Wireless LAN Solutions from Relational Technology Solutions

 

Wireless Solutions


With mobile applications and communication on the rise, mobile users are demanding instant, flexible access to the network in order to increase productivity, provide for better customer service, facilitate learning and decrease costs that traditional wired deployments require.

Healthcare professionals, educational faculty and students, and the ever increasing number of  mobile business end-users are seeking mobile connectivity to better perform their respective jobs, whether it involves solving problems or accessing educational material, the internet or the intranet that provide for performance enhancement. Providing for Wireless LANs enable users to establish and maintain a mobile network connections throughout the campus or between buildings, without the limitations of wires or cables.

 

According to Forrester Research, nearly 70% of U.S. businesses are using wireless LANs. In 2005, the size of the average wireless network doubled from 75 to 150 access points. Along with that growth, site surveys have become increasingly important, especially with new uses for Wi-Fi, including Voice over WLAN, which are more sensitive to dead spots than more traditional WLAN applications.

Wireless Vendor Partnerships

As a vendor-neutral wireless solution partner, RTS has aligned ourselves with leading Wireless Market vendors such as Cisco Systems, Extreme Networks, Meru Networks and Proxim.  Depending on your business requirements, existing infrastructure and budget, RTS can assist you in designing a Wireless LAN that provides for the mobility and flexibility users need.

Securing your Wireless LAN

With current regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, implementing multiple layers of network security, for intrusion, prevention and response is a requirement for both the wired and wireless LAN.

Wireless Background History:

In 1999 the IEEE ratified an extension to a previous standard. Called IEEE 802.11x, it defines the standard for wireless LAN products that operate at an Ethernet-like data rate up to 54 Mbps, a speed that makes wireless LAN technology viable in enterprises and other large organizations.
Advantages of this technology include:

  • Increased mobility within the enterprise, in addition to a traditional wired network
  • Flexibility for frequent LAN wiring changes, either throughout the site or in selected areas
  • Ideal for sites not conducive to LAN wiring because of building or budget limitations, such as older buildings, leased space, or temporary sites
  • Flexibility and cost savings by a line-of-sight, building-to-building bridge to avoid expensive trenches, leased lines, or right-of-way issues

RTS’ Wireless LAN architects can help you design and implement end-to-end wireless network connections throughout or between buildings, without the limitations of wires or cables.  RTS can assist with single site wireless deployments, or expand the reach of your wired network by designing Line

Vertical Market Focus

Our Wireless Experts focus on solutions for the Enterprise, SMB, Educational and Healthcare verticals, extending Wireless Site Surveys, Design and Implementation services that combine the mobility, flexibility, throughput and security that are requirements of a wireless LAN solution.

Our Approach to a Secure, Reliable, Wireless LAN:

I.  Define your Wireless Objectives

Consider the following factors as you design your wireless LAN:

  • Access – Which areas of your environment or campus will you want to extend wireless access to your LAN? Do all of your users need wireless access to the network, or will you get more value by limiting access to a specific group? (For example, the nursing staff of a healthcare organization may be more productive with wireless access, while the administrative staff can work just as effectively using the wired LAN).
  • Security – What kind of data protection will you require?  Wireless access points come with a built-in security protocol called WiFi Protected Access (WPA), however, depending on the data to be secured, additional layers of encryption and security will need to be incorporated into the wireless solution.
  • Multiple connections – Will you want to extend wireless access to your customers or other visitors? To provide Internet access to external users, you may need to configure an encrypted Wireless Virtual LAN at one or more access point(s) to support these additional connections.

 

II. Perform a Site Survey

 

Why is a wireless site survey required?  Obstacles like metal racks, steel building construction, trees and even water pipes affect signal strength. Depending on the complexity of your environment, a professional survey performed by RTS will ensure secure, reliable access.

RTS will help you create a site map and determine where to install and position your access points to assure adequate coverage.  Next, we will utilize a radio frequency (RF) site survey tool to test the data rate, signal strength and signal quality at the locations to verify coverage.

III: Design for Secure and Reliable Connectivity

Final implementation includes physically wiring your access points and connecting to your existing network.  RTS can assist you with any drops or additional cabling you may need to support your WLAN.  Additionally, depending on the level of security your environment requires, a Radius Server may need to be incorporated into the design for secure authentication.

 

Installation / Deployment

RTS provides for turn-key deployments, by offering onsite installation services for deploying your complete wireless solution, which includes installing the necessary Access Points, Switching Infrastructure, Cabling and Backup Power Devices to provide for a secure, reliable wireless networking solution.

 

Providing Power to the Access Points

Early on, the only way to provide power to the Access Points (APs) was to plug the access point to an electrical outlet, assuming an outlet was available.  However, this presented a challenge to IT departments because it left the APs susceptible to end-user disablement by simply unplugging the device.  Additionally, unpredictable events such as electrical power outages were also disabling the WLAN, until electrical power was restored.

 

A Better Solution - Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Switches were built to provide the electrical source requirements to provide power to devices such as Wireless APs, IP Phones and video surveillance equipment.  APs can now be installed in ceilings and various locations that prevent end-users from disrupting the WLAN service. Additionally, the cost of running additional electrical wiring and conduits is reduced.  Leading PoE Switch manufacturers that RTS represents include solutions by:  Extreme Networks and Cisco Systems.

 

Additional best design practices include correctly sizing an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for providing the backup runtime power to the PoE Switches powering the APs, to further confront unpredictable power outages.  RTS represents solutions from Powerware, APC and Liebert to assist in architecting a network that provides for the reliability that networks demand today.