How Large Enterprises Achieve Excellent WiFi Connectivity with Thousands of Devices Connected

Enterprise-class WiFi is a far cry from the average home WiFi setup. For a large company, the budget can be one to three magnitudes higher, typically requiring dozens to hundreds of expensive multi-antenna access points connected to a powerful central controller that manages seamless handoffs between the access points. This infrastructure ensures that each access point manages no more than 20 to 50 users at a time. Conference rooms might have two to four access points with directional antennas aimed at specific parts of the room or sophisticated beam-steering technology to optimize coverage. Importantly, these setups also require highly trained staff to design, deploy, and manage such large systems.

Multiple Internet Connections

Large enterprises do not rely on a single internet connection. Instead, they subscribe to extremely high-speed and the most expensive plans a service provider can offer. They use the internet primarily for work-related tasks and for browsing their own data, rather than for entertainment or personal downloads.

Managing Throughput

The key to maintaining excellent WiFi performance in a large enterprise is managing throughput. This involves ensuring that all connected devices can efficiently reach their destination, regardless of the number of connections. While many consumers consider WiFi primarily for a couple of users, commercial configurations are more akin to a mesh network, with the capability to handle numerous simultaneous streams. This robust configuration ensures seamless and consistent performance.

Multiple Access Points for Coverage and Load Balancing

Beyond managing throughput, large enterprises achieve excellent WiFi coverage through the strategic deployment of multiple access points. Each access point has a limit on the number of connections and the network load it can handle. By integrating multiple access points into a larger network, the overall scale is increased, allowing for better coverage and more seamless performance.

While the number 250 has been assigned as the limit for a single access point, the recommendation is not to push this limit closely. Instead, enterprises often recommend using a dense mesh configuration with several access points to ensure coverage and reduce network congestion. This approach not only enhances performance but also provides redundancy, ensuring that if one access point fails, others can take over seamlessly.

Conclusion

Enterprises with thousands of connected devices require a sophisticated WiFi infrastructure that is far beyond the capabilities of a typical home WiFi setup. From high-speed internet connections to multiple access points, robust configuration, and well-trained staff, the key to achieving excellent WiFi performance lies in managing throughput and ensuring seamless handoffs between access points. This investment not only enhances the user experience but also boosts productivity and overall network reliability.