EZELINK High Density wifi for Stadiums, Conferences, Media Launch & Product Launch
Building Wi-Fi networks at sites with a high user density is an urgent task. This article analyzes the various options for its solution proposed by the main players in the market of Wi-Fi products.
There are many examples of high-density environments where users are located close to each other: lecture halls, stadiums, train stations, exhibition centers, meeting rooms in an office complex, etc. If a typical office has an area of about 10-12 m 2 per user , then at objects like those listed, this figure can be an order of magnitude higher - one person per 1 m 2 .
To evaluate the high-density Wi-Fi network solutions available on the market, the Network Solutions Magazine / LAN and the OSP Data Analytical Group developed a model task for a fictitious customer and asked the main players to submit their proposals.
The essence of the task is to organize a Wi-Fi network for Internet access at an object intended for large public events. Property area of 4000 m 2 , number of active users - to 2,000 (client devices). Access speed: preferably 10 Mbit / s with guaranteed 1 Mbit / s for each user.
Task
General characteristics and requirements:
Additional wishes:
The customer received an offer from the EZZELINK Telecom.
HOW MUCH ACCESS POINTS NEEDED
The number of access points required for the implementation of the project is an extremely important characteristic, on which its cost largely depends. The area is small; 3-4 access points are sufficient for its radio coverage. Therefore, in this case, it is more important to determine how many users (taking into account the customer’s speed requirements) can be served by one access point. The answer to this question will allow you to calculate the number of access points.
Generally speaking, for the correct calculation of the number of users, the type of end devices used should be taken into account. In his assignment, the customer did not specify their models, because he simply did not have such information: the type of devices for people coming to the event is difficult to set initially, and mobile “helpers” can constantly change among BYOD supporters. Therefore, the customer decided to rely on the experience and recommendations of the developers.
Transport networks installation group, assumed that most smartphones support the implementation of the 802.11n standard with one spatial stream (1ss). The maximum effective data transfer rate on an IEEE 802.11n network using a 20 MHz channel (HT20), a single stream (1ss) and an MCS7 coding / modulation scheme is 35 Mbps. Accordingly, to ensure the required throughput (1-10 Mbit / s) per terminal device, the number of subscribers on one radio interface of the access point should not exceed 30. According to the theoretical calculations of EZELINK, to ensure the simultaneous operation of 2000 client devices on the territory of 4000 m2 s guaranteed minimum speed of 1 Mbit / s requires the installation of at least 67 access points.
Suggested a much more complex and, apparently, more closely related practice distribution of customer types (see table 2). Like the EZZELINK specialist, he believes that the vast majority of customers (85%) can use only one spatial stream, and most of them (70%) are able to work only in the 2.4 GHz band. At the same time, he admits that 5% of users have top-end laptops that support three spatial streams and both Wi-Fi ranges. According to the 802.11n standard, when using the specified number of streams, theoretically, the speed can reach up to 450 Mbps.
EZELINK presented to the customer not only the most elaborated model of distribution of customer types, but also four options for solving his problem at once. The option with the least number of devices involves the installation of only four access points with omnidirectional antennas. Offering this option, EZELINK experts proceeded from their experience in organizing wireless networks for various conferences. “Of course, four points are not able to provide simultaneous operation of all 2000 clients, but with 800 devices they can handle it. At 200–250 associates per point.
EZELINK presented a graph of the drop in speed available to each user with an increase in the number of connections to the access point. It was built on the basis of Wi-Fi network testing results with a different ratio of the number of 802.11n HT20 clients and 802.11a clients. (As customers in the test, 50 laptops and netbooks from different manufacturers, with different OS and types of wireless adapters were used.) It can be seen from the graph that even in the most favorable scenario (100% of customers use 802.11n HT20), taking into account the requirements formulated by the customer, one AP can Serve a maximum of 50 users. Accordingly, to solve the problem, a minimum of 40 TDs will be required. Sergey Tryukhan, Technical Director of Aruba Networks in the Russian Federation.
Wi-Fi HD Projects
Most companies have sent us impressive listings of facilities that have high-density Wi-Fi networks deployed. First of all, these are stadiums and congress centers.
According to information provided by EZELINK, the company's solutions are deployed in multiple stadiums, including the Emirates Sevens Rugby Stadium in Dubai.
The pride of Ruckus is the deployment of high-density Wi-Fi networks in four stadiums of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, including the famous Maracana Arena. On the final day, the Wi-Fi network provided simultaneous operation of more than 11 thousand customers, while the total amount of downloaded data exceeded 190 GB. According to representatives of Ruckus, "it is more difficult to not find objects, and the customer was very pleased."
