How do you plan and execute a successful wireless LAN migration or upgrade project?

A successful wireless LAN migration or upgrade requires comprehensive planning, including objective setting, site surveys, technology evaluation, and vendor selection. The process should focus on scalability, security, and performance optimization, ensuring the network grows with future needs. Key steps include network design, thorough testing, and training for IT staff and end-users. Post-deployment, continuous monitoring, optimization, and vendor support are crucial for performance and issue resolution. Additionally, integrating legacy systems, documenting the process, and ensuring communication with stakeholders ensure a smooth transition. Following these strategies, organizations achieve a high-performing, secure, and future-proof WLAN.

To plan and execute a successful wireless LAN (WLAN) migration or upgrade, begin by thoroughly assessing both your current and future needs. This means understanding your existing network's performance, coverage, and capacity while also anticipating future growth and technology trends. In my experience, this step is crucial for aligning the upgrade with business objectives. For example, while working on a WLAN upgrade for a medium-sized enterprise, we conducted surveys to understand current issues and projected growth, ensuring the new network would not only resolve current problems but also scale effectively over time.

Afin d'apporter une réponse technique adaptée, il est crucial d'évaluer les besoins sur plusieurs plans : - Côté utilisateurs : Quels sont les usages du Wi-Fi actuels et futurs (Data, VoIP/ToIP, Applications temps réels, IoT, conférences, OT...) ? Sur combien de sites la solution doit être déployée ? Les zones à couvrir ? Les normes radio supportées par les terminaux ? - Côté admins réseaux : les moyens d'hébergement (cloud, on-premise, hybride), les modalités d'authentification souhaitées (ouvert, PSK, MAB, 802.11ax, portail captif,...), les besoins en termes d'outils d'exploitation - Côté financier : un budget sur une ou plusieurs années, les objectifs de pérennité de la solution, préférences de financement CAPEX ou OPEX...

In my experience, a thorough assessment of current and future needs is crucial for WLAN project success. For example, I worked on a project where a company implemented a BYOD policy and increased IoT devices. By assessing their needs, we designed a solution for increased device capacity and coverage, while enhancing security measures. Evaluating current WLAN infrastructure is essential, but also consider industry trends and emerging technologies to future-proof your infrastructure. Ultimately, a comprehensive assessment helps define project scope, goals, and expectations, allowing you to choose the best WLAN solution for your organization.

First of all, you need to monitor the data and client traffic of the Wi-Fi network. The longer I do this, the better I get a picture of the characteristics of the current network. Knowing this, I can plan the new Wi-Fi network and carry out the migration.

Designing the new or upgraded WLAN involves selecting appropriate hardware and software, planning the network layout, and considering user density and application requirements. The design should also include security, redundancy, and scalability considerations. I've found that using predictive modeling tools for coverage and capacity planning is extremely helpful. In one project, we used these tools to visualize coverage gaps and optimize access point placement, significantly improving performance and user satisfaction.

Also need to consider the aesthetics. Some clients can be pretty ridiculous about what they will and will not tolerate seeing in their environment.

When designing a new or upgraded WLAN, consider factors like WLAN architecture, technology, and vendors, as well as layout, configuration, and integration of components. Account for the physical environment, interference sources, security policies, and network performance metrics. Utilize tools like site surveys, heat maps, and simulation software to test and optimize your design before implementation, ensuring the WLAN meets your organization's requirements and delivers optimal performance, security, and scalability.

From recent deployments, the use of voice and/or HD-video applications have been the most common on enterprises apart from the increased number of UEs. Therefore, apart from the physical environment, interference, etc., these applications influence the RSSI, SNR, and data rate requirements and must be incorporated on the design.

In my experience, thorough preparation is vital for WLAN projects. For instance, when working with a client on a WLAN upgrade, a detailed plan and stakeholder communication ensured alignment with project objectives. I agree that procuring resources and backing up data are essential, but contingency planning is also crucial to tackle unforeseen challenges. Training staff and users and documenting procedures are key for smooth operation and maintenance. By preparing for implementation, you minimize risks, costs, and delays, ultimately contributing to a successful WLAN project outcome.

