Enterprise WiFi solutions for wireless infrastructures by Meta Connectivity and Tanaza

by Marco Papavero | Dec 21, 2021 | Cloud Management, Network Monitoring, Networking, Paid WiFi, TanazaOS, Wi-Fi marketing, WiFi advertising, WiFi Analytics, WiFi Networks, Wireless Hardware

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Enterprise WiFi solutions for wireless infrastructures by Meta Connectivity and Tanaza

Try now the Tanaza
WiFi Management Platform

✔︎ No credit card needed ✔︎ Easy configuration

✔︎ Auto rollback when you desire

or continue to read more
about the enterprise WiFi solutions for
wireless infrastructures by Meta Connectivity.

Meta Connectivity worked on four revolutionary enterprise WiFi solutions for wireless infrastructures.

Tanaza has joined Facebook Connectivity’s Express Wi-Fi Technology Partner Program in 2020. The company has been proud to cooperate with the Facebook Express Wi-Fi project in order to help Service Providers and Operators to monetize WiFi networks and manage them from the cloud.

Magma

Deploy easily mobile networks in hard-to-reach areas thanks to an intuitive open-source platform for network operators.

Discover more

Terragraph

Deliver cost-effective fiber-likes speeds using 60 GHz unlicensed spectrum.

Discover more

Evenstar

Expanding the OpenRAN ecosystem to improve flexibility, drive innovation, increase supplier diversity, and reduce TCO costs for operators.

Discover more

Express WiFi by Facebook and Tanaza

How did Express Wi-Fi by Facebook work?

Express WiFi was the SaaS cloud platform to build and grow WiFi businesses in a scalable way. Internet providers could take advantage of valuable network usage insights and business analytics metrics to develop and maintain sustainable Wi-Fi services with an excellent user experience.

Providers could monetize WiFi by selling connectivity and enabling local businesses to sell data packs to final users. Sold and consumed data were under control at any moment and from anywhere thanks to the intuitive and responsive centralized dashboard.

Medical clinics

Hostels

Coffee shops

Restaurants

Shopping malls

Medical clinics

Hostels

Shopping malls

Coffee shops

Restaurants

Was Express WiFi by Facebook free?

Customers could purchase data packs via digital vouchers. The price was variable and it depended on variable factors.

Where was Express Wi-Fi available?

Africa
Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda

South America
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru

Asia
India, Nepal and Thailand

South East Asia
Indonesia and Philippines

Tanaza & XWF Architecture

In order to broaden the understanding, in the following scheme service providers and network operators can graphically visualize the HW/SW architecture of the Express WiFi project integrated with the AP cloud management platform Tanaza.

Magma

What is Magma by Facebook?

Magma is a software platform for network operators developed to provide network connectivity solutions for remote locations, factories, and enterprises. It enables Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to deliver fast and reliable internet connectivity with innovative features.

Magma is a valid opportunity for CSPs to save money, reducing CAPEX and OPEX costs.

Is Magma by Facebook open-source?

Yes. Magma is an open-source centralized cloud-based controller on a public or private cloud environment. The platform works with existing LTE base stations and can federate with traditional mobile cores to extend services to new areas.

Repository GITHUB of MAGMA

Terragraph

What is Terragraph by Facebook?

Terragraph is the affordable wireless infrastructure solution designed to meet the growing demand for reliable, fiber-speed internet access in urban and suburban environments.

Over the next 5 years, the annual global IP traffic will reach 396 exabytes per month.
The number of devices connected to the internet is expected to double at the same time.

What are the use cases of Terragraph?

– Fixed Wireless Access;
– Mobile Backhaul;
– Outdoor WiFi;
– Smart City.

What are the benefits of Terragraph?

Time to Market reduction
Terragraph lets reduce Time to Market for network deployments thanks to mountable outdoor WiFi devices without costly right-of-way permissions.

Network scalability
Terragraph improves network scalability reducing the upfront investment needed.

The resilience of Wireless Mesh Networks
Terragraph deploys a multi-node mesh network, allowing for built-in signal re-rerouting to ensure high availability and reliability.

Repository GITHUB of TERRAGRAPH

Evenstar

What is Evenstar by Facebook?

The primary goal of the Evenstar program is to create a secure, robust, and sustainable alternative to the existing OpenRAN wireless infrastructure solution ecosystem.
Evenstar intends to provide a comprehensive and intuitive platform for the product life cycle, from requirements to production, including testing, validation, and eventually procurement. With a consistent reduction of TCO costs for operators.

The Evenstar Program decouples the Radio Unit (RU), Distribution Unit (DU), and the Centralized Unit (CU) through standard intuitive interfaces between each element. Vendors can focus on their area of expertise and competitive advantage while MNOs can choose best-of-breed components that meet MNO requirements.

What are the benefits of Evenstar by Facebook?

– Improve network flexibility
– Drive innovation in the OpenRAN ecosystem
– Increase supplier diversity and hardware/software disaggregation
– Reduce Total Costs of Ownership for network operators (link to Valeria’s article)

Traditionally, the RRU hardware, DU hardware, and CU software are sold as a package. The goal of OpenRAN and the Evenstar program is to decouple these elements and provide alternative solutions supporting standard interfaces.

Discover more about Evenstar

Facebook Express WiFi and Tanaza – It was the best-in-class enterprise WiFi solution for WiFi monetization

Where available, Facebook Express WiFi and Tanaza cloud platform combined together, represented the ultimate enterprise WiFi solutions to sell data packs for internet access when customers desire (daily, weekly, monthly).

SPs and Operators could enjoy a wide range of compatible WiFi devices with Tanaza to deploy performing and cost-effective WiFi networks while offering access to fast, affordable, and reliable internet thanks to the old WiFi monetization ecosystem of Express Wi-Fi.

Express Wi-Fi by Facebook is not available anymore since 31th December 2022

Discover more add-ons or integrations on the marketplace

Benefits of Cloud Managed Wireless Networks

by Marco Papavero | Nov 15, 2021 | Cloud Management, Network Monitoring, Network Troubleshooting, TanazaOS, WiFi Networks

Explore Tanaza's Features

Discovering the benefits of cloud managed wireless networks solutions

Try now the Tanaza
WiFi Management Platform

✔︎ No credit card needed ✔︎ Easy configuration

✔︎ Auto rollback when you desire

or continue to read more
about the benefits of
cloud managed wireless networks.

