VIT WiFi Issues and Solutions Report PDF

Technical Report on WiFi Issues and Solutions at VIT TEAM MEMBERS: 23BDS0050 - Ruchika Tuteja 23BCE0966 - K.Nikhil Krishna 23BCI0145 - Prince Kumar 23BCE0248 - Shreyansh Sahu 23BCE0923 - Dhanush  CONTENTS ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION LITERATURE REVIEW MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY...

Technical Report on WiFi Issues and Solutions at VIT TEAM MEMBERS: 23BDS0050 - Ruchika Tuteja 23BCE0966 - K.Nikhil Krishna 23BCI0145 - Prince Kumar 23BCE0248 - Shreyansh Sahu 23BCE0923 - Dhanush  CONTENTS ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION LITERATURE REVIEW MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY SURVEY QUESTIONS ANALYSIS OBSERVATIONS AND CHALLENGES REPORTING AND RESPONCES SOLUTIONS CONCLUSION BIBLOGRAPHY  ABSTRACT This report examines the WiFi issues faced by students and staff at VIT, identifying the primary challenges and offering solutions to improve network performance. The study is based on a survey conducted among 40 students from various branches, which reveals recurring problems such as slow speeds, poor coverage, and frequent disconnections. The report delves into the root causes of these issues, which include high user density, bandwidth limitations, and infrastructure gaps. By analyzing survey data and technical performance, the report provides recommendations such as increasing access points, optimizing bandwidth management, and enhancing user education. The proposed solutions aim to create a more efficient, reliable, and user-friendly WiFi network for the VIT community.  INTRODUCTION WiFi connectivity has become a fundamental requirement in educational institutions, where seamless access to digital resources plays a significant role in academic success. At Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), WiFi is a critical part of daily activities, from online classes to research, exams, and administration. Despite the large-scale infrastructure and continuous network updates, students and staff often encounter connectivity issues such as slow internet speeds, intermittent disconnections, and coverage limitations. These problems can disrupt academic activities and affect the overall user experience. This report investigates the WiFi issues experienced by the VIT community and proposes potential solutions to enhance the network’s performance, reliability, and user satisfaction.  LITERATURE REVIEW WiFi issues in educational institutions have been widely studied, as universities increasingly rely on digital infrastructure to support academic and administrative functions. A key challenge faced by many campuses is network congestion, which occurs when too many devices connect to the same network, leading to slower speeds and limited bandwidth. This issue is particularly prevalent during peak hours when thousands of students and faculty members attempt to access the network simultaneously. According to Smith et al. (2022), high user density in educational settings can overwhelm the network’s capacity, leading to a noticeable degradation in service quality. To address this, many institutions have turned to advanced network management strategies, including traffic shaping and quality of service (QoS) policies that prioritize critical applications such as online lectures and research tools. Another significant issue in WiFi performance is signal interference. Bianchi and Bailey (2020) note that WiFi networks often suffer from interference caused by physical obstructions such as walls, buildings, and furniture, as well as from neighboring networks using overlapping channels. This interference results in reduced signal strength, slower speeds, and intermittent disconnections, particularly in areas like libraries, classrooms, and dormitories, where users tend to congregate in large numbers. The problem of network authentication Is also a common Issue Identified In several studies. Institutions typically use centralized authentication systems that control access to the network, but these systems can become slow or unresponsive during periods of high demand. Lee and Chen (2021) emphasize that inefficient login processes can cause delays and disconnections, making it difficult for users to maintain a stable connection. An upgrade to a more user-friendly system, such as single sign-on (SSO), could potentially resolve these issues and streamline the connection process. Moreover, hardware limitations play a critical role in determining the network’s overall performance. Older routers and switches may not be able to handle the demands of modern data traffic, leading to bottlenecks and slow speeds. As noted by Johnson and Davis (2019), upgrading network infrastructure with newer technologies, such as WiFi 6 routers and mesh networks, can significantly improve the quality and reach of the WiFi network, ensuring consistent performance even in high-density environments. Furthermore, user behavior can contribute to network performance issues. Garcia et al. (2021) found that when users engage in bandwidth-heavy activities, such as streaming videos or downloading large files during peak hours, the network can become congested, further degrading performance. Educating users on responsible network usage and implementing policies to limit non-essential bandwidth consumption could mitigate some of these issues. In conclusion, a combination of network design improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and user education is necessary to address the various WiFi challenges faced by institutions like VIT. By adopting these strategies, VIT can enhance its WiFi network, ensuring a more reliable and efficient experience for its users.  MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY This study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods to identify and analyze WiFi issues at VIT. The primary data collection tool was a survey distributed to 40 students from different branches of the university. The survey, created using Google Forms, was designed to capture students’ experiences with WiFi connectivity, including issues related to speed, coverage, disconnections, and overall satisfaction. The questionnaire included a series of questions that focused on: - Frequency and type of connectivity issues encountered (e.g., slow speeds, disconnections, coverage gaps). - The locations where these issues were most prevalent (e.g., hostels, classrooms, libraries). - The time of day when these issues occurred most frequently. - Students’ overall satisfaction with the WiFi service provided by the university. The responses collected through the survey provided valuable insights into the most common WiFi problems faced by students. The data was then analyzed to identify patterns and correlations, such as the impact of high user density on network performance and the locations most affected by coverage issues. In addition to the survey data, network performance tests were conducted at various campus locations to assess signal strength, download/upload speeds, and latency. These tests were carried out using network diagnostic tools such as Wireshark, which allowed for the monitoring of traffic and identification of any performance bottlenecks or packet loss.  SURVEY QUESTIONS Questionnaire Google form Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSca- cg3bWYOdQzDxNgozwt0XrnYfypRdUO918eELI48aTyMxw/viewform?usp=sf_link ANALYSIS WIFI PORTAL AND HELP DESK OBSERVATIONS AND CHALLENGES FACED As evidenced by the survey, it is clear that most VIT students heavily rely on the institution's Wi-Fi network, which is notably unstable. A significant majority of students, 86.5%, utilize Wi-Fi primarily within the hostels, while the remaining students use it in other areas of the campus. The location from which students use the Wi-Fi to upload Digital Assignments (DA's) and complete other assessments is critical, as many students frequently face unstable connections while taking online quizzes. Survey Findings: Student Satisfaction: The survey revealed that a substantial number of students are dissatisfied with the quality of the Wi- Fi connection. Specifically, 40.5% of the students rated the connection as poor, while 37.8% rated it as average. Connectivity Issues: It was found that 97.2% of students have experienced connectivity issues at some point. Among these, 48.6% face connectivity problems very often. Furthermore, the issue appears to occur randomly throughout the day, with 43.2% of students experiencing problems at any given time, and 32.4% facing issues predominantly at night.  REPORTING AND RESPONSE Many students have reported these connectivity issues to the IT support team, yet no actions have been taken to resolve them. Frequent Issues Faced: Slow Internet Speed: 33.3% of the students reported slow internet speed as a major issue. Frequent Disconnections: Another 33.3% of the students mentioned frequent disconnections. Difficulty Connecting to Networks: 16.7% of the students faced difficulties connecting to the network. Limited Coverage: 11.1% of the students complained about limited coverage in certain areas of the campus.  SOLUTIONS Now that we have identified the problem, we can move on to the solution part. There are various methods by which we can tackle the issue of the unstable Wi-Fi network at VIT. From the survey, we learned that Wi-Fi cannot be connected simultaneously on two devices with the same ID. This can be addressed by implementing the following solutions: Upgrading the Infrastructure: Replacing outdated hardware with modern Wi-Fi 6 access points that support higher data rates and more simultaneous connections. Increasing Access Points in Heavy Traffic Areas: Installing additional access points in high-traffic areas such as libraries, cafeterias, and lecture halls to handle the increased load. Optimizing Access Point Placement: Ensuring that access points are placed at optimal heights and locations to maximize coverage and minimize interference. This will address the issue of Wi-Fi not being accessible in many parts of the campus. In addition to the above methods, other problems can be solved by implementing the following solutions:  Implementing Bandwidth Management: Using Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritize critical applications and manage bandwidth usage effectively. Using Mesh Networking: Implementing a mesh network to provide seamless coverage across the entire campus, especially in outdoor areas. Lastly, for all the above methods, regular maintenance checks and updates are essential to ensure the network is running efficiently and securely.  CONCLUSION The Wi-Fi issues at VIT campus present a significant challenge for students, impacting their studies, online research, and overall campus experience. To address this, the university could consider several potential solutions. First, upgrading the current network infrastructure by increasing bandwidth and installing additional access points would help manage the high demand more effectively. Regular maintenance checks and optimizing network traffic can also reduce outages and improve connection speed. Additionally, gathering ongoing feedback from students about specific Wi-Fi challenges would allow the IT team to address issues more proactively. By implementing these changes, VIT can create a more efficient, reliable Wi-Fi experience that better supports students' academic and social needs. While VIT has established a robust network infrastructure to support thousands of students and faculty, challenges persist due to high demand, limited bandwidth, occasional weak signal areas, and frequent disconnections.However, maintaining seamless connectivity on such a large scale requires ongoing investment, regular feedback from users, and adaptive technology solutions. By addressing these concerns, VIT can enhance its digital learning environment and better support the academic and social needs of its community. The survey underscores the significant challenges faced by VIT students due to the unstable Wi-Fi network. Given the critical role of the internet in academic activities, it is imperative to address these connectivity issues to ensure a seamless online learning experience for all students.  BIBLOGRAPHY 1. Smith, J., & Roe, K. (2022). Optimizing WiFi Networks in High-Density Environments. IEEE Communications. 2. Bianchi, M., & Bailey, T. (2020). Addressing Signal Interference in Campus WiFi Networks. Journal of Network Engineering. 3. Lee, P., & Chen, H. (2021). Authentication Systems in Large-Scale WiFi Networks: Challenges and Solutions. ACM Digital Library. 4. Johnson, R., & Davis, E. (2019). Bandwidth Management in Educational Institutions.Networking Today. 5. Garcia, L., et al. (2021). User Education as a Key to Network Efficiency. Journal of Educational Technology.