Best Wi-Fi solutions for MSPs

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) face some really important decisions when configuring their Wi-Fi networks. If you are dealing with multiple clients that have different needs thing might get messy.

We've put together some considerations and best practices for MSPs when choosing and managing Wi-Fi solutions for their clients.

Let's get in!

Table of Contents

• 1. Assessing client needs
  • Client discovery
  • Customized solutions
• 2. Selecting the right tech
  • Enterprise-Grade Hardware
  • Multi-Tenant Controllers
• 3. Deployment strategies
  • Professional installation
  • Network design
• 4. Security considerations
  • Advanced security features
  • Regular security audits
• 5. Monitoring and management
  • Remote management tools
  • Real-time analytics
• 6. Support and maintenance
  • Ongoing Support
  • Scheduled Maintenance
• 7. Scalability and future-proofing
  • Scalable solutions
  • Keeping up with technology
• Final thoughts

1. Assessing client needs

First of all you need to assess the needs of your clients. What is important to them? Take these considerations in when designing your optimal network.

Client discovery

I'd always begin with an assessment of each client’s specific requirements:

• Business size and scope: Understand the scale of the business and its operations.
• Physical environment: Survey the client's premises to evaluate the layout and (potential) interference sources.
• User and device density: Estimate the number of users and devices that will connect to the network at a certain time.
• Application requirements: Identify important applications and their bandwidth, latency, and security requirement etc.

Customized solutions

Design a Wi-Fi setup that are tailored to the specific needs of each client. Always take into account to the setup allows scalability and flexibility to adapt to future growth. This would probably the reason to go with UniFi (and the UniFi Controller).

2. Selecting the right tech

Enterprise-Grade Hardware

Choose enterprise-grade access points, switches, and routers that offer reliability, advanced features, and scalability. Also consider devices that support Wi-Fi 6 for improved efficiency and capacity.

Multi-Tenant Controllers

Use multi-tenant controllers, like the UniFi Controller, that allows you to manage multiple client networks from a single interface. The UniFi Controller offers great features for configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

3. Deployment strategies

Professional installation

It speaks for itself but make sure to proceed with a professional installation to optimize the placement. In addition, make sure the configuration of access points is on point for maximum coverage and performance.

Network design

Implement a network design that includes:

• Redundant connections: Set up redundant internet connections and failover systems to maintain service continuity.
• Segmented networks: Use VLANs to separate client traffic, especially in shared environments. It will help to increase security and performance.

4. Security considerations

Probably the most important aspect of your network. Keeping things secure!

Advanced security features

Implement the highest security standards available. Things like WPA3, and consider additional security measures like firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Regular security audits

Make sure to regular do security audits and updates to protect client networks against the latest threats and vulnerabilities. Also make sure your everything is up to date to latest version with the latest security patches.

5. Monitoring and management

Remote management tools

Use management tools that allow for remote configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of client networks. The UniFi Controller does this quite well.

Real-time analytics

Deploy systems that provide real-time analytics on your network performance (things like user behavior, and security threats). This will help you be on top of network management and optimization.

6. Support and maintenance

Ongoing Support

It's a big ask, but if possible provide 24/7 support to address any issues quickly. Networks are critical so we should do everything we can to minimize downtime for clients.

Scheduled Maintenance

Regularly schedule maintenance to update firmware, refresh hardware, and optimize network settings. Make sure you let your clients know in advance.

7. Scalability and future-proofing

Scalable solutions

Choose hardware and management platforms that can easily scale to adapt to growing client needs. Being scalable and flexible is a must for every MSP. If you build your setup that allows for this you'll run into less issues when you grow your business.

Keeping up with technology

Stay informed about the latest Wi-Fi technologies and industry trends to keep offering the best solutions and advice to your clients.

Final thoughts

Its so important for MSPs to deliver high-quality Wi-Fi services. Networks are critical for almost every business. If you can manage to understand client-specific needs, choosing the right technology, and provide great management and support you are setup correctly.

If you are working with large networks or complex setups and want to improve scalability, consider a managed hosting solution like UniHosted. We provide managed UniFi Controllers to improve your network efficiency. Especially, if you are an MSP or IT-service business looking for reliable, secure and scalable UniFi network deployments, this is something for you.

Feel free to give us a spin! Additionally, I'm happy to walk you through personally. You can schedule a call with me (Founder of UniHosted) here.