The benefits of cloud-managed wireless networks over traditional network management solutions are multiple and consolidated in the industry. In Tanaza, we have defined the main advantages of a cloud-managed wireless network platform.

Cost reduction of network infrastructures and network management;
Productivity improvement for structured companies as MSPs, ISPs, and SPs;
Safer security levels in enterprise network deployment
Fast and efficient resolution of network problems thanks to a better network visualization;
Superior network support thanks to outsourced dedicated technical assistance;
Better business decision-making thanks to real-time and historical network analytics and reports.

Cost reduction of network infrastructures and network management

During post-pandemic times, cost reduction of network infrastructures and network management is the main priority for MSPs, ISPs, and SPs. The budget review represents an urgent voice in the development plans of many companies.
Embracing network disgregation and adopting a SaaS WiFi cloud-managed solution can help enterprises and SMBs achieve these goals. understood this need and redefined the concept of network infrastructure costs, developing an enterprise alternative to the more expensive single-vendor cloud controllers. Hardware disaggregation is the fundamental point that allows CAPEX and OPEX costs reduction.

When network professionals start their experience with Tanaza, they have to decide the type of hardware and access points for the next device deployment. Network professionals will be able to choose cheaper access points such as consumer/SMB devices with an average cost of around $100/device, unlike someone using a traditional network management solution who will have to spend $300/device (hardware + software).

The cost reduction impacts even network management.
By using cloud management TanazaOS, professionals enjoy the same set of features in an all-in-one centralized dashboard, instead of investing budget resources in multiple solutions that sometimes can entail CAPEX/OPEX costs. Features include remote monitoring, centralized configuration, multi-site management, and self-provisioning: click here for the complete list of Tanaza features.

Productivity improvement for structured companies as MSPs, ISPs, and SPs

One of the main benefits of cloud-managed wireless networks solutions is the productivity improvement for companies as MSPs, ISPs, SPs. Cloud-based platforms such as Tanaza allow users to save time avoiding repetitive network configuration operation and monitoring performance and troubleshooting parameters from a single centralized dashboard.

Imagine for a second having a time-consuming and repetitive activity as the configuration of hundreds of multi-vendor indoor and outdoor access points. During traditional one-by-one network management configurations, professionals have to study multiple model specifications, understand internal OS features of each device, verify access point compatibility with network IEEE standards, and, in some cases, solve typical network compatibility issues through updates and expensive network troubleshooting practices. Thanks to a cloud-managed wireless network solution such as Tanaza, instead, is enough to type the MAC address of the device and network professionals can manage all these inconveniences in a few clicks.

In structured companies, different technical departments have to co-work to guarantee the highest standards of service. Using a managed wireless network solution helps to improve productive cooperation between professionals. Once set specific roles and create different permission levels, internal and external collaborators can access the all-in-one cloud dashboard of Tanaza and check network traffic analytics and monitoring data as real-time bandwidth data, the number of concurrent clients for SSIDs, or access point status, remotely and at any time. Different departments indeed no longer need to waste time in the manual analysis of network data through multiple, disconnected tools and formatting them into reports, with possible misinterpretations, typical data inconsistency due to data integration, and useful status meetings. Network teams can spend their work time in more profitable work activities.

Safer security levels in enterprise network deployments

According to Gartner Report 2021 about Security Vulnerability, more than half of the companies faced security vulnerabilities during the pandemic. Attacks on enterprise devices continue to represent the main security weakness in the enterprise network deployment.
Cloud-managed wireless networks have different levels of security.

Solid password, IP address restriction, and firewalls

Most secure cloud-based management platforms have the strongest password protocols and solid security policies. Tanaza, for instance, requires its users to choose a password compliant with a strong password policy with the following criteria:

8 characters minimum
At least one lowercase character
At least one uppercase character
At least one digit
At least one special character

Tanaza restricts any remote access using the IP address and verifies the login by public key (RSA).

The cloud dashboard is highly protected by dedicated firewalls, and 24×7 services login is operative for monitoring accesses and potential threats.

Disable WiFi configuration/login pages, managing APs settings safely from the cloud

Cloud-managed wireless networks solutions add a new level of security thanks to the possibility to exclude default WiFi configuration/login pages. Common network attacks happen in the pre-set login page of access points. Especially in low-medium cost device brands, minimum security standards are not always guaranteed.
Wireless cloud management solutions introduce a further level of security: network administrators can disable unsafe configuration/login pages and manage access points settings safely from a cloud dashboard. Only those who know the credentials of the cloud management dashboard or who have adequate permission levels can access device settings. The security of the cloud dashboard is guaranteed by the standard presented in the previous chapter.

Secure data storage and user data management

Data related to network configurations set up by users in the Tanaza dashboard is stored on a Database using Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS). Instead, data specific to network analytics, like devices’ statistics, is saved on No-SQL databases hosted on AWS servers.

Security is ensured through a split of data sent to/from the managed devices and any end-user data. Configuration and login sessions pass through the servers; however, all the data exchanged by customers with the Internet remains completely excluded from our systems. Besides, any sensitive data is secured with high control and restricted access.

Discover more about how Tanaza prevent data breaches

Fast and efficient resolution of network problems thanks to an innovative network visualization system

Cloud wireless networks management allows easy troubleshooting of enterprise networks thanks to better network visualization. A centralized cloud dashboard is functional to map and manage all the network devices, metrics, and data, helping network administrators to identify fastly and efficiently what is the weakest node and organize the protective measures.

Tanaza, for instance, allows multi-vendor access points configuration and granular network visualization.
Network sections are subdivided into SSIDs and devices. The intuitive and easy-to-use centralized dashboard is composed of visual network design principles. The centralized dashboard allows the network administrator to identify immediately AP model and the device status by icons, without the need to type a single command line.
Read more about Device Status

For each network component, administrators can check real-time and historical data to identify what is the cause of an unexpected disconnection or suspicious threats.

When a device disconnection happens, users can configure an email alert system that warns them every time each access point goes down. This aspect disaggregates the old concept of network visualization because it’s no anymore necessary to visualize the AP status on the platform to start the network troubleshooting, but it’s the platform itself to notify the disconnection. This could happen meanwhile WiFi professionals are working on other tasks and allow a rapid response to possible network attacks.

