WiFi or Webpages?WiFi or Webpages?

WLANs are different from LANs. Remember, it's still a radio device.

There's an expectation that once WiFi goes in, it will be all things to all users--and then the reality hits that some users simply aren't happy. What's up with blazingly hyped-up bandwidth and latest/greatest technology that won't load webpages on your device?

Unfortunately for the IT person on the frontline getting bombarded with "Your WiFi doesn't work right," there's a misconception or lack of understanding in expectations on how WiFi is being used and how it will perform in each case.

The device being used does make a difference: Is it a desktop, laptop, smartphone, cellphone with Internet capabilities, iPad, iPod Touch, tablet or some other device?

Then the application, especially if it's something other than just surfing the net: Is that application intrinsically designed for the device used?

There are different ways of designing mobile applications, and in A Comparison of Methods for Building Mobile Optimized Websites, Johan Johnansson, Senior Web Developer at Pixelmade, outlines the pros and cons of each method. Each alternative (Responsive Web Design, Dedicated Mobile Site, Resources on Dedicated Mobile Sites or RESS) has notable disadvantages that affect speed, user experience, reliability, performance, navigation or whether the content is even delivered. These variables can create challenges.

We've been using Microsoft's OneNote between multiple companies as a collaboration tool and as a means to store documentation, to-do-lists, action items, contact information and even photographs of wire closets, IDF's, conduit entrances and boxes and equipment racks. Because we all can access the information and change it on the fly, it's been useful. For the most part, we've gone on site, met, made changes or implemented something and then returned to our offices to load our notes using either our desktop or laptop computers.

Recently, I returned to a site and needed notes on specific telephone lines. Using my iPhone proved frustrating and fruitless. The pages wouldn't load or I just couldn't seem to get what I wanted, where I wanted to be fast enough. It doesn't mean that there's an issue with OneNote or the WiFi network; my expectations were adjusted.

The variables that can be controlled are the firewall and whether content filtering is getting in the way of webpages loading, thereby limiting user experience. Also, the DHCP pool can be an issue if it isn't sized for the user group--and speaking of user group: does your WLAN have only one SSID; and if more than one SSID is deployed, is each SSID in a separate VLAN? Are you using Quality of Service (QoS) or Class of Service (CoS)? I bring the latter two up because I remember reading John Bartlett's post: Do I Want Quality of Service or Quality of Experience?

WLANs are different from LANs. Remember, it's still a radio device. However, your users may not appreciate that response, so you may want to be prepared.

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