Ever wondered how the biggest campuses keep every office, classroom, and lab humming in sync? The Campus Area Network (CAN) is the secret behind the connectivity that powers top enterprises.

With high-speed data transfers, centralized management, and robust security, CANs are the backbone of modern, efficient organizations.

This article explains:

• What a Campus Area Network (CAN) is
• The key features of a CAN
• How a campus network can benefit your enterprise
• Different use cases
• An example of how implementing a CAN helps
• Next steps with Meter

Ready to see how a CAN elevates your enterprise? Let’s explore its key features and benefits.

What is a Campus Area Network (CAN)?

A Campus Area Network (CAN) is a network that connects multiple buildings within a limited geographical area, such as a university campus, corporate headquarters, or hospital complex. It’s designed to support the high-speed data transfer needs of institutions and businesses, facilitating efficient communication and resource sharing.

Key features of a campus area network

Each feature of a CAN addresses specific needs and challenges, making them an essential tool for modern enterprises.

Limited geographical area

A campus network typically covers a limited area, such as a few buildings within a campus or a corporate complex. This tight geographical focus will make it easier to manage and maintain the network. For businesses, this means reduced complexity in network infrastructure and maintenance.

Tip: Audit your current and future physical site requirements to ensure your CAN design covers all necessary areas without overlap. Utilize site surveys to map signal strength and coverage gaps, tailoring network deployment to precise geographical needs.

High-speed connectivity

Without high-speed connectivity, productivity grinds to a halt, frustrating employees and hampering operations. CANs provide the high-speed data transfer rates necessary to support the intensive data needs of businesses and educational institutions. This ensures that large files can be transferred quickly, video conferences run smoothly, and applications operate without lag.

Tip: To leverage high-speed connectivity, assess your current data throughput needs and ensure your CAN design supports scaling up as your data demands grow. Focus on network design and hardware upgrades, such as implementing fiber optics and high-performance routers and switches, to maintain optimal speeds.

Centralized management

Businesses may experience inefficient network oversight and increased operational costs without centralized management. A CAN allows for centralized management of network resources, much like a central command center.

This setup simplifies the administration and maintenance of the network, making it easier for IT teams to monitor network health, deploy updates, and troubleshoot issues. With centralized management, the network can be maintained more efficiently, reducing downtime and improving reliability.

Tip: Centralize your network management with software like The Meter Dashboard that allows you to monitor and control all network components from a single interface. Regularly update your management protocols to integrate new devices and software updates.

Enhanced security

Security is a top priority for any network, and CANs are no exception. Data breaches and cyberattacks can lead to financial loss, legal consequences, and reputational damage, making enhanced security a non-negotiable aspect of network management.

Campus networks integrate security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure secure communication within the network. Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption protocols are included to safeguard against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Tip: Conduct regular security audits and update your security protocols in response to emerging threats. Implement multi-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption to enhance security measures within your CAN.

Scalability

Businesses stuck with non-scalable networks face high costs and operational headaches as they struggle to keep up with expansion and changing needs. A campus network is designed to be scalable, allowing for easy expansion as the needs of the organization grow.

Tip: Design your network infrastructure with modular components that can be easily upgraded or expanded. Establish a scalable IP addressing scheme and invest in scalable network hardware that supports easy integration of new nodes and services.

Benefits of a CAN

Establishing a campus area network brings numerous advantages that directly address common pain points in organizational operations. Some of the key benefits include:

Resource sharing

Without efficient resource sharing, organizations waste money and face logistical challenges in managing multiple standalone systems.

CANs enable efficient sharing of resources, such as Internet connections, printers, and file servers, across different departments. With a CAN, resources can be shared easily, reducing redundancy and lowering costs.

Tip: Maximize resource sharing by setting up shared network drives and cloud storage solutions that all departments can access, reducing redundancy and storage costs.

Improved collaboration

Poor connectivity can lead to siloed departments, miscommunication, and slow project progress, ultimately impacting the organization’s bottom line.

CANs foster collaboration and communication within the organization by connecting different departments and buildings. Such connectivity allows for better teamwork, faster decision-making, and more cohesive project management.

Tip: Implement collaboration tools that operate over your CAN to enhance communication between departments. Use network performance data to continuously improve bandwidth allocation, ensuring smooth video conferences and collaboration sessions.

Cost savings

Installing a CAN is often more economical than setting up multiple independent LANs. It reduces the need for redundant equipment and infrastructure, leading to significant savings. Organizations without a CAN might face higher operational expenses and inefficiencies, cutting into profit margins and resource allocation.

Tip: Analyze your current and projected network expenditures to identify cost-saving opportunities through consolidation. Opt for integrated network solutions that reduce the need for separate hardware and maintenance contracts.

