Project Scope
- Requirement gathering
- Vendor selection
- Design and planning of LAN and Wi-Fi infrastructure
- Installation and commissioning with minimal disruption to daily operations
Challenge
The existing Wi-Fi infrastructure was not fully covering the site. After initial discussions and a first site survey, a complete overhaul was planned. The project scope was later expanded to include a new structured cabling system and a standardized LAN infrastructure.
- Upgrade of the existing Wi-Fi network at the Werther site with a scalable new infrastructure for future expansion to other locations.
- Replacement of legacy components (802.11b/g/n – Wi-Fi 4) with Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) hardware.
- Ensuring seamless communication in production and logistics, supporting terminals for production data collection (BDE) and collaboration tools such as MS Teams.
Implementation
Requirements for the new LAN and Wi-Fi infrastructure were discussed extensively with the client. The client preferred a unified infrastructure across the site, with a cloud-based solution to enable comprehensive management and monitoring of all components. The solution also needed high automation and scalability for additional locations. The Extreme Networks Cloud IQ (XIQ) solution was selected, featuring Wi-Fi 6E access points and a LAN infrastructure based on Extreme Fabric.
Technology
Following detailed planning, 80 access points were deployed. The AP4000 with internal antennas (2×2:2) was installed in production, logistics, and office areas, while AP5050 outdoor access points (4×4:4) were used for external coverage. The LAN infrastructure included various Universal Switch models from the 5320 and 5520 series.
Installation of LAN and Wi-Fi components was performed in parallel with structured cabling work across different construction phases. Switch deployment followed a staged approach (core parallel operation, then connection to distribution points) with extensive testing. This ensured a smooth migration and minimal disruption to operations.
