverse conditions under which the performance of the Wi-Fi must not suffer. Even outdoors, in cold temperatures or in environments where it is very dusty, the access point must constantly deliver top performance. Drum roll, here comes our expert tip for the optimal access point!
Our expert tip for your company: The LANCOM OW-602 access point. It meets all requirements, is cost-efficient, and guarantees high-speed Wi-Fi 6 coverage even in harsh environments thanks to its IP67 protective housing, which makes it dustproof and waterproof. Concurrent Dual Band allows data-intensive and less demanding processes to run simultaneously. The 2.4 GHz band is used for simpler tasks such as short Internet searches, while the 5 GHz band simultaneously handles bandwidth-intensive tasks. Especially with low to medium end device traffic, this access point scores with low latency times and a high capacity per client. A combination of so-called omnidirectional and sector antennas enables both general wide-area coverage and more targeted coverage of individual areas.
How many end devices should have access to the network? How often will the devices be renewed? What technical requirements do they have to meet? System house professionals include all these questions in their analysis to find the right networking solution for companies. The Wi-Fi simulation takes your individual requirements and use cases into account. Heat mapping and such show where the signal needs to be amplified, how many access points are needed and how heavy the traffic will be. Professional planning of your Wi-Fi is worthwhile in any case, because it avoids unnecessary investments, for example in rewiring or installing new access points – you already know exactly what costs you have to expect when planning your Wi-Fi infrastructure. That way, everything in your network works according to plan!
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