As educational facilities continue to evolve, they must adapt to a variety of new technology platforms both indoors and out. These can include different digital platforms for interactive and collaborative learning, electronic systems for real-time grading and record-keeping, as well as the many personal and school-issued devices, tools and other resources that all depend on a school's Wi-Fi network.
Enabling it all to happen are the wireless access points (APs), whose proper installation is key to ensuring that these school Wi-Fi networks can deliver stability, reliability, and performance.
But when it comes to ensuring proper performance, following industry best practices and guidelines for implementing these wireless APs is imperative.
Best Practices for AP Deployment in Educational Facilities
To ensure full operation of each AP, start with a plan that supports, protects, and secures them using enclosures and mounts. These solutions optimize performance and provide the flexibility needed for a school’s evolving network.
Here are a few wireless AP trends to consider, which also factor into the types of enclosures and mounts you’ll want to deploy:
- Inevitable Upgrades: As technology evolves, new Wi-Fi-enabled devices require AP upgrades.
- Increased Throughput: AP throughput increases by a factor of 10x every five years.
- Rising PoE Requirements: Power over Ethernet (PoE) requirements continue to grow.
- Evolving Form Factors: Changing AP designs require flexible planning.
- Higher Bandwidth Demands: Wireless LANs now support additional services requiring more bandwidth.
The need for high-density AP deployments is particularly pronounced in educational facilities. When planning for future AP upgrades, it’s essential to focus on installation methods that ensure aesthetic integration, reliable infrastructure security, and quick serviceability.
Choosing the Right AP Enclosures and Mounts for Classrooms
In classrooms, lecture halls, and dormitories, where network traffic can spike unpredictably, enclosures and mounts with interchangeable trims and doors are ideal. These allow for quick upgrades and better coverage.
Examples include:
- Oberon® Wi-Tile™ Ceiling Enclosures 1047 Series: A locking suspended ceiling tile Wi-Fi AP enclosure with interchangeable doors.
- Oberon® H-Plane™ Right-Angle Surface Mounts 1007 Series: A right-angle AP wall mount that mimics a lighting sconce with interchangeable trims for a seamless appearance.
Extending Reliable Network Infrastructure Beyond Classrooms
But what about ensuring network infrastructure in other kinds of indoor spaces (like laboratories or gymnasiums) and outdoors?
Beyond the classroom, especially in higher education and college campuses, it’s become just as important to provide reliable network infrastructure in places like parking garages, outdoor courtyards and common areas and of course, sports venues and stadiums where thousands will likely congregate throughout the year.
In these spaces, APs and associated cabling components still need to provide optimal wireless coverage, but must be physically secured, protected from the elements, often times impact resistant, receptive to wash down, and perhaps above all, aesthetically blended into the environment.
Ideal Solutions for Challenging Spaces:
- Oberon® Skybar™ Environmental Enclosures: NEMA-rated, UV-resistant enclosures designed for under-seat, wall, or overhang mounting in outdoor venues.
- Oberon® Hi-Bar™ Surface-Mount Enclosures 1015 Series: Impact-resistant enclosures perfect for gyms.
- Oberon® NetPoint ™ Bollards 3032 Series: Wi-Fi AP bollards provide AP protection in green spaces or any other location of need and come in a wide range of colors and heights to blend seamlessly into any outdoor environment.
Explore All of Oberon’s Wireless Access Point Solutions
Whether indoors or outdoors, Oberon offers a wide range of innovative enclosures and mounts to ensure reliable connectivity, protection, and aesthetic integration in educational facilities.
Discover the perfect solution for your school or campus.
