- Error
Parkstone Grammar Make the Meru Choice
This week, Solutions inc. successfully won a competitive Meru Wireless LAN contract to supply Parkstone Grammar School in Poole, Dorset. The school has impressive plans to support a raft of mobile and handheld learning equipment as it strives to support a 1:1 learning initiative. Initially covering the existing science wing and a three-storey new build (due for completion this summer), the new network will serve as a test bed for wider adoption across the entire campus in the years to come.
"The primary reason for awarding the contract came down to technical specialisation and detailed understanding of our school's needs. Solution's flexible approach to pricing and track record in successfully providing Meru WLAN systems to other institutions across the South, provided further confidence in their abilities."
Craig Judd, IT Manager.
On a personal level, I'm really looking forward to engaging with Craig and his team as we deploy the system over the summer term. Strategically, Parkstone is in an ideal location for us to support from our local Bournemouth store and we look forward to building on this initial success with other schools in the area.
System Components
• Meru MC4000 series controller
• AP320 Dual Radio Wi-Fi Access Points (802.11A/B/G/N)
• 802.3at PoE Midspans
• Comprehensive network planning, system installation, and long-term support
iPad and music production
The iPad and Music Production
Will Apple and 3rd party manufacturers deliver?
The iPhone and iPod touch has seen a plethora of apps designed and released specifically aimed at the musician, guitarist and sound engineer over the last few years: guitar tuners; drum machines; tab resources; 4-track recorders; DJ apps and DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) controller apps such as Novation's Automap and Far Out Labs' ProRemote, the latter on the pricey side just short of £60. But will Apple's new iPad, with its larger screen encourage manufacturers such as Ableton (Live), Propellerheads (Reason), or even Apple, to develop an iPad version of their music production software?
Hardware
The first thing to consider is whether the iPad has enough "boot" to run a power hungry music app. The new Apple A4 chip runs at a clock speed of 1GHz, but I wouldn't read too much into this as early feedback has suggested that the iPad is very quick by 1GHz standards. Ultimately the A4 chip will be the deciding factor in what music software developers can do with the iPad in terms of music software on the iPad or even upscaling existing apps, but I think they would really be missing the boat if they don't release an iPad "light" version of their counterparts.
The large multi-touch screen is the iPad's best attribute, especially when it comes to interacting with music applications. The possibilities are endless - synth modelling, samplers, amp modelling, drum machines, DAW controllers et cetera, but the most important development would be to have a sequencer. The hugely popular Fourtrack by Sonomo Wire Works works really well on an iPhone/ iPod touch but it is very limited, mainly by the screen size of the iPhone and also control of faders, pan pots, no. of tracks etc. so it would make sense for Sonomo Wireworks to either up-scale the app or create an 8, 16, 32-track version for the iPad.
I would also like to see a manufacturer like Novation create a Launchpad or Nocturn software version of their very popular hardware controllers, which could then be used to control your DAW over Wi-Fi - essentially a wireless Launchpad! This would appeal to a lot of DJs and electronic performers. With no need for cables this could really change the way we interact with our DAWs in a live performance setting and negating the need to buy multiple hardware devices: just switch between the different apps you want to use in a matter of seconds.
Connectivity
The iPad is very limited when it comes to ports and connectivity. In fact, there are no standard ports whatsoever, enabling Apple to have complete control over the hardware made for the device. Therefore, any musical devices made the for iPad have to either work wirelessly or connect via the iPad's proprietary dock connector, which is identical to that seen on current iPhones and iPods. It also has a headphone out, a built in speaker and a microphone. From a musician's point of view, a small compact portable keyboard or drum pad controller (Korg nanoKey/iPad keyboard dock hybrid?) would be an essential addition to the market - one that I think would have a massive appeal. Getting audio recorded into the iPad is limited to the internal microphone or with the addition of something like the Blue Mikey - an iPhone/ iPod microphone. But what would really turn this device into a musician's best friend and truly portable set-up would be an audio interface that would allow the user to plug in a condenser microphone- and of course the software to support it!
Software
The iPad runs the same OS as the iPhone, so everything that goes on the iPad has to go through the app store and iTunes - and be approved by Apple first: A potential barrier for apps to make it to the marketplace. As I've mentioned, the possibilities are really endless when it comes to music apps, but the one development I would like to see the most is a full blown sequencer - this would really enable musicians to make the most of the large multi-touch screen and convenience that the iPad has to offer. If a manufacturer like Ableton, for example, created a version of Live for the iPad platform, other companies would surely follow suit. Already smaller companies have started to create music software for the iPad: bleep!BOX by White noise Audio, which is a combination of a drum machine, synthesiser and sequencer and Midipad, a really exciting app that allows the user to control their DAW of choice. So things are starting to heat up already and Apple haven't even shipped one iPad.