Superior network support thanks to outsourced dedicated technical assistance

Among the main benefits of cloud-managed wireless networks, outsourcing of WiFi cloud management activities represents a great opportunity to decrease operational costs. Invest in a cloud-managed platform to allocate part of the budget for an all-in-one solution for multiple activities, saving money and avoiding increasing company labor costs. The prices of these solutions are generally very cheap and scalable. Tanaza, for instance, has convenient pricing plans based on the number of access points and the selected period of the license. Companies can pay only for what they exactly need, without any added cost.

Visit this page to discover the pricing plan.

Relying on the network management to an external cloud-managed solution, it’s important even because superior network support is guaranteed. The networking industry is constantly updating, and there is not always time and economic resources to invest in constant training for internal teams. Delegation to an external cloud-managed wireless network allows externalizing risks and management issues with the possibility to rely on superior support, in case of problems.

Tanaza guarantees superior network support, with taking charge of the customer requests in at least 24/48h. The support team can be contacted for commercial or technical reasons with the assurance of the resolution of any problems related to the platform. For ambitious projects, our developers are always available to take into consideration requests for new features or of new access point deployment.

Better business decision making thanks to real-time and historical network analytics and reports

Without data, you are another person with an opinion. This is a rule in data analysis. More and more in network analytics.
The best decisions related to new access points acquisition, security threats prevention and defending, or network parameters customization pass from appropriate and deep real-time and network analysis.

Cloud-managed wireless networks solutions as Tanaza allow customers to analyze remotely real-time and historical data as bandwidth, max concurrent clients, GHz channels, device maps for the previous 7 days, 24 hours, or 60 minutes.

Often, network administrators have hundreds of Wi-Fi devices deployed in multiple locations to monitor. It’s important to know the status of each single AP or Wi-Fi router at any moment, to be able to debug the network when needed.
It’s a huge amount of data and a mistake can cause problems for the whole network deployment.

The granular UX design of the Tanaza dashboard allows network administrators to study the network structure at every level, analyzing device by device load and memory parameters excesses. By monitoring the load value for each access point, it’s possible to understand if the access point is under strain due to the range of coverage or the amount of network data to be processed. This value offers a parameter to prevent overload on access points or possibly breaking down, improving service availability and helping prevent downtimes.
By monitoring memory value, instead, it’s possible to verify unusual AP memory usage. With constant, full memory usage, like in the case of a high number of concurrent connections, clients connected to these APs can experience intermittent connectivity drops. Monitoring this parameter allows to improve the quality of service and reduce network instability.

The average situation of those parameters reflects itself on the device status. Thanks to the historical data, network administrators can obtain relevant information about APs position and status.

Discover more about the device status

This amount of data is really useful because it allows network administrators to collect precious information for network design and troubleshooting before, and business decisions after.

Imagine identifying several access points of the same model placed in different locations with repetitive cases of temporary disconnection caused by high levels of over memory. Without a cloud-managed wireless solution with a centralized dashboard, it will be really hard to obtain bulk real-time statistics that can help to understand what causes the network issue. In parallel, it could be difficult to conclude that a particular type of model does not cause a network failure in isolated situations, but in multiple nodes of the network with the same characteristics. Consequently, the decision to invest in other models will be more of an attempt than a data-based thoughtful choice.

The risk of re-invest in access points that cause a new outage of service is high. With Tanaza, instead, it is possible to reorganize the list of access points ascending and descending for load, traffic, clients, and status and name to have under control the entire network in the same dashboard from the device.

Try Tanaza and discover the benefits of cloud-managed wireless networks

Managing WiFi access points and networks in the cloud has multiple advantages.

✔︎ No credit card needed
✔︎ Easy configuration

Advantages of Cloud Managed WiFi SaaS for Wi-Fi business

Tanaza platform security to prevent data breach

https://www.tanaza.com/blog/reasons-to-invest-in-cloud-wifi-solutions/

WiFi Management Software Alternatives

by Marco Papavero | Nov 10, 2021 | All articles, Cloud Management, Device management, Industry news, Networking, TanazaOS, What's new, WiFi Networks, Wireless Hardware

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15 reasons to choose Tanaza among WiFi Management Software Alternatives

Try now the Tanaza
WiFi Management Platform

✔︎ No credit card needed ✔︎ Easy configuration

✔︎ Auto rollback when you desire

or continue to read more
about the WiFi Management Software Alternatives

There are several reasons to choose Tanaza Cloud Platform among the WiFi management software alternatives proposed by the WiFi cloud market in 2023.

Instead of creating a useless direct company-centric comparison with other solutions, we present in 15 points why Tanaza could be your next alternative for WiFi cloud management. With Tanaza you can:

1. Manage networks everywhere, at any time thanks to the infinite potential of WiFi cloud management.

2. Troubleshoot network issues in a unique all-in-one cloud solution thanks to an always-updated list of business network management, monitoring, and diagnostic tools.

3. Choose the best access points that work for your business needs. Don’t depend on mono-brand sellers: Tanaza is a vendor-agnostic solution.

4. Take advantage of zero-touch provisioning to configure networking devices efficiently and send them pre-configured to the customer’s premises for installation.

5. Integrate the Tanaza platform with third-party applications provided by official Tanaza Partners as Cloud4Wi, Classic Hotspot, and Social WiFi

Add-ons

Customize Tanaza with additional features

Fing

Network monitoring

Accurate identification of client devices connected to your networks.

View details →

Historical statistics

Network monitoring

Keep track of the status of devices and connected clients over time.

View details →

Voucher login

Hotspot

Manage user access through the use of voucher codes that limit duration and quota.

View details →

Third-party integrations

View details →

6) Create WiFi splash pages without creative limitation. Explore splash page editor features. You can also configure external splash pages with multiple marketing services.

7) Obtain real-time and historical statistics about networks, clients, bandwidth, and APs. Experience 360° control of the most relevant networking parameters even if you are away from the office smart-working workstation. Tanaza cloud management is responsive and manageable from smartphones and tablets.

8) Save valuable time thanks to an innovative and easy access point configuration system. You need only to set up the MAC address of your devices and you have done: your network is ready to be managed. No code or hard technical skills are required.

9) Reduce CAPEX and OPEX costs by converting your networks into a high-performing ROI investment. Read more about how disaggregation can reduce CAPEX and OPEX costs.

10) Set up WiFi disconnection notification alerts when the network goes down or has some issues thanks to an efficient alert system that informs you every time an access point disconnects. Forget manual ping and VPN to check your network stat.

11) Fix patches, security vulnerabilities, and stability of your WiFi devices without external expensive interventions. You can update firmware remotely in a few seconds and at a network or organization level.

