Full wireless system - good deal?

[rocknrollstar]

Hi everyone,

Just after a bit of advice on a managed network. Not got a lot of cash, and in a small school. Would this work for us? Thanks.

 

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=181148739383&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=93725961266

[Domino]

it kind of depends what you're trying to achieve - are you looking at full coverage? for how many client devices?

 

IMHO it's a mistake to buy cheap and then have to buy something else later because cheap didn't work out. I know money's always an issue, but giving yourself a bigger issue because you can't get the cash is sometimes worse.

 

I myself have never used a netgear wireless system - but anecdotally I've heard some bad, some good stories. I think most places outgrow them quite quick due to increased take up and then move onto something else. Of course someone else may disagree totally...

[Netman]

We used to use unmanaged Netgear APs and they were a pain TBH - we now use Unifi APs and they are superb for the price - can highly recommend them if money is tight as can plenty of others on here...

[Dos_Box]

Moving to Wireless Networks forum.

[Homeland]

I started in my position on 1st April and believe me the school have invested in hybrid Micky Mouse wifi solutions for years and with great regret, my advice would be to contact someone like CP-Ltd and enquire about Ruckus, you can start implementing a good system and add AP's as you can afford them.

[elsiegee40]

My tiny school is always strapped for cash. Persuading them that doing wifi properly with Ruckus via @Aggy at Net-Ctrl was the best thing I did... it just works and is so easily managed!

[supawat1]

£500 for a managed wireless system is unbelievable cheap, but you have to consider reliability also, TBH you want to have a system that once it's installed, it just there and work. We use Ruckus at school after stripped out many many Netgear unmanaged wireless access points that I inherit from the previous person. It's not cheap though, but you have to persuade someone who is in charge the budget.

 

Apart from the wireless system itself, you should consider other cost as well e.g. Network cabling installation, extra switches and labour cost, etc.

[MatthewL]

Buy cheap, buy twice.

 

I was at a school the other week in the Leeds area and they have had nothing but issues with their Netgear system, was asking for recommendations to get a proper managed system in that works.

[Aggy]

My tiny school is always strapped for cash. Persuading them that doing wifi properly with Ruckus via @Aggy at Net-Ctrl was the best thing I did... it just works and is so easily managed!

 

elsiegee40 We are so pleased that we were able to assist you with your wireless deployment and we are glad that everything works perfectly for you.