When WiFi works it is awesome but when it doesn't it can be very frustrating. In almost all cases a few quick steps can solve most issues.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a term used to describe a set of standards that allows DC electrical power and data to be transmitted simultaneously along the same cable. This standard was first standardized in 2003 with IEEE802.3af and has been updated 2 more times since with the most recent, IEEE802.3bt, being ratified in September 2018. For the purposes of this post, the focus will discuss PoE as it relates to Access Points (AP).

The newest WiFi technology - 802.11ax or WiFi 6 - is all about creating a better, more efficient process for the ever denser WiFi environment. WiFi 6 concentrates on allowing more devices to speak at the same time, making APs better at discerning who said what. The APs take on an even more granular command role by setting up wake up times, controlling uplink and downlink connections, and orchestrating WiFi antenna power levels in devices.

A Communications Toolkit offers a wide variety of documents that can be used to communicate the different phases of a WiFi upgrade project. Ranging from email templates to flyers, a toolkit can be sent to all end users and displayed in public areas in order to communicate project progress, technical support information, and various other announcements.

WiFi has taken over our homes, our schools, and our workplaces. It seems only fitting that it would also play a major role in other places where we spend our time. Retail environments have become quite dependent on WiFi for both consumers and workers.

Whether building a new network or upgrading one, generic speed testing is a must. It is important to have testing controls to create baselines so that true and expected speeds can be properly evaluated.  Use proper software for this testing, such as iPerf or WiFiPerf / WiFiPerf Professional as well as something like fast.com to tests internet speeds from different servers around the world.

Let's start with some definitions. 

Several varying types of antennas exist for WiFi, each with a specific purpose for how and when they should be used. Different types of antennas can be found anywhere from small office settings to outdoor camping grounds. While there are many types of antennas, all of them have the same purpose: producing radio waves to send information through the air. The three main antenna types are omnidirectional, semi-directional, and highly directional.

Clients that use WiFi can experience a number of issues that can affect the speed and performance of a wireless network. Below, we have listed out a variety of simple tests that give users a basic look at client health. While additional tests may be needed to fully troubleshoot an issue, the following tests are a great starting point.

A captive portal is a web page that a user is prompted with when connecting to a public access WiFi network. The captive portal states the terms, agreements, and acceptable usage policy for the user and then permits usage of the guest network upon the user’s acceptance of the policies. There are a handful of benefits that come with using a captive portal, including the ability to separate network traffic, limit data usage, collect valuable data, marketing and business recognition, and liability protection. With all of these benefits, there is very little reason to not have a captive portal as the gateway to your guest network.

What is subnetting, what is it used for, and why is it important?

Subnetting is the practice of dividing up a network into two or more networks. Common advantages of subnetting include enhancing routing efficiency, network management control, and improving network security. While these are just a few of the benefits that subnetting provides, they are the most noticeable after immediately implementing a subnet system.