Case Study: Upgrading St Neots Rugby Club’s Wi-Fi System

Overview

St Neots Rugby Club faced challenges with their outdated plug repeater Wi-Fi system. Coverage was patchy, performance was inconsistent, and the network lacked the necessary security features to manage different user groups effectively. To address these issues, the club approached Resolute AV to design and implement a robust, secure, and scalable Wi-Fi solution.

Objectives

• Improve Wi-Fi Coverage: Ensure strong and reliable Wi-Fi signal throughout the club’s premises.
• Enhance Network Performance: Upgrade to a high-speed, low-latency network capable of handling multiple devices.
• Implement Secure Networks: Create separate networks for tills, management, and guests.
• Guest Network Management: Introduce a bandwidth-limited guest network with a welcome page for user engagement.

Solution Design

Equipment Used:

• 7 Aruba Instant On Access Points
• 1 x 24 Port Aruba Instant On PoE Switch
• Centralised Network Management Software

Network Design:

Coverage Planning:

• Site Survey: Resolute AV conducted a thorough site survey using industry-standard tools like Ekahau and AirMagnet to map out the existing Wi-Fi coverage and identify dead spots.
• Access Point Placement: Based on the survey results, we strategically placed 7 Aruba Instant On Access Points to ensure optimal coverage and performance.

Network Segmentation:

• Secure Till Network: A dedicated, secure network was created for the club’s point-of-sale systems, ensuring payment data is transmitted safely.
• Management Network: A separate, secure network was set up for staff and management to access sensitive club information and systems.
• Guest Network: A bandwidth-limited guest network was implemented, featuring a customizable welcome page to enhance user experience and engagement.

Bandwidth Management:

• QoS Policies: Quality of Service (QoS) policies were applied to prioritise critical traffic on the till and management networks.
• Bandwidth Limitation: The guest network was configured with bandwidth limits to prevent any single user from consuming excessive bandwidth and impacting overall network performance.

Security Measures:

• WPA3 Encryption: All networks were secured using the latest WPA3 encryption standard.
• Role-Based Access Control: Implemented to restrict access to network resources based on user roles.

Implementation Process

Pre-Deployment Testing:

• Conducted extensive pre-deployment testing to ensure all equipment was functioning correctly and network configurations were optimal.

Deployment:

• Access Point Installation: Deployed the access points as per the coverage plan, ensuring minimal disruption to the club’s operations.
• Switch Configuration: Configured the Aruba PoE switch to power the access points and ensure seamless network integration.

Post-Deployment Validation:

• Coverage Verification: Post-deployment surveys confirmed that the new network provided consistent and comprehensive coverage.
• Performance Testing: Conducted speed tests and load tests to ensure the network met the performance criteria.

Training and Support:

• Provided training sessions for club staff on network management and basic troubleshooting.
• Offered ongoing support to ensure the network remains secure and performs optimally.

Results

• Enhanced Wi-Fi Coverage: Achieved strong, reliable Wi-Fi coverage throughout the club’s premises.
• Improved Network Performance: Significant improvement in network speed and reliability, supporting a higher number of concurrent users without performance degradation.
• Secure and Segmented Networks: Successfully implemented secure, segmented networks for tills, management, and guests, enhancing overall network security.
• Positive User Experience: The guest network with a welcome page improved user engagement and provided a professional touch to the club’s Wi-Fi service.

Contact Resolute AV

For further information or to discuss how we can upgrade your Wi-Fi system, please contact us at:

• Phone: 01223 650351
• Email: sales@resolute-av.com

Resolute AV is committed to delivering high-quality, reliable, and secure network solutions tailored to meet your specific needs.