I have this discussion with architects all the time. They say “you want to put THAT in MY building!?”. Uh, actually buddy .. it’s MY building .. and yes. Granted, we use Xirrus arrays, so they are kind of sizeable.
Snarkiness aside, we have worked extensively with Architects to make everyone happy. Indoors, if the arrays are mounted inline with other ceiling obstacles (lights, sprinklers, motion detectors, etc), they “disappear” from your vision. We used to use covers, but we’ve moved away from that. In our Res Halls, we’ve given the option of turning off any blinking lights, but no one has requested it (this is our first year with in-room radios .. I’m curious, when we perform a sweep of the rooms, how many have tape over the lights). As far as your question, I’ve also discussed this with Xirrus. I’m sure other vendors will do the same thing, but Xirrus has offered to test any enclosure (painted or otherwise) to verify signal. One word of warning, many paints contain metals to give them the gloss (the paint industry is a huge user of titanium). Just look for latex-based paints with no metallic content. Oh yeah, and don’t tell the architect it’s latex. They’ll whine about that too. If you’re looking for faux enclosures .. anyone else see a kickstarter opportunity here? Yeah, me either. -Brian From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Enfield Sent: Friday, April 22, 2016 12:23 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Camouflage Outdoor AP enclosures? That’s gonna look silly on the ceiling. ☺ From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Daniel Eklund Sent: Friday, April 22, 2016 12:18 PM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Camouflage Outdoor AP enclosures? Maybe something like this: http://www.lowes.com/pd_598525-57508-112-RB_0__&productId=50165281&cm_mmc=SCE_PLA_ONLY-_-RoughPlumbingElectrical-_-SosPumpsTanks-_-50165281:Dekorra&CAWELAID=320011480002566881&kpid=50165281&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=17210234432&CATCI=pla-78785768312?k_clickID=71d685bc-6669-4e2a-88a1-b241df2a341d On Fri, Apr 22, 2016 at 11:30 AM, Dan Lauing <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: I can't help you, but you've stumbled on to a pet peeve of mine that I feel compelled to share. In buildings, we have cameras, air returns, lighting, clocks, TV's, fire alarms, sprinkler heads, sprinkler systems, air ducts, window units, ceiling grills, exit signs, water-stained tiles, conduits (old bldgs) running all over the place, etc., but when I need to place an access point somewhere it's suddenly an eye sore. And, the same could be said for the outside. I think as people get used to seeing wireless access points, hiding them will cease to be a thing. I'd actually rather people not hide them, so I'd know where to get the best signal. On Fri, Apr 22, 2016 at 10:04 AM, Jeffrey D. Sessler <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: 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<tel:909-607-1225> ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. -- [http://www.mc.edu/signature/logo.gif] dan b. lauing ii Wireless Network Administrator Mississippi College CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: This communication may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or if you are not authorized to receive this communication, please notify and return the message to the sender, and delete this communication including any attachments. Unauthorized reviewing, forwarding, copying, distributing or using this information is strictly prohibited. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. -- [http://www.umich.edu/assets/email-logo.png] Daniel Eklund Network Planning Manager ITS/CSDC 734-763-6389 ********** 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/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
