Solutions House | Wireless | Roaming | Cabling » WLAN http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk Roaming IT, Wireless, Cabling, Remote Solutions Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:52:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Half Term fast approaching…does your school have any IT needs we can help you with? http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2013/04/half-ter-is-looming-does-your-school-have-any-it-needs-we-can-help-you-with/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2013/04/half-ter-is-looming-does-your-school-have-any-it-needs-we-can-help-you-with/#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:52:28 +0000 tina http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=3152 half term jobs to finish image

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Extricom New Access Points Available Now http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2012/02/extricom-new-access-points-available-now/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2012/02/extricom-new-access-points-available-now/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:33:59 +0000 tina http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=3185 extricom LOGOExtricom are pleased to announce that the new Extricom Access Points that have been developed to enhance the existing Product Portfolio are available for order with immediate effect.

Designed to meet the ever-increasing global demand for high-performance enterprise wireless technology that can truly deliver the latest high-bandwidth applications and built to enhance the Extricom Channel Blanket’s inherently high throughput whilst maintaining the other unique advantages of the architecture, the EXRP-33N, EXRP-32N, EXRP-22N and EXRP-22EN products are equipped with the latest best-of-breed silicon and radio modules and the most advanced radio layer features, including Transmit Beam Forming (TxBF), Space-Time Block Code (STBC), Low Density Parity Check (LDPC), Maximum Likelihood (ML) detection, Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC) and Cyclic Delay Code (CDC).

Further information on the Extricom Product Line can be found in the Extricom section of the website, or visit the Extricom website at http://www.extricom.com/.

 

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Switch On to Extricom – the Wireless LAN for Logistics http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2012/02/switch-on-to-extricom-%e2%80%93-the-wireless-lan-for-logistics/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2012/02/switch-on-to-extricom-%e2%80%93-the-wireless-lan-for-logistics/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:50:33 +0000 tina http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=3055 Extricom LogisticsThere is no doubt that wireless technology has revolutionized the warehousing and logistics operations environment in the past two decades. The advent of pervasive WLAN promised to accelerate productivity and profitability gains even further. The challenge now is to identify the right solution that can truly optimize your supply chain operations and make this promise a reality.

The warehouse environment creates serious challenges for traditional WLAN deployments. Though warehouses are typically open spaces that would seem suited to wireless signal propagation, their construction and layout can be problematic, with metal structures and corridors making coverage difficult to achieve. Other obstacles include a changing RF landscape due to the movement of goods and roaming and re-authentication issues that can impact productivity of a highly mobile workforce.

Read more on Extricom Wireless LAN for Logistics here…

 

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Extricom Schools Leaflet http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/08/extricom-schools-leaflet/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/08/extricom-schools-leaflet/#comments Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:30:17 +0000 tina http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=2236 Comprehensive access to information technology is one of the most critical aspects of 21st Century education and information literacy is critical for a student’s success later in life. An effective wireless network is a key enabling technology for making this vital connection and ensuring students cross the ‘digital divide’.

Your challenge is to identify the right solution that can make this promise a reality and provide your students, faculty and guests with the opportunity to embrace ‘everywhere learning’ with robust, reliable connectivity. Put simply, Extricom delivers.

To find out more information click the link below to download the pdf:

Extricom logo

extricom school pdf

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Edensor Technology College http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/06/edensor-technology-college/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/06/edensor-technology-college/#comments Sun, 26 Jun 2011 12:26:03 +0000 tina http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=2347 Edensor worked with Solution House, a local VAR specializing in mobility solutions, to set up a pilot. Extensive testing of the system showed that users could maintain extended login times, fast download speeds, and overall high performance, even as the system was selectively stressed by removing APs. Impressed by the speed of setup of the Extricom WLAN and its resiliency, Edensor proceeded to a Phase I deployment of the system.

Read the full case study, click here for the pdf download…

For a demonstration, site survey or details of our loan evaluation kit please contact 01928 515 600 or solutions@solutionshouse.ltd.uk.

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Upton High School – Cheshire http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/05/upton-high-school-cheshire/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/05/upton-high-school-cheshire/#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 14:15:51 +0000 tina http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=2391 Upton High SchoolUpton High School desperately needed a wireless system that not only covered the whole site, but that also permitted users to move from location to location within the school without loss of connection. The cell-based units that they had been using were totally unreliable, and a permanent installation that would work anywhere in the school was urgently required. Turning to their local county council for advice on where best to find a solution, Upton High School was immediately pointed in the direction of the Extricom WLAN.  Enjoying a solid reputation for delivering reliable IT solutions in educational settings, Solutions House is one of just a few companies in the country that supplies and fits Extricom’s award-winning Interference-Free™ WLAN system.