Centralized IT support

With centralized management, IT support is streamlined. Managing one cohesive network is simpler than overseeing multiple fragmented networks. 

Not having centralized IT support makes troubleshooting more complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors, leading to longer downtimes and increased operational costs.

Tip: Centralize IT support services to streamline troubleshooting and maintenance processes. Develop a comprehensive network operations center that can provide support across the CAN, improving response times and efficiency.

Use cases

Campus networks offer versatile solutions for various environments, each benefiting from the network’s ability to connect multiple buildings and departments.

We’ve provided six different use cases for a campus network, demonstrating how diverse organizations can leverage this technology to enhance operations, communication, and resource sharing in these examples:

1. Educational institutions

Educational institutions struggle with fragmented networks, hampering academic collaboration and asset utilization, when they lack a CAN. Universities and colleges use CANs to link academic buildings, libraries, dormitories, and administrative offices.

The network provides students and staff with easy access to educational resources and services, enabling effective learning and administrative processes.

2. Corporate campuses

Large corporations use CANs to connect different office buildings, research facilities, and production plants. This connection facilitates communication and resource sharing, enhancing productivity and collaboration across the organization.

3. Military bases

Military installations use CANs to easily integrate various departments, command centers, and residential areas. Such integration enhances secure communication channels, improves operational efficiency, and ensures reliable data sharing crucial for mission-critical activities.

A lack of a CAN in military bases may lead to challenges in maintaining secure communication channels and operational efficiency, potentially jeopardizing safety and strategic initiatives.

4. Hospitals

CANs on medical campuses can interconnect different hospital buildings, clinics, and administrative offices. Such a network enables the sharing of medical records, diagnostic data, and communication between healthcare professionals, improving patient care and operational efficiency.

5. Hotels

CANs in large hotels create connections to guest rooms, conference centers, administrative offices, and other facilities. The purpose is consistent Internet access and internal communication for staff and guests, enhancing the guest experience and operational efficiency.

6. Public spaces

Public spaces like airports, stadiums, and malls use CANs to provide high-speed Internet access, manage security systems, and facilitate communication among staff and services.

Without a campus network, these public spaces face challenges in managing crowds, security, and providing reliable services, leading to customer dissatisfaction and operational inefficiencies.

Example: Application of a CAN in a university

Let’s say a university wants to connect its academic buildings, libraries, student residences, and administrative offices into a cohesive network. This network would have to support high-speed Internet access, VoIP communication, and access to centralized databases and learning management systems.

Here’s how it might work:

• High-speed Internet access: Students and staff can access high-speed Internet from anywhere on campus, whether they’re in a lecture hall, dorm room, or cafeteria. Incorporate both wired and wireless connections to ensure comprehensive coverage and reliability. Without this, slow Internet speeds would frustrate users and hinder educational activities.
• VoIP communication: Faculty and administrative staff can use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones for crystal-clear communication without the need for traditional phone lines. VoIP can be integrated with existing digital communication platforms for enhanced functionality. The absence of VoIP could lead to skyrocketing communication costs, and the quality of calls might decline.
• Centralized databases: Students can access library resources, course materials, and academic databases from any connected device, enhancing their learning experience. A centralized database will also help protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. Centralized access is essential to ensure students and staff don’t waste time and effort accessing disparate resources.
• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Professors can manage course content, assignments, and grades through a centralized learning management system, streamlining educational processes. LMS integration includes real-time updates and access to educational resources. Without a unified system, course management becomes chaotic and inefficient.

This integrated network enhances the learning experience for students and streamlines administrative processes, creating a more connected and efficient university.

Next steps: How Meter can help with CAN implementation

Meter specializes in enterprise wireless network solutions and supports network engineers and IT teams by handling the rollout of a campus network for your organization. 

Here’s how:

• Advanced spectrum management: Meter ensures optimal use of wireless spectrum, reducing interference and improving network performance speeds.
• Enhanced security protocols: Meter employs security protocols to protect your network from threats and ensure secure communication.
• Optimized coverage solutions: Meter designs network layouts that provide seamless coverage across your entire campus, eliminating dead zones.
• Capacity management: Meter manages network capacity to ensure that all users have the bandwidth they need, even during peak usage times.
• Customized Network Design: Meter collaborates with your organization to create tailored network designs that meet specific needs and requirements.
• Excellent support for network reliability: Meter provides top-notch support, resolving 99.9% of issues within a 24-hour period, guaranteeing minimal downtime and quick resolution of problems.

Schedule a personalized demo to gain a comprehensive understanding of how Meter's solutions can facilitate your campus network setup.