Best Wireless Access Points for Enterprise Network Deployments in March 2023

Tanaza May 2022 update – New client policy, bandwidth control and more APs compatibility

Tanaza May 2022 update allows MSPs and IT professionals to experience a new level of WiFi access control thanks to the custom client policy feature. Now network administrators can create multiple granular client policies setting the type of block for each client, the allocated bandwidth limit, and if the client can bypass the splash page automatically.

Create and assign a custom policy to each network, SSID or client

The new Tanaza client policy introduces an advanced WiFi access control system that allows network administrators to regulate network permissions efficiently.

Network administrators can create custom client policies and assign them at network, SSID or client level.

Block or prevent client connections with a custom message

Not all clients are created equal. Sometimes it’s necessary to block them once connected, sometimes it’s necessary to prevent them even from associating to the SSID.

Let’s assume that in a guest network you have 500 connected clients. Ten of them are suspicious clients: some of them are visiting prohibited websites and some of them are downloading huge files, consuming a large amount of bandwidth. Typically, you should manually block each single MAC address, after careful behavior analysis.

Thanks to this feature, the user has two approaches to address this problem: Block clients once connected or Prevent clients from connecting.

Block clients once connected allows clients to associate to the SSID and receive an IP address from the LAN, but no Internet connection will be provided. These clients will appear in the client list section and they will be counted as connected clients. In this way, you can have the complete client list under control.

Let’s assume, instead, you know exactly the MAC address you want to exclude from your network before it is connected.

Prevent clients from connecting is the feature that prohibits clients from associating to the SSID or receiving any IP address from the LAN. These clients will not appear in the client list section.

Intuitive bandwidth management

Ensuring the perfect balance in connection provisioning is a complex task.

Let’s assume that one client is using 70% of the available download bandwidth while downloading for example a huge file.
Network administrators can proportionally decrease the download limit parameters for that client on the fly, reducing its bandwidth consumption and allowing a better bandwidth allocation among other clients.

More features, more APs

Tanaza has expanded its compatible device list with new AP models.

We introduced support for:

Indoor ceiling mountable: Comfast E320N, PowerCloud CAP324EU
Directive outdoor: Comfast WA300
Omni outdoor: Comfast EW72, Comfast WA700 (ruggedized)

Some of these devices can now be directly procured from our OEM partners as Tanaza Powered Devices (i.e. with TanazaOS pre-installed). Enjoy Tanaza out-of-the-box.

Bring compatible APs to Tanaza in under 3 minutes, with the new Installer

The TanazaOS Installer allows network professionals to quickly and easily install TanazaOS on supported APs, which can now be brought to the Tanaza platform and configured in under 3 minutes (watch the video).
This ultimate solution is perfect for MSPs, ISPs, and enterprise businesses that need to deploy hundreds or thousands of devices.

New apps & integrations in the Tanaza marketplace

Tanaza is adding new vertically focused solutions, allowing several applications from Independent Software Vendors to support more use cases.
In the past, we have reached important milestones developing integrations with Express WiFi by Facebook, Cloud4Wi and Classic Hotspot.
With this May 2022 update, we welcome Social Wi-Fi.
Social Wi-Fi is the splash page and cloud hotspot management platform that allows network administrators to configure, manage and customize splash pages to obtain more valuable information about customers through social login via Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or other social network accounts. It also provides sophisticated advertising functionalities and integrations with multiple advertising-related services.

Try Tanaza and discover the new client policies feature

Experience the power of managing WiFi access points from the cloud with Tanaza.

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How to improve WiFi reception thanks to 1-click Roaming features

by Marco Papavero | Feb 21, 2022 | Device management, Network Troubleshooting, Partnerships, Tanaza Account Management, TanazaOS

Set up WiFi Fast Roaming in 1 click

How to Improve WiFi reception boosting WiFi roaming features

How to improve WiFi reception thanks to 1-click roaming features

Try now the Tanaza
WiFi Management Platform

✔︎ No credit card needed ✔︎ Easy configuration

✔︎ Auto rollback when you desire

or continue to read more
about how to improve WiFi reception
thanks to 1-click Roaming features

Improve WiFi reception boosting WiFi roaming is fundamental to guarantee high levels of connection in congested areas.

