Wireless Network Site Survey
With the growing number of wireless hand-held hardware (tablets) being integrated into instruction in school districts, pro-active network management becomes critical. This service provides state of the art technology tools and a trained senior network engineer consultant to survey the school building's current wireless design and capacity. A detailed report and plan for potential re-design of the Wireless Network to handle multiple usage scenarios will be provided. These scenarios can include: • Performance Mandates (how long to load a webpage, etc) • Transaction Density (integration of streaming video, access to internet, instructional applications) • Types of Devices • Types of Data
Please refer to service code 650.840 for full service details
Each installation design will include an established signal-to-noise ratio policy as well as expected data rates and coverage expectations. Different types of usage require a different SNR: -Data only, Data plus voice, Data voice and video, will all have different requirements. An established minimum acceptable data rate should be established to allow for an adequate user experience; typically that will be 6 Mb of throughput. In addition, it must be determined how much of the building or campus will be covered by the minimum SNR and data rates. This service will assist the district in their planning for future wireless expenses which may be necessary in order to effectively utilize handheld devices - prior to the purchase of additional devices.
These surveys typically take two days per building and the report detail will be shared with appropriate school district personnel.
A Wireless Site Survey is not a guarantee of coverage, but allows for specific suggestions in re-design of the current wireless infrastructure to incorporate robust use of wireless hand held devices in the instructional environment. The site survey results are applicable for the type of device detail specifically provided by the school district at the time. We recognize that not all wireless devices are the same, therefore additional site surveys may be necessary in the future. Future monitoring and testing of the wireless access layer should be scheduled to ensure that the design parameters are valid into the future.
Please refer to service code 650.840 for full service details
- Scheduling of the 2 day site survey while school is in session.
- The district will provide any detail that they are aware of regarding future deployment plans of wireless devices, including type and number of devices and locations.
- The district will provide any detail that they are aware of regarding the type of data that is being planned for future deployment(s).
- The district will provide detail regarding the current policies and procedures for staff and students in regards to wireless technology utilization to ensure that the planning and placement is aligned to these policies.
- District will provide floor plans in .jpg format to import into the site survey software.
- District need to have an existing wireless infrastructure and be aware that the walk through service and design proposed modifications are for these existing wireless services.
- Districts should understand that any changes in the wireless setup or structural changes after this survey is complete would require an additional survey on an as needed basis.
Review of internal skill sets for WAN deployment, security and management will occur. The WNYRIC will provide updated or additional training of the Senior Network Engineers as necessary.
The WNYRIC utilizes cost effective best practices determined by research that allows our experienced and trained technical staff to perform robust testing and support of the WNYRIC network in the areas of security, infrastructure, energy management, virtualization strategies, disaster recovery and business continuity. Therefore, we are able to be a district advocate for vendor contract issues and aggressively negotiate contract pricing and performance terms. Staff follow best practices in order to provide necessary security as it relates to the most recent student, teacher and principal data security and privacy regulations.
Service Desk can be reached Monday –Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. by calling (716) 821-7171, 1-800-872-0780 or by e-mail at servicedesk @e1b.org. A representative will be available from 4:30 p.m. through 11:00 p.m to assist you with calls regarding emergency situations. During all other hours and holidays, a caller will receive important information regarding coverage.