Learn.
Demystifying Coworking Tech: What These Mysterious Network Devices Actually Do!
Demystifying Coworking Tech: What These Mysterious Network Devices Actually Do!
Let’s be real: networking gear feels like a headache waiting to happen – complicated, pricey, and about as much fun as a root canal. Now add multiple coworking spaces into the mix, and things start to feel downright impossible, especially if you’re not an IT wizard.
But, here’s the deal – choosing the right gear isn’t just important, it’s game-changing. Get it right, and your members are happy, productive, and buzzing with Wi-Fi awesomeness. Get it wrong, and well…you’ll be answering complaints faster than you can say “buffering.”
While it might seem overwhelming at first, understanding your network’s building blocks can demystify the process of selecting the right equipment for your space. You may find yourself wondering, “What works best for my space?” or “What does this device even do?”
Understanding the role of each networking device is key to maximizing efficiency. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions about your coworking space’s IT infrastructure, ensuring everything runs smoothly and meets the needs of your members and guests.
Stay tuned as we dive deeper into each aspect of networking equipment for coworking spaces, helping you make informed decisions for your business. We’ll explore the essential components of your network, including:
- Internet Connectivity and Wi-Fi
- Hardware
- Network Management Software
Coworking Wi-Fi: The Lifeblood of Your Space
In a coworking environment, a robust and reliable internet connection is as essential as oxygen – you simply can’t operate without it! Structuring your internet connection involves several key components: your primary internet connection, a backup connection, and critical network hardware such as firewalls, switches, and wireless access points.
Selecting an Internet Service Provider
Picking an internet service provider (ISP) for your coworking space isn’t just a checkbox – it’s a make-or-break decision. Think of your ISP as your space’s secret superhero: If they’re great, your members won’t even notice. But if they fail? Well, suddenly you’re in a world where “slow internet” is everyone’s favorite new hobby.
- Which carriers service your location?
- Are they on-net, meaning they can connect directly without additional work, or are they near-net, requiring extra setup? If so, how will that affect your project timeline?
- Who handles support and communication with the ISP during outages?
When evaluating potential providers, focus on their speed offerings, reliability, and quality of customer support. These factors are critical in ensuring consistent performance that meets the demands of your diverse member base.
Bandwidth Requirements
Determining appropriate bandwidth is a necessary step when it comes to connectivity in your space. Who will be responsible for monitoring usage in your space? Additionally, will you offer specialized bandwidth packages tailored to specific member needs, or provide standard tiers for all members? These decisions will help ensure your space can meet varying demands while maintaining a consistent internet experience for everyone.
When it comes to bandwidth, think of it like pizza at a party. You don’t want too little (hangry members are not a good look), but you also don’t want so much that you’re throwing it away. It’s all about finding that bandwidth sweet spot based on how many people are chowing down on your Wi-Fi. Also, don’t forget that upload speed is just as important as download speed, especially for businesses relying on fast uploads. When evaluating internet plans, prioritize those that provide symmetrical speeds to ensure balanced connections for all your members.
“We typically recommend 1000 Mbps bandwidth for your primary connection and a minimum of 200 Mbps for your backup,” says Francis Heroux, Head of Engineering at isofy. “When multiple users across different businesses are concurrently video streaming, video calling, or uploading and downloading large files, you can easily see daily usage of 500-700 Mbps. To ensure the best performance, it’s crucial to leave some headroom. In the event that your primary connection goes down, your backup will kick in. Although 200 Mbps is slower than your primary, it will maintain an internet connection until your primary is restored.”
Redundancy and Backup Options
Borrowing an expression from the Navy SEALs, ‘two is one, and one is none.’To ensure uninterrupted service, we recommend incorporating redundancy into your internet connectivity setup. Why leave your members hanging when the internet goes down? Having a backup ISP is like having a spare tire – maybe you won’t need it often, but when you do, you’ll be thankful it’s there! While this is not mandatory, it can save money long-term by preventing productivity losses due to outages. By selecting a second internet connection from a different ISP provider, you can use an automatic failover system to switch to the backup connection whenever needed. This diversity ensures that if one provider encounters issues, your space can continue to operate smoothly with the backup.
By carefully considering these aspects of your internet setup, you can establish a robust and reliable connection that meets the diverse needs of your coworking community. Remember, no one ever complains about the internet being too fast!
Essential Network Hardware for Coworking Spaces
While selecting the right internet setup is crucial for your coworking space, choosing the proper hardware is equally important to ensure seamless and stable connectivity for your members. Network devices such as firewalls, switches, and wireless access points are hardware equipment that you will likely need in your coworking space – aka the IT closet stuff.
Let’s explore the key hardware components that form the backbone of a robust coworking network infrastructure.
Firewalls
Think of your firewall as your coworking space’s bouncer – keeping out the digital riff-raff. It stops those unwanted cyber threats from crashing the party and keeps your members’ data safe and sound. A strong firewall is essential for safeguarding your members’ data and devices from potential security breaches. It’s important that your coworking space has its own dedicated firewall, separate from other tenants in the building, to maintain full control over your network security.
