Which School Wi-Fi?

[joshcoombs]

We are looking into options for a site wide Wi-Fi deployment, to support both sets of school owned devices and ultimately a 'bring your own device' service.

We have been looking into 4 vendors, and are getting to a point that in order to progress properly we need to choose one to use.

Do any of you have any experience using any of the following, and can offer any advice, or good and bad points about any of them?

 

• Meraki
  
• Aerohive
  
• Xirrus
  
• Ruckus
  

 

Thanks.

Edited October 14, 2013 by Dos_Box

[soveryapt]

Have you also considered Ubiquiti Wireless solutions? Certainly scalable and manageable, and I think you'll find often cheaper than the 4 you have mentioned already.

 

Just about to roll it out in this school as to replace the NetGear points they have in with a fully managed Ubiquiti solution will cost less than to get a controller to support the existing NetGear points.

[SYNACK]

We use ruckus stuff which is working well, good for places that need good range and stable connections in less than perfect radio environments.

[Dos_Box]

Edited thread title to make more relevant.

[Net-Ctrl]

Ruckus have just launched some new 'Smart Wi-Fi' bundles for education sites that would be worth a look at it you're looking for a new system. They combine a central controller plus a number of AP's all under 5 years support. Make sure you mention this offer to your Ruckus supplier, or if you don't currently have one and would like to find out more feel free to send me a PM and I can get one of the sales guys to get in touch

 

More information on bundles can be found on this thread: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/our-advertisers/125143-its-official-new-ruckus-education-bundles-have-been-released.html