Preparation is key to minimizing downtime and other impacts. This involves scheduling the implementation during low-usage periods, informing users of potential disruptions, and ensuring all hardware and software are ready for deployment. It's also important to have a detailed rollout plan and backup strategies in place. For instance, before a major WLAN implementation, we prepared detailed checklists and fallback procedures, which helped streamline the process and quickly resolve issues as they arose.

I recommend including an assessment of the client devices on the current WLAN in the preparation phase. After the upgrade is implemented two trends often occur: A. Extreme legacy devices will not perform well with newer generations of Wi-Fi and impact other devices. B. Even newer clients that are running either older OS versions or drivers will not perform well with newer WLAN infrastructure. Audit the devices to be supported by the infrastructure, have a plan to phase out legacy Wi-Fi clients and maintain OS/driver updates to ensure stability after the upgrade.

Dès lors que le design est validé, il faut organiser le déploiement. Cette organisation est d'autant plus importante dans le cas d'un remplacement pour ne pas créer de frustration côté utilisateurs. Ainsi il faut planifier un renouvellement progressif par site et/ou par zone. Idéalement en commençant par un périmètre restreint afin de s'en servir comme pilote technique et valider une procédure de migration. Dans le cas d'une modification de l'authentification/segmentation, il faudra prévoir un déploiement en 2 temps avec un mise en œuvre des modalités d'authentification à isopérimètre et une migration des utilisateurs dans un second temps. Il faut également définir les prérequis comme la présence des prises réseau et des switches PoE(+).

During the implementation phase, carefully follow the prepared plan, installing new hardware, configuring network settings, and transitioning users to the new system. It's often beneficial to roll out the upgrade in phases to manage risks and make troubleshooting more manageable. In my practice, phased implementations have allowed for real-time adjustments and minimized overall impact on network users.

Avant de déployer il faudra s'assurer que les projections de déploiement aient été validées par toutes les parties prenantes (spécifications techniques, plan de migration, cahier de recette) et que les prérequis aient été complétés. Avant toute opération il est important de communiquer auprès des utilisateurs. Les bornes pourront alors être déployées ou remplacées au fur et à mesure. Après le remplacement de quelques bornes, il faudra idéalement réaliser des premiers tests techniques et applicatifs (= pilote technique). Si cela ne fonctionne pas il est encore facile de réaliser un retour arrière. Sinon vous pourrez continuez le déploiement. A l'issu du déploiement le cahier de recette établi en amont devra être déroulé.

After the network is up and running, continuous monitoring is essential to ensure it performs as expected. Use network management tools to track performance, identify issues, and optimize settings. For a large-scale WLAN upgrade I was involved in, ongoing monitoring helped us quickly spot and rectify unforeseen issues with device compatibility, significantly improving the overall network performance and stability.

Après le déploiement il faut idéalement réaliser une recette de la couverture Wi-Fi afin d'établir un état des lieux de la couverture. Parfois il y a des écarts avec la simulation. Cela permet d'identifier des trous de couverture ou des disfonctionnement radios (radios éteintes, interférences entre les canaux…). Aussi, si l'outil de management le permet il faut vérifier les indicateurs liées aux succès d'authentification, latence, roaming etc...Et bien sur, n'hésitez pas à sonder les utilisateurs directement. Cet ensemble permettra d'établir des préconisations d'amélioration. Vous entrerez alors dans une phase d'amélioration continue de votre solution.

In my experience. For a successful WLAN upgrade, these are some good high level steps to get started. 1. Assess weaknesses in the current setup. 2. Define clear upgrade goals. 3. Plan tasks, timelines, and resources. 4. Select compatible hardware and software. 5. Test the upgrade and strategize data migration. 6. Implement with best practices. 7. Train IT and users. 8. Monitor performance and fix issues. 9. Keep optimizing for advancements. 10. Communicate transparently with stakeholders. 11. Review and learn for future upgrades.

Develop a WLAN design based on the assessment findings and requirements gathered. Determine the placement of access points (APs), channel assignments, and antenna configurations to optimize coverage and performance. Consider client density, building layout, and RF interference sources when designing the WLAN.