Read the full case study, download the pdf here…

To find out how we can help call Solutions House on 01928 515600 or email us at education@solutionshouse.ltd.uk

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St Catherine’s Primary, Bolton http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/05/st-catherine%e2%80%99s-primary-bolton/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/05/st-catherine%e2%80%99s-primary-bolton/#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 13:31:45 +0000 tina http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=2362 Extricom select partner logoAfter the successful installation of Extricom’s award-winning Interference-Free™ WLAN system by Solutions House, St Catherine’s Primary in Bolton had the following comments to make:

“I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to all those at Solutions House who have made, and continue to make, the installation of our wireless solution such a success.

It is obvious that Solutions House aim to provide the highest quality service and I have been very impressed with the way in which communication and support has always been honest, reliable and effective. From sales through to technical support, the service provided by all representatives has been outstanding.

As a teacher embarking on significant IT development in a primary school, it has been a pleasure to deal with such conscientious and genuine professionals. As a result I have absolute confidence that our solution will continue to be delivered and supported effectively and that we are obviously ‘in the very best hands’.

I am aware that Solutions House are hoping to establish links with other schools in Bolton and I would have no hesitation in making the very highest recommendation on your behalf. I have already begun, and will continue to, sing the praises of Solutions House to other colleagues across the authority.”

Kevin Roberts – St Catherine’s School, Horwich, Bolton

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St John Rigby College http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/04/st-john-rigby-college/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/04/st-john-rigby-college/#comments Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:30:05 +0000 tina http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=2401 WiFi logoAfter attending a JISC RSC Northwest technical forum which had wireless related demonstrations on the agenda, Lisa Daley, Network Manager at St John Rigby College was particularly impressed by a demonstration of Extricom from Allan Hutchinson of Solutions House. A conversation with Allan about various options for the proposed development convinced Lisa that Extricom would be the best solution.

To read the full case study please visit the Excellence Gateway website via this web link

For a demonstration, site survey or details of our loan evaluation kit please contact Solutions House on 01928 515 600 or email us at education@solutionshouse.ltd.uk

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BETT 2012…Did You Visit Solutions House and Extricom? http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/01/2453/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2011/01/2453/#comments Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:34:16 +0000 tina http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=2453 Extricom and Solutions House stand on BETT 2012Did you come along and visit us at BETT 2012? The Solutions House team enjoyed a successful week on stand alongside our partner Extricom.

The latest Extricom products were displayed through live demonstrations, videos and presentations and we were pleased to hear such positive feedback from visitors and potential clients to our stand. For schools considering a WLAN deployment, looking to upgrade their existing WLAN or wanting to introduce iPads or BYOD strategies in the coming year, a visit to BETT 2012 and time on the Solutions House / Extricom Stand C90 was time well spent.

If you would like to find out how we can help your school get in touch with our specialist education team – email contact@solutionshouse.ltd.uk or telephone 01928 515600.

Dedicated to showcasing the best in UK and international educational technology products, resources and best practice, BETT has enabled thousands of practitioners to enhance their knowledge of learning through technology. BETT attracts more than 600 educational suppliers and around 30,000 visitors. It brings together the global teaching and learning community for four days of innovations and inspirations.

 

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Case Studies http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2010/08/case-studies/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2010/08/case-studies/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:25:49 +0000 admin http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=1592

Extricom Case Studies:-

Stadium Case Studies:-

Warington Wolves Case Study

Education Case Studies:-

***BRAND NEW CASESTUDY – Caludon Castle, Coventry – pdf download***

Edensor Technology College, Staffs – Case Study -pdf download

Moat Community College, Leicester – pdf download

Upton-By-Chester High School, Cheshire – Case Study – pdf download

case-study-st john rigby college – An Excellence Gateway Case Study – website link

Stokepark pdf download

Case-study-St Catherine’s Primary, Bolton comming soon see recent comments:-

I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to all those at Solutions House who have made, and continue to make, the installation of our wireless solution such a success.

It is obvious that Solutions House aim to provide the highest quality service and I have been very impressed with the way in which communication and support has always been honest, reliable and effective.  From sales through to technical support, the service provided by all representatives has been outstanding.

As a teacher embarking on significant IT development in a primary school, it has been a pleasure to deal with such conscientious and genuine professionals.  As a result I have absolute confidence that our solution will continue to be delivered and supported effectively and that we are obviously ‘in the very best hands’.

I am aware that Solutions House are hoping to establish links with other schools in Bolton and I would have no hesitation in making the very highest recommendation on your behalf.  I have already begun, and will continue to, sing the praises of Solutions House to other colleagues across the authority.

Kevin Roberts – St Catherine’s School, Horwich, Bolton

Thank you for reading our case studies section.