Today, more than ever, WiFi users expect to navigate without signal interruptions in airports, train stations, market stores, and other public places with hundreds of square meters of surfaces.

While users are moving, the signal of a single access point can not cover all this distance: there will be a moment when the user will pass from the coverage of a WiFi device to another one. In this moment of passage, the connection has to be guaranteed.

Multiple access points can create WiFi signal overlaps

Deploying business WiFi networks requires careful planning. Past theories and common sense would suggest improving WiFi reception, adding enough APs to cover every square meter with a strong WiFi signal. But this is a typical mistake in WiFi design.

Avoid installing multiple APs to improve WiFi coverage. Multiple overlapping devices can cause signal or co-channel interference.

Co-channel interference caused by multiple overlapping WiFi APs

More APs you will add without a proper WiFi fast roaming configuration, more the overlapping effect will be exponential

WiFi roaming features by Tanaza are the solutions.
Tanaza has integrated three advanced features to improve WiFi reception:
– AP Assisted roaming;
– WiFi Fast roaming;
– Network Assisted Power Savings.

WiFi Fast Roaming – Fast Transitioning Roaming

WiFi Fast Roaming permits seamless connectivity moving between access points. This feature requires WPA2 / WPA2-Enterprise authentication enabled.

When the initial authentication with the first access point is complete, the protocol uses Fast Basic Server Set Transition (FT) to store the encrypted keys of other access points inside the network. We suggest activating this feature to give an improvement to the WiFi end-user roaming experience.

Pros:

Reduces the time to authenticate between access points
Enhanced performance for latency sensitive applications

AP Assisted Roaming – Radio Resource Measurement (RRM)

AP Assisted Roaming reduces the time required to roam the network allowing the client to quickly determine which wireless device it should roam next and how.

The assisted roaming feature is based on a smart and client-optimized list of neighbor access points. Devices that support this standard send a request to obtain channels and status information about other devices.

Set up AP assisted roaming in 1 click

The associated AP continues to monitor and collect data about neighboring devices, locating the best alternative solution where the user can find the strongest signal.

Network-Assisted Power Savings – Wireless Network Management

Network-Assisted Power Savings allows the WiFi network to influence the devices’ roaming behavior, providing information of nearby access points, optimizing the WiFi transmission and the device’s battery life.

This feature improves WiFi reception thanks to balancing the number of devices connected to a single access point. Network-Assisted Power Savings allows the client device to collect information about nearby access points.

Set up Network Assisted Power Savings in 1 click

How to improve WiFi reception boosting network roaming

Tanaza is developing more complex networking algorithms to improve WiFi reception through the features explained above.
However, it is always important to remember how to improve WiFi roaming with some practical tips and understand why.

The regulation of cell sizes is propaedeutic to the following WiFi roaming improvement tips.
1) Broadcast the same SSID for both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. In this way, clients can select the best band and band steering WiFi functionality supported by the APs.
2) Enable the Fast Roaming feature by Tanaza on the APs. The background connection process can be performed before reassociating or roaming to another device.
3) Improve WiFi roaming by setting lower AP data rates.

Try Tanaza for 15 days. Discover how to improve WiFi reception in 1-click.

Forget complex technicalities. Try Tanaza and discover how to improve WiFi reception with 1-click roaming features.

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WiFi Management Software Alternatives

by Marco Papavero | Nov 10, 2021 | All articles, Cloud Management, Device management, Industry news, Networking, TanazaOS, What's new, WiFi Networks, Wireless Hardware

15 reasons to choose Tanaza among WiFi Management Software Alternatives

Try now the Tanaza
WiFi Management Platform

✔︎ No credit card needed ✔︎ Easy configuration

✔︎ Auto rollback when you desire

or continue to read more
about the WiFi Management Software Alternatives

There are several reasons to choose Tanaza Cloud Platform among the WiFi management software alternatives proposed by the WiFi cloud market in 2023.

Instead of creating a useless direct company-centric comparison with other solutions, we present in 15 points why Tanaza could be your next alternative for WiFi cloud management. With Tanaza you can:

1. Manage networks everywhere, at any time thanks to the infinite potential of WiFi cloud management.

2. Troubleshoot network issues in a unique all-in-one cloud solution thanks to an always-updated list of business network management, monitoring, and diagnostic tools.

