Elegant Wireless Network Design How do you build a WLAN that meets all of your customer needs? Customers Desire a Network that “just works.” The Problem is that often, it doesn’t work • Vendor Complexity – Many infrastructure vendors each using their own approach to provide solutions – Many client device vendors that the infrastructure must support – Many applications that the client devices must support over the infrastructure – Many installers/operators who must support all of the applications, clients, and infrastructure Think differently! Okay – so what does that mean? • Ideally, there is a call for standards – Infrastructure vendors need to make best practices their default values – Client vendors must agree on how their devices respond to infrastructure changes – Application developers must consider the client response and infrastructure changes – Installers/operators need to understand the applications, clients, and infrastructure The Reality Where the Model Breaks • Infrastructure vendors are not making best practices their default settings • Client vendors stovepipe their device design • Applications are expected to work on all devices over all infrastructure • Installers/operators don’t understand their applications, devices, or network infrastructure What’s the fix? My Steps • Ask the infrastructure vendors to make best practices their default settings • Actively advocate for clients that do respond in a predictable and thoughtful manner • Provide feedback to application vendors on ways to improve their product • Continuously learn about your applications, clients, infrastructure, and customers