{"id":138594,"date":"2017-09-29T14:04:52","date_gmt":"2017-09-29T14:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccbtechnology.com\/?p=138594"},"modified":"2023-02-01T22:43:02","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T22:43:02","slug":"choosing-wireless-solution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ccbtechnology.com\/choosing-wireless-solution\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Things to Look for in a Wireless Solution"},"content":{"rendered":"

In today\u2019s business environment, having a wireless solution in place is no longer just nice to have, but a necessity. With a growing mobile workforce and BYOD paradigm<\/a>, having a robust wireless solution is imperative for businesses of all sizes. If you haven\u2019t refreshed your Wi-Fi solution recently, your company could be missing out on the added efficiencies of new generation solutions.<\/p>\n

There are numerous vendors that provide wireless solutions, but this article won\u2019t steer you toward one over another. Instead, we\u2019ll address a few key topics to consider when looking for a wireless solution to help you determine what your company needs and narrow the list of options.<\/p>\n

1. How do you want to manage your wireless solution?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The answer to this question will have the largest impact on the Wi-Fi solution you choose and depends upon your needs and requirements. There are generally two ways to manage your Wi-Fi \u2013 on premises or a hosted cloud solution.<\/p>\n

An on-premises solution provides complete control, allowing management of each access point (AP) individually or using a central console. This solution works well for organizations with few APs.<\/p>\n

A hosted cloud solution, like the WatchGuard Wi-Fi Cloud<\/a>, would give you central control over multiple APs from one web portal. This helps simplify management for organizations with many APs. With a hosted cloud solution, however, you will pay a subscription fee and do not own all of the hardware involved in management.<\/p>\n

Determining what type of Wi-Fi management your organization needs will help you narrow your search by focusing on the vendors\u00a0that offer what you need.<\/p>\n

2. Thick or thin access points? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Two words you might run into while considering the different types of management for wireless solutions are \u201cthick\u201d or \u201cthin\u201d access points. A thick wireless AP can operate as a standalone unit and doesn\u2019t need a central console to be configured. This option works best if you have one or two access points.<\/p>\n

A thin AP requires a central console and cannot be configured without it. It makes managing multiple APs easier as you don\u2019t have to configure each access point. Most vendors will offer both solutions, but thin APs are typically less expensive and easier to deploy.<\/p>\n

3. Is it compatible with what you have?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Anyone who has worked with technology can appreciate when \u201cthings just work.\u201d Compatibility with existing hardware and software can be a huge factor when choosing a wireless solution. Answer these questions before committing to a solution:<\/p>\n