Selfnet e.V. relies on Wi-Fi 6E for students

Background

Selfnet is a non-profit association whose purpose is the transfer of knowledge in the field of information and communication technology. To this end, the volunteer members operate a network for student dormitories in Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg and Esslingen. Residents benefit from fast access to their online learning resources. The network's current goals include: a wireless campus-wide network with a focus on reliability and efficient maintenance.

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Challenge

Selfnet e.V. currently provides access via WLAN in 25 of the dormitories connected to the Selfnet network, supplementing the existing wired infrastructure. The network thus covers around 4,350 students, with over 3,000 end devices frequently accessing the network simultaneously. For Selfnet e.V., it is important to provide good WLAN coverage in the dorm rooms, common areas and outdoor areas. Particularly for the dormitories on the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, work is underway to provide WLAN coverage for the outdoor areas. The long-term goal is to create a completely wireless campus around the residential buildings. In addition, there is a focus on uninterrupted network transitions: tunnel technologies ensure the roaming of end devices with their individual addresses in a complex Layer 3 network. This requires highly reliable network architectures and technologies. Only these can guarantee stable operation. Operations and maintenance (O&M) management of the network, which is designed for efficient operation, helps the volunteers in this regard. Since volunteers are often only able to work on the network in the afternoons or evenings, the centralized and efficient O&M mechanisms help to manage the enormous workload. In this way, the available time can be used efficiently.

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Solution

Selfnet is upgrading its existing campus network from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6 access points have already been installed exclusively since 2019. In 2021, the first Wi-Fi 5 devices were replaced by access points with modern Wi-Fi 6 technology. In 2023, the next innovation step took place. In a network expansion through a new building, the first dormitory was equipped with Wi-Fi 6E products. Huawei's latest Wi-Fi 6E access point, AirEngine 6761-22T, offers multi-band access as well as innovative link algorithms. Gigabit-level connection speeds and ultra-low latency are enabled. Multimedia intelligent scheduling, AI roaming and smart antennas make this possible. In this way, a fully gigabit-capable and wireless dormitory network can be built. The Huawei Wireless Access Controller (WAC) AC6805 used by Selfnet provides high capacity, performance, and reliability. This means that current and future WLAN technologies can also be reliably transferred to the established core network. Selfnet operates two WACs in active standby mode for this purpose. The DPSK solution offered by Huawei enables devices to be authenticated with a pre-shared key (PSK) via the Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) without complicated configuration. At the same time, Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) is used to ensure more secure configuration of access points.

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Advantages

Huawei's 24/7 Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides professional support from experts within two hours. Availability at any time is of great benefit to Selfnet. Volunteers do most of their work in the evening and have a competent communication channel for questions and problems at that time as well. With the Wi-Fi solution, Selfnet optimizes its network to provide better services to its members. In the process, the knowledge transfer of the volunteers is promoted and a new generation of ICT professionals is formed through practical network experience.

"We needed a wireless dormitory network that could provide reliable Wi-Fi coverage for dorm rooms and common areas - with the Wi-Fi products and support from Huawei engineers, we are able to build the network to this level."

Sönke Eskeldsen

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