Reliable networking isn’t just about getting a strong Wi-Fi signal. It’s about coverage, performance, security and making sure everything works together properly.
I design, troubleshoot and install Wi-Fi, wired network and network security solutions for homes and businesses throughout Crewe, Nantwich, Cheshire and the surrounding areas.
From fixing a Wi-Fi dead spot at home through to business wireless networks, VLANs, firewalls, VPNs and larger multi-access-point environments, I can help identify what’s causing the problem and recommend a solution based on what you actually need.
Good networking isn’t about throwing more hardware at a problem. It’s about understanding the environment and designing the right solution.
🏠 Wi-Fi for Your Home
Modern homes place considerably greater demands on Wi-Fi than they once did.
Phones, tablets, laptops, televisions, games consoles, smart speakers, cameras, doorbells and other connected devices can all be competing for the same wireless network.
If your Wi-Fi is unreliable, slow or simply doesn’t reach parts of your home, I can investigate why and recommend the most appropriate solution.
📡 Poor Coverage
Identify rooms and areas where wireless coverage is weak or unreliable and determine what may be causing the problem.
🏠 Whole-Home Wi-Fi
Design and installation of properly planned whole-home wireless solutions to provide more consistent coverage throughout the property.
🌳 Outbuildings & Gardens
Solutions for extending network connectivity to home offices, workshops, garages and other areas where the existing network doesn’t reach.
🏢 Business Wi-Fi & Networking
A business network has very different requirements from a typical home broadband router.
Coverage is only part of the equation. Capacity, security, roaming, interference, switching, network segmentation and the number and type of devices using the network all need to be considered.
My experience includes designing, installing, supporting and troubleshooting networks using technologies from vendors including Ubiquiti UniFi, Cisco, Cisco Meraki, Datto Networking and HP/HPE.
📶 Wireless Networks
Wireless networks designed around the building, users, devices and coverage requirements rather than simply adding access points until the signal looks better.
🔌 Wired Networks
Switching, network connectivity, VLANs and the wired infrastructure that sits behind a reliable business network.
🔐 Secure Networks
Separate business, guest, server and other network traffic where appropriate, helping improve security and network management.
📊 Wi-Fi Surveys & Coverage Analysis
If an existing wireless network isn’t performing properly, replacing everything isn’t necessarily the answer.
I have carried out Wi-Fi surveys to identify dead spots, poor coverage and other wireless issues, helping determine what changes are required to improve the network.
A survey and investigation can help answer questions such as:
- ✓ Where are the Wi-Fi dead spots?
- ✓ Is the existing access point in the wrong location?
- ✓ Are there enough access points?
- ✓ Are there too many access points?
- ✓ Is interference affecting performance?
- ✓ Are devices connecting to the most appropriate access point?
- ✓ Are building materials affecting coverage?
- ✓ Is the problem actually Wi-Fi, or somewhere else on the network?
A Wi-Fi survey takes the guesswork out of solving wireless problems.
🗺️ From Dead Spots to Proper Coverage
Wireless problems aren’t always solved by increasing transmit power, buying a range extender or installing another access point.
Building construction, neighbouring wireless networks, interference, channel utilisation, access point placement and the devices themselves can all affect performance.
By understanding the environment first, changes can be based on the actual problem rather than guesswork.
📱 Seamless Wi-Fi Throughout Your Property
A properly designed wireless network can use multiple access points to provide coverage throughout a property while allowing compatible devices to move between coverage areas.
This is particularly useful in larger homes, offices and commercial environments where a single wireless router simply can’t provide adequate coverage.
It’s also important for applications such as voice and video, where unreliable wireless connectivity can quickly become noticeable.
🛜 UniFi Network Solutions
For many home, home-office and small-business environments, Ubiquiti UniFi can provide a flexible centrally managed platform for wired and wireless networking.
I also run a UniFi network myself, so my experience with the platform includes day-to-day use as well as installation, configuration and troubleshooting.
Depending on the requirements, a UniFi solution might include:
- ✓ Wireless access points
- ✓ Managed network switches
- ✓ VLAN configuration
- ✓ Guest Wi-Fi
- ✓ Network segmentation
- ✓ Central management
- ✓ Performance monitoring
- ✓ Coverage optimisation
UniFi isn’t automatically the right answer to every networking problem. The appropriate solution depends on the environment, requirements, scale and budget.
🔐 Network Security, Firewalls & VPNs
A reliable network also needs to be a secure network.
My networking experience extends beyond Wi-Fi and switching into firewalls, network security, segmentation and secure remote connectivity.
