In 2006, Yarra Plenty Regional Libraries chose to deploy a large scale wide area wireless network centrally controlled by a high end Bluesocket system. The requirements meant providing reliable, secure and controlled access to no less than 9 sites in a large borough through out North East Melbourne. One aspect that made this project so easy was the underlying network of bridging that YPRL had just installed, giving 80-100mbit between sites, allowing for LAN speed access between access points and the controller.

Installation was a detailed process, with so many sites of large and varying architecture. With building materials a key aspect to the success of reliable wireless signal in large buildings, the use of our AirMagnet Survey solutions was critical to the project. A number of times we were able to see where difficulties would exist, and what was in turn required with placement and number of access points with data cabling required. The standout sites include Eltham and Ivanhoe library.

In the case of Eltham Library, the architecture was such that we had a wide area library with low ceilings, and lots of metal bookshelves, our worst enemy. The subsequent 3 access point installation, and precise positioning allowed for a thorough 802.11 signal to be received throughout the library.

At Ivanhoe library, we encountered a very unique case where by which the 3rd floor access point was suffering from drop outs. From our initial installation surveys, we monitored an anomoly on the survey graphs that showed a brown corridor through the 3rd floor. Prior to access point installation, we believed this could be critical, and in turn performed a survey after powering off the radio equipment that bridged the library networks on the roof. Our suspcions of phasic interference from the 15Ghz sptecrum used by the bridging radios was shown in that the brown corridor matched the direction of the dish on the roof, and disappeared with full green access with the radios were off. After 2 months of mysterious drop outs, the reports were referenced in order to have the radio bridges re programmed on their frequency, to remove the problem once and for all.

This combination of AirMagnet Survey and the experience of the INE WiFi team showed that even out of band interference can be diagnosed with lateral thinking.

To this day, Yarra Plenty Regional Library members enjoy free public WiFi access with their membership, giving the community access to a resource that can be expensive, or simply available in a convenient public place.