Among the Aruba Networks projects that the company representatives told us about are mainly sites in North America: basketball (NBA), ice (NHL) and, of course, baseball (MLB). This company’s Wi-Fi solutions were also used at the facilities of the Toronto Winter Olympics, the Roland Garros tennis tournament in Paris and other major events.
Among the projects implemented on the basis of Extreme Networks products are the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia Eagles stadiums in the USA, the Austria Football Club arena in Vienna, the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, etc. In Russia, Wi-Fi network based on this equipment The manufacturer was deployed to the press center (International Broadcast Center) of the Universiade in Kazan. In partnership with the US National Football League (NFL), Extreme Networks has provided its solution for the final game of the XLIX Super Bowl. Purview’s network application performance analysis technology helped organizers track fans ’use of mobile solutions throughout the game.
Huawei’s high-density Wi-Fi networks have already been deployed and are successfully operating in a number of stadiums in Europe and North America. In particular, these are the stadiums of FC Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 in Germany, Reading and Glasgow Ibrox in England, Ajax in the Netherlands. Huawei’s Wi-Fi network has also been installed in Moscow at the Spartak FC Stadium Otkrytie Arena, but so far this is just a regular technological network that provides the basic services of the stadium. Nevertheless, representatives of Huawei hope that the leadership of the club will decide on the deployment of a high-density network for spectators.
Although the development of Xirrus is not very well known in Russia, the list of successful installations abroad is impressive. As an example, consider the largest congress center in San Francisco, the Moscone Convention Center, which has deployed 85 Xirrus arrays that can simultaneously serve tens of thousands of users. For example, at the Salesforce.com DreamForce conference, which gathered more than 90 thousand participants, it was recorded that the maximum number of devices simultaneously working via the Wi-Fi network reached 16 017. Among sports facilities that use Wi-Fi Xirrus systems, such stadiums famous English football clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool.
There are many examples of high-density environments where users are located close to each other: lecture halls, stadiums, train stations, exhibition centers, meeting rooms in an office complex, etc. If a typical office has an area of about 10-12 m 2 per user , then at objects like those listed, this figure can be an order of magnitude higher - one person per 1 m 2 .
To evaluate the high-density Wi-Fi network solutions available on the market, the Network Solutions Magazine / LAN and the OSP Data Analytical Group developed a model task for a fictitious customer and asked the main players to submit their proposals.
The essence of the task is to organize a Wi-Fi network for Internet access at an object intended for large public events. Property area of 4000 m 2 , number of active users - to 2,000 (client devices). Access speed: preferably 10 Mbit / s with guaranteed 1 Mbit / s for each user.
Task
The customer needs to organize a Wi-Fi network for Internet access at the facility intended for large public events.
General characteristics and requirements:
- Property area of 4000 m 2 , number of active users - to 2,000 (client devices).
- Access speed: preferably 10 Mbps, guaranteed 1 Mbps for each user.
- Compliance with IEEE 802.11ac / n / g / b / a standards (if 802.11ac is not supported, propose an upgrade scenario to support this standard in the future).
- The presence in the solution of a system that ensures network security and the ability to block certain types of traffic (for example, downloading torrents).
- The ability to integrate with subsystems that provide paid services, for example, pay-per-use, or the provision of advertising based on the user's location.
Additional wishes:
- Given the increased load of the 2.4 GHz band, it is desirable that the Wi-Fi network forcibly "forced" the end devices to switch to a more free 5 GHz band.
- Reliable roaming must be guaranteed between access points.
- A solution is needed for preliminary modeling of the arrangement of access points with subsequent testing at the facility.
- Access points must be powered over Ethernet — in accordance with 802.3af or 802.3at.
- The network must be well scalable with maximum protection for the initial investment. The solution should include a management and monitoring system that provides comprehensive information about the operation of the Wi-Fi network, including the quality of the services provided.
The customer received an offer from the EZZELINK Telecom.
HOW MUCH ACCESS POINTS NEEDED
The number of access points required for the implementation of the project is an extremely important characteristic, on which its cost largely depends. The area is small; 3-4 access points are sufficient for its radio coverage. Therefore, in this case, it is more important to determine how many users (taking into account the customer’s speed requirements) can be served by one access point. The answer to this question will allow you to calculate the number of access points.
Generally speaking, for the correct calculation of the number of users, the type of end devices used should be taken into account. In his assignment, the customer did not specify their models, because he simply did not have such information: the type of devices for people coming to the event is difficult to set initially, and mobile “helpers” can constantly change among BYOD supporters. Therefore, the customer decided to rely on the experience and recommendations of the developers.