12) Forget unnecessary hardware controllers. Manage every aspect of the network directly in the cloud.

13) Easily migrate from other WiFi management software alternatives to Tanaza thanks to the auto-provisioning system and cloud configuration.

14) Count on formidable 360-degrees support. Our support team will answer you by 48/72 hrs.

15) Access a wide variety of educational materials and online troubleshooting support.

Forget dispersive WiFi management software alternatives. Try Tanaza All-in-one solution

Experience the power of managing WiFi access points from the cloud with Tanaza.

✔︎ No credit card needed
✔︎ Easy configuration

The Future of WiFi – WiFi Future Trends for MSPs, ISPs and SPs

by Marco Papavero | Aug 6, 2021 | All articles, Cloud Management, Device management, Industry news, Networking, TanazaOS, What's new, WiFi Networks, Wireless Hardware

Explore Tanaza's Features

The Future of WiFi – A guide for MSPs, ISPs, and SPs

At Tanaza we believe it’s time to present, data in hand, the latest news for MSPs, ISPs, and SPs about the future of WiFi and Cloud Management.
Today and tomorrow, more than ever, Wi-Fi will be one of the most widespread technologies in the world and represents a crucial point in the daily and business lives of billions of people.

The future of WiFi Technology

In a previous article, we discussed How soon Wi-Fi 6 will impact Business WiFi Networks.
Read more about:
– Wi-Fi 6
– Wi-Fi 6E
– Wi-Fi 7
– Wi-Fi 8 (coming soon)

WiFi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are starting to emerge in lots of enterprise wireless access points.

Here are some examples:

WiFi 6 Access Points for Business – Discover the right device to enter in the future of WiFi

Edgecore EAP102-T

Indoor
Wall-Ceiling Mountable PoE

EAP102 is an enterprise-grade, concurrent dual-band Wi-Fi 6 indoor access point. EAP102 supports 4 x 4 : 4 uplink and down link MU-MIMO between the AP and multiple clients, with up to 2.9 Gbps aggregated data rate.

Get your EAP102-T demo device

Edgecore EAP101

Indoor
Wall/Ceiling/T-bar mountable

EAP101 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 indoor access point for enterprises. The device supports 2×2:2 uplink and downlink MU-MIMO between the AP and multiple clients, with up to 1.7Gbps aggregated data rate. EAP101 is equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio enabling value-added applications such as iBeacon, presence.

Require compatibility

Linksys LAPAC1200

Indoor
Wall-Ceiling Mountable PoE

Linksys LAPAC1200 is a Dual-Band WiFi6 Access Point with Power over Ethernet (POE) support. This enterprise access point features one Gigabit Ethernet and is backward-compatible with widely deployed 802.11a/b/g infrastructure.

Require compatibility

TP-LINK EAP660

Indoor
Ceiling mountable

The EAP660 is the powerful and flexible high-performance Wi-Fi 6 wireless access point (AP) designed for businesses and other organizations that require reliable and high-speed wireless connectivity.It supports up to 2,500 client devices, 4×4 MU-MIMO technology, beamforming technology for more targeted and efficient wireless coverage. The EAP660 achieves of up to 3550 Mbps (AX3600).

Require compatibility

Linksys EA8450

Indoor
Table Mountable PoE

The EA8450 is a high-performance wireless access point that provides fast and reliable Internet connectivity for SMBs. It is designed to support demanding applications such as online gaming, streaming video, and file sharing.

It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology, which offers faster wireless speeds, improved coverage, and better network efficiency. It can deliver wireless speeds of up to 4.8 Gbps on the 5 GHz frequency band and up to 1.2 Gbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The router also features four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and a Gigabit WAN port, which allow for high-speed wired connections. It also features 4×4 MU-MIMO technology and beamforming technology for more targeted and efficient wireless coverage.

Require compatibility

Linksys EA7350

Indoor
Table mountable

The EA7350 is the powerful and flexible high-performance dual-band Wi-Fi 6 wireless access point (AP) designed for house and small SMBs businesses and other organizations that require reliable and high-speed wireless connectivity to surf, stream, and game all at the same. It supports up to 20+ client devices, speed up to 1.8 Gbps and MU-MIMO technology,

Require compatibility

What is Wi-Fi 6 and what are benefits for MSPs, ISPs and SPs?

“Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is the next generation of IEEE standard for wireless local-area networks, faster and more powerful than the previous one Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). It is also known as High Efficiency Wi-Fi, for the overall improvements to Wi-Fi 6 clients under dense environments”.

Year by year, MSPs, ISPs, and SPs are facing the challenge to provide higher throughput and bandwidth for multiple connected devices in enterprise networks. Hardware is not enough to guarantee an adequate and democratic sharing of WiFi connection. A new standard was necessary to manage the huge quantity of devices in the networks (anchor link to the chapter dedicated to e-waste).

On April 23rd, 2021 the FCC voted and approved the allocation of the new 6GHz band for Wi-Fi. WiFi 6 represents a new revolution for enterprise and SMBs WiFi networks.

	802.11n - Wi-Fi 4	802.11ac - Wi-Fi 5	802.11ax - Wi-Fi 6/6E
Frequency Range (GHz)	2.4 - 5	2.4	2.4 - 5 - 6
Channel Bandwidth (MHz)	20 - 40	20 - 40 - 80 - 80+80 - 160	20 - 40 - 80 - 80+80 - 160
Subcarrier Spacing (KHz)	312.5	312.5	78.125
Symbol time	3.2	3.2	12.8
MU-MIMO	None	Downlink	Uplink and Downlink
Access Scheme	OFDM	OFDM	OFDM, OFDMA
Data Subcarrier Modulation	BPSK, QPSK, 16-64 QAM	BPSK, QPSK, 16-64 QAM	BPSK, QPSK, 16-64-256-1024 QAM
Coding	BCC (mandatory) - LDPC (optional)	BCC (mandatory) - LDPC (optional)	BCC (mandatory) - LDPC (mandatory)

Let’s analyze the various improvements point by point, showing concrete benefits and changes for MPSs, ISPs and SPs business.

What is the difference between WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E?

“E as extended. E as efficiency”

WiFi 6E is the next generation of the WiFi 6 standard. It offers all the main features of the 802.11ax, giving also access to the 6GHz band. The new frequency band ranges from 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz, allowing up to 1,200 MHz of additional spectrum.
WiFi 6E reduces overlap and interference between multiple networks in high-congested areas as offices, apartments complexes, industrial districts.

