Wi-Fi for Enterprises

Creating an enterprise Wi-Fi network involves much more than just installing access points. It requires careful planning, deployment, management, and ongoing optimization. As we know, enterprises are high-stakes and their networks are critical. In order to meet the demands of a busy, connected environment the network needs to be working optimally.

This guide provides a detailed walkthrough for setting up and maintaining a high-performance Wi-Fi network for enterprises.

Let's get it!

Table of Contents

• 1. Assessing your needs
  • Determine requirements
  • Site survey
• 2. Network design
  • Selecting Hardware
  • Network topology
• 3. Implementation
  • Installation
  • Configuration
• 4. Management and Monitoring
  • Centralized Management
  • Security updates and patches
• 5. Ongoing Optimization
• Final thoughts

1. Assessing your needs

First of all, its important that we understand what we're dealing with. Finding out what are the specific needs required for the network at hand are important.

Determine requirements

Start by understanding the specific needs of your enterprise:

• Coverage area: Map out the actual area that needs to be covered by Wi-Fi. (Don't forget outdoors if needed).
• Density and capacity: Consider the number of devices that will connect at the same time (including employees’ computers and phones guest devices etc.)
• Application needs: Identify the types of applications that will run on the network, that require a high performing network (think svideo conferencing, heavy data transfers etc.)

Site survey

Conduct a site survey to identify potential signal interference sources, physical barriers, and optimal places for access points. Use the required tools to help map out signal strength across the surface you need to cover.

2. Network design

Selecting Hardware

Choose enterprise-grade hardware that can support your specific needs:

• Access Points: Opt for models that support the latest Wi-Fi standards (like Wi-Fi 6), can handle high densities of connections, and offer robust security features. My personal preference would go to using UniFi.
• Controllers: Decide whether you need centralized management via hardware controllers or cloud-based controllers. If you are looking for easier scalability and remote management, I'd always choose for a managed UniFi Cloud Controller, like UniHosted.

Network topology

Design your network topology to maximize efficiency

• Core and Edge switches: Make sure you have enough switching capacity and consider PoE capabilities for APs.
• Redundant links: Implement redundant links and failover mechanisms to keep high availability and reliability.

3. Implementation

Installation

Install access points based on the site survey (please consider professional installation if you are not an expert).

• Positioning: Place APs to cover all areas without overlaps or dead zones. Consider wall and ceiling mounts to optimize signal.
• Cabling: Use high-quality cabling for backbone connections to support high speeds and reduce latency.

Configuration

Configure the network to meet security and performance standards:

• SSID Setup: Create multiple SSIDs for different user groups (like staff, guests, IoT devices) to segment traffic and improve security.
• Security protocols: Implement WPA3 for secure authentication and encryption. Use advanced features like VLANs, firewall rules, and network isolation to protect sensitive data.
• QoS Settings: Set up Quality of Service rules to prioritize important business applications and make sure bandwidth distribution is managed as needed.

4. Management and Monitoring

Centralized Management

Utilize a centralized management platform to monitor, control, and troubleshoot the network:

• Performance monitoring: Track the performance and health of all network components. Use analytics to understand usage patterns and adapt configurations as needed using the UniFi Controller.
• Remote Management: Use cloud-based management tools for remote access to the network settings and to make adjustments from anywhere.

Security updates and patches

Regularly update firmware and software to protect against issues. Schedule updates during off-peak hours to minimize disruption and inform your users/employees timely.

5. Ongoing Optimization

It's important to constantly assess the network and adjust to new challenges and changes within the enterprise:

• Feedback from users: Gather user feedback on Wi-Fi performance and address any issues.
• Expansion and scaling: Plan for network expansion as the company grows or as more devices connect to the network. This is really important to get right at the beginning.

Final thoughts

Building and managing an enterprise Wi-Fi network can be challenging. It's important to get it right since it is critical for businesses. It's a process that requires attention to both technical and strategic elements.

If you are working with enterprise networks where security and performance is crucial, consider a managed hosting provider 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.