When selecting a firewall, consider factors like performance, technical capabilities, and security policies. Coworking spaces often benefit from firewall solutions that offer features such as secure routing, threat protection, and content filtering. The best way to choose the right firewall is to first document the security and functional needs of your space and then identify a firewall that matches those requirements.
Identifying your brand posture towards security and compliance is a good starting point before diving into the more technical specifications. It’s also wise to choose a firewall solution that can scale with your needs. For example, next-generation firewalls offer advanced features like intrusion prevention and application control, allowing you to enhance security measures as more users and devices connect to your network.
Switches
Switches are like the office gossip of your network – they know who needs what and make sure the right information goes to the right place without causing drama. The result? Seamless communication between all your devices, minus the clutter. Instead of sending data to all devices, switches direct information only to the intended recipient, improving network efficiency and reducing congestion. They also support features like network segmentation and basic routing, enhancing overall performance and security.
When selecting a switch, think about how many devices your space currently supports and plan for future growth. Choosing a scalable switch with extra ports ensures you can easily add new devices as your membership grows, all while maintaining fast, reliable internet speed. No one ever complains about the internet being too slow!
Wireless Access Points
Wireless access points (WAPs) are like Wi-Fi magic wands – they sprinkle Wi-Fi goodness throughout your space, ensuring no dead zones, no matter where your members camp out. Just wave ‘em in the right spots, and everyone’s connected! These devices extend the Wi-Fi signal, allowing members to stay connected no matter where they are within the space. When setting these up, it’s important to consider the layout of your space, as certain factors can block the signal. Thick walls, large metal objects, and interference from other electronics can all impact coverage. Strategically placing your access points is key to delivering seamless connectivity across your space.
Some access points are built to handle high user volumes and provide consistent coverage in busy environments. Access points built for busy spaces handle high user volumes like pros. Look for dual-band support and strong signal range to keep everyone connected – even during peak hours.
Feeling overwhelmed yet? Our team brings extensive experience in crafting IT solutions tailored to coworking and flex spaces. Whether you’re building a new site or upgrading end-of-life equipment, our experts will design a customized solution to meet your connectivity and security needs. Get started with a free consultation [here].
Network Management Software for Coworking Spaces
You can leverage a network management solution to simplify all your network operations, creating a smooth, secure, and efficient experience for your coworking space members. This software not only streamlines operations but also monitors network performance and enhances security, allowing you to focus on providing the best possible environment for your members. Here are some key functions and benefits of network management software that are essential for coworking spaces.
Simplified Management
Think of your network management software as your tech command center – it’s like playing air traffic controller but way less stressful. You get to tweak settings, add devices, and keep things running smoothly all from one super-simple dashboard. For coworking spaces with multiple locations or those planning future expansions, a robust solution allows for real-time adjustments across all workspaces.
Network Provisioning, Automation & Monitoring
To reduce manual tasks and increase efficiency, network management software enables you to provision users, authorize devices, create private networks, and assign bandwidth tiers in real-time. For instance, isofy offers an intuitive web dashboard that makes these tasks as simple as using a smartphone. This user-friendly approach simplifies staff training and minimizes the need for additional IT support. You can also choose to fully automate these network tasks through integrations with leading workspace management platforms.
In addition, network performance monitoring is a feature of your network management software that offers you real-time insights into overall network health, traffic patterns, and connected devices. This capability enables you to quickly identify any outages or failures, ensuring minimal disruption to your members’ work.
Network Security
In coworking spaces, individuals from diverse backgrounds gather to collaborate on a wide range of projects, which inevitably brings about significant security challenges. Relying solely on password-protected Wi-Fi, is not recommended to ensure security for your members.
A comprehensive network management platform can greatly enhance security through features specifically designed for shared work environments. For example, MAC address-based access controls ensure only authorized devices connect automatically, while isolated networks using VLANs provide each member with a secure, private connection to protect their data from others on the network.
To attract enterprise clients, it’s essential to choose a network management solution that aligns with industry standards such as HIPAA, PCI, SOC, and ISO, signaling a commitment to stringent data protection and regulatory compliance.
Optimize Performance with Usage Analytics
What are the peak network usage times and where are the popular areas in your coworking space? What about the underutilized resources?
Network insights and analytics can be used as powerful tools for gathering valuable information on network patterns within your space. This can help you make better informed decisions about resource allocation and space optimization. By leveraging these tools on your network management platform you can make data-driven decisions to optimize your network infrastructure, enhance member satisfaction, and ultimately drive the success of your coworking space.
Summary
The networking equipment in your coworking space can have a significant impact on creating productive, secure, and efficient environments for a diverse range of professionals. Selecting a network infrastructure that strikes a balance between providing connectivity, security, and flexibility is key.
When considering the proper equipment for your coworking space, it is often helpful to consider aspects such as:
- Reliable Internet Setup: Selecting the right internet service provider and understanding bandwidth needs ensures consistent performance for all members.
- Essential Hardware: Firewalls, switches, and wireless access points are crucial for maintaining seamless connectivity.
- Network Management Software: Utilizing network management software designed for coworking spaces, such as Isofy, streamlines operations, enhances security, and provides valuable analytics for your coworking space.
isofy has helped coworking and flex operators of all sizes with their network management needs. Contact us here for a free consultation.