The Tech Side of Choosing a HotSpot

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Whether you are a venue owner who wants to run your own HotSpot, a HotSpot operator, or a FreeSpot organization that wants to set up a HotSpot, the first consideration must be the location. Your venue must be in a desirable locale, be able to attract a viable number of customers interested in wireless high-speed Internet access, and be capable of receiving high-speed Internet connection, e.g. DSL, Cable Modem or T-1.

Once you've settled on the venue, obtain floor plans and/or layouts of all areas that the wireless network is expected to cover. These are the reference tools the installer needs for a feasibility study. For instance, such plans/layouts can help to determine, based on the venue's needs, where the access points should be located to accommodate the necessary wireless coverage. Mark those locations on the floor plans/layouts. Bear in mind, though, that the feasibility study only provides theoretical data. Only after performing a complete site survey can an installer determine which areas to include in the wireless "net" and which areas to avoid due to signal barriers (e.g. radio waves can pass through walls and glass but not metal), cable length restrictions, and so forth. From the beginning, take pains to ensure that everyone involved in the HotSpot venture is aware of such caveats. These same reference tools can also be used to coordinate installation of the HotSpot, and once installation is completed they can be invaluable when someone unfamiliar with the terrain performs routine maintenance, troubleshooting, etc.

After it is determined that a HotSpot is feasible, the next step is to obtain a signed location agreement authorizing the installation of the HotSpot network. If a HotSpot operator is involved in the process, that operator must make certain that it is given full rights to monitor remotely all activity that occurs on the network, and that the document includes a provision that authorizes the placement of marketing literature (posters, flyers, instructional leaflets, etc.) in prominent locations throughout the HotSpot.

With those items taken care of, the installer is in a position to conduct the site survey. A site survey allows the installer to understand any variables not shown on the floor plan that may affect wireless coverage in a specific area.

Some of the factors that will affect whether a wireless net can envelope a particular area include:

Signal Barriers. Reinforced metal in the structure of concrete walls can block a radio signal from traveling between rooms. Floors with steel girders and other metal material can block wireless signals from traveling between floors. Even in open areas, surrounding large metal walls can cause signal reflection that will cause a reduction in the data throughput rate.

Drop Points. It's advisable that the installer design a network so that each drop point (equipment installation areas) is easily accessible. This facilitates future maintenance and/or troubleshooting. Will there be ceiling drop points? If so, does the venue have on hand the ladder or scaffolding for the installer to reach that area? Another consideration is availability, i.e. when will the areas around the individual drop points be available for installation personnel?

Electrical Outlets. Each access point will need to plug into an electrical outlet (unless Power-over-Ethernet APs are used). Is there an outlet readily available where the AP(s) is to be placed? If not, one needs to be installed. Don't use extension cords.

Network Requirements. Although a HotSpot provides wireless Internet access, some cabling is still necessary. The cabling connects the Access Point(s) to the wired network where the backhaul is located. The typical cable used in such instances is CAT 5 cabling which has a length limitation of 328 ft. (100 meters) per cable run. Therefore, if the coverage area is more than 328 feet away from the data pipe to the Internet connection, one or more intermediate devices (hub, router, switch) along with the necessary power source will be needed to connect the backhaul point with the coverage area. Label the cabling (at each end of the run) as it is installed, describing each drop point location. Most venues won't want the cabling (or access points for that matter) to be visible to customers. The installer will need to run the individual drop points in such a manner that the cabling is hidden from view, such as above tiled ceilings, or covering the cable so that the run is aesthetically acceptable. As far as the access points, hubs / routers / switches are concerned, these devices should not be seen, nor should they be accessible to the general public. Once cable installation is completed, the installer should provide a written installation confirmation setting out that all cable segments have been tested thoroughly, and specify the length of each installed cable segments. Attached to the confirmation should be a cabling diagram indicating exactly where the cabling is located in reference to the floorplan/layout.

After completing the site survey, sit down and discuss the viable coverage areas and how it might impact the practicality of installing a HotSpot at that particular location.



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Going Wi-Fi. A Practical Guide to Planning and Building an 802.11 Network
Going Wi-Fi: A Practical Guide to Planning and Building an 802.11 Network
ISBN: 1578203015
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 273

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