	WiFi 6	WiFi 6E
Max. Data Rate	1.5 Gbps per device	2.3 Gbps per device
DFS scanning	Required ❌	Not required ✅
Capacity	Lower	Higher
Security	Secure	More Secure. WPA3 is mandatory.
6GHz Legacy Devices	The 6 GHz band is not available on WiFi6.	The 6 GHz band is exclusive to WiFi 6E devices. More bandwidth, spectrum, and speed improvements guaranteed.
Simultaneous transmissions	8K movies and large file download with possible short buffering. No AR/VR gaming.	8K movies, AR/VR gaming and large file download all without buffering.
Latency	Reduced	Extrimely reduced
Network performance	Good	Better in congestioned enviroments

Frequency Range 6GHz – More capacity, less latency in the future of WiFi

More connected devices mean higher levels of Wi-Fi congestion. The pandemic has shown how the amount of data on Wi-Fi networks has reached critical levels: wireless bandwidth and capacity have never been greater.

The first improvement of WiFi 6 technology is basically more capacity. Specifically, access points will be able to operate on the 6GHz spectrum, in addition to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz that currently exist. The possibility to use this new frequency range guarantees lower latency for applications in higher density environments. Moreover, 6GHz includes the orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) feature from cellular technologies, which takes advantage of servicing multiple users on sub-channels transmitted simultaneously.

There are also changes in regulations related to the 6GHz frequency range. WiFi access points have to be registered in databases and become ‘geolocation aware’. They must support the following standards:

Low Power Indoor (LPI)
Power Spectral Density (PSD)
Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC)

LPI and PSD are rules for restricting the power output of indoor 6 GHz devices, to limit interference with each other or with licensed outdoor use. AFC is for outdoor 6 GHz devices and consults with a database based on the FCC’s Universal Licensing System so that 6 GHz access points can avoid interfering with licensed applications.

Wi-Fi 6 has multiple Wi-Fi channels and these channels can be allocated more effectively to permit multiple transmissions to multiple users at the same time. Hence, when organisations power outdoor Wi-Fi 6 for users, it means more efficiency, less overheads and also support for a greater variety of applications.

20MHz vs 40MHz vs 80MHz vs 160MHz – What is the best Channel Bandwidth for Business?

Wi-Fi 6 supports channels widths of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, and 160 MHz.

20MHz – 40MHz – 80MHz channels are recommended for business, while 160MHz is best suited for environments with low channel utilization.

For a correct deployment, it is important to distinguish the correct channel bandwidth selection. The channel bandwidth can really affect the performance on networks.

20MHz is the most common Wi-Fi bandwidth as most users still opt to use 2.4GHz radios (almost never in 5GHz).
20MHz is the correct channel bandwidth for businesses that want to guarantee high levels of connection for remote workers or users with high expectations.
Today, WiFi customers prefer to use video streaming and video calls: this requires high levels of packets in download for buffering in streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Video, Youtube, for instance) and video-communications applications (Google Meet, Skype, and Slack Call, for instance). In 5GHz bandwidth, thanks to a large amount of non-overlapping channels, providers will not face any problem doing anything, and the internet speed will not have any significant interruptions.

40MHz is the best channel bandwidth for businesses requiring a medium-high level of data transfer rate and higher than 20MHz.
IT professionals can still get 12 non-overlapping channels if combined with a 5MHz frequency.
This channel bandwidth is used by both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. It has a higher speed but it’s not particularly suggested in crowded areas, especially with 2.4Ghz. MSPs, ISPs, and SPs should use it, only on 5GHz and for a restricted number of connected devices. It’s easy to understand how these few users will receive a perfect signal.

80MHz is the last suggested channel bandwidth for business use. This channel bandwidth has the highest data transfer rate for the commercial ranges. The absence of non-overlapping channels to operate within makes high levels of congestion with high levels of traffic. 80GHz is the best channel for IT professionals that think “quality over quantity”: this bandwidth guarantees the highest signal performances for a really limited number of users.

160MHz deserves a separate chapter. It is totally not recommended for IT professionals. And often neither for home use. 160MHz channel bandwidth is perfect for activities like Ultra-HD streaming and professional gaming. Activities that can create a high rate of congestion, especially with the next networks. It’s easy to understand how a single user with this channel bandwidth creates congestion for all the others. Totally unrecommended for business solutions.

Subcarrier spacing drastically reduced to improve WIFi efficiency

The future of WiFi includes a drastic reduction of 802.11ac spacing. It is an important technical change for MSPs, ISPs, and SPs. The reduction of subcarrier spacing improves signal efficiency and the quantity of multiple simultaneous packets for upload and download, rather than one at a time.

MU-MIMO and OFDMA – A perfect combination for uplink and downlink transmissions

Wi-Fi 6 leverages the multi-user version of OFDMA and MU-MIMO for better efficiency of both uplink and downlink transmissions. OFDMA allows the transmission of huge quantities of data over a single noisy channel. This technique works by splitting a single signal into multiple smaller signals that are transmitted. OFDMA is perfect for medium-far transmissions, while MU MIMO is more indicated for short-range. Then, the combination of OFDMA and MU-MIMO allows Wi-Fi 6 to cover the entire spectrum of possibilities of high-density environments. For a better technical understanding of OFDMA and MU-MIMO in 802.11ax panorama, we suggest reading Tanaza’s guide for MSPs.

WPA3 WIFI6 – Future of WiFi means higher levels of security

Wi-Fi 6 enables secure endpoint protection thanks to WPA3 certification. WPA3 is the next generation of Wi-Fi security and provides cutting-edge security protocols to the access point industry.
This next-generation security protocol enables more robust authentication, delivers increased cryptographic strength for highly sensitive data markets, and maintains resiliency of mission critical networks.
All WPA3 networks:
– Use the latest security methods;
– Disallow outdated legacy protocols;
– Require use of Protected Management Frames (PMF);

What is Wi-Fi 7 and what are the next key features for MSPs, ISPs and SPs?

Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is the next standard of Wi-Fi technology that operates in the 6 GHz frequency band, in addition to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands used by previous versions of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 7 was designed to provide faster speeds, lower latency, and improved performance in crowded or congested environments, such as dense urban areas or large events.

