Wireless Application Integrity

Wireless Application Integrity by PW Wireless Networks

Many of the early adopters of wireless technology took the approach that they would just “stick up a few Access Points”, to provide a low cost wireless service into a given area. That approach has worked up to a point however a key breaking point has centred onto the support for roaming users.

In we consider this approach in a Hospital environment, where APs may have been installed into ward areas, then service can be provided at the point of service, with a patient. If the service is required for a computer device on a trolley – COW, computer on wheels – based in a ward, then this may be sufficient.

However, now that clinical staff are using tablet computers such as iPADs and also wireless telephones, they want to retain the connection to the application server (and the telephone system) whilst they are roaming around the Hospital site. This means that the corridors, and all adjoining areas to the wards also require a wireless service, to ensure that the connections are maintained whilst they move around.

Taking the earlier approach then becomes very expensive to fix, if say 100’s of APs have been installed, but new key applications are not now supported effectively. 

Network Planning

In order to design and build a wireless network that will deliver this level of Application Integrity, we need to revert back to core principles, as with any other network, and put some effort into the planning. In wireless terms this means understanding the applications required to be supported – data, telephony, Location based services etc - and also then understanding the physical environment where the network has to operate.

In other documents we discuss the “Top Tips” (insert link to top tips…?) to deploy a wireless network, and these apply now. We always recommend that customers have a physical site survey to understand the underlying physical conditions, the materials used in the construction of the site, and also the RF impact on your site if your “neighbours” are operating with equipment that may affect your wireless network.

This may not be illegal, but it can easily debilitate your network, if you do not plan correctly !

Coverage and capacity

Once you have a good view of the physical environment, you can plan the placement of APs better, so that you can provide good physical coverage of the site. After coverage, we then take into account the capacity of the network, that is, the volume of traffic generated by the volume of users and the applications they use.

Basic data applications for a few users require less density, and multiple users with telephony, and then Location Based services (such as asset tracking) will require a higher level of density in the deployment of wireless Access Points.

This will, for example, allow assets to be tracked to within a metre.

Choice of Technology

In this document, we are not discussing the technology per se, but different vendors have their own way to address these criteria outlined above. So, once we know the physical conditions, and then the coverage / capacity questions, we will then advise on the technology choice, between the Microcell (link to Trapeze) or single channel approach (link to Meru) to wireless networking.

Implementation & Support

PW Wireless Networks will typically produce a Project plan to ensure that the wireless network is installed in an efficient manner, and to ensure all aspects are delivered on time. Typically these component parts will include:
•    Installation of network cabling, to support Access Points
•    Installation and Configuration of the wireless controller
•    Integration with existing network infrastructure
•    Understand site conditions to provide support services, especially for out of hours work
 
Summary

Fail to plan. Plan to fail.
We understand that the pro-active approach to network planning takes a little more time, but we believe that the reward is a network design that will support key applications.

This is especially vital when those applications involve roaming users, whose integrity of connection will fail if the network is not planned with coverage and capacity in mind.

For more information regarding wireless technologies in and the cost saving initiatives available from PW Wireless Networks, please call 01925 751638 or email advice@pwwireless.co.uk