TechConnect.Africa

How to Build a Resilient Wireless Internet Network: The techCONNECT Story

Key Takeaways

  • Redundancy is crucial for network reliability and avoiding downtimes.
  • Increasing the number of fiber providers spreads the risk of service interruptions.
  • A spider web network structure enhances speed and failover capabilities.
  • Small improvements make a significant difference over time.
  • Long-term planning for future network growth ensures scalability and efficiency.

Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) like techCONNECT play an essential role in providing internet access, especially in remote or underserved areas. This article details a major network upgrade by techCONNECT in the Nkomazi region and shares valuable insights into making networks more resilient, scalable, and reliable. Let’s dive into the key lessons and strategies from their upgrade process.

1. The Problem: Downtime from a Single Point of Failure

TechCONNECT faced a significant problem: their network relied on a single fiber provider. When this provider made an upgrade, they unplugged techCONNECT’s connection and forgot to reconnect it, causing an extended service outage. This type of single point of failure shows why redundancy is critical for any network.

“They unplugged us, they forgot to plug us back in after the upgrade.”

Key Takeaway:

Redundancy is essential in any network. Relying on just one provider can lead to major service interruptions.

2. The Solution: Adding Multiple Fiber Providers

To prevent future outages, techCONNECT added a second fiber provider and aims to add two more. By having multiple providers, the network can continue running smoothly even if one provider has issues.

“Tonga’s down, KTI is up.”
This demonstrates how having multiple providers reduces the risk of downtime.

Benefits of Multiple Fiber Providers:

  • Reduces the chance of total network failure.
  • Keeps services running if one provider fails.

3. The Spider Web Network Structure

A major part of techCONNECT’s upgrade involved creating a spider web structure for the network. This means connecting different parts of the network in a way that allows traffic to find the shortest path to the internet, improving speed and reliability. Closing the loops in the network ensures it remains operational, even if parts of it experience issues.

Key Features of a Spider Web Network:

  • Shorter paths to the internet.
  • More efficient traffic routing.
  • Improved failover capabilities.

4. Moving from Layer 2 to Layer 3 Network

During the upgrade, techCONNECT shifted from a basic Layer 2 network to a more advanced Layer 3 network. This change allowed for better traffic control, scalability, and improved security. Though complex and time-consuming, it was essential for creating a more robust network.

“Plan your enclosures for the network you want, not the network you have.”

Why Layer 3 is Important:

  • Provides better control over data traffic.
  • Ensures scalability as the network grows.
  • Offers enhanced security and isolation between network segments.

5. Failover Capabilities: Reaching 100% Coverage

Currently, techCONNECT’s network has 70% failover coverage, meaning that if one section fails, another section can take over. Their goal is to achieve 100% failover so that no single outage can affect the entire network. Failover is critical for maintaining a reliable internet service, especially for businesses and essential services.

TechCONNECT is working towards 100% failover coverage, a key milestone for reliability.

How Failover Works:

  • Automatically shifts network traffic to a backup path when the main path fails.
  • Ensures continuous service, even in the event of hardware or provider issues.

6. Scaling the Network for Future Growth

TechCONNECT’s upgrade wasn’t just about fixing current problems. It was also about planning for the future. As they expand, the new Layer 3 architecture will allow them to easily add more fiber providers and connect more customers without significant disruptions.

Planning for Future Growth:

  • Design your network with expansion in mind.
  • Prepare for future demand rather than just current needs.

7. Small Improvements, Big Impact

One of techCONNECT’s strategies was to focus on making 1% improvements regularly. These small changes, while incremental, lead to noticeable enhancements in performance and reliability over time.

Why Small Improvements Matter:

  • Minor optimizations compound to create a stronger network.
  • Continuous improvement ensures steady progress.

8. Intelligent Routing: Speed and Efficiency

TechCONNECT implemented an intelligent routing system to optimize how data flows through the network. This ensures faster, more efficient traffic management, reducing latency and improving user experience.

Benefits of Intelligent Routing:

  • Faster speeds for customers.
  • Efficient traffic management, especially during peak usage times.
  • Reduced congestion and bottlenecks.

9. Client Communication During the Upgrade

Upgrading a network of this scale inevitably caused temporary disruptions for techCONNECT’s clients. However, the company made an effort to communicate these disruptions clearly to their customers and provided support to minimize the impact.

TechCONNECT’s transparency helped maintain trust during the upgrade process.

How to Handle Client Dissatisfaction:

  • Transparent communication is key during upgrades.
  • Minimize disruption and provide support throughout the process.

10. Financial Investment and Long-Term Benefits

TechCONNECT’s network upgrade required a significant financial investment. The company had to borrow money to finance the project, but they are confident the improved network will lead to better economies of scale and cheaper internet for their customers in the long run.

Financial Impact of Upgrades:

  • Upfront investment leads to long-term savings.
  • Better economies of scale make internet more affordable for customers.

11. Teamwork and Expertise

The successful upgrade wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated team at techCONNECT. From long hours to dealing with the complexities of the upgrade, the team showed remarkable commitment. They also brought in external consultants to provide expert guidance.

“This team, this family that we’ve got here is seriously insane, thank you guys.”

Importance of Teamwork in Network Upgrades:

  • Collaboration is key for large projects.
  • Bringing in external experts can make a difference when facing complex challenges.

12. Embracing Change and Ongoing Adaptation

The WISP industry is constantly evolving, and techCONNECT recognizes that ongoing learning and adaptation are necessary to stay ahead. This upgrade is part of a larger strategy to remain competitive and provide reliable, high-speed internet to their customers.

“Embrace change, the WISP industry is constantly evolving.”

Why Adaptation is Crucial:

  • Technology evolves, and so should your network.
  • Regular upgrades ensure sustained growth and competitive edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a spider web network structure?

A spider web network structure connects different sections of the network in a loop, allowing data to find the shortest path to the internet. This structure improves speed, efficiency, and failover capabilities.

Why is failover important for WISPs?

Failover ensures that if one part of the network goes down, another section can take over, preventing downtime and keeping the service running smoothly for customers.

How does adding multiple fiber providers benefit techCONNECT?

By adding multiple fiber providers, techCONNECT reduces the risk of total network failure if one provider experiences issues. This ensures that the network remains operational even during outages.

What is the financial impact of a network upgrade?

Network upgrades require significant financial investment upfront, but they lead to long-term savings and improved economies of scale. This allows techCONNECT to provide more affordable internet to its customers.

How does intelligent routing improve network performance?

Intelligent routing optimizes the flow of data, ensuring faster speeds, better traffic management, and reduced congestion, improving overall network performance for customers.

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Andrea Belloti
Andrea Belloti

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