Some key features of Wi-Fi 7 include:

Higher speeds: Wi-Fi 7 can achieve speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps, which is significantly faster than the maximum speeds of Wi-Fi 6 (6.9 Gbps) and Wi-Fi 5 (3.5 Gbps).

Lower latency: Wi-Fi 7 has lower latency than previous versions of Wi-Fi, which means that it can transmit data more quickly and with less delay. This can be particularly beneficial for applications that require real-time communication, such as online gaming or video conferencing.

Improved performance in crowded environments: Wi-Fi 7 uses advanced techniques such as beamforming and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) to improve performance in crowded or congested environments. This can help reduce interference and improve the overall user experience.

Enhanced security: Wi-Fi 7 includes improved security features such as enhanced WPA3 encryption and support for the Wi-Fi Certified Secure program, which ensures that devices are secure by default.

A first Wi-Fi 7 demo commercial device is now available.

The future of WiFi is for the environment protection

These are not easy moments for the environment. Global warming, climate change, extreme meteorological phenomena: wireless technology can do its own part to protect the environment through the energy-saving and the reuse of hardware components.

Tanaza also took up on the challenge.

WiFi cloud management to reduce CO2 caused by unnecessary onsite travel

For several years now, there has been an open debate about the extent to which working remotely can drastically reduce the pollution caused by traveling by transport. In the past, in order to understand the problems behind a misconfiguration of devices or a network failure, it was necessary for an IT professional to travel to the site.

An activity that is now obsolete and in the long term causes increased pollution levels. Thanks to Tanaza, the cloud-based network management platform, IT teams can remotely configure and manage all network parameters from anywhere in the world without any unnecessary and environmentally harmful travel.

Network device upgrade to avoid planned obsolescence and reduce electronic waste

Tanaza has long understood that the true value of a network device is not so much in the hardware, but in the software included. In very general terms, MSPs, ISPs and SPs could potentially continue to use any WiFi access points even after it becomes legacy, thanks to the Tanaza firmware.

Several industry studies have shown that the average lifetime of WiFi devices is 3 to 4 years. Imagine for a second, the gas emissions and the amount of e-waste produced by manufacturing and replacing the current network infrastructure around the world.

Obviously, incumbent vendors have strong economic motivations to design devices that at some point break down or are not updated anymore and thus consequently are replaced. It’s called design with planned obsolescence. It happens in the world of home appliances, just as it happens in the networking industry. This is nothing new, but the situation has reached critical levels.

Here is a graph from the Global E-Waste Monitor 2020. We hope it will raise awareness of the problem of e-waste that planned obsolescence and the resulting waste generation creates:

Access points fall under the Small IT and telecommunication equipment classification

By releasing dedicated software updates, Tanaza is able to span the life of WiFi access points by up to two years. At the same time, by using devices with TanazaOS as the operating system, the user is no longer forced to the planned obsolescence of mono vendors who at some point do not release the necessary software updates for a device to keep working thus forcing MSPs, ISPs, and SPs to replace it.

These two combined factors dramatically decrease the amount of e-waste produced, reducing network infrastructure costs for providers and contributing to environmental protection.

Tanaza is getting ready for the future of WiFi

Tanaza is working tirelessly to develop compatibility with the best access points in the market to offer users a complete list of devices that work with Tanaza.

Visit the Support Portal to stay tuned on the latest Wi-Fi 6 access points

Future of WiFi is here. Unleash the power of network management

Deploy and manage business WiFi networks with Tanaza. Enter in the future of WiFi, now.

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How to deploy an Outdoor WiFi network for your venue

by Marketing Team | Jul 21, 2021 | All articles, Cloud Management, Device management, Networking, TanazaOS, What's new, WiFi Networks, Wireless Hardware

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How to deploy an Outdoor WiFi network for your venue

There can be multiple reasons why you need to deploy an outdoor WiFi network for your area. Maybe you want your guest WiFi network to extend outside to keep your guests connected on your network at all times.
Nowadays, many businesses offer complimentary WiFi for their guests/customers. One of the most primary and biggest reasons to provide free WiFi is that it increases on-premises time. Many surveys suggest that consumers stay longer when they are connected to public WiFi. It is also seen that businesses offering free WiFi have seen a comparatively high success rate. No matter how large or small your business is, offering free WiFi will always benefit your business in one way or another. Consider this as an investment, and you will feel the growth in your company.

5 key things to take into consideration before deploying an outdoor WiFi network

Before deploying an outdoor WiFi network, there are few things that you must take into consideration. Like an indoor WiFi network, the outdoor WiFi network also needs to be planned before deploying the access points. It’s essential to map out every access point and the extent to which the outdoor network will reach.

Remember, the outside areas you want to expand coverage to should be where you expect the most traffic. You need to ensure that throughout the installation of your outdoor network, the same network management configuration and solutions are being followed as your other networks.

With time, we have gotten access to tools to determine where we should place our access points and how high we should place them to broadcast the best signal. Choosing the right equipment is vital as everything depends on it. Apart from the access points, there are multiple things that you need to consider, such as firewalls, switches, network interface controllers, and so much more. Your equipment must work seamlessly and not create any limitations for you from a speed or usability standpoint. By positioning your equipment correctly, you will distribute the wireless signal to cover a large area. Configuring your equipment will provide the best performance in the environment you have set up your network.

Estimate bandwidth needs for outdoor WiFi

When building infrastructure, it is crucial to detect how much bandwidth do you require carefully. It is fundamental to consider and adequately calculate the bandwidth requirements of the WiFi network. As we all know, bandwidth is referred to as the channel’s capacity to transmit data. Data is sent in a binary system (0 or 1), each of which is called a bit.

Network bandwidth plays a significant role in designing and maintaining a functional wireless network. Now, it is essential to calculate network bandwidth requirements before deploying them onto a network because the more bandwidth the data connection has, the more data it can send and receive at one time.

However, every kind of deployment location has certain types of bandwidth limits. This means that there is a constraint to space for the data to flow. Some devices require more bandwidth than others. If you wish to maintain proper speeds on each device, then greater bandwidth is a must.

Before you start deploying your WiFi network, you must estimate how many devices will be connected to your WiFi network simultaneously. The more bandwidth you deliver, the faster the devices will run. The usage level for Social Networks, Emails, VOIP, and video streaming ranges from medium to heavy, so be aware of it.

Select the best outdoor access points for outdoor WiFi

Tanaza works with a wide range of access points to suit almost all scenarios and maintain the network’s reliability. Knowing your internet usage is necessary to choose the right access point.

