As a general strategy, when architects come up with ridiculous requirements like “making them invisible” I put the problem back on them. Functional aesthetics is their expertise, so I ask them to do their job. I give them requirements and tell them to figure out the invisibility thing. I provide cut sheets for the AP, as well as power, heat, cabling, and serviceability requirements. I also explain that I’m fine with putting APs in things, but it’s got to be something that doesn’t interfere with coverage. I make it clear that I want our their spaces to look good, but functionality and expense of the Wi-Fi are my the leading drivers. I always offer to work with them to come up with a solution, especially since they may have a good idea that doesn’t work with the equipment I had in mind, but could work if I used different components.
This almost always makes the “invisibility” requirement disappear. In a couple cases, it’s made the wireless coverage requirement disappear. They decided that APs were just too ugly, and Wi-Fi wasn’t necessary in that area. Once it’s their problem, the focus shifts to finding the least obtrusive installation. In most cases a couple ideas get discussed and they start to trust that I’m really trying to do the right thing. They usually end up accepting my original proposal, sometimes with a minor modification or two. To be completely honest, I enjoy the process. As is probably the case with most of us, I spend most of my time doing the same of stuff over and over again. While this process can be time-consuming, it’s a chance to flex some creative muscles. As long as every project doesn’t demand this kind of attention I can find the cycles. Answering your specific question, I mostly place APs/antennas/enclosures in a location where nobody will notice them (not where nobody will see them), or where there’s already some other eyesore. One creative solution that we designed but never implemented was to put the AP inside a decorative post-top area light. The campus’ existing lighting fixtures were large enough to house an AP, and they were glass globes sandwiched between an aluminum top and base, (Something like http://www.gelighting.com/LightingWeb/na/solutions/outdoor-lighting/post-mount-luminaire.jsp, but without the bent metal decoration) so we planned to add a few extra fixtures to act as AP enclosures. We even planned to a couple small LED bulbs inside so it wouldn’t look like the light was burned out after dark. Unfortunately, the project for which we planned this was over-budget and never built. I was actually looking forward to it. Chuck Enfield Manager, Wireless Systems & Engineering Telecommunications & Networking Services The Pennsylvania State University 110H, USB2, UP, PA 16802 ph: 814.863.8715 fx: 814.865.3988 From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jeffrey D. Sessler Sent: Friday, April 22, 2016 11:05 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] Camouflage Outdoor AP enclosures? Looking for ideas for camouflaging outdoor WAPs. We have a few in NEMA enclosures where they are co-located near above-ground irrigation, but I need to place two adjacent to a bocce court/field, and the architects want them “invisible.” There are adjacent planters but they are on-grade with no above-ground irrigation controls. They want me to find something similar to a speaker enclosed in a fake rock. Thoughts? -- Jeffrey D Sessler Director of Information Technology Scripps College 909-607-1225 ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