3. Choose the best access points that work for your business needs. Don’t depend on mono-brand sellers: Tanaza is a vendor-agnostic solution.

4. Take advantage of zero-touch provisioning to configure networking devices efficiently and send them pre-configured to the customer’s premises for installation.

5. Integrate the Tanaza platform with third-party applications provided by official Tanaza Partners as Cloud4Wi, Classic Hotspot, and Social WiFi

Add-ons

Customize Tanaza with additional features

Fing

Network monitoring

Accurate identification of client devices connected to your networks.

Historical statistics

Network monitoring

Keep track of the status of devices and connected clients over time.

Voucher login

Hotspot

Manage user access through the use of voucher codes that limit duration and quota.

Third-party integrations

Connect Tanaza to your favorite apps

Classic Hotspot

Hotspot

An easy-to-use solution to manage and analyze free, paid, and advertisement-based hotspots from the cloud, developed by Tanaza.

Cloud4Wi

Hotspot

A cloud Wi-Fi solution with a tailored marketplace enabling next generation Wi-Fi services.

MyWiFi Networks

Hotspot

A guest Wi-Fi platform with social data capture, visitors metrics and marketing automation.

Social WiFi

Hotspot

A Wi-Fi marketing platform to connect, capture and keep more customers.

ADS4WiFi

Wi-Fi Advertising

A complete advertising management and campaign delivery platform to monetize guest Wi-Fi hotspots through targeted ADS.

6) Create WiFi splash pages without creative limitation. Explore splash page editor features. You can also configure external splash pages with multiple marketing services.

7) Obtain real-time and historical statistics about networks, clients, bandwidth, and APs. Experience 360° control of the most relevant networking parameters even if you are away from the office smart-working workstation. Tanaza cloud management is responsive and manageable from smartphones and tablets.

8) Save valuable time thanks to an innovative and easy access point configuration system. You need only to set up the MAC address of your devices and you have done: your network is ready to be managed. No code or hard technical skills are required.

9) Reduce CAPEX and OPEX costs by converting your networks into a high-performing ROI investment. Read more about how disaggregation can reduce CAPEX and OPEX costs.

10) Set up WiFi disconnection notification alerts when the network goes down or has some issues thanks to an efficient alert system that informs you every time an access point disconnects. Forget manual ping and VPN to check your network stat.

11) Fix patches, security vulnerabilities, and stability of your WiFi devices without external expensive interventions. You can update firmware remotely in a few seconds and at a network or organization level.

12) Forget unnecessary hardware controllers. Manage every aspect of the network directly in the cloud.

13) Easily migrate from other WiFi management software alternatives to Tanaza thanks to the auto-provisioning system and cloud configuration.

14) Count on formidable 360-degrees support. Our support team will answer you by 48/72 hrs.

15) Access a wide variety of educational materials and online troubleshooting support.

Forget dispersive WiFi management software alternatives. Try Tanaza All-in-one solution

Experience the power of managing WiFi access points from the cloud with Tanaza.

✔︎ No credit card needed
✔︎ Easy configuration

The Future of WiFi – WiFi Future Trends for MSPs, ISPs and SPs

by Marco Papavero | Aug 6, 2021 | All articles, Cloud Management, Device management, Industry news, Networking, TanazaOS, What's new, WiFi Networks, Wireless Hardware

The Future of WiFi – A guide for MSPs, ISPs, and SPs

At Tanaza we believe it’s time to present, data in hand, the latest news for MSPs, ISPs, and SPs about the future of WiFi and Cloud Management.
Today and tomorrow, more than ever, Wi-Fi will be one of the most widespread technologies in the world and represents a crucial point in the daily and business lives of billions of people.

The future of WiFi Technology

In a previous article, we discussed How soon Wi-Fi 6 will impact Business WiFi Networks.
Read more about:
– Wi-Fi 6
– Wi-Fi 6E
– Wi-Fi 7
– Wi-Fi 8 (coming soon)

WiFi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are starting to emerge in lots of enterprise wireless access points.

Here are some examples:

WiFi 6 Access Points for Business – Discover the right device to enter in the future of WiFi

Edgecore EAP102-T

Indoor
Wall-Ceiling Mountable PoE

EAP102 is an enterprise-grade, concurrent dual-band Wi-Fi 6 indoor access point. EAP102 supports 4 x 4 : 4 uplink and down link MU-MIMO between the AP and multiple clients, with up to 2.9 Gbps aggregated data rate.

