Wireless infrastructure is the framework of hardware and software that enables wireless communication. The term usually refers to a combination of antennae, towers, transmitters and receivers.
Let’s first look into wireless infrastructures more closely focusing on its main components and benefits.
Then, let’s see how you can keep your infrastructure up to date and future-proof.
The Main Components of Wireless Infrastructure
The main components of a wireless infrastructure are:
- Access points (APs): these provide the connection between the wireless network and wired network
- Wireless controllers:they manage the APs and provide network management functions
- Wireless client devices: these connect to the wireless network and include laptops, smartphones, and other mobile devices
Wireless infrastructure is critical for businesses that need to support mobile workers or provide wireless access to customers. A well-designed system can improve productivity and efficiency, while a poorly designed one can lead to frustration and delays.
What Types of Businesses Should Regularly Update Their Wireless Infrastructure
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as the frequency with which businesses should update their wireless infrastructure will vary depending on a number of factors.
However, in general, businesses that rely heavily on wireless connectivity or that have rapidly growing data demands are likely to need to upgrade their infrastructure more frequently than those that don’t.
Another factor to consider is the type of business you operate. For example, if you run a retail business, then you’ll need to be able to accommodate peak periods of customer traffic without your system slowing down or crashing. You’ll need to ensure that your wireless infrastructure can handle high volumes of data traffic and that it’s regularly updated to reflect any changes in customer behavior.
Finally, it’s also worth considering the future needs of your business when deciding how often to update your wireless infrastructure. For example, if you’re planning on expanding your operations or increasing your customer base, then you’ll need to make sure that your wireless system can accommodate this growth. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a situation where your system is unable to keep up with demand, which could have a serious impact on your business.
The Benefits of Maintaining Up-to-Date Wireless Infrastructures
There are several benefits to keeping your wireless infrastructure up to date. These are:
- Improving your company’s overall communication and networking efficiency
- Reducing costs associated with your communication and networking infrastructure
- Taking advantage of new features and capabilities that may be available
- Ensuring compatibility with future technologies
- Maintaining a competitive edge in today’s rapidly changing business landscape
What To Keep in Mind When Future-Proofing Your Wireless Infrastructure
The Importance of Scalability
Investing in scalable wireless infrastructure solutions will allow you to easily add new users and devices to your system as needed. It also allows you to upgrade your system as new technologies become available.
Scalable wireless infrastructure refers to a network architecture that can be easily expanded or modified to accommodate changing needs. It is designed to support a variety of devices and services, and to provide the flexibility to meet future demands.
It must be able to accommodate a variety of user types, including business users, government users, and consumers. And it must be able to support a variety of applications, including email, Web browsing, gaming, and VoIP.
Keep an Eye on Emerging Technologies
Keep an eye on emerging technologies as much as possible. This way, you can be sure to incorporate them into your wireless infrastructure strategy as they become available. It can help you stay ahead of the curve and ensure that your business is always using the latest and greatest technologies.
Some emerging technologies are easier to spot than others. For example, 6G is already in the works, and will be released somewhere in 2030. Other technologies, by their very nature of being emerging technologies, are harder to spot before they become mainstream.
But investing in the latest tech doesn’t always make good business sense – sometimes it is a better strategy to wait for the technology to mature and become more affordable.
How can you tell when to make the investment, and how can you actually spot the newest tech?
Here are some tips:
Keep an eye on industry trends
By following industry news and analyst reports, you can get a sense of which technologies are about to take off. This will help you make informed decisions about when to invest in new wireless technologies.
In practice, this means staying up to date with your industrial environment. Subscribe to speacialized publications and podcasts, join forums and follow industry thought leaders. And take it offline; visit exhibits and trade shows to network as much as possible with experts in the field. This will keep you hand firmly on the industry’s pulse.
Look for complementary technologies
Sometimes investing in one new technology can make another existing technology obsolete. For example, the widespread adoption of 802.11ac Wi-Fi made 802.11n Wi-Fi routers obsolete.
But in other cases, new technologies can complement each other. For example, pairing 5G with edge computing can create a powerful combination for businesses that need low latency and high bandwidth.
Consider your budget
When looking to invest in new solutions, it’s vital to remember that new wireless technologies are more likely to pay off in the long run.
For example, investing in 802.11ax Wi-Fi may seem costly, but it can save you money in the long run as you won’t have to upgrade your infrastructure again for many years.
The Best Day To Plant A Tree Was Yesterday
When making any investment, all the best IT service companies try to envision how the technology they’re investing in will be used in 5 or 10 years. Will it still be relevant? Can it be upgraded or will it need replacing?
Take 5G; a couple of years ago, it was “the next big thing” in wireless technology, and businesses had to start planning for it years prior. 5G brought faster speeds, lower latency, and more capacity to wireless networks. It also enabled new applications and services that weren’t possible before.
If you want to be prepared for the next big thing like 6G, you need to start making changes to your wireless infrastructure now. In other words – focus on investing in new equipment and upgrading your existing infrastructure. It also means keeping an eye on emerging technologies and trends so you can be ready to take advantage of them when they become available.
Don’t Forget About Mobile
A recent study found that 90% of global internet users use smartphones to go online. This is why modern wireless infrastructures are mobile-first.
Mobile-first wireless infrastructures require a fast, reliable, and secure network.
Here are some tips for designing a mobile-friendly wireless infrastructure:
Invest in fast Wi-Fi
The latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard can provide speeds of up to gigabits per second.
But, keep in mind that not all devices support the latest 802.11ax standard, so you may need to upgrade your equipment if you want to take advantage of the latest speeds.
Improve network coverage
Mobile devices are only as good as the network they’re connected to, so make sure that your wireless network has good coverage.
You can also improve coverage by investing in a mesh Wi-Fi system. A mesh Wi-Fi system uses multiple wireless access points to create a single, seamless network.
Increase capacity
As it welcomes more mobile users, your wireless network will need to be able to handle more traffic.
One way to increase capacity is to invest in the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard. This new standard offers greater speeds and capacity than the previous 802.11ac standard.
Enhance security
Mobile devices are especially vulnerable to security threats, so it’s important to pay special attention to the security on your wireless network.
It’s recommended that you encrypt your network with the latest WPA3 standard. This will make it much harder for hackers to access your network.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of things to consider when designing a wireless infrastructure for your business. By following the tips we’ve outlined, you can create a network that is fast, reliable, and secure. And by thinking mobile first, you can ensure that your infrastructure is designed for the devices your customers are using.
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