There are many expectations from a particular access point ranging from speed performance, ease of installation, cloud manageability, and software stability. Nowadays, access points with cloud-based management features are a must for any business. It will let network administrators control the devices and customize bandwidth while monitoring the overall network performance and security issues.

These are our favorite access points for outdoor WiFi networks.

Comfast CF-WA350

Discover more about the Comfast CF-WA350

This high-power access point is ideal for outdoor long-distance transmission signals. Multiple concurrent users can connect online thanks to directional dual-polarized antennas and a powerful transmit power of up to 500mW. As a result, there is an increased terminal throughput and a much better user experience. It supports dual-frequency on 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz. An estimated 50 users can access the Internet on the 2.4Ghz band and 110 users on the 5.8Ghz. Furthermore, the 1300 Mbps high-speed wireless transmission rate of the CF-WA350 makes WiFi signals stronger and more efficient. On the other hand, the two gigabit ports support higher bandwidth while transmitting data in an agile and smooth manner. This access point is available with the Tanaza Operating System out of the box.

The Comfast CF-WA350 is an 802.11ac Wave 2 MU-MIMO. This technology allows multiple concurrent users.

Outdoor. The AP is ideal for residential areas, parks, schools, factories, commercial streets, villages, scenic spots, and more.

Download datasheet

Place an order

Comfast CF-EW71

Discover more about the Comfast CF-EW71

This high-power access point is suitable for outdoor areas. It hosts 50 concurrent users. Its two oxygen-free copper antennas with 360° omnidirectional WiFi coverage meets the needs of different situations. It also features a SE2576L power amplifier, improving wireless network reception and the transmission function. This access point is available with the Tanaza Operating System out of the box.

The Comfast CF-EW71 has a single-band and cloud-managed SU-MIMO 802.11n. It delivers a 300 Mbps aggregate frame rate with 2.4GHz radio.

Outdoor. The Comfast CF-EW71 stands up in severe environments, thanks to its outdoor IP66 rating that provides the ability to handle different kinds of rugged environments: lightning protection, waterproof, dustproof, antifreeze, high-temperature resistance, and it's antioxidant.

Download datasheet

Place an order

UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti

Download TanazaOS for UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti

The UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti includes adjustable dual-band Omni antennas. You have the option to use a 5 GHz Omni antenna1 for spot-beam coverage in high-density locations with numerous APs and clients, like a conference hall or event center. The UAP-AC-M discreetly integrates into any environment. The UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti is versatile. You have the option to use a 5 GHz sector antenna (wide beam in the azimuth plane and narrow in the elevation plane) for broad outdoor coverage. The AP is compatible with 802.3af PoE Alternative A and 24V passive PoE.

The UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti model features 2x2 MIMO technology available in single and five packs. It can be used for indoors or outdoors deployments.

Indoor and outdoor. The UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti can be mounted on a wall, pole or can be fast-mounted on an optional Ubiquiti high-gain antenna. The antenna options on this access point include Omni antennas or the fast-mount adapter to install the AP on the optionally connected antenna.

Download datasheet

Place an order

UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti PRO

Outdoor Access Point UniFi Ac Mesh Pro Ubiquiti

Download TanazaOS for UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti PRO

The UAP-AC-M-PRO is ideal for applications requiring 3×3 MIMO data rates for close-in Omni coverage. It has simultaneous dual-band, 3×3 MIMO technology and is available in single-and five packs. This access point has built-in dual-band omnidirectional antennas that deliver expanded range coverage outdoors. The primary port is for data and PoE; the secondary port is for bridging.

The enclosure of this access point is designed to withstand the elements, which makes it the ideal choice for outdoor deployment.

Outdoor. The access point can be mounted on a wall or pole.

Download datasheet

Place an order

Maximize WiFi Performance

To maximize your WiFi’s performance, there are multiple ways that you can opt for. With Tanaza, network admins can set a per-user guest WiFi bandwidth limit. The platform allows limiting bandwidth both per SSID and per user too at the same time. After surveying your network connectivity, you can decide to choose a suitable WiFi access point antenna. Directional antennas are considered a better option as they send a signal in one specific direction.

You can improve your network connectivity by pointing your antenna in the direction where the signal lacks. You can also use additional antennas to maximize your WiFi network’s performance and increase the access point’s power. You can use them to make your WiFi signal stronger in a specific area, such as an open-air restaurant or the swimming pool.

Understand the power gain with the Rule of 10s and 3s

Your device’s radio power describes how well the transmitting antenna converts the input power into radio waves, known as ‘power gain.’ The power of the access point is the intensity of its wireless signal. The change in intensity is called gain. It represents the increase of power, which is the ratio between input power and output power.

The gain of the antennas is expressed in decibels (dB). The power input and output are in milliWatts (mW) in the wireless communication sector. To understand the power gain, simply let us explain the Rule of 10s and 3s. For every loss or gain of 3dBm, divide or multiply the power in mW by 2. Whereas for every loss or gain of 10dBm, multiply the power in mW by 10.

Improve user engagement with a captive portal

Tanaza integrates with the Classic Hotspot platform that allows network managers to personalize how WiFi users log into the network. The platform provides you with various login modes that will enable you to gather different types of information regarding your customers.

Apart from the basic login modes via email, phone number, and password, users can opt for social login. We suggest you opt for social login as it is the optimal login mode from the marketing point of view. To increase user engagement on your page, you can advertise products and services to your customers to increase their engagement. Allowing social login on your captive portal is an excellent option to collect customer’s insights. This data is a great tool to drive marketing campaigns and target the right audience for a network administrator.

Discover more about Classic Hotspot by Tanaza

The outdoor WiFi has the same amount of benefits as the indoor WiFi, but there is a slight difference in setting up the two. You need to choose the right access point that satisfies your bandwidth requirements to provide optimal connectivity. It is good for your business growth and enhances your overall guest user experience.

Furthermore, it is also crucial to have a unique network management system that enables you to manage the networks and WiFi access points regardless of the brand. Tanaza is the most innovative alternative for network management in the cloud.

Unleash the power of network management

Deploy and manage your outdoor WiFi networks with Tanaza.

