Most routers provided by ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are equipped with a built in (W)AP. This hardware scenario is often fine for home use but usually does not work well in the business environment for many reasons.
One AP can typically connect to 30 active devices within 100 or so metres of open air. If you need more than 30 active devices or have a building with obstructions (walls), Radio Frequency (RF) interference (such as microwaves), use weak powered devices (mobile phones), or large facility you will need more APs.
If you require more control over your wireless network for guests (non-employee users) then device/client isolation, network isolation, hotspot landing page, bandwidth throttling, usage oversight, and band steering are features you will require.
This jargon that “geeks” use requires some clarification:
- Client isolation prevents wirelesss devices from communicating with each other. So guest A’s tablet cannot communicate with guest B’s PC in any way and thus provides some added security for your guests;
- Network isolation would allow separation of guest wireless traffic from your business network. This feature would prevent guests from connecting to PCs or snooping or snooping on your business network while still being able to connect to the Internet. This provides added security for your business;
- A hotspot landing page will force a client device to a web page before browsing the Internet. The web page can have your usage policy any description you require and a password can be a requirement to continue browsing. This allows you to remind your guests that your business is providing Internet access and with a password only allows guests to connect that have a password;
- Bandwidth throttling will give you control over maximum bandwidth or portion of your Internet connection each client can use. This will prevent a guest from hogging all the bandwidth and force it to be shared amongst all guests;
- Usage oversight will allow you to see who connected, which AP they are connected to, upload/download amounts, time connected, an so on;
- Band steering will force capable guest/client hardware to use 5 GHz band instead of the congested 2.4 GHz band.
Most of these features do not come configured or are even possible on common APs. To have some or all of these features working, a structured and properly designed system needs to be implemented. Although you may be able to do this yourself, spending hours on Google, or have a nephew or buddy that claims he can do it for a cheap price, this type of work generally needs to be done by a competent professional for it to work properly and be suitable or appropriate. A competent business will also service and support the work and hardware they implement.
TELECO can be that partner with you.
Contact Us at TELECO Landine for more information.