Get your EAP102-T demo device

Edgecore EAP101

Indoor
Wall/Ceiling/T-bar mountable

EAP101 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 indoor access point for enterprises. The device supports 2×2:2 uplink and downlink MU-MIMO between the AP and multiple clients, with up to 1.7Gbps aggregated data rate. EAP101 is equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio enabling value-added applications such as iBeacon, presence.

Linksys LAPAC1200

Indoor
Wall-Ceiling Mountable PoE

Linksys LAPAC1200 is a Dual-Band WiFi6 Access Point with Power over Ethernet (POE) support. This enterprise access point features one Gigabit Ethernet and is backward-compatible with widely deployed 802.11a/b/g infrastructure.

TP-LINK EAP660

Indoor
Ceiling mountable

The EAP660 is the powerful and flexible high-performance Wi-Fi 6 wireless access point (AP) designed for businesses and other organizations that require reliable and high-speed wireless connectivity.It supports up to 2,500 client devices, 4×4 MU-MIMO technology, beamforming technology for more targeted and efficient wireless coverage. The EAP660 achieves of up to 3550 Mbps (AX3600).

Linksys EA8450

Indoor
Table Mountable PoE

The EA8450 is a high-performance wireless access point that provides fast and reliable Internet connectivity for SMBs. It is designed to support demanding applications such as online gaming, streaming video, and file sharing.

It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology, which offers faster wireless speeds, improved coverage, and better network efficiency. It can deliver wireless speeds of up to 4.8 Gbps on the 5 GHz frequency band and up to 1.2 Gbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The router also features four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and a Gigabit WAN port, which allow for high-speed wired connections. It also features 4×4 MU-MIMO technology and beamforming technology for more targeted and efficient wireless coverage.

Linksys EA7350

Indoor
Table mountable

The EA7350 is the powerful and flexible high-performance dual-band Wi-Fi 6 wireless access point (AP) designed for house and small SMBs businesses and other organizations that require reliable and high-speed wireless connectivity to surf, stream, and game all at the same. It supports up to 20+ client devices, speed up to 1.8 Gbps and MU-MIMO technology,

Visit the Support Portal to stay tuned on the latest Wi-Fi 6 access points

What is Wi-Fi 6 and what are benefits for MSPs, ISPs and SPs?

“Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is the next generation of IEEE standard for wireless local-area networks, faster and more powerful than the previous one Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). It is also known as High Efficiency Wi-Fi, for the overall improvements to Wi-Fi 6 clients under dense environments”.

Year by year, MSPs, ISPs, and SPs are facing the challenge to provide higher throughput and bandwidth for multiple connected devices in enterprise networks. Hardware is not enough to guarantee an adequate and democratic sharing of WiFi connection. A new standard was necessary to manage the huge quantity of devices in the networks (anchor link to the chapter dedicated to e-waste).

On April 23rd, 2021 the FCC voted and approved the allocation of the new 6GHz band for Wi-Fi. WiFi 6 represents a new revolution for enterprise and SMBs WiFi networks.

	802.11n - Wi-Fi 4	802.11ac - Wi-Fi 5	802.11ax - Wi-Fi 6/6E
Frequency Range (GHz)	2.4 - 5	2.4	2.4 - 5 - 6
Channel Bandwidth (MHz)	20 - 40	20 - 40 - 80 - 80+80 - 160	20 - 40 - 80 - 80+80 - 160
Subcarrier Spacing (KHz)	312.5	312.5	78.125
Symbol time	3.2	3.2	12.8
MU-MIMO	None	Downlink	Uplink and Downlink
Access Scheme	OFDM	OFDM	OFDM, OFDMA
Data Subcarrier Modulation	BPSK, QPSK, 16-64 QAM	BPSK, QPSK, 16-64 QAM	BPSK, QPSK, 16-64-256-1024 QAM
Coding	BCC (mandatory) - LDPC (optional)	BCC (mandatory) - LDPC (optional)	BCC (mandatory) - LDPC (mandatory)

Let’s analyze the various improvements point by point, showing concrete benefits and changes for MPSs, ISPs and SPs business.

