Revitalization of old buildings is more than just repainting facades or replacing windows. It is a recovery of something immaterial – the spirit of time, a unique atmosphere, and sometimes also... a system of communication. However, there is a technology that allows you to use your existing low-current installation to create a fast and efficient network.
Let’s be honest: designing LAN and WLAN in a historic building is not an easy task. Integrators often have to change their initial plans due to the high costs of modernization, murky legal conditions and procedures that administrators of such properties must adhere to. So let us take a look at the old building with the installer's eyes.
Imagine a building where some floors have LAN infrastructure and the other floors are equipped with a category 3 telephone network. It is not the only problem. The spectrum analysis shows that not all access points will be able to communicate with one other by radio. Thick, massive walls and the arrangement of floors limit the possibility of communication in this standard. The owner of the building does not want to hear about the removal of the cables and building a completely new infrastructure, and at the same time he wants to equip the property with a modern network. What should be done when this is the case?
In such a situation, integrators can suggest the use of VDSL (very-high-speed DSL) technology, which ensures satisfactory speed despite older cabling. Fortunately, building such a network is not very complicated. WLAN access points are connected to VDSL routers and these in turn are connected to the VDSL concentrator. This way we can create a modern wireless network with roaming between all Access Points (APs), which allows management and monitoring from one central controller.
VDSL technology can be implemented thanks to solutions from two manufacturers: Extreme Networks and DASAN Zhone Solutions. Extreme is a leading player on the global LAN and WLAN market. DASAN Zhone Solutions, on the other hand, has an established position among telecommunications operators.
Modernisation instead of costly conversion
In the Extreme Networks offer we can find an extremely popular AP7632 access point. The device enclosed in a compact housing is equipped with a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio, as well as MU-MIMO mode, which allows devices to transmit multiple data streams simultaneously. In addition, the AP7632 model operates in an extended temperature range from -20 to 60°C. Extreme solution also provides the ability to analyse applications up to Layer 7 and ensures WIPS configuration at the access point.
The proposed system is supported by the Zhone MX-161 – a 24-port DC-powered hub with 4 SFP uplinks and 2 RJ45 ports. The device is cost effective and gives the possibility to set up Ethernet connections in a ring topology using link aggregation.
The above solutions will prove to be useful whenever the conversion of the existing infrastructure would prove too expensive. That is why VDSL technology is most often used in hotels, historic public buildings or offices, providing stable and fast network access for multiple users at the same time.
This article has been prepared in cooperation with our Partner, Veracomp – one of the largest IT distributors in CEE region. Since its creation in 1991, the company has been implementing a pure distribution model.
Veracomp offers products from leading vendors in many different specializations, including networks, security, telecommunication and storage. As a value-added distributor (VAD), the company offer a wide range of services, including advanced logistics, business, technical and marketing support.
Veracomp operates in 17 countries in central and eastern Europe: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Bulgaria and Belarus.
Take a look at our Partner’s offer! For more information, please contact Pawel Jachimczyk, Product Manager Extreme Networks at Veracomp: pawel.jachimczyk@veracomp.pl.