If you run a business, a robust Wi-Fi network is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. However, many business owners and managers might not realize that effective Wi-Fi network design is more than just plugging in a router under a desk.

In this article, we’ll talk about what goes into designing a Wi-Fi network that can support your business now and in the future – and when it’s time to get help from a professional.

The Basics of Wi-Fi Network Design

Many business owners might wonder why Wi-Fi network design is necessary – why not just put routers anywhere you need a signal?  A business owner or network admin installed a Linksys router in their home and it works just fine.  How much more difficult is enterprise Wi-Fi really? The truth is that wireless site surveys and network design are complex processes that ensure reliable, secure, and efficient wireless connectivity throughout your business space.

To add further confusion, many users tend to lump all forms of wireless technology into the same category. Whether it’s a phone’s cellular connection, a Wi-Fi network, or Bluetooth speakers, they’re often seen as part of the same “wireless” mystery. It’s especially common for people to confuse cellular and Wi-Fi, even though they’re completely different technologies. “Most people don’t realize that Wi-Fi and cellular serve distinct purposes,” says Tom Borkowski, founder of TPK Advanced Wireless. “There’s a widespread misconception that they’re the same, but they’re actually very different.”

This confusion can lead to unrealistic expectations about Wi-Fi performance and reliability. While cellular networks rely on wide-area coverage from tall towers, Wi-Fi networks require careful on-site planning and implementation—often beginning with a wireless site survey.

People might assume that Wi-Fi, like cellular, “just works” anywhere within a general area. However, Wi-Fi’s shorter range, different roaming mechanism, and susceptibility to physical obstacles mean that thoughtful design is critical for seamless coverage.

But that is just the beginning of understanding why professional Wi-Fi network design is essential.

Why Wi-Fi Network Design Matters

Wi-Fi network design matters to businesses for five main reasons:

1. Coverage and Capacity: A well-designed network ensures that all areas of your business not only have adequate signal strength, but that the network can handle the expected number of devices.
2. Performance Optimization: Proper design minimizes interference and maximizes throughput, ensuring your network operates at peak efficiency.  It should be based on the applications and use cases that needs to be supported. Channel planning is a critical part of this process.
3. Scalability: As Tom emphasizes, good design considers future needs: “We need to look at what users, devices, and applications need to be supported – not just immediately, but 5-10 years from now.”
4. Security: Network design incorporates security measures to protect your business data and operations.
5. Compliance: Certain industries have specific regulations regarding wireless networks, which must be considered in the design phase.

Key Elements of Wi-Fi Network Design

There are a few key elements involved in the design process:

1. Site Survey: This involves mapping out your physical space, identifying potential obstacles, and sources of interference. A professional vs. DIY wireless site survey comparison can highlight the value of experienced insight.
2. Frequency Band Selection: Businesses will need to choose between 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands (or all three) based on specific needs. The introduction of Wi-Fi 6E and AFC has added new dimensions to band selection strategies.
3. Channel Planning: Channel planning is the strategic selection and assignment of non-overlapping frequency channels to Wi-Fi access points to minimize interference and maximize network performance. It’s not just the channels themselves, but also the channel widths as well.  Even though wider channels can increase throughput, it may not be advisable in all environments. “Sometimes by reducing your channel widths, you can actually improve performance,” Tom notes.
4. Access Point Placement: Strategic placement ensures coverage without oversaturation. APs should allow ubiquitous coverage where necessary, facilitate proper roaming, and support business critical applications.  There’s also a temptation of a lot of network admins to simply increase the power to extend coverage and “get more” out of each AP. Tom warns against the misconception that “louder is better,” explaining that overextending coverage can lead to various connectivity and performance issues caused by co-channel interference.
5. Infrastructure Assessment: This includes evaluating your existing network equipment, cabling, and power sources. LAN switches need to be evaluated for port capacity, speed, and whether they supply enough Power over Ethernet (PoE) for the new access points (APs).  Cabling should also be evaluated to ensure it meets current standards.
6. Security Implementation: This involves setting up strong encryption, authentication methods, and network segmentation.
7. Performance Testing: After implementation, thorough testing ensures the network meets design specifications and user needs.  Typically, there will also be a degree of optimization to fine tune the network to achieve peak performance. You may consider using wireless site survey tools and software to aid in testing.

By considering these elements, a professional Wi-Fi network design goes far beyond simply plugging in a router. It creates a tailored solution that meets your business’s current and future connectivity needs, ensuring reliability, security, and optimal performance.

Key Factors in Wi-Fi Network Design

When designing a Wi-Fi network, there are eight key factors to consider.

1. Future-Proofing Your Network

Future-proofing is the practice of designing your Wi-Fi network to accommodate not just current needs, but also anticipated future requirements. This involves considering:

• Upcoming technologies
• Potential increases in user count
• Evolving business applications

By planning ahead, you can avoid costly and disruptive network overhauls, ensuring your infrastructure remains capable and efficient for years to come. A future-proofed network is more cost-effective in the long run and positions your business to quickly adopt new technologies as they emerge.  For instance, a warehouse that just relies on forklift mounted computers and barcode scanners may operate fine, but introduce VoIP headsets and there may suddenly be noticeable gaps in service.

