Wireless Networking in Education: What To Expect
Different network types cater to the diverse needs of educational institutions. For example, a centralized wireless local area network (WLAN), which offers centralized wireless connectivity management, is ideal for small- to medium-sized colleges and universities. On the other hand, distributed WLAN, which is better suited to large campuses and K-12 schools, ensures uniform coverage through multiple access points (APs) across the premises. Each network type addresses specific needs, providing efficient connectivity regardless of the educational setting.
Wireless Networking in Education by Type
The table below provides a guide for selecting appropriate network types based on the size, needs, and infrastructure of different educational institutions, including colleges, universities, and K-12 schools.
| Types of Wireless Networks in Education | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Description | Best Suited For | Equipment / Services |
| Centralized WLAN | A centralized WLAN uses a centralized network controller to manage all access points (APs) throughout the network. In this architecture, multiple APs distributed across campus enable client devices to connect to the network. | Colleges and universities | Indoor and outdoor access points; WLAN controllers |
| Distributed WLAN | In a distributed WLAN, APs operate without a centralized orchestrator. They can work autonomously, essentially creating an independent network, or together in a mesh topology. Meshes avoid a single point of failure, so if one AP goes down, another can take its place. The downside is that distributed WLANs can be complicated to manage at larger scales. | Colleges and universities, K-12 schools | Indoor and outdoor access points |
| Mesh WLAN | In this subset of distributed WLANs, interconnected APs form a mesh network, enabling seamless roaming and better coverage in large areas. | Colleges and universities, K-12 schools | Indoor and outdoor access points |
| Cloud WLAN | A cloud-based platform offers centralized control, configuration, and monitoring of APs. Admins can access and manage a cloud WLAN from anywhere because it requires no physical WLAN controller. | Colleges and universities with distributed campuses | Cloud-based WLAN management; Indoor and outdoor access points; |
| BYOD Network | A BYOD network is designed to support various personal devices brought in by students and staff, with added security measures for device authentication and access control. | All educational institutions | Indoor and outdoor access points; WLAN controllers; network access and policy systems |
| Guest Network | A separate guest network for visitors and guests typically limits resource access and increases security measures. | Colleges and universities, large K-12 schools | Indoor and outdoor access points; WLAN controllers; network access and policy systems |
| Wi-Fi 7 | This network uses the latest Wi-Fi standards for higher throughput, capacity, and improved performance, which is suitable for high-density environments like lecture halls and libraries. | Colleges and universities, large K-12 schools | Wi-Fi 7 compatible access points; WLAN controllers; |
| Location-based Services | Integrating location-tracking technologies with Wi-Fi can enable services such as indoor navigation, asset tracking, and proximity-based notifications. | Colleges and universities, large K-12 schools | Cloud-based WLAN management; Indoor and outdoor access points; location-based service provider |
| Outdoor Wireless | Wireless coverage extends to outdoor areas like courtyards and sports fields, often using weatherproof APs. | Educational institutions with extensive outdoor facilities | Outdoor access points |
| High-Density Wireless | A high-density wireless network is designed to ensure connectivity when a large number of clients are expected to connect to APs within a small space. | Sports stadiums; auditoriums | High-density access points |
K-12 Wired and Wireless Networking Best Practices
CommScope, the parent company of networking firm RUCKUS, has published a white paper on best practices for deploying wired and wireless networking in K-12 schools. The document stresses the importance of designing networks that can support the growing demand for digital learning initiatives and provide reliable connectivity throughout campuses. It identifies five best practices to accomplish this goal:
- Conduct a comprehensive site survey to assess the unique wireless networking needs of the school environment, including identifying areas with high-user density to determine optimal access point placement and coverage.
- Deploy a robust network infrastructure capable of supporting bandwidth-intensive applications and devices, such as deploying high-performance access points, switches, and routers designed to handle the increasing number of wireless devices connecting to the network.
- Implement strong network security to safeguard sensitive student and faculty data. It recommends implementing encryption protocols, access controls, and authentication mechanisms to protect against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
- Conduct ongoing network monitoring and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and reliability, such as regularly monitoring network traffic, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and performing software updates to mitigate security vulnerabilities.
- Plan for future growth and technological advancements by investing in scalable network infrastructure and adopting standards-based technologies that accommodate evolving educational needs.
Overall, the white paper provides practical guidance for designing and deploying networks in K-12 educational facilities, emphasizing the importance of reliability, security, scalability, and performance to support digital learning initiatives effectively. Read the full white paper here for a more in-depth discussion of wireless networking best practices.
WAV-CommScope RUCKUS Partnership
WAV is a trusted partner of CommScope RUCKUS, which makes industry-leading equipment for wired and wireless networking in education and other industries.
WAV “relies on its partnership with CommScope to provide solutions ranging from high-density indoor and outdoor networking solutions for sprawling college campus environments to highly scalable Wi-Fi 7 solutions for healthcare and transportation,” says WAV President Norm Dumbroff.
“The CommScope lineup of solutions is designed to exceed the needs of today’s education, government, transportation, and healthcare settings.”
WAV’s team of experts can help you choose the best design and equipment for your next project on wireless networking in education.