Transport networks installation group, assumed that most smartphones support the implementation of the 802.11n standard with one spatial stream (1ss). The maximum effective data transfer rate on an IEEE 802.11n network using a 20 MHz channel (HT20), a single stream (1ss) and an MCS7 coding / modulation scheme is 35 Mbps. Accordingly, to ensure the required throughput (1-10 Mbit / s) per terminal device, the number of subscribers on one radio interface of the access point should not exceed 30. According to the theoretical calculations of EZELINK, to ensure the simultaneous operation of 2000 client devices on the territory of 4000 m2 s guaranteed minimum speed of 1 Mbit / s requires the installation of at least 67 access points.
Suggested a much more complex and, apparently, more closely related practice distribution of customer types (see table 2). Like the EZZELINK specialist, he believes that the vast majority of customers (85%) can use only one spatial stream, and most of them (70%) are able to work only in the 2.4 GHz band. At the same time, he admits that 5% of users have top-end laptops that support three spatial streams and both Wi-Fi ranges. According to the 802.11n standard, when using the specified number of streams, theoretically, the speed can reach up to 450 Mbps.
EZELINK presented to the customer not only the most elaborated model of distribution of customer types, but also four options for solving his problem at once. The option with the least number of devices involves the installation of only four access points with omnidirectional antennas. Offering this option, EZELINK experts proceeded from their experience in organizing wireless networks for various conferences. “Of course, four points are not able to provide simultaneous operation of all 2000 clients, but with 800 devices they can handle it. At 200–250 associates per point.
EZELINK presented a graph of the drop in speed available to each user with an increase in the number of connections to the access point. It was built on the basis of Wi-Fi network testing results with a different ratio of the number of 802.11n HT20 clients and 802.11a clients. (As customers in the test, 50 laptops and netbooks from different manufacturers, with different OS and types of wireless adapters were used.) It can be seen from the graph that even in the most favorable scenario (100% of customers use 802.11n HT20), taking into account the requirements formulated by the customer, one AP can Serve a maximum of 50 users. Accordingly, to solve the problem, a minimum of 40 TDs will be required. Sergey Tryukhan, Technical Director of Aruba Networks in the Russian Federation.
Wi-Fi HD Projects
Most companies have sent us impressive listings of facilities that have high-density Wi-Fi networks deployed. First of all, these are stadiums and congress centers.
According to information provided by EZELINK, the company's solutions are deployed in multiple stadiums, including the Emirates Sevens Rugby Stadium in Dubai.
The pride of Ruckus is the deployment of high-density Wi-Fi networks in four stadiums of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, including the famous Maracana Arena. On the final day, the Wi-Fi network provided simultaneous operation of more than 11 thousand customers, while the total amount of downloaded data exceeded 190 GB. According to representatives of Ruckus, "it is more difficult to not find objects, and the customer was very pleased."
Among the Aruba Networks projects that the company representatives told us about are mainly sites in North America: basketball (NBA), ice (NHL) and, of course, baseball (MLB). This company’s Wi-Fi solutions were also used at the facilities of the Toronto Winter Olympics, the Roland Garros tennis tournament in Paris and other major events.
Among the projects implemented on the basis of Extreme Networks products are the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia Eagles stadiums in the USA, the Austria Football Club arena in Vienna, the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, etc. In Russia, Wi-Fi network based on this equipment The manufacturer was deployed to the press center (International Broadcast Center) of the Universiade in Kazan. In partnership with the US National Football League (NFL), Extreme Networks has provided its solution for the final game of the XLIX Super Bowl. Purview’s network application performance analysis technology helped organizers track fans ’use of mobile solutions throughout the game.
Huawei’s high-density Wi-Fi networks have already been deployed and are successfully operating in a number of stadiums in Europe and North America. In particular, these are the stadiums of FC Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 in Germany, Reading and Glasgow Ibrox in England, Ajax in the Netherlands. Huawei’s Wi-Fi network has also been installed in Moscow at the Spartak FC Stadium Otkrytie Arena, but so far this is just a regular technological network that provides the basic services of the stadium. Nevertheless, representatives of Huawei hope that the leadership of the club will decide on the deployment of a high-density network for spectators.
Although the development of Xirrus is not very well known in Russia, the list of successful installations abroad is impressive. As an example, consider the largest congress center in San Francisco, the Moscone Convention Center, which has deployed 85 Xirrus arrays that can simultaneously serve tens of thousands of users. For example, at the Salesforce.com DreamForce conference, which gathered more than 90 thousand participants, it was recorded that the maximum number of devices simultaneously working via the Wi-Fi network reached 16 017. Among sports facilities that use Wi-Fi Xirrus systems, such stadiums famous English football clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool.
Comments
Post a Comment