The Challenge: Rebuilding Confidence After Two Previous WiFi Deployments
Richard Challoner School had already invested in two previous WiFi solutions, but neither had delivered the consistent performance required across the site.
The challenge wasn’t simply poor signal.
With large numbers of students and staff connecting simultaneously, a 1:1 device environment and VoIP services relying on wireless connectivity, the network needed to perform reliably under significant demand.
Analysis of the existing environment identified issues including access point positioning and an excessive concentration of access points in some high-density areas. Simply replacing the existing hardware on a like-for-like basis would therefore risk replicating the same underlying problems.
Having already experienced two disappointing deployments, the school also needed confidence that its next investment would be based on proper network design rather than simply another change of technology.
A Design-Led Approach
Before recommending a solution, Simpli-Fi undertook a detailed assessment of the existing wireless environment and network requirements.
Using Ekahau, our engineers analysed coverage, capacity, access point placement and the specific demands being placed on the wireless network.
This allowed the new network to be designed around how the school actually operates rather than relying on existing access point locations or a generic coverage model.
Ekahau RF Design for High-Density WiFi
Wireless coverage is only one part of successful school WiFi design. In a high-density environment, the network also needs sufficient capacity to support large numbers of devices connecting and moving around the site simultaneously.
The school’s use of VoIP placed additional demands on the wireless environment, with reliable roaming particularly important as users moved between access points.
Simpli-Fi therefore designed the network to achieve wireless coverage greater than -65 dBm, exceeding the more typical -67 dBm design target and providing the stronger coverage required to support reliable roaming and voice services.
Ekahau surveys were used both before and after installation, enabling the design to be validated against the real-world performance of the completed network.
The Solution: High-Performance WiFi Designed Around the School
Following the survey and design process, Simpli-Fi deployed a RUCKUS wireless solution using R550 and R650 WiFi 6 access points.
Rather than focusing simply on increasing the number of access points, the network was designed around the optimum positioning and configuration required to provide the right balance of coverage, capacity and performance.
High-Density RUCKUS WiFi 6
The RUCKUS WiFi 6 solution provides the performance and capacity required to support Richard Challoner’s high-density device environment.
With students and staff increasingly dependent on wireless connectivity for learning, communications and everyday school operations, the new infrastructure provides a scalable platform capable of supporting both current demand and continued growth in connected devices.
Network Infrastructure
The wireless deployment was supported by the wider network infrastructure required to ensure performance wasn’t restricted elsewhere in the environment.
Where required, network infrastructure and Cat 6 structured cabling were upgraded to support the new access points and provide a robust physical foundation for the wireless network.
Cloud-hosted controllers provide centralised visibility and management of the wireless environment, helping simplify ongoing monitoring, configuration and support.
Carefully Planned Deployment
For a busy school, replacing core network infrastructure has to be carefully planned to minimise disruption.
Simpli-Fi coordinated the deployment around the school’s Easter holiday period, completing the installation within a two-week window so that the upgraded network was ready for students and staff returning to school.
The installation included careful configuration, testing and labelling, helping ensure the finished network was not only high-performing but properly documented and straightforward to support.
Post-installation Ekahau validation was then used to confirm that the completed wireless environment was delivering the coverage and performance established during the design process.
Managed WiFi & Ongoing Support
The relationship with Richard Challoner School didn’t end once the new infrastructure went live.
Simpli-Fi continues to provide specialist technical support for the wireless environment, helping the school maintain the performance and reliability of its network after deployment.
Cloud-based management gives greater visibility of the network and supports ongoing configuration and troubleshooting, enabling issues to be investigated and addressed quickly.
For a school where teaching, learning, communications and everyday operations are increasingly dependent on connectivity, this ongoing support provides confidence that specialist expertise remains available when it is needed.
The Outcome: WiFi the School Can Rely On
Richard Challoner School now has a wireless environment designed specifically around the demands of a high-density, digitally enabled school.
The project delivered:
- High-performance RUCKUS WiFi 6
- A wireless network designed for a 1:1 device environment
- Capacity to support more than 1,000 students and around 400 staff
- Ekahau pre-installation RF survey and design
- Post-installation Ekahau validation
- Coverage designed to greater than -65 dBm
- Improved wireless roaming for VoIP
- Optimised access point positioning and configuration
- Supporting network and structured cabling upgrades
- Cloud-based wireless management
- Carefully planned deployment during the Easter holidays
- Ongoing specialist technical support
More importantly, the project addressed the underlying design issues that had affected the school’s previous WiFi deployments.
By starting with the environment and its requirements rather than simply replacing hardware, Simpli-Fi was able to deliver a network designed around how Richard Challoner School actually uses connectivity.
Client Testimonial
“Having experienced issues with previous WiFi solutions, we needed a partner who really understood the demands of our school environment.
Simpli-Fi took the time to understand our requirements and designed a solution around the number of devices, coverage and performance we needed. The installation was extremely well managed and the quality of the work, from deployment through to configuration and labelling, was excellent.
Just as importantly, the support since installation has been fantastic. The team is responsive, knowledgeable and quick to resolve any issues. We now have a WiFi network we can rely on and a partner we have real confidence in.”
Nick Carpenter
Network Manager, Richard Challoner School
Supporting the Future of Digital Learning
As schools become increasingly dependent on cloud-based platforms, 1:1 devices, digital teaching resources and connected technology, the performance of the underlying network becomes fundamental to teaching and learning.
Richard Challoner demonstrates why successful school WiFi isn’t simply about installing the latest access points.
It requires an understanding of the building, device density, applications, roaming requirements and wider network infrastructure – followed by careful design, validation and ongoing support.
By taking this whole-network approach, Simpli-Fi helps schools create secure, resilient and scalable connectivity designed to support both today’s requirements and the continued evolution of digital learning.