It would be a great injustice and missed opportunity if the iPad's potential as a musician's tool was overlooked by Apple. Even if it doesn't produce its own Garageband or Logic 'light', let's hope that 3rd party developers are not discouraged from fulfilling its potential trying to pass through the often unnecessarily-rigorous app approval process. Early statistics don't look too encouraging, either. Adam Hartley of TechRadar quotes a recent report by Flurry Analytics:
"analysts claim that 44 per cent of apps being tested on iPads this month are games, followed by entertainment (14%), social networking (7%), sports (6%), travel (5%) and books (3%)" Source
Whether Pro Audio apps come under any of those categories at all is a question in itself. Proper nurturing of an iPad music app eco-system could make ipad an essential addition to any live performer/musician's arsenal of equipment, not to mention making it a very attractive prospect to education establishments. An opportunity far too great for Apple, or any third-party music hardware/software manufacturer to ignore.
For more on the iPad buzz, I also recommend the following blog posts by two of my colleagues on iPad in education:
iPad in UK Schools blog entry by John Parvin, co-founder of Solutions inc.
iPad vs. Netbook blog entry by Solutions inc. Education Sales Director Simon Birch
Meru Wireless Networks
Wireless networks for schools
We have a long history of delivering pervasive wi-fi to institutions of all sizes from Primary schools to large scale new build Academies. Our technical team have undergone the most extensive training available and we provide and end to end solution from pre-sales consultancy to site survery, systems architecture, supply, installation, deployment, training and post installation testing and reporting.
Although we work with a number of leading vendors, our preferred technology is manufactured by Meru Networks. With a unique architecture that enables the most pervasive deployments, Meru’s WLAN System is the right choice for schools looking to embrace the 1:1 learning initiative or simply hoping to practically support hundreds of wireless devices on the same network, bringing innovation, costs savings, and added productivity to their environments.
What makes Meru unique?
Overview: Air Traffic Control
Meru have developed a unique technology called air traffic control that enables all access points to work on the same channel. This completely eradicates the usual interference problems associated with planning a large wi-fi deployment and also resolves the issue of devices loosing connection whilst moving between classes or buildings. By managing the access time apportioned to each device fairly, Air traffic control also removes bottlenecks that normally occur when different speed or older devices join the network.
Download our latest Meru wi-fi price list for schools: HERE
Download Meru's latest iPad test: HERE
Why Choose Meru?
Meru meets the needs of Schools:
- • Support for quick boot and high-quality performance in dense user environments, such as computer labs and classrooms using mobile computer cart setups
- • Low-cost and simple deployment to enable rollout during school vacations, in a narrow window of time or in need-it-now environments (e.g., mobile classrooms)
- • WLAN that can be deployed and managed by limited IT staff
- • Standards-based technology that is designed to last as long as their technology refresh cycles
- • High-Density design
- • Future-Proof wireless infrastructure for investment protection
- • Simple deployment for limited IT resources
- • Comprehensive and flexible security framework
To learn more about why you should choose Meru, read the articles below that apply to your case.
Also watch our Podcasts listed in the right side-bar on this page.
I am new to wireless
-
Everyone has experienced the benefits of wireless in home networks or hotspots, but some enterprises are understandably reluctant to deploy it. With flaky performance and complex management requiring an understanding of the dark arts of RF, wireless can seem like a lot of pain for very little gain. Meru networks changes that, making wireless so good that wired edge networks aren't even needed anymore.
I am a microcell user
-
Most wireless networks still aren't good enough to rely on for primary connectivity. Performance isn't predictable, connections are dropped just when people need them most and support eats an ever-growing portion of the IT budget. This is because most networks are still built on the microcell architecture, an important step in wireless evolution but one whose limitations have become clear as wireless LANs scale. Meru is different, offering a next-generation approach to wireless LANs.
I need to deploy 802.11n
-
The move to 802.11n improves performance, but sometimes it introduces as many new as it solves. Coverage is harder to predict and plan for, making performance unpredictable and holes difficult to fill. Its appetite for radio spectrum is higher, leading to a greater risk of co-channel interference. And with many clients still using older 802.11a/b/g, the upgrade may go to waste. Meru has solved these problems and made 802.11n a mature technology.
