To achieve full coverage of your buildings and outdoor areas, it is very important to plan your WiFi coverage first. Estimate the number of access points based on a floor plan of the building and assumed radio propagation. Finally, take measurements of the wireless signal inside and outside the building. WiFi management is required to provide services such as roaming and seamless handover between access points.

Tip: Visualize your network strength with a WiFi heatmap

With WiFi heatmaps, you gain a precise understanding of signal strength propagation, helping you strategically position access points and network equipment (Fig. 2).

For our example installation, we assume we need 15 access points with centralised management. These are connected to the core infrastructure:

1. WiFi 6 Indoor Access Point: LevelOne WAP-8131

2. WiFi 6 Outdoor Access Point: LevelOne WAB-8021

3. WiFi Controller for Rack Mount: LevelOne WAC-2013

4. Cat.6A Patch Cord: equip 606002

Step 3: Surveillance and Security

These days, security is a priority in schools and universities to ensure the safety and health of students and staff. It is necessary to define areas in classrooms, corridors and entrances that  should be monitored. Camera selection is based on key locations such as corridors, entrances and playgrounds, as well as the field of view (Fig. 3). Connect them to the PoE switch for both power and data, and use cable management accessories to keep everything tidy and organised.

For our example installation, we assume we need 12 IP cameras with central local recording on a network video recorder. Remote access, connectivity and power are provided by the core infrastructure:

1. Network Video Recorder: LevelOne NVR-1316

2. IP Camera Bullet: LevelOne FCS-5095

3. Junction Box for Cable Management: LevelOne CAS-7311

4. IP Camera Dome: LevelOne FCS-3098

5. Junction Box for Cable Management: LevelOne CAS-7359

6. IP Camera Speed PTZ: LevelOne FCS-4051

7. Cat.6A Patch Cord: equip 606001

Step 4: Multimedia and Classroom Collaboration

Digital distribution of high-definition video and audio throughout a classroom or auditorium is now standard. You need to decide at the design stage whether you want to play content to multiple classrooms from a central point, or whether each classroom should have its own content player (Fig. 4). The content player is usually a PC in a central location or a notebook/tablet in each classroom with an HDMI output. Broadcasting is then carried out via HDMI extenders supplied by LevelOne. While the HDMI over IP solution provides output to up to 250 displays, the HDMI over CAT solution provides 1:1 transmission of the learning or lecture broadcasts.

In our example installation, we have two screens in the hallway displaying the same content and connected to the core infrastructure. USB Type C dock for teacher tablets to display lessons on a screen in each classroom:

1. HDMI over IP transmitter: LevelOne HVE-6501T

2. HDMI over IP receiver: LevelOne HVE-6501R

3. Ceiling TV mount for hallway: equip 650321

4. HDMI over CAT Extender Kit: LevelOne HVE-9007

5. Motorized TV wall mount for classroom: equip 650347

6. USB Type C Tablet Stand with Dock: Conceptronic DONN26G

7. HDMI cable: equip 119381

8. Cat.6A Patch Cord 2m: equip 606004

Step 5: Cloud services integration

The cloud provides a range of services to help structure content, worksheets, timetables and communication. VoIP telephony provides easy communication between classrooms, administration, other departments and even incoming calls. Storage services help organise all the files you use every day and provide easy tools for sharing with students. These services provide cost-effective, scalable communications that are critical to the smooth operation of educational institutions. In this example installation, we have VoIP phones in classrooms and administrative offices connected to the core infrastructure (step1). Teacher and student devices are connected 

to the storage and communication services via the Wi-Fi network (step 2):

1. Cat.6A Patch Cord 2m: equip 606004

**Additional external accessories needed

1. VoIP phones

2. Cloud PBX

Step 6: Firewall and Security Solutions

A secure network is critical in schools, especially when dealing with sensitive data such as student records and staff information. Firewall protection and secure VPN access for remote learning and administration is a must. Further security is achieved through detailed configuration of the switches. This ensures that only known and authorised devices can communicate within the network. Although network security is part of the core infrastructure, it is so important that all security settings must be reviewed after deployment. In the example installation used, the firewall router sits between the Internet uplink and the core network switch. We will have separate VLAN networks for Administration, Teachers, Students and Guests. These VLANs need to be set up on all our core network switches, as well as in the wireless configuration to have separate SSID wireless networks:

1. Cat.6A Patch Cord 2m: equip 606004

 **Additional external accessories needed

1. Firewall / Unified Security / Gateway Appliance

Some hours of work for the setup of firewall, wireless controller and switches.

Conclusion

There is no magic to building a reliable, secure and scalable network infrastructure for educational institutions using LevelOne products. The easy-to-set-up switches and wireless controllers save time during network deployment, which translates into cost savings for the educational institution. We also offer a variety of Tools & Testers that help at the installation. You can check out our installation tools and cable testers: https://www.equip-info.net/equipinfo_ en/equip/it-infrastructure/infrastructure/tools-and-testers (Hyperlink-equip Tools &Testers).

The integration of additional third-party accessories such as interactive whiteboards and classroom audio systems ensures a modern, engaging learning environment that is ready to support digital learning and administrative efficiency. As part of the DDC family, we can supply items such as cables, TV mounts, cabinets, docking stations and chargers from our equip and Conceptronic brands. To know more about the DDC family, visit: www.digital-data.de