Networks are getting more and more complex and Wi-Fi system integrators, as well as IT managers, are getting crazier and crazier.
What are the top 5 problems in Wi-Fi access point networks?
1. DIFFERENT MODELS AND VENDORS OF ACCESS POINTS
Different models and vendors of access points are often bought in different years: a Netgear to start, then a TP-Link or D-Link, and then the most fashionable Ubiquiti Unifi. Every model has a single different user interface. It’s common for an IT manager to enter an AP interface just to reboot it and … what the hell, where is the reboot button?!?! Interfaces are not as user friendly as they should be.
2. MANAGING THE CONFIGURATION OF ALL DEVICES
Having a centralized place to store all the configuration information is not common, especially for small businesses that cannot afford expensive enterprise-class Wi-Fi devices. So what happens is that every time you open an Excel file with the configuration of each network device you “hope” it’s updated and equal to the running one. Sometimes this is the case and sometimes it is not, especially if the access point passwords are not a secret.
3. REMOTE CONTROL
To have remote control is useful in order to monitor what the network is doing. Is it working properly? How can I be sure if I am not there? Car trips just to reboot a device are quite normal. Some small business customers are more willing to pay if they see that their trusted system integrator is “taking the car” and “doing some work;” but the truth is that most of the time this could be avoided by using a correct VPN or Public IP to allow remote control. The problem is that these things are quite expensive, such as the public IP, or too complex, such as the VPN configuration which is always a PAIN!!!
4. CHANGE THE PASSWORD OF THE ACCESS POINTS
Change the password of the access points … Yes, that’s it! For 80% of users “managing access points” or managing wireless networks means just to change the password of all devices in one shot. Well, again this is quite complex if your devices are consumer level devices. It means having to change the password one by one.
5. MULTI-SSID AND GUEST ACCESS
The previous problem is worse if multi-SSID networks are considered. Sometimes, in small businesses, there is “someone” who enters each access point’s interface and changes the password per each SSID. What a waste of time.
Someone asks if there is a solution to all these problems. Yes, there is, and one of them is certainly made by enterprise-class networks. If you can afford them, go for them. Cisco and Aruba networks are just two leading brands. Another option is cloud managing multi-vendor access points from a single web interface; Tanaza is offering this solution for one month to Lead Users interested in managing their network with state-of-the-art cloud paradigm.
So… what’s your main issue? You can vote on our FB page!