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Is Your Network ‘iPad Ready’? (UK) http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2010/06/is-your-network-ipad-ready-uk/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2010/06/is-your-network-ipad-ready-uk/#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:43:56 +0000 Marketing http://solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=1221 With the UK launch of the iPad on Friday 28th May we have re-published this update from February to help you…

The much-anticipated launch of the Apple iPad in January 2010 was met with a mixture of cheers and groans from the technology media. But however well it may do in the consumer marketplace, the iPad is already attracting immense, and largely positive, attention among those who cover the world of education and IT.

Most commentators think the iPad will make immediate inroads in the education market, an arena where Apple already holds considerable market- and mind-share.

A strong determining factor in the iPad’s education market penetration is wireless LAN, which will be critical infrastructure for making it a viable classroom technology. This means the WLAN must be able to support the greatly increased demand for network resources that will come from iPad users.

In Extricom’s latest Technology Brief, The iPad, Wireless LAN, and Education, Extricom delves into issues that affect integrators and ICT administrators alike, providing an overview of the iPad’s potential as an education tool, discussing its potential impact on wireless LANs in schools and universities, and detailing how WLAN architecture can make a difference in handling the coming wave of iPads.

You can download the Technology Brief here:

The ipad, Wireless LAN and Education – Making Sure Your Environment is ‘Tablet-Ready’

or

www.extricom.com/content/microsite/ipad


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Extricom: It turns out that size does actually matter! http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2009/08/extricom-turns-size-matter/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2009/08/extricom-turns-size-matter/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:48:31 +0000 Marketing http://solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=956  

extricomchannelblanketimageOr at least it does when you are designing a workable wireless LAN for commercial, industrial and public service environments. The Extricom response is really, really big access points:

 

For example, try thinking about piping music into 20 rooms. Traditional managed wireless would set up an all-in-one stereo in each room and then use a complex system to coordinate them so they played the same tune at the same time. Extricom would have one stereo unit, with speakers cabled into each room. Simple!

The key-limiting factor for every wireless solution is the legally demarked bandwidths available to broadcast its signal. Within the 2.4 GHz band there are only three channels you can broadcast on where the signal does not interfere with the others. For example if this was radio stations, you could only fit three in before you would hear the stations talking over one another.

A wireless access point has a radio in it, and this radio broadcasts on one of the available channels, allowing devices to find, connect and network through it. If you want to put another access point next to it, the access point has to use a different channel so devices don’t get confused about where the signal is coming from. A bit like a contestant on a game show getting muddled with the audience all shouting different answers at the same time. This is the same case for the third access point, until you reach the fourth where you have to return to broadcast on the first channel you used (because you have run out of the three you have available). Therefore these access points cannot be sited next to one another. Managed wireless LANs have come about to coordinate this radio frequency issue and allow simpler management to the configuration of these devices.

Some managed solutions of this style go a step further and interfere with the IEEE standards, stripping off acknowledgments from packets to allow small clusters of access points to broadcast on the same channel. These are additional layers of processing that need to be coordinated by a controller located elsewhere within your LAN, the same LAN already carrying all your other network traffic.

Extricom decided to completely bypass all of these issues by just making their access points really big. A ball of coverage with a radius of up to 200 meters and an ability to accept over 2000 + simultaneous connections big, that’s how big we are talking. To achieve this they have found a way to distribute the radios/antenna at the end of Ethernet cable runs of up to 200 meters. An access point can support up to 32 distributed radio/antenna points creating a continuous blanket of coverage. A blanket of coverage with guarantees; a guarantee on the air rate of the wireless access and a guarantee of data transfer back to the network. Things that the other managed WLAN systems cannot guarantee because the placement of their access points and the physical LAN sit outside their control, so you see, size does really matter.

This big access point system also allows you to have up to 4 radios on each of the distributed radios/antenna points. So you can broadcast networks on all three of the 2.4GHz channels and the 5GHz channel at the same time, giving you 4 blanket wireless networks from one big access point, instead of the one network from traditional systems. This is because the available frequency in traditional systems is essentially eaten up or wasted as a management overhead.

Like traditional managed wireless, the Extricom access points can be managed across larger sites, or entirely geographically separate sites, providing full scalability. Also, for those with service continuity priorities, redundancy can be built in with Extricom’s cascade switch technology.

The very nature of the big access point system means that it is impossible to spoof access points into the network, and they are very simple to detect, as Extricom is simple looking for interference. If you try to intercept network traffic on the Extricom Ethernet, you would get a nasty surprise, as it is hardware solution not IP based network traffic.

If you were looking to enable your LAN as a WLAN, would you like to massively increase your number of network access points, or would you like to add a few robust, redundant, guaranteed, managed devices, with all the security hardware securely locked away in a cabinet?

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The Extricom Learning Solution: Putting the Intel Fizzbook Spin to Work http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2009/08/extricom-learning-solution-putting-intel-fizzbook-spin-work/ http://www.solutionshouse.ltd.uk/2009/08/extricom-learning-solution-putting-intel-fizzbook-spin-work/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:51:58 +0000 admin http://solutionshouse.ltd.uk/?p=830 Fizzbook SpinWhat’s a “Fizzbook Spin”?

