Skip to content | Change text size

ITS home
 

Wireless Network Installation Guidelines

Introduction

The Monash University wireless network has the following characteristics:

  • IEEE 802.11b/g WiFi standards are used.
  • Advertised 54 Mbits/s maximum data rate, but usually around 1 to 6 Mbits/s per user.
  • Multiple network identifiers (SSIDs) are broadcast:
    • eduroam
      Recommended for staff/students who visit other universities as well as on Monash campus.
    • Monash-Connect
      Recommended for staff/students wireless at Monash Australian campus.
    • guest-wireless
      Recommended for guests, conference delegates and short term contractors.
    • install-wireless
      An onramp service for setting up connectivity to eduroam/Monash-Connect.
  • Wireless access points are:
    • configured to operate on one of 3 channels due to interference restrictions.
    • prone to wireless drop-outs in some areas.
  • The Monash University wireless service is best effort, and an effective performance Service level Agreement (SLA) is not available.

Wireless / Wired Network Comparison

Function Wired Wireless
Advertised speed 1000 Mbits/s Up to 54 Mbits/s
Effective speed per user 80 to 200 Mbits/s
(usually limited by hard disk speed of users computer).		 1 to 6 Mbits/s
(usually limited by wireless coverage and the number of wireless users in the same area).
Time to download a 50 Megabyte file ~10 seconds 1 to 7 minutes
Availability excellent subject to wireless drop-outs
Expense higher lower
Number of connections
  • unlimited, by adding more switches as required.
  • Effective limit of 16 users per wireless access point (WAP).
  • Effective limit of 3 WAPs per area.

General Installation Guidelines

  • A wireless connection is not a substitute for the bandwidth, reliability, security, and high availability of a wired network solution.
  • Wireless access points are powered via the data cable and do not require a power point.
  • Wireless access points are typically installed in corridors, meeting rooms or common areas rather than inside offices so that network staff have unrestricted access in case of failure.
  • Multiple wireless access points do not aggregate bandwidth for a single wireless user, but adding a second or third access point to an area will increase the total available wireless bandwidth for the group of users in the area.
  • Non standard custom wireless configurations will generally not be considered.

Laboratory and Teaching Space Installation Guidelines

The number of wireless users that can be serviced in a given area are limited by a number of factors:

  • A wireless access point (WAP) has an unpredictable range of operation, from 30 meters to 100+ meters depending on wall / floor / ceiling construction. However coverage inside a single room/lab or lecture theatre is usually achievable.
  • WAPs have an effective limit of about 16 connections per WAP (more connections can be achieved, but performance degrades rapidly).
  • Due to channel interference problems, only 3 radio channels can be used, and hence only 3 WAPs can be used in a common area.
  • The wireless infrastructure will load share users between WAPs in an area. However this mechanism is not perfect and getting adequate performance with 3 WAPs in an area is not always consistent.
  • A wireless network should only be considered if for practical reasons a fixed wired network solution is impractical (eg: wet laboratory areas).

Note: Prior to ordering WAPs to be installed in Laboratory or Teaching Space, the requirements of the wireless network should be discussed with the ITS Network Manager so that an effective network design can be achieved.

 

  
Related links
Demo