I need to deploy Voice
-
VoIP is replacing circuit-switched telephony and wireless is replacing wires, but combining the two introduces new challenges. Voice is less tolerant of latency and jitter than other applications, with delay of even a few microseconds noticeable in conversation. Mobility introduces further complications, as voice users are much more likely than data users to be moving between different access points' coverage areas. As thousands of users in all industries can attest, Meru makes handoffs smooth and simple.
I need to run Video
-
Video is one of the most demanding applications, needing both the high capacity and reliability associated with data and the low latency and jitter associated with voice. Running video over 802.11n links is particularly challenging, as packet loss rates of just a few percent can make a picture go blank and a soundtrack unintelligible. But with Meru's industry-leading 802.11n, a converged network can easily handle voice, video and data simultaneously.
I need to replace Wires with Wireless
-
Many laptops and mobile devices only have wireless connectivity as a means to connecting to the network, and many users avoid plugging in whenever possible. But most enterprise networks still build and maintain wired networks to use as a backup, as most wireless LANs simply aren't reliable enough to bet the business on. For wireless to produce true cost savings, it has to replace wires entirely. Meru has envisaged this kind of all-wireless world edge network since day one, and developed the technology to make that happen.
I need to reduce Network and Operational Expense
-
Most wireless LAN management systems are reactive, responding to user complaints and fixing problems after they occur. This is unacceptable in healthcare, finance and other industries that need the assurance of network and application availability. What's needed is a way to detect potential issues before they negatively impact real users, without having to send support staff out into the field to run time-consuming tests.
I need to compare WLAN Virtualization and Legacy Solutions
-
All wireless vendors talk about mobility, security and 802.11n. But deep down, most are based around the same, basic, hub-like microcell architecture. Clients contend for access to the same radio then try to guess for themselves when they should connect or disconnect. Only Meru's is built on Wireless LAN Virtualization, a next-generation architecture that was created for a world where laptops outnumber desktops, mobile phones replace landlines and people rely on wireless as their main means of network access.
Find out more ...
If you would like to find out more about Meru Wifi and current promotions please provide us with your phone number or email and we will contact to you to discuss it further.
We Respect Your Privacy
The information provided on this form will be used exclusively by Solutions inc.
None of the information provided will be forwarded to a third party.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Power Over Ethernet (PoE)
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a very convenient method of powering wireless access points (and other network equipment) by capitalising on the flexibility and safety of Cat5e/Cat6 data cable.
PoE compliant devices are wired to enable them to be powered via their data port; avoiding the need for mains cabling or external power supplies which would otherwise complicate or clutter the installation. The current is very low and the voltage just 48v DC. Thus, the system is inherently safe and avoids the need for stringent health and safety compliance - making it particularly suitable for use in schools and other public buildings.
When planning a PoE requirement, its important to understand that modern dual radio 'N' access points will require more power than single radio 'G' devices. Care must be taken to ensure the PoE system can deliver the correct levels of power for the device. There are two standards;
• 802.3af - for devices requiring up to 12.4watts
• 802.3at - for devices requiring up to 25watts
There are three methods of providing PoE to access points and other compliant devices;
1) PoE Injector
An 'injector' is a small, cigarette box sized adaptor that enables powering of an access point from a local mains outlet. There are two inputs - 240vAC mains and RJ-45 data, and one combined RJ-45 power and data outlet.
Considerations : When powering gigabit (Gbit) access points, ensure the use a gigabit capable injector. Many injectors are only 100Mbit and thus would choke the network performance of the AP.
Best suited to : Rapid, temporary deployment or small installations.
2) PoE Midspan
Great for retro fit to existing infrastructure
3) PoE Switch
Where space is a premium. Most costly option
The All Wireless Campus: Wireless networks to empower mobile learning
The all wireless campus
Scaling Wi-Fi to empower mLearning
2hr presentation by Aidan Bowen (co-founder of Solutions inc.)
Teaching and learning is going mobile. How does this impact on our wireless networks?
An exciting and practical presentation on Wi-Fi technology.
A fun and jargon-free session for educators and ICT advisors.
When scheduled at our own training centres, these sessions take the form of a presentation with plenty of time for audience interaction throughout. Alternatively, if you would prefer us to make the presentation directly to the senior leadership team at your school, please contact our education team to make an appointment.