pghbuford

Q: Designing a small church WIFI network using Apple Extreme(s)

I have been tasked with extending a church WIFI network throughout its facility (hospitality offering and education use with iPads).  For the sake of simplicity,  I want to use a combination of Apple devices (Airport Extreme and Airport Express).  We have two MacBook Pro laptops, and three Dell desktops in an Verizon FIOS system.  The desktops use Ethernet and the MacBooks use WIFI.   One Airport Express unit is installed in the sanctuary to provide connectivity for the MacBook Pro that works with a projection system.

 

I am trying to predict what and how Airport many units I am going to need.

 

The main issue I am wrestling with is positioning WIFI devices  to service the Education Wing which incorporates 8 classrooms, two offices, and a 75 ft hallway.  All of which is separated from the FIOS router by metal doors, concrete floor, concrete block wall, and distance (125 ft approx.).  However, there are two Ethernet ports available to the Education Wing (one on each end of the Education Wing).  Recent construction upgrades preclude running additional cable..

 

First, I need the broadcast strength of the Extreme and Express (in decibels I think).  Second, the broadcast shape.  And, third suggestions for design tools (free is best).

 

The iPad "WiFi Planner" application offers promise if I can correlate the Extreme and Express specifications with the application's output.

 

If I had a device in hand then positioning and measuring signal strength would be a snap, but I do not have a device on hand except for the Airport Express.

Airport Exteme and Express, WIFI device placement.

Posted on Jul 21, 2015 5:33 AM

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Q: Designing a small church WIFI network using Apple Extreme(s)

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  • by pghbuford,

    pghbuford pghbuford Jul 21, 2015 6:23 AM in response to pghbuford
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    Jul 21, 2015 6:23 AM in response to pghbuford

    Correction -- I think I need a graphical representation of broadcast signal coverage.

  • by pghbuford,

    pghbuford pghbuford Jul 21, 2015 6:26 AM in response to pghbuford
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    Jul 21, 2015 6:26 AM in response to pghbuford

    Radio Output Power: 23 dBm (which is almost every WIFI).

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jul 21, 2015 6:26 PM in response to pghbuford
    Level 9 (54,776 points)
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    Jul 21, 2015 6:26 PM in response to pghbuford

    The main issue I am wrestling with is positioning WIFI devices  to service the Education Wing which incorporates 8 classrooms, two offices, and a 75 ft hallway.  All of which is separated from the FIOS router by metal doors, concrete floor, concrete block wall, and distance (125 ft approx.).  However, there are two Ethernet ports available to the Education Wing (one on each end of the Education Wing).  Recent construction upgrades preclude running additional cable..

    Based on your post, your best option would be to go with a roaming network but this will require that you have sufficient Ethernet backbone to support it. If I understand your current network configuration the two available Ethernet ports are being provided by the FIOS router ... correct? If this is the case you can do, at least, one of the following:

     

    • Connect an AirPort base station by Ethernet to each of those ports, OR
    • Connect a gigabit Ethernet switch to each of those ports, and in turn, add additional Ethernet runs to the classrooms and offices (as needed). Then add additional base stations to each of those ports. If Ethernet runs is out of the question, you may also want to consider using PowerLine adapters instead.

    First, I need the broadcast strength of the Extreme and Express (in decibels I think).

    You should be able to get this from Apple Support Specifications. For example the radio output power for the 802.11ac AirPort Extreme is: 32.5 dBm. The output power is typically restricted by the country that the base station is designed for and is operating in.

    Second, the broadcast shape.

    The basic shape is a somewhat flattened sphere. However, with the 802.11ac models beamforming was introduced.

    And, third suggestions for design tools (free is best).

    One very useful tool is NetSpot by Etwok, LLC.