What is the difference between WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E?

“E as extended. E as efficiency”

WiFi 6E is the next generation of the WiFi 6 standard. It offers all the main features of the 802.11ax, giving also access to the 6GHz band. The new frequency band ranges from 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz, allowing up to 1,200 MHz of additional spectrum.
WiFi 6E reduces overlap and interference between multiple networks in high-congested areas as offices, apartments complexes, industrial districts.

	WiFi 6	WiFi 6E
Max. Data Rate	1.5 Gbps per device	2.3 Gbps per device
DFS scanning	Required ❌	Not required ✅
Capacity	Lower	Higher
Security	Secure	More Secure. WPA3 is mandatory.
6GHz Legacy Devices	The 6 GHz band is not available on WiFi6.	The 6 GHz band is exclusive to WiFi 6E devices. More bandwidth, spectrum, and speed improvements guaranteed.
Simultaneous transmissions	8K movies and large file download with possible short buffering. No AR/VR gaming.	8K movies, AR/VR gaming and large file download all without buffering.
Latency	Reduced	Extrimely reduced
Network performance	Good	Better in congestioned enviroments

Frequency Range 6GHz – More capacity, less latency in the future of WiFi

More connected devices mean higher levels of Wi-Fi congestion. The pandemic has shown how the amount of data on Wi-Fi networks has reached critical levels: wireless bandwidth and capacity have never been greater.

The first improvement of WiFi 6 technology is basically more capacity. Specifically, access points will be able to operate on the 6GHz spectrum, in addition to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz that currently exist. The possibility to use this new frequency range guarantees lower latency for applications in higher density environments. Moreover, 6GHz includes the orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) feature from cellular technologies, which takes advantage of servicing multiple users on sub-channels transmitted simultaneously.

There are also changes in regulations related to the 6GHz frequency range. WiFi access points have to be registered in databases and become ‘geolocation aware’. They must support the following standards:

Low Power Indoor (LPI)
Power Spectral Density (PSD)
Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC)

LPI and PSD are rules for restricting the power output of indoor 6 GHz devices, to limit interference with each other or with licensed outdoor use. AFC is for outdoor 6 GHz devices and consults with a database based on the FCC’s Universal Licensing System so that 6 GHz access points can avoid interfering with licensed applications.

Wi-Fi 6 has multiple Wi-Fi channels and these channels can be allocated more effectively to permit multiple transmissions to multiple users at the same time. Hence, when organisations power outdoor Wi-Fi 6 for users, it means more efficiency, less overheads and also support for a greater variety of applications.

20MHz vs 40MHz vs 80MHz vs 160MHz – What is the best Channel Bandwidth for Business?

Wi-Fi 6 supports channels widths of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, and 160 MHz.

20MHz – 40MHz – 80MHz channels are recommended for business, while 160MHz is best suited for environments with low channel utilization.

For a correct deployment, it is important to distinguish the correct channel bandwidth selection. The channel bandwidth can really affect the performance on networks.

20MHz is the most common Wi-Fi bandwidth as most users still opt to use 2.4GHz radios (almost never in 5GHz).
20MHz is the correct channel bandwidth for businesses that want to guarantee high levels of connection for remote workers or users with high expectations.
Today, WiFi customers prefer to use video streaming and video calls: this requires high levels of packets in download for buffering in streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Video, Youtube, for instance) and video-communications applications (Google Meet, Skype, and Slack Call, for instance). In 5GHz bandwidth, thanks to a large amount of non-overlapping channels, providers will not face any problem doing anything, and the internet speed will not have any significant interruptions.

40MHz is the best channel bandwidth for businesses requiring a medium-high level of data transfer rate and higher than 20MHz.
IT professionals can still get 12 non-overlapping channels if combined with a 5MHz frequency.
This channel bandwidth is used by both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. It has a higher speed but it’s not particularly suggested in crowded areas, especially with 2.4Ghz. MSPs, ISPs, and SPs should use it, only on 5GHz and for a restricted number of connected devices. It’s easy to understand how these few users will receive a perfect signal.

80MHz is the last suggested channel bandwidth for business use. This channel bandwidth has the highest data transfer rate for the commercial ranges. The absence of non-overlapping channels to operate within makes high levels of congestion with high levels of traffic. 80GHz is the best channel for IT professionals that think “quality over quantity”: this bandwidth guarantees the highest signal performances for a really limited number of users.

