Cisco Meraki Simplifies Wireless Network Management
In 2020, the Columbus Metropolitan Library undertook a major Wi-Fi upgrade, rolling out more than 200 Cisco Meraki MR42 wireless access points. The library system continues to add wireless capacity as part of its expansion and new building projects, deploying MR46 APs that are compatible with the Wi-Fi 6 wireless standard.
The centralized control and visibility offered by Meraki’s dashboard allows library officials to ensure equitable access to customers, Bumbico says.
“We can prevent a person from overwhelming our bandwidth with built-in rate-limiting capabilities,” he says. “If we didn’t have rate-limiting within Meraki, we would very quickly get to the point where our customers were impacted, and that wouldn’t be a great experience.”
LEARN MORE: Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E — what’s the difference?
Another benefit of the Meraki infrastructure, Bumbico says, is that it is managed in the cloud, helping to reduce the burden on the library’s IT team. The previous Wi-Fi infrastructure required on-premises data center equipment. “If that went down, obviously, we had to react,” Bumbico says. “We don’t have to manage that anymore. Also, Meraki makes it easier to perform software updates for security patches and feature enhancements. We have a small team, and Meraki helps us manage everything with the centralized features that they provide.”
More Demand for Broadband Necessitates More Wireless Throughput
Often, smaller libraries need to be opportunistic when it comes to funding wireless connectivity upgrades. Until recently, Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, Vt., relied on infrastructure installed in 2013 as part of a statewide public-private partnership. This year, a new state grant made it possible for the library to install a new router and switches from Ubiquiti.
“We have a lot more flexibility than we had with the old equipment,” says Matthew Wojcik, the library’s electronic services specialist. “With the old network, we couldn’t actually control any of our equipment ourselves. We had to ask the state government to make any changes we needed.”
With a 2-gigabit-per-second symmetrical connection, the new setup is a substantial upgrade over the previous 100 megabits per second.
“The need for access to the internet has changed drastically,” says Library Director Starr LaTronica. “It’s nearly impossible to apply for a job or apply for benefits if you don’t do it online. You can’t make a telehealth appointment. Even though we have an Amtrak train station, you can’t buy a ticket at the station. You have to buy it online.”