In today's digital age, a reliable and efficient wireless network is crucial for businesses to operate smoothly. For a software development company in the USA, the challenge of redefining their wireless network became a top priority when they moved to a new building. The main issue they faced was poor coverage offered by the old access points (APs), which hindered the productivity of their developers who required mobility within the building. This case study explores the solution implemented by the company to overcome this challenge and enhance their wireless network infrastructure.
Poor Coverage and Roaming Issues : The company's previous wireless network infrastructure was unable to provide adequate coverage throughout the building. As developers did not have fixed work desks and frequently moved around, the lack of seamless roaming capabilities became a daily hindrance. This resulted in dropped connections, interrupted work, and decreased productivity. The company recognized the need for a complete redesign of their wireless network to address these issues.
FortiPlanner and FortiAP Deployment : To tackle the challenge, the customer was offered to implement a solution that involved utilizing FortiPlanner, a powerful network planning tool, to redesign the access point (AP) placement within the new building. The FortiAP models were accurately placed on the floor plan, taking into consideration the distance sizing requirements.
The FortiAPs were deployed to ensure optimal coverage and minimize interference. Handoff regional spacing was implemented to prevent APs from being too close to each other, while still maintaining a strong signal throughout the building. This approach allowed seamless roaming for the developers, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity as they moved from one area to another.
Key Features Implemented: SSID Creation in Bridge Mode: Separate SSIDs were created for different user groups, such as employees and guests. This allowed for better network management and security.
VLANs and Captive Portals: VLANs were used to segregate network traffic, ensuring secure policies for in-house WiFi users. Captive portals were implemented for guest users, providing a seamless authentication process while maintaining network security.
Traffic Shaping: To optimize network performance, traffic shaping was implemented to prioritize critical applications and ensure a consistent user experience.
The implementation of the new wireless network infrastructure brought significant improvements to the customer. The challenges of poor coverage and roaming issues were effectively addressed, resulting in enhanced productivity and seamless connectivity for the developers. The key benefits achieved include:
Improved Coverage: The redesigned wireless network provided consistent coverage throughout the building, eliminating dead zones and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.
Enhanced Roaming: Developers were able to move freely within the building without experiencing dropped connections or interruptions, leading to increased productivity.
Network Security: The implementation of separate SSIDs, VLANs, and captive portals ensured secure access for both employees and guests, protecting sensitive data and preventing unauthorized access.
Optimal Performance: Traffic shaping allowed for the prioritization of critical applications, ensuring a smooth user experience and efficient utilization of network resources.
By partnering with a software development company in the USA and implementing a comprehensive solution, the customer successfully overcame the challenge of poor wireless network coverage and roaming issues. The strategic deployment of FortiAPs, along with the implementation of various network features, resulted in improved coverage, enhanced roaming capabilities, and increased network security. This case study highlights the importance of a well-designed wireless network infrastructure in supporting the productivity and efficiency of any organization.