2. Considering the Weakest Link

When designing a network, it’s crucial to account for all devices that will be connecting to it. “Try to see what’s the least capable client device that needs to be supported,” Tom says. “If the WLAN needs to support laptops and mobile phones, you design for the mobile phones.”

This strategy ensures that all devices, regardless of their capabilities, can function optimally on your network.

3. Balancing Coverage and Performance

Contrary to popular belief, more coverage isn’t always better. “You need to look at the existing WLAN [wireless local area network],” Tom says. “You need to make sure that you’re getting coverage everywhere, but too much coverage may be counterproductive as it can create problems such as co-channel interference or near/far issues.”  These problems affect performance resulting in environments where the Wi-Fi just sucks.

4. Infrastructure Considerations

A robust Wi-Fi network depends on more than just wireless access points. The underlying wired infrastructure plays a crucial role in overall network performance. This includes elements such as:

• LAN switches
• Cabling
• Power sources

When designing a Wi-Fi network, you must ensure that these components have sufficient capacity, bandwidth, and power to support your wireless needs. Neglecting this foundational layer can lead to bottlenecks and performance issues, even if the wireless components are top-notch. Business Wi-Fi installation requires aligning both wired and wireless infrastructure.

5. Security and User Management

Security is one thing you can’t neglect as a business. A well-designed Wi-Fi network incorporates robust security measures to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of business operations. This involves implementing strong encryption protocols, setting up proper authentication methods, and establishing effective user management systems.

Key security considerations include:

• Authentication servers for secure user verification
• Strong encryption to ensure data is protected while transmitted over the air
• Network segmentation to isolate different user groups and devices
• Access control to manage which users can reach specific applications or servers including the WLAN management system itself.
• Guest network isolation to separate visitor traffic from internal networks

By prioritizing security in your Wi-Fi network design, you not only protect your business from potential threats but also ensure compliance with industry regulations and build trust with your clients and employees.

Effective WLAN management is crucial for ensuring a reliable and high-performing network. Unless a business opts for ongoing managed services, the responsibility for managing the WLAN will likely fall to the customer’s network administrator. It’s essential that the chosen solution aligns with the skill set of these individuals, who may not possess extensive expertise in wireless networking.

Implementing a high-end, best-in-class system can be counterproductive if the IT staff lacks the necessary knowledge and training to utilize it effectively. Therefore, organizations must consider the capabilities of their personnel when selecting WLAN solutions, ensuring that the technology is both accessible and manageable. This approach not only enhances the likelihood of successful deployment but also maximizes the return on investment by empowering staff to fully leverage the system’s features and capabilities.

6. AP and Antenna Selection 

There are countless vendors offering a wide range of APs and antennas, each with its own advantages, drawbacks, and price points. Choosing the right solution requires balancing all these factors to meet the customer’s needs. Understanding antenna gain in Wi-Fi can be especially helpful when selecting the right hardware.

7. Aestetics 

From an RF design standpoint, it’s always preferable to place access points (APs) in locations that optimize performance. However, in many environments, aesthetics play a significant role. Whether it’s a corporate office, a hotel, or a retail space, the visual impact of the network infrastructure can be just as important as its technical effectiveness. In these cases, additional care must be taken to ensure the hardware is discreetly placed while still maintaining reliable performance.

APs can be hidden in enclosures, camouflaged to blend into surroundings such as a brick wall, or even placed within landscaping features like bushes. The goal is to strike a balance between functionality and appearance, ensuring a seamless user experience without sacrificing the visual integrity of the space. Thoughtful placement and design modifications can ensure high-quality coverage while respecting the aesthetic demands of the environment.

8. Be Aware the Surroundings

The physical structure of a building plays a major role as well.  Metal objects can cause multi-path to affect how a signal reaches a receiver.  Different materials will attenuate RF signals differently.  Even the presence of people in an environment can affect the signal.  All these things need to be taken into consideration.

In addition to the building itself, any neighboring networks need to be documented as they will compete for airtime and can cause interference, especially if they were not designed or configured properly.  A proper design will look to avoid unnecessary contention.  Likewise, rogue APs/device within your space as well as non-WiFi sources of interference need to be addressed.

Get Professional Wi-Fi Network Design That Just Works

Wi-Fi can be remarkably resilient.  Even when it’s done incorrectly, it will still work (at least part of the time).  The problem is that a poor design can mean the difference between a reliable WLAN and one where users always complain that the “Wi-Fi sucks”. Designing an effective WLAN for your business requires careful planning, consideration of current and future needs, and an understanding of the complex interplay between various network components.

At TPK Advanced Wireless, we bring two decades of experience in architecting and managing wireless networks across various industries, from healthcare and manufacturing to education and retail.

By partnering with experts who understand these intricacies, you can ensure that your Wi-Fi network is not just functional, but optimized for your specific business needs both now and in the future. Remember, a well-designed Wi-Fi network is an investment in your business’s productivity, security, and growth.