Hello there,
I'm after some advice about how best to configure a network for a small hotel-type business. We're in the process of doing a bunch of building work and I want to take the opportunity to upgrade and future proof the network. I have a reasonable understanding of the basics of networking but its far from my day job so I want to make sure what I have in mind is sensible before we start pulling cable and buying equipment.
The setup:
Approximately ten rooms over two floors on the business (guest) side of the network. These are set up either as single rooms or as small apartments.
The private (owner) side of the network is another ten rooms or so over two floors.
Internet access is currently via a single ADSL broadband connection which is pretty decent speed wise, in that we don't have any issues streaming HD, etc. We do have periodic latency issues which affects things like VOIP in particular which I think is due to our current network architecture (which we inherited - it's basically a large home network with a complete hodge-podge of equipments, all sorts of problems here!)
What I want to achieve:
Segregation of the guest and owner sides of the network for fairly obvious security reasons.
At least an option for segregation between the apartments (they're holiday lets at the moment but they may become commercial lets in the future and the same security considerations would potentially kick in)
The application of QoS or similar technology across the network to ensure that latency sensitive traffic is prioritized when the network is busy. We are expecting FTTP in our area within 12months and I expect this to address any bandwidth issues, I just want to make sure the network is able to take advantage of it.
What I have in mind:
A high-quality dedicated router on the edge of the network to connect to the modem and bring everything else together.
Five sub-networks:
I'm after advice on how best to achieve this, and would appreciate any suggestions on hardware.
I understand I have at least two options.
- Option One (which I would be more familiar with) would be to setup each sub-network with it's own router, connected into the edge-router. Seems like overkill but would guarantee isolation. I would select APs with the facility to create a second guest network with it's own SSID, this would allow me to use the same hardware to achieve coverage across the hotel whilst maintaining segregation between the networks.
- Option Two (which seems like it may be more efficient) would be to use one network (a single switch or set of switches connected to the edge-router) with the segregation implemented using VLANs. Not something I have done before but I'm confident I would be able to work my way through it.
Many thanks for your time!
Kind Regards,
George
I'm after some advice about how best to configure a network for a small hotel-type business. We're in the process of doing a bunch of building work and I want to take the opportunity to upgrade and future proof the network. I have a reasonable understanding of the basics of networking but its far from my day job so I want to make sure what I have in mind is sensible before we start pulling cable and buying equipment.
The setup:
Approximately ten rooms over two floors on the business (guest) side of the network. These are set up either as single rooms or as small apartments.
The private (owner) side of the network is another ten rooms or so over two floors.
Internet access is currently via a single ADSL broadband connection which is pretty decent speed wise, in that we don't have any issues streaming HD, etc. We do have periodic latency issues which affects things like VOIP in particular which I think is due to our current network architecture (which we inherited - it's basically a large home network with a complete hodge-podge of equipments, all sorts of problems here!)
What I want to achieve:
Segregation of the guest and owner sides of the network for fairly obvious security reasons.
At least an option for segregation between the apartments (they're holiday lets at the moment but they may become commercial lets in the future and the same security considerations would potentially kick in)
The application of QoS or similar technology across the network to ensure that latency sensitive traffic is prioritized when the network is busy. We are expecting FTTP in our area within 12months and I expect this to address any bandwidth issues, I just want to make sure the network is able to take advantage of it.
What I have in mind:
A high-quality dedicated router on the edge of the network to connect to the modem and bring everything else together.
Five sub-networks:
- Owners
- Apartment 1 (if required)
- Apartment 2 (if required)
- Apartment 3 (if required)
- Guests Other (for single rooms, etc.)
I'm after advice on how best to achieve this, and would appreciate any suggestions on hardware.
I understand I have at least two options.
- Option One (which I would be more familiar with) would be to setup each sub-network with it's own router, connected into the edge-router. Seems like overkill but would guarantee isolation. I would select APs with the facility to create a second guest network with it's own SSID, this would allow me to use the same hardware to achieve coverage across the hotel whilst maintaining segregation between the networks.
- Option Two (which seems like it may be more efficient) would be to use one network (a single switch or set of switches connected to the edge-router) with the segregation implemented using VLANs. Not something I have done before but I'm confident I would be able to work my way through it.
Many thanks for your time!
Kind Regards,
George