160MHz deserves a separate chapter. It is totally not recommended for IT professionals. And often neither for home use. 160MHz channel bandwidth is perfect for activities like Ultra-HD streaming and professional gaming. Activities that can create a high rate of congestion, especially with the next networks. It’s easy to understand how a single user with this channel bandwidth creates congestion for all the others. Totally unrecommended for business solutions.

Subcarrier spacing drastically reduced to improve WIFi efficiency

The future of WiFi includes a drastic reduction of 802.11ac spacing. It is an important technical change for MSPs, ISPs, and SPs. The reduction of subcarrier spacing improves signal efficiency and the quantity of multiple simultaneous packets for upload and download, rather than one at a time.

MU-MIMO and OFDMA – A perfect combination for uplink and downlink transmissions

Wi-Fi 6 leverages the multi-user version of OFDMA and MU-MIMO for better efficiency of both uplink and downlink transmissions. OFDMA allows the transmission of huge quantities of data over a single noisy channel. This technique works by splitting a single signal into multiple smaller signals that are transmitted. OFDMA is perfect for medium-far transmissions, while MU MIMO is more indicated for short-range. Then, the combination of OFDMA and MU-MIMO allows Wi-Fi 6 to cover the entire spectrum of possibilities of high-density environments. For a better technical understanding of OFDMA and MU-MIMO in 802.11ax panorama, we suggest reading Tanaza’s guide for MSPs.

WPA3 WIFI6 – Future of WiFi means higher levels of security

Wi-Fi 6 enables secure endpoint protection thanks to WPA3 certification. WPA3 is the next generation of Wi-Fi security and provides cutting-edge security protocols to the access point industry.
This next-generation security protocol enables more robust authentication, delivers increased cryptographic strength for highly sensitive data markets, and maintains resiliency of mission critical networks.
All WPA3 networks:
– Use the latest security methods;
– Disallow outdated legacy protocols;
– Require use of Protected Management Frames (PMF);

What is Wi-Fi 7 and what are the next key features for MSPs, ISPs and SPs?

Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is the next standard of Wi-Fi technology that operates in the 6 GHz frequency band, in addition to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands used by previous versions of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 7 was designed to provide faster speeds, lower latency, and improved performance in crowded or congested environments, such as dense urban areas or large events.

Some key features of Wi-Fi 7 include:

Higher speeds: Wi-Fi 7 can achieve speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps, which is significantly faster than the maximum speeds of Wi-Fi 6 (6.9 Gbps) and Wi-Fi 5 (3.5 Gbps).

Lower latency: Wi-Fi 7 has lower latency than previous versions of Wi-Fi, which means that it can transmit data more quickly and with less delay. This can be particularly beneficial for applications that require real-time communication, such as online gaming or video conferencing.

Improved performance in crowded environments: Wi-Fi 7 uses advanced techniques such as beamforming and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) to improve performance in crowded or congested environments. This can help reduce interference and improve the overall user experience.

Enhanced security: Wi-Fi 7 includes improved security features such as enhanced WPA3 encryption and support for the Wi-Fi Certified Secure program, which ensures that devices are secure by default.

A first Wi-Fi 7 demo commercial device is now available.

The future of WiFi is for the environment protection

These are not easy moments for the environment. Global warming, climate change, extreme meteorological phenomena: wireless technology can do its own part to protect the environment through the energy-saving and the reuse of hardware components.

Tanaza also took up on the challenge.

WiFi cloud management to reduce CO2 caused by unnecessary onsite travel

For several years now, there has been an open debate about the extent to which working remotely can drastically reduce the pollution caused by traveling by transport. In the past, in order to understand the problems behind a misconfiguration of devices or a network failure, it was necessary for an IT professional to travel to the site.

An activity that is now obsolete and in the long term causes increased pollution levels. Thanks to Tanaza, the cloud-based network management platform, IT teams can remotely configure and manage all network parameters from anywhere in the world without any unnecessary and environmentally harmful travel.