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✔︎ Easy configuration

MSPs – The ultimate guide to the 802.11 ax wireless standard

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Best Access Points for Enterprise Network Deployments in 2023

How Many Access Points Do I Need – Estimate the right number of devices for your network

by Marco Papavero | Jul 12, 2021 | All articles, Cloud Management, Network Monitoring, Network Troubleshooting, Networking, TanazaOS, What's new, WiFi Networks

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How many access points do I need? How to estimate the right number of devices for professional networks

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how to establish how many access points do you need.

How many access points do I need? A common question in professional network deployment. Estimating the number of access points for different environments is crucial: especially in structures with large areas and requiring large numbers of devices, calculating the wrong number can lead to unexpectedly high costs and a feeling of dissatisfaction when buying unnecessary APs. Conversely, when you want to save too much money, you risk underestimating the number of devices and not buying enough access points for your business.

Tanaza has defined the most important factors to consider and how to estimate the number of access points required.

What factors to consider when estimating the number of access points?

Check floor plan of the environment;
Identify the types of walls;
Evaluate the number of contemporary users;
Calculate the Capacity/Throughput per user/application.
Use a network planner as Hamina Wireless

Check floor plan of the environment

The building plan is often a factor that is taken for granted when estimating the number of devices to be purchased. Modern buildings can have different floor plans: L, H, or T.

In this scenario, the geometry of the plan itself influences coverage. In these cases, devices can not be placed in a position that will be central to all users, without the signal crossing several external or internal walls.

Follow this basic networking rules:

L-shape – estimate more square feet than 2;
T-shape – estimate more square feet than 3;
H-shape – multiply the estimated square footage by 4.

How to Calculate the Number of WiFi Access Points

Considering only the plane of the structure as the only influential architectural factor is a simplification. The presence of objects or other IoT devices can impact the propagation of the WiFi signal with the consequent loss of signal.

Furthermore, phenomena such as signal reflections, diffractions, and wave scattering have a considerable impact.

Identify the types of walls

Intuitively, concrete, brick, and reinforced concrete walls have a high magnetic permeability index. In this case, the number of devices required for efficient WiFi signal propagation is higher.
Concrete, with or without reinforcement, has a high attenuation level and represents a significant obstacle between the access point and the client device. The loss of decibels of the WiFi signal increases as the frequency increases.

In the table, below you can see the signal losses by frequency and material. The table is based on calculations and experiments carried out by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Material Attenuation	dB Loss at 2.4 GHz	dB Loss at 5 GHz	dB Loss at 6 GHz
Reinforced concrete (203 mm)	31	55	63
Concrete (203 mm)	29	48	54
Brick-faced concrete	18	41	48
Brick-faced masonry block	10	32	43
Concrete (102 mm)	15	22	25
Brick	6	15	15
Masonry block	11	15	16
Lumber (Dry – 38 mm))	3	4	4
Glass (6 mm)	1	1	1
Drywall (Panel)	~1	~1	~1
Plywood (6 mm)	~1	~1	~1

Decimal frequencies, wall thickness and arrangement of the material can modify these values.

For example, using the reinforced concrete (203 mm) example and imagine to have a a wall of that material between the AP and Wi-Fi clients: at 2.4 GHz, the wall attenuation with the consequent loss of signal is ~31 dB. If the AP operating frequency is changed to 5 GHz, the wall attenuation with the consequent loss of signal is going to be higher because the frequency is higher – in this case it goes to ~55 dB.

Recently, the Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6 standard introduces the 6GhZ as commercial frequency. Considering the abovementioned example of reinforced concrete (203 mm) wall, the growing band frequencies increases the wall attenuation with the consequent loss of signal to ~63 dB.

The same concept of increasing signal loss as frequency increases also applies to other types of walls.

Estimating the number of access points, it is fundamental to consider the technical characteristics and configurations of the devices, including bandwidth, signal strength, and range. For networks that require large numbers of devices, a platform like Tanaza is essential for comprehensive remote management. The platform allows to monitor 24/7 the signal status, with the ability to modify the necessary settings for each access point in bulk.

In the next months, Tanaza will develop a new integration with Hamina Wireless and its own efficient network planner.

Number of contemporary users

The number of contemporary users is a parameter for estimating access points that should only be considered in areas with a large number of users such as schools, theatres, auditoriums, hotels, universities, and sports centers.

Imagine a traditional football stadium with a capacity of 50000 people for a summer concert. The size of the rectangular area is 650 feet x 750 feet. To obtain the number of access points required, you need to calculate:

TOTAL ENVIRONMENT AREA / MAXIMUM COVERAGE AREA OF THE DEVICE

At this point, we consider the number of connected users. With the stadium at max capacity, let’s assume that only 50% of the spectators have connected to the WiFi network: 25000 spectators. Of these, 10,000 are using it together to share the most exciting moments of the event. Once you have performed the above calculation to determine the number of access points needed, you can divide the number of users / the number of APs to quantify the number of access points per device.

Calculate the Capacity/Throughput per user/application

Another method to estimate the number of access points needed is to calculate the capacity requirements. We have already talked about this topic in a previous article: click here to read.

For a quick review, consider 4 basic formulas:

AP Throughput divided by User Throughput = Users per AP
Users per AP divided by active users = Usable users per AP
Usable Users per AP divided by Adoption Rate = Service Area/Cell Size
Capacity divided by service area = AP count

Once the number of access points has been estimated, it is worth considering a WiFi cloud platform that allows the remote management of all devices. With Tanaza you can monitor the WiFi data of the access points remotely.
Available statistics include:

data received and sent by the network in real-time;
the status of the access points in real-time;
historical statistics on possible disconnections;
RAM/CPU load percentage in real-time;
blocked packets and error rate;
the number of connected clients and the aggregate upload and download speed.

Use Hamina Wireless as network planner

Network planners as Hamina Wireless allows MSPs, ISPs and SPs to scientifically scan internal and external environments in order to execute real-time heatmappings.

Network administrators can easily design Wi-Fi networks with accurate 3D antenna modeling predictions and automatic, customizable and dynamic reports to check network parameters as:
– AP placement;
– First, secondary and tertiary coverage;
– SNR;
– Interferences;
– Data rate;
– AP radio details

On April 27th at 5pm CEST, Hamina Wireless will be host of a Tanaza webinar to present its revolutionary network planner. Join the webinar.

Unleash the power of network management

Deploy and manage your indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi access points with Tanaza.

✔︎ No credit card needed
✔︎ Easy configuration

MSPs – The ultimate guide to the 802.11 ax wireless standard

Tanaza WiFi Cloud Management

Best Wireless Access Points for Enterprise Network Deployments in 2023