How long does a wirelss network last for?

[robjduk]

My Ruckus system is 5 years old this summer and with my thinking ahead cap firmly in place, am wondering just when I should aim to update it so looking for ideas?

 

Currently it allows all students (about 1500) personal device access as well as our 800 in house devices connection with little to no problems but feel use will only grow as time continues. Even though its working now, I get the feeling I need to start planning for an upgrade to cope with a higher demand from student devices (I currently cap their speed).

 

No doubt I would go with Ruckus as I gather their buyback and upgrade is quite nice but could use some independent advice as although I trust my local resellers, at the end of the day its a brave sales man who tells a customer they don't want an upgrade

 

Is 6 years a good time for a refresh or would you run it until capacity dictates otherwise.

[witch]

My Ruckus is not as old and I am looking at a system refresh now, because we are getting a lot of new devices, and I am thinking that it is a good time to do it, and I want to be ready for ac devices.

However,if your system works fine then I cant see why you would need to spend money on it other than the ac issue.

We are actually going for a whole new install - new APs, new Zone Director and a new look at coverage and the price is very competitive

[MatthewL]

Does it do what you want, does it have any problems? If it does what you want and doesn't cause any problems why change it for the sake of it?

[Tallwood_6]

I've just settled into the habit of replacing a small number of ruckus access points per year where support has or is about to be dropped in the latest firmware or speed and coverage could be better, much more sustainable than a wholesale refresh.

[robjduk]

I may look at that option thanks. The thing is I feel money for projects is about to dry up in my place so in a funny way, I would rather put in place the system for the next 10 years now while there is money about rather than beg and plead in 2 years.

[hardtailstar]

Our Ruckus is still going strong at 7 years old.

 

some APs are bit flaky but those ones aren't in classrooms so haven't been replaced yet.

[Duke5A]

If it supports 802.11n and you have gig links to the access points I'd say you are OK, but if not then it's time to start upgrading. I've got a Cisco setup here with about 250 access point across three controllers and a mix of 1130 and 1140 access points. The 1140s are gig with N while the 1130s are 100MB with G and the difference is quite noticeable. Aside from just being faster, the 1140s can support a greater number of clients before you start seeing a performance hit. A cart of 30 netbooks will bring an 1130 to its knees while the 1140 doesn't even break a sweat.