The Office Network: Choosing the Equipment for Your Wi-Fi Setup

The office is required to be functional, productive, and comfortable for employees to promote productivity and dedication to work. While it’s important to check if the lights are enough or if the chairs are comfy enough, checking to see if the internet is up to speed and reliable is essential as well.

Small businesses thrive on the internet—they need all the advertisements, SEO,  and exposure they can get; so a proper connection is definitely worth the investment.

To establish a good connection, you must know what to choose for equipment in the Wi-Fi setup. But before that, it is necessary to know why just settling on consumer-grade WLAN equipment is not advisable. Consumer-grade goods are not made to serve a 24-7 usage cycle; they just aren’t designed for commercial applications.

This also means that it won’t be possible to have dozens of units connected simultaneously. Commercial units have better security, manageability, as well as easy installation and removal in case of office relocation.

This is a perfect option for businesses that handles sensitive data and information that might be interesting for hackers.

For Guest Networks, What Hardware Features and Specs Are Needed?

If guests are expected to visit your office or establishment, something that limits and manages WiFi accessibility and ensures security to avoid breaches is recommended. Setting up a captive portal methodology is ideal—this is a prompt wherein guests will supply personal details like email address and password and accept a user agreement or input a security key provided by the company.

This appears when the guest connects to the server and tries to access the internet through their browser. This option is rarely available on consumer-grade units, so opt for commercial standard routers, accessories, and plans.

How Do You Manage Different Access Points from One Location?

If it is necessary to control all the access points (AP) in one location, don’t opt for a consumer-grade access point. Using a commercial-grade unit will allow this control as it hands AP to AP more conveniently and easier.

Most SMB (server message block—a network communication protocol) access points now have access to multiple APs through one convenient controller with a basic SSID (service set identifier), also known as the WiFi’s name.

Opting for a Newer PoE+ Equipment for WLAN Installation in a Business Establishment

PoE (power over ethernet) makes it possible to send simultaneous data and power through a single network cable. Not only is it convenient, but it is also money-saving since installing more electrical ports and devices like VoIP telephones and IP cameras won’t be needed.

Opting for a newer version would provide 30 watts per port for the PoE+, while the older version—PoE switch—only gives 15.4 watts per port. The cables for the IP devices and the small, convenient networks can be strengthened for longer distances beyond 100 meters to for a single device using PoE injectors.

Which Endpoints Should Utilize the 2.4 GHz Band, and Which Should Utilize the 5 GHz Band?

Right now, there are two fundamental frequencies groups intended for 802.11 Wi-Fi systems: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The bigger bandwidth transfer capacity accessible in the 5 GHz band makes it an ideal alternative in business conditions; however, Wi-Fi customers working at the 2.4 GHz frequency block have a superior range.

Most business-grade APs can work in both frequency bands, while better-quality models can serve Wi-Fi customers in both bands at the same time. The shorter scope of 5GHz allows APs to be sent in closer vicinity without signals covering and meddling with one another. This allows a higher number of AP to be conveyed.

The gadgets, technology, and everything in your corporation should be fast, reliable, and effective. Most businesses rely on fast internet—good productivity is a result of proper internet usage and a good investment in routers and other accessories.

When the employees can easily connect whenever needed, they’ll be able to finish work on time, have better morale, and maybe be in a better mood throughout work. When the system is reliable, it’s only good news for the business.