By: John Shepler

Broadband internet access is widely available and has become a standard expectation. Consumers rely on it to stay connected while on the move, and businesses use it to provide connectivity to customers and allow employees to work flexibly.

Considering 3G and 4G cellular?

Cellular broadband on smartphones is excellent for wide area coverage, but it has limitations. Data usage limits can lead to unexpectedly high costs. Additionally, many computers, tablets, and other devices lack built-in cellular connectivity, even if users are willing to pay extra for it. Conversely, WiFi connectivity is nearly universal among devices.

Making WiFi Accessible

Creating a WiFi hotspot can be as straightforward as connecting a wireless access point or router to your network or broadband. This method is common in homes and small businesses. However, as the number of users and the coverage area expand, managing a WiFi network becomes increasingly complex, necessitating either significant effort or a managed WiFi solution.

Cloud-Based Managed WiFi

With managed WiFi, a service provider takes on the responsibility of managing the complexities of a larger WiFi network. Cloud-managed WiFi is an emerging trend that allows service providers to remotely handle tasks like software updates and report generation. The Cisco Meraki system exemplifies a comprehensive cloud-managed wireless solution.

Cisco’s Offerings

The Cisco Meraki access point boasts high-power radios for robust coverage and superior receive sensitivity compared to typical WiFi access points. It incorporates MIMO and beamforming technology to meet enterprise-grade 802.11ac and 802.11n standards on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Additionally, the MR34 AP includes a dedicated security radio that continuously scans for and mitigates security threats, adapts to interference, and automatically configures RF settings for optimal performance.

Security Features

While Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies empower users, they present significant challenges for IT departments. Unrestricted device access can jeopardize network security.

The Cisco Meraki wireless solution addresses BYOD concerns by identifying clients and automatically enforcing access policies based on device or user groups. The system dynamically applies firewall rules, traffic shaping, VLAN tags, and bandwidth limits to ensure compliance with user-based policies. Critical applications are prioritized, while recreational apps can be managed and restricted.

The cloud-based analytics provide extensive data, including user visit duration, visit frequency, and app usage. Network administrators can manage WAN, LAN, wireless LAN, and mobile devices from a central control panel, whether for a single location or a campus-wide network. Mobile apps for iOS and Android enable network management on the go.

Obtaining Managed WiFi

Partnering with a bandwidth provider like MegaPath for a managed wireless solution is an effective strategy for both large and small deployments. This consolidates all connectivity needs, including MAN, WAN, and WiFi, under one provider. MegaPath’s network operations center offers continuous monitoring, configuration, and troubleshooting of wireless networks, along with up-to-date security features compliant with PCI (Payment Card Industry) data security standards.

When planning a significant wireless expansion or initial WiFi installation, exploring the benefits of cloud managed WiFi is highly recommended.