Setup wireless for small class of Ipads

[seashoreseashell]

Hello again.

 

My boss has decided to purchase 20 Ipads for use in a small classroom.

 

I have been tasked to set them up with wireless (We don't have wireless installed at our school)

 

Anybody got a good suggestion for what type/make of wireless router I could use on our 2008r2 domain to provide a decent wireless connection.

 

(Not too expensive)

 

Thanks John

[rhedges]

Unifi is the best option, costs about £120 for 3. The best thing about them is that you can manage them together in 1 centralised web application.

[seashoreseashell]

Thanks for that I will have a look........................Ta John

[neilmac]

Sigh....

 

1) Start with your requirements, work out what the ipads are capable of and what you want to do with them. Browsing ? Streaming ? How many simultaneously? Will your requirements today change in 1 yr, 3yrs, 5 yrs ? How will you handle security ?

2) Match those requirements to the capabilities of an access point.

3) Rule out vendors that do not match your requirements. Remember, budget is a constraint so get a decision on how much money you will have available to have a finished set up. Don't forget to calculate day 1 costs, then 3 year cost then 5 year cost (in case you get a licensed model). Do you have capex or opex choices ? (Buying or leasing).

4) Select the vendor from those that do match your requirements, and buy the best that your budget will allow. Metrics to judge "best" are not only performance.

 

Vendor choice should NEVER be the first question.

 

PS - this sounds like a small project but as it's for a school, it could have the potential to get bigger. Any project in education deserves to be treated as important and approached with the same attention to detail as bigger projects. Ask yourself if you really know enough about wifi to make an educated decision. If not seek professional help, but make sure the person advising you does know what they are doing.

Edited December 13, 2013 by neilmac

[Gibson335]

If not seek professional help

 

To include that of a good therapist.

[neilmac]

Good spot !

 

Naturally, I meant a professional WiFi person / company :>)

[njc235]

Just don't make it a race to the bottom. The cheapest option usually has a reason for being the cheapest. £400 APs are that much for a reason.