Network device upgrade to avoid planned obsolescence and reduce electronic waste

Tanaza has long understood that the true value of a network device is not so much in the hardware, but in the software included. In very general terms, MSPs, ISPs and SPs could potentially continue to use any WiFi access points even after it becomes legacy, thanks to the Tanaza firmware.

Several industry studies have shown that the average lifetime of WiFi devices is 3 to 4 years. Imagine for a second, the gas emissions and the amount of e-waste produced by manufacturing and replacing the current network infrastructure around the world.

Obviously, incumbent vendors have strong economic motivations to design devices that at some point break down or are not updated anymore and thus consequently are replaced. It’s called design with planned obsolescence. It happens in the world of home appliances, just as it happens in the networking industry. This is nothing new, but the situation has reached critical levels.

Here is a graph from the Global E-Waste Monitor 2020. We hope it will raise awareness of the problem of e-waste that planned obsolescence and the resulting waste generation creates:

Access points fall under the Small IT and telecommunication equipment classification

By releasing dedicated software updates, Tanaza is able to span the life of WiFi access points by up to two years. At the same time, by using devices with TanazaOS as the operating system, the user is no longer forced to the planned obsolescence of mono vendors who at some point do not release the necessary software updates for a device to keep working thus forcing MSPs, ISPs, and SPs to replace it.

These two combined factors dramatically decrease the amount of e-waste produced, reducing network infrastructure costs for providers and contributing to environmental protection.

Tanaza is getting ready for the future of WiFi

Tanaza is working tirelessly to develop compatibility with the best access points in the market to offer users a complete list of devices that work with Tanaza.

Future of WiFi is here. Unleash the power of network management

Deploy and manage business WiFi networks with Tanaza. Enter in the future of WiFi, now.

✔︎ No credit card needed
✔︎ Easy configuration

MSPs – The ultimate guide to the 802.11 ax wireless standard

Tanaza WiFi Cloud Management

Best Wireless Access Points for Enterprise Network Deployments in 2023

How to deploy an Outdoor WiFi network for your venue

by Marketing Team | Jul 21, 2021 | All articles, Cloud Management, Device management, Networking, TanazaOS, What's new, WiFi Networks, Wireless Hardware

How to deploy an Outdoor WiFi network for your venue

There can be multiple reasons why you need to deploy an outdoor WiFi network for your area. Maybe you want your guest WiFi network to extend outside to keep your guests connected on your network at all times.
Nowadays, many businesses offer complimentary WiFi for their guests/customers. One of the most primary and biggest reasons to provide free WiFi is that it increases on-premises time. Many surveys suggest that consumers stay longer when they are connected to public WiFi. It is also seen that businesses offering free WiFi have seen a comparatively high success rate. No matter how large or small your business is, offering free WiFi will always benefit your business in one way or another. Consider this as an investment, and you will feel the growth in your company.

5 key things to take into consideration before deploying an outdoor WiFi network

Before deploying an outdoor WiFi network, there are few things that you must take into consideration. Like an indoor WiFi network, the outdoor WiFi network also needs to be planned before deploying the access points. It’s essential to map out every access point and the extent to which the outdoor network will reach.

Remember, the outside areas you want to expand coverage to should be where you expect the most traffic. You need to ensure that throughout the installation of your outdoor network, the same network management configuration and solutions are being followed as your other networks.

With time, we have gotten access to tools to determine where we should place our access points and how high we should place them to broadcast the best signal. Choosing the right equipment is vital as everything depends on it. Apart from the access points, there are multiple things that you need to consider, such as firewalls, switches, network interface controllers, and so much more. Your equipment must work seamlessly and not create any limitations for you from a speed or usability standpoint. By positioning your equipment correctly, you will distribute the wireless signal to cover a large area. Configuring your equipment will provide the best performance in the environment you have set up your network.

Estimate bandwidth needs for outdoor WiFi

When building infrastructure, it is crucial to detect how much bandwidth do you require carefully. It is fundamental to consider and adequately calculate the bandwidth requirements of the WiFi network. As we all know, bandwidth is referred to as the channel’s capacity to transmit data. Data is sent in a binary system (0 or 1), each of which is called a bit.

Network bandwidth plays a significant role in designing and maintaining a functional wireless network. Now, it is essential to calculate network bandwidth requirements before deploying them onto a network because the more bandwidth the data connection has, the more data it can send and receive at one time.