I have completed vendor training and certification with Datto Networking and Sophos UTM, and currently hold the Sophos ET80 certification.
🛡️ Firewall Configuration
Configuration and troubleshooting of business firewalls, including firewall rules, NAT, services, internet connectivity and controlled access between networks.
🔗 Site-to-Site VPNs
Securely connect offices, remote sites and cloud environments using site-to-site VPN technologies so systems in different locations can communicate securely.
💻 Remote Access VPN
Secure remote access solutions for authorised users who need to connect to business resources while working away from the office.
🧱 Network Segmentation
Use VLANs and firewall policies to separate different types of devices and traffic rather than placing everything onto one unrestricted network.
👥 Guest Networks
Provide visitors with internet access while keeping guest devices appropriately separated from internal systems and business resources.
🌐 Secure Network Design
Consider security as part of the network design from the beginning, including trusted devices, servers, guest access, wireless networks and internet connectivity.
A business network shouldn’t be one large trusted network where every device can communicate with everything else.
☁️ Connecting Offices & Cloud Services
VPN technology isn’t limited to connecting one office to another.
It can also provide secure connectivity between an on-premises network and infrastructure hosted in the cloud.
Where appropriate, I can help design, configure and troubleshoot secure connectivity between business locations and cloud services, including site-to-site VPN connectivity to Microsoft Azure.
This can be particularly useful where servers or applications have moved to the cloud but still need secure connectivity with users, devices or systems at a business premises.
🏟️ Experience from Homes to Large Venues
My networking experience ranges from improving wireless coverage in individual homes through to business networks and large multi-access-point environments, including a football stadium.
I’ve worked with networking and wireless technologies from vendors including Ubiquiti UniFi, Cisco, Cisco Meraki, Datto and HP/HPE, as well as carrying out wireless surveys to identify coverage problems and determine where improvements are required.
My wider networking experience also includes firewalls, VLANs, switching, VPN connectivity, troubleshooting and secure network design.
Whether it’s one house, a business network or a much larger environment, the principle is the same: understand the requirement, assess the environment and design accordingly.
🔍 Already Have a Network but It Doesn’t Work Properly?
You don’t necessarily need to rip everything out and start again.
I can investigate existing networks where you’re experiencing problems such as:
- ✓ Wi-Fi dropping out
- ✓ Poor coverage
- ✓ Slow wireless performance
- ✓ Devices refusing to connect
- ✓ Roaming problems
- ✓ Guest Wi-Fi problems
- ✓ Intermittent network connectivity
- ✓ VPN connection problems
- ✓ VLAN or routing issues
- ✓ Poor performance despite a strong Wi-Fi signal
Sometimes the solution is new equipment. Sometimes it’s configuration, placement, interference, cabling or an issue somewhere else on the network.
The important part is finding out which before spending your money.
📋 A Sensible Approach to Networking
1️⃣ Understand
Understand the property, existing network, users, devices, security requirements, problem areas and what you’re trying to achieve.
2️⃣ Assess
Where appropriate, assess the wireless and network environment to identify coverage, interference, infrastructure or configuration problems.
3️⃣ Design
Recommend a solution based on the findings, security requirements and budget rather than simply throwing more hardware at the problem.
4️⃣ Implement
Install and configure the agreed network, wireless and security components.
5️⃣ Test
Test connectivity, coverage and the required network services after implementation and make adjustments where necessary.
🎓 Networking & Security Experience
My networking experience has been built through both hands-on implementation and formal vendor training.
Networking
- Ubiquiti UniFi
- Cisco
- Cisco Meraki
- Datto Networking
- HP/HPE networking
- Wireless surveys
Security & Connectivity
- Sophos UTM
- Firewall configuration
- Site-to-site VPNs
- Remote access VPNs
- VLANs & network segmentation
- Cloud connectivity
Training & Certification
- Datto Networking training & certification
- Sophos UTM training & certification
- Current Sophos ET80 certification
📍 Local Wi-Fi & Network Support
I provide Wi-Fi and networking services throughout Crewe, Nantwich, Cheshire and the surrounding areas.
For larger business networking projects, requirements and location can be discussed individually depending on the scope of the work.
📩 Let’s Sort Out Your Network
Whether you’ve got one room where the Wi-Fi disappears, an office with unreliable connectivity, a firewall that needs configuring or multiple locations that need connecting securely, get in touch.
You don’t need to know whether the problem is Wi-Fi, switching, routing, the firewall or your internet connection.
Tell me what’s happening and what you’re trying to achieve. We can start from there.
