Hi everyone! I work for a school group, and we have finals approaching at a different location that only offers guest Wi-Fi. We tried requesting our own VLAN and hardware, but unfortunately, that was declined. The guest Wi-Fi is pretty unreliable, and the school insisted we stick to this venue. I'm wondering if we could set up a temporary network using a 5G router along with some access points. Do you think 5G could support 25 to 50 users, especially if I place the router near a window for better signal? I have some basic networking knowledge, around CCNA level, but I've never set up a network where 5G is the WAN. Our external network partner isn't able to assist with this type of project either, so I'm reaching out for your insights or suggestions on how to approach this. Thanks a lot!
5 Answers
For a solid and reliable connection in an unfamiliar location, consider reaching out to TV news crews—they have advanced routers that can handle multiple 5G modems and even satellite backups. Also, consider bringing the exam servers to the venue instead and simulate a disaster recovery exercise. This way, you won’t rely solely on the internet connection. You could also look into organizations like Canadian Blood Services for tips on portable server setups—they have good connectivity solutions for pop-up locations.
Thinking a bit outside the box here—why not suggest going old school and using pen and paper for the exams? It might sound unrealistic, but it’s certainly a fail-safe option if connectivity can’t be guaranteed!
You definitely want to document your concerns about the venue's connectivity. Make it clear to the stakeholders that you're worried about the potential issues, and that you've indicated a risk. If something does go wrong, it could protect you later. It's better to cover your bases now than face the fallout after the fact.
Yes, 5G can work under ideal conditions, but you really need to test the signal strength and the data plan you get. Depending on the provider, they might throttle your speeds during peak times, especially if the exam involves video conferencing. I'd recommend getting a 5G router and testing it out at the venue with a few devices first. Personally, I wouldn't rely on it for something as important as exams without a backup plan. If you know the site and how reliable the 5G is, maybe you could use it as a secondary option, but it's risky for a primary internet source during exams.
If you find yourself frequently needing reliable internet in such situations, investing in a router that supports LAN, WLAN, and 5G failover could be wise. Just set up your network behind it and keep all traffic secured through a VPN. Ask the venue for minimal support like a single wired connection for stability; that’ll save you the headache of negotiating too much about their infrastructure.
That's a fantastic suggestion! Collaborating with them could provide insights you wouldn’t get otherwise.