However, every kind of deployment location has certain types of bandwidth limits. This means that there is a constraint to space for the data to flow. Some devices require more bandwidth than others. If you wish to maintain proper speeds on each device, then greater bandwidth is a must.

Before you start deploying your WiFi network, you must estimate how many devices will be connected to your WiFi network simultaneously. The more bandwidth you deliver, the faster the devices will run. The usage level for Social Networks, Emails, VOIP, and video streaming ranges from medium to heavy, so be aware of it.

Select the best outdoor access points for outdoor WiFi

Tanaza works with a wide range of access points to suit almost all scenarios and maintain the network’s reliability. Knowing your internet usage is necessary to choose the right access point.

There are many expectations from a particular access point ranging from speed performance, ease of installation, cloud manageability, and software stability. Nowadays, access points with cloud-based management features are a must for any business. It will let network administrators control the devices and customize bandwidth while monitoring the overall network performance and security issues.

These are our favorite access points for outdoor WiFi networks.

Comfast CF-WA350

Discover more about the Comfast CF-WA350

This high-power access point is ideal for outdoor long-distance transmission signals. Multiple concurrent users can connect online thanks to directional dual-polarized antennas and a powerful transmit power of up to 500mW. As a result, there is an increased terminal throughput and a much better user experience. It supports dual-frequency on 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz. An estimated 50 users can access the Internet on the 2.4Ghz band and 110 users on the 5.8Ghz. Furthermore, the 1300 Mbps high-speed wireless transmission rate of the CF-WA350 makes WiFi signals stronger and more efficient. On the other hand, the two gigabit ports support higher bandwidth while transmitting data in an agile and smooth manner. This access point is available with the Tanaza Operating System out of the box.

The Comfast CF-WA350 is an 802.11ac Wave 2 MU-MIMO. This technology allows multiple concurrent users.

Outdoor. The AP is ideal for residential areas, parks, schools, factories, commercial streets, villages, scenic spots, and more.

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Comfast CF-EW71

Discover more about the Comfast CF-EW71

This high-power access point is suitable for outdoor areas. It hosts 50 concurrent users. Its two oxygen-free copper antennas with 360° omnidirectional WiFi coverage meets the needs of different situations. It also features a SE2576L power amplifier, improving wireless network reception and the transmission function. This access point is available with the Tanaza Operating System out of the box.

The Comfast CF-EW71 has a single-band and cloud-managed SU-MIMO 802.11n. It delivers a 300 Mbps aggregate frame rate with 2.4GHz radio.

Outdoor. The Comfast CF-EW71 stands up in severe environments, thanks to its outdoor IP66 rating that provides the ability to handle different kinds of rugged environments: lightning protection, waterproof, dustproof, antifreeze, high-temperature resistance, and it's antioxidant.

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UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti

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The UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti includes adjustable dual-band Omni antennas. You have the option to use a 5 GHz Omni antenna1 for spot-beam coverage in high-density locations with numerous APs and clients, like a conference hall or event center. The UAP-AC-M discreetly integrates into any environment. The UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti is versatile. You have the option to use a 5 GHz sector antenna (wide beam in the azimuth plane and narrow in the elevation plane) for broad outdoor coverage. The AP is compatible with 802.3af PoE Alternative A and 24V passive PoE.

The UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti model features 2x2 MIMO technology available in single and five packs. It can be used for indoors or outdoors deployments.

Indoor and outdoor. The UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti can be mounted on a wall, pole or can be fast-mounted on an optional Ubiquiti high-gain antenna. The antenna options on this access point include Omni antennas or the fast-mount adapter to install the AP on the optionally connected antenna.

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UniFi AC Mesh Ubiquiti PRO

Outdoor Access Point UniFi Ac Mesh Pro Ubiquiti

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The UAP-AC-M-PRO is ideal for applications requiring 3×3 MIMO data rates for close-in Omni coverage. It has simultaneous dual-band, 3×3 MIMO technology and is available in single-and five packs. This access point has built-in dual-band omnidirectional antennas that deliver expanded range coverage outdoors. The primary port is for data and PoE; the secondary port is for bridging.

The enclosure of this access point is designed to withstand the elements, which makes it the ideal choice for outdoor deployment.

Outdoor. The access point can be mounted on a wall or pole.