Building band width.

[jirp]

We have 2 wards meeting in our building. One a 9 to 12 schedule and the other in a 11 to 2 schedule. From about 10 to 2 it is difficult or impossible to log onto our wireless network with a new device and performance on those already logged is at best so-so for anything requiring network. We have 2 wireless routers located in different areas of the building. In some parts of the building both can be reached and in other parts only a single router can be reached. Facilities tells us we are actually ahead of the planned roll out curve for buildings and wireless. Are there other solutions that might help?

I suspect we are actually seeing 3 problems at the same time. Wireless bandwidth, hardline bandwidth out of the building and limitations of LDS.org servers. Is there a cheap easy way to separate the problems to know which is getting us when. I suspect most of the issue is wireless bandwidth but I don't know it. From other websites and the clerks computer I do know at times building bandwidth is a problem and from times when I am having trouble with MLS reaching the servers when there is virtually no one in the building I suspect there are times when the church main servers are the bottleneck. Please don't suggest stake technology specialist because we don't have one.

[russellhltn]

Please don't suggest stake technology specialist because we don't have one.

I think the first step is to push the stake president into calling one. Because he's given certain rights in applications to do/see things. He's the front man for making sure computers and networks work properly.

In the past few months, a change was made to the configuration of the firewalls to allow more IP addresses. That may be one of the problems you are expiring. But three guesses who would be responsible for doing that? FM can do it, but they may prefer the STS does it.

Yes, there are times that MLS won't communicate due to server problems. Usually on a Sunday. The real test is to see if your web browser works well. If not, then it's a local network problem.

As for the building bandwidth, sometimes it's just a sad fact that nothing better is available. The phone company might not have anything faster and there's no conduit for cable. That's something the FM group works with, but without knowing the details, it's hard knowing if there is anything more to be had at this point.

[CleggGP]

Your meetinghouse firewall connections max out each week, so you need the new MH firewall configuration upgrade--which will provide 990 connections (click HERE for instructions). Where you don't have a Stake Technology Specialist, after the building cabling is checked and an static IPs are identified--either the Facilities Manager or the GSC can perform the upgrade. (More information provided via PM.)

[lajackson]

If we have upgraded the software and now have hundreds of connections instead of the few we had before, and now the Internet stops working twice as fast when the members walk into Church on Sunday, that would point to a more quick usage of available bandwidth and subsequent slowness for all?

[rolandc]

If we have upgraded the software and now have hundreds of connections instead of the few we had before, and now the Internet stops working twice as fast when the members walk into Church on Sunday, that would point to a more quick usage of available bandwidth and subsequent slowness for all?

Correct!

Have the bishop to instruct people with there own mobile internet to get off the church system as it is really needed for church use.

or get faster internet, not always an option.

[drepouille]

I have the same concern. Increasing the DHCP pool from 223 to 990 will allow more concurrent network connections, but it will likely increase the demand for available bandwidth. We hit the 223 ceiling during our last stake conference. I am interested to see what happens during our next stake conference in a few weeks.

I asked our FM Office Assistant to increase the speed, especially at our stake center, which uses a Cox cable modem. She told me (without citing a source) that the FMs have guidelines that do not allow her to pay for more than a certain Internet speed. Our stake center currently is limited to Basic speed of 5 MBps, even though the cable modem could easily provide 50 MBps - 100 MBps without breaking a sweat. It's all about trying to use a very limited budget wisely.

[lajackson]

We hit the 223 ceiling during our last stake conference. I am interested to see what happens during our next stake conference in a few weeks.

We shut off WiFi because we broadcast/stream the stake conference.

She told me (without citing a source) that the FMs have guidelines that do not allow her to pay for more than a certain Internet speed.

Our FM Group said the same thing, although the speeds they are authorized to pay for would be more than adequate for our needs.

It's all about trying to use a very limited budget wisely.

Yes. The widow's mite and the tithing funds of the Church.

Have the bishop to instruct people with there own mobile internet to get off the church system as it is really needed for church use.

They feel entitled. There is a prevailing attitude that if WiFi is available, it should always work. Some of our members get upset when they cannot access the Internet through the Church WiFi even when the Internet service to the building is out. There is definitely a need for some training and adjustment of perception and expectation.

These are the same members who get upset when they can't stream videos during class and get mad when you remind them that they were supposed to download the video beforehand. I am glad I am not their bishop.

or get faster internet, not always an option.

The phone company struggles to keep regular telephone service working to the hall phone at one of our buildings because the infrastructure is old and the meetinghouse is six miles from the central office. And we are trying to run Internet service over those same noisy phone lines.

The members don't understand why we won't just "order the next faster Internet speed from the phone company." Well, in this case, the phone company can't provide it. Somehow, the members do not seem to be able to relate to that, except for the two families who live near the building and have the same problem at their own homes.

I'll be the first to admit that once you become accustomed to excellent Internet service at work or home, and then stumble onto low speed DSL, you do notice. And then I remember that I should be paying attention to the sacrament meeting speaker, and not downloading my lesson for Sunday School.

[rolandc]

The phone company struggles to keep regular telephone service working to the hall phone at one of our buildings because the infrastructure is old and the meetinghouse is six miles from the central office. And we are trying to run Internet service over those same noisy phone lines.

The members don't understand why we won't just "order the next faster Internet speed from the phone company." Well, in this case, the phone company can't provide it. Somehow, the members do not seem to be able to relate to that, except for the two families who live near the building and have the same problem at their own homes.

I'll be the first to admit that once you become accustomed to excellent Internet service at work or home, and then stumble onto low speed DSL, you do notice. And then I remember that I should be paying attention to the sacrament meeting speaker, and not downloading my lesson for Sunday School.

I had a building like that (wealthy ward) they were killing the internet every weekend. I ended up removing ALL the 1041 APs. Put in a private wifi for the leadership and it stayed that way for a year. then faster service became available.

Its called: to much wifi-not enough internet.

[lajackson]

I had a building like that (wealthy ward) they were killing the internet every weekend.

With the new TM capability, I think I might just have the bishops pass the word that if I hear any more complaints I will just turn it off.

[russellhltn]

I'd still like to set up something to monitor how the bandwith is being used. If it's for church stuff, fine. If it's video streams from ESPN ....