Now, it$$s time to start thinking about adding Wi$-$Fi access to the network. As you learned in the scenario, over half of the devices users employ are tablets and smartphones. These do not usually have ports for connecting to a wired network, so it is critical to provide Wi$-$Fi access.

You will need to recommend a strategy for blanketing the office with Wi$-$Fi coverage so a user can get a strong Wi$-$Fi signal anywhere in the building. You will also need to be concerned with choosing the appropriate channels and service set identifiers $($SSIDs$)$ to use on the Wireless Application Protocols $($WAPs$)$ and where to install them.

The following are some things to remember about Wi$-$Fi that may come in handy for this activity.

$$ In general, $2\mathrm{.}4$ GHz Wi$-$Fi signals can extend for about $150$ feet if there are no impediments, such as thick walls. $5$ GHz Wi$-$Fi signals can extend for about $50$ feet. Those are maximums, though; as a host gets further away from the WAP, performance decreases. Therefore, you should plan on placing WAPs about $3070$ ft apart. This is close enough to prevent dead spots.

$$ Wi$-$Fi $5(802\mathrm{.}11$ac$)$ runs only on the $5$ GHz band; Wi$-$Fi $6(802\mathrm{.}11$ax$)$ can use both the $5$ GHz and $2\mathrm{.}4$ GHz bands.

$$ Channels $1,6,$ and $11$ are typically used because they do not overlap with each other. You should try to alternate channel selections among adjacent WAPs.

$$ WAPs can be installed in the ceiling. This is a good way to keep them out of users$$ way, as well as to add an extra measure of physical security for them.

$$ For WAPs that are not located near a power outlet, you can either run power cords through the ceiling or you can use Power over Ethernet $($PoE$),$ a technology that allows electricity to be supplied on the Ethernet data cable.

$$ How many devices will connect to this network wirelessly? Determine the current number of wireless devices currently, and then add $50\%$ for future growth.

What network infrastructure components are needed to support the wireless hosts? $($Ref: Wireless Networking Components, Site Survey and Installation Configurations$)$

On the diagram of the office layout $($below$),$ place a circle where you would place each WAP. The distance between WAPs should be from $30$ to $70$ feet. The office is $200$ wide by $300$ long. $($Here is one circle placed on the diagram, as an example.$)$

Use as many as needed to ensure good Wi$-$Fi coverage everywhere in the building. Overlap the circles slightly to minimize the uncovered spots. Note: This diagram is just a rough draft to help determine how many WAPs you need; when it comes time to deploy the WAPs, you would use a site survey application to fine$-$tune WAP placement and channel capacity.

Color and label the circle to indicate what channel they should be set to$.$ For example, you might color all the APs that should be set to channel $11$ green, and type an $11$ in the center of each one. $($Ref: Site Survey and Installation Configurations$)$

Will you assign the same SSID to each WAP? Why or why not? $($Ref: Site Survey and Installation Configurations$)$

Will you use a wireless LAN controller to manage the access points? Why or why not? $($Ref: Installing WLAN Networks$)$

Which Wi$-$Fi security encryption standard will you enable on the access points? Why did you choose that one? $($Ref: Wireless Security$)$