Secure and stable WiFi for security region – 50+ locations

An on-premise WiFi-as-a-Service solution to replace the outdated, insufficiently functioning WiFi network. The new WiFi network for more than 50 locations has been rolled out entirely according to plan, including complete implementation and configuration.

For the more than 50 fire stations and ambulance stations of a large safety region, the new WiFi network must meet the highest security and stability requirements. In addition, the scalability of the WiFi network must be as broad as possible in order to keep up with future organizational developments.

The WiFi network must be designed and constructed in such a way that it can also handle possible future mergers. Changes in the total number of locations, the number of separate networks and/or the number of devices connecting simultaneously must be able to be implemented relatively quickly and easily.

Advanced WiFi network for fire brigade and ambulance
Via the advanced WiFi network in the fire brigade and ambulance stations, the data of an incident is communicated very quickly directly to the equipment in the vehicles. This happens while the emergency services are getting ready. This way the crew has the necessary information before departure.

Both fire trucks and ambulances are essentially metal cages and metal is a major interference factor for WiFi (Faraday Cage and reflections). The expectation of the security region was that this fact in particular would be too big an obstacle for stable and secure functioning WiFi.

In addition to the technological challenge, the physical environment is a factor that requires special attention when creating the WiFi design. Barracks for fire brigades and ambulance services are not standard environments. There are often metal constructions and these affect the quality of the WiFi network. When determining the locations of the APs, places that are physically difficult to reach must also be taken into account where WiFi must be made possible.

Thanks to our measurements, our design and the access points (APs) we used, this challenge was an excellent success. The data easily reaches the equipment in fire trucks and ambulances via the new advanced WiFi network. Wherever they are in the barracks.

First a network scan of the LAN

Before installing the new WiFi network, we first perform a network scan on the LAN network. The aim is to assure the security region that the LAN is also well prepared for the new WiFi so that data communication from the WiFi can "LANd" properly.

A network scan of the LAN usually includes the following:

• Network Performance: including transmit/receive errors, discards, achieved speeds, latency, packet loss, etc.
• Status and (Over)load of network equipment: CPU load, network traffic peak load, number of free ports, PoE power availability, out-of-maintenance/outdated firmware
• Security issues: network design issues, VLANs, 2-factor authentication administrators

iWiFi-as-a-Service – care-free excellent WiFi

With WiFi-as-a-Service (WaaS) from Procyon Networks, the security region can use its WiFi network carefree and securely in the coming years.

We will maintain the WiFi network in the coming years through software updates, rapid replacement in the event of defects and provision of minor changes according to customer wishes. In addition, the network is scaled up or down on location where necessary.

The security region remains informed of the status, use of the network, the amount of data, and work carried out on the network. We inform the security region every quarter through, among other things, SLA and WiFi usage reports and personal conversations.

Part of our WaaS is that the security region's ICT team has its own monitoring dashboards for the WaaS components and their own PoE switches, allowing the security region's helpdesk to provide support to the team. The information from the dashboards provides insight into answering first-line questions that come to the helpdesk.

Other benefits of WiFi-as-a-Service:

• Spread of the financial investment (OPEX vs CAPEX)
• Care-free secure WiFi – Not enough manpower and know-how? Thanks to our WaaS, your IT team can focus on other matters
• 24/7 monitoring – The network is always monitored with quick response
• Alerts in case of incidents
• WiFi network always up to date

Ready for the future. The completely new WiFi network enables innovative applications that make the work of the emergency services easier and more efficient..