The Intel Fizzbook Spin is a purpose-built netbook based on 1:1 Computing initiatives, which envisions every student having a laptop. The Fizzbook Spin was designed with the primary/ secondary education environment in mind, and is a simple, robust solution with built-in 802.11 b/g/n wireless connectivity.

The Fizzbook Spin enables young students to do research on the Internet, share their work with other students, upload their homework to their teacher, or even record a movie. Its screen can also be rotated and flipped over to become a touch-screen tablet.

How The Fizzbook Spin Transforms Education

Before netbooks, ensuring student access to online resources meant a significant infrastructure investment, either fixed desktops wired into a computer lab or a mobile cart loaded with laptops that moved from classroom to classroom, but could only support a limited number of students at one time. The Intel Fizzbook Spin changes the paradigm completely by allowing every student to leverage a suite of online education resources from their own laptop.

The factors that make the Intel Fizzbook Spin a compelling solution for primary/secondary education include:

  • Tough and Cost-Effective: An ultra-compact, affordable, easy-to-carry laptop with durable, drop-proof construction, water-resistant keyboard, and a carrying handle, the Fizzbook Spin is well adapted to the rigors of institutional use. Specialized anti-theft software can be used to ensure that the Fizzbook Spin doesn’t wander off campus or get into the wrong hands.
  • Flexibility: Allows classroom teachers to make presentations, guide student’s access to the Internet, deliver specific controlled content and interact individually with students and parents in giving tests or providing feedback.
  • Teamwork: Facilitates collaboration with fellow students/teachers on campus, and throughout the community, facilitating the creation of group activities.
  • Streamlined Administration: Enables classroom teachers to monitor attendance, prepare lessons, administer tests, control computer-induced distraction and provide feedback on students to management and parents.

The Fizzbook Spin in the Wireless Classroom

The Fizzbook Spin lacks many of the features of a sophisticated office professional’s notebook. There is limited local storage, no high performance, or multi-tasking capabilities. The Fizzbook Spin is primarily intended as a cloud device that accesses resources over a wireless network. It is not a standalone device.

The quality of the wireless network deployed to support the Fizzbook Spin is therefore crucial to its success. Not all wireless LAN (WLAN) systems are equal, and choosing the right network is essential. The whole idea of 1:1 Computing is effectively negated if every student has a laptop, but only a few are able to log in simultaneously; or once logged, on experience slow network speeds or frequent lost connections.

More and more, educational institutions are looking to an Extricom WLAN solution to make their wireless networking goals achievable.

Helping the Learning Solution Work: The Extricom Difference

It seems obvious that for wireless access to be effective in a classroom, 30 or 40 users should be able to log on at the same time and access the same online resources with reasonable performance. Traditional WLANs handle this scenario poorly, however, and can even become unstable when there are high levels of wireless traffic. This is because the system’s uncoordinated APs generate co-channel interference for each other, resulting in collisions and retransmissions, creating even more wireless traffic, leading to frustrating delays, and sometimes total system failure.

Extricom’s patented Channel Blanket architecture avoids these problems, delivering both coverage and capacity at full performance. The Wireless LAN is accessible anywhere on campus, remains stable under heavy load, and is available to every user who needs to access the system. Inside the Channel Blanket, all access points transmit on the same channel, and transmissions are centrally coordinated by the switch, rather than each individual AP. The resulting blankets of wireless coverage provide robust, resilient wireless connectivity.

An Extricom system allows APs to be placed without worrying about overlapping coverage from adjacent APs, and in densities that traditional wireless systems would not tolerate. Retransmissions are minimized, allowing the WLAN to function as efficiently as possible. This ultimately translates to the best possible throughput and performance for large numbers of users.

Extricom is the perfect choice for WLAN infrastructure that supports the Fizzbook Spin and other 1:1 Computing environments.

Features and Benefits

  • Simpler Design and Maintenance: Extricom WLAN reduces the complexity of RF surveys and cell planning. All APs use the same channel in the Channel Blanket architecture, can be placed where needed for best coverage, and do not require configuration. The Extricom Wireless LAN Switch coordinates the connected APs to eliminate co-channel interference.
  • Robust Connectivity: With every AP on the same channel, the Extricom switch receives multiple copies of each client transmission and uses only the best AP to transmit the reply, making the system highly resilient to RF interference.
  • Multiplied Capacity: Extricom WLAN greatly enhances capacity by permitting frequency reuse at high AP densities and avoiding co-channel interference.
  • Designed for 802.11n: Extricom switches and APs are 802.11n Draft 2 compliant, and the Extricom Channel Blanket Architecture is a perfect match for the unpredictable coverage patterns of 802.11n APs. This means the full power of
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