Introduction
JGC IT Services were introduced to Thetford Golf Club by the Club Pro who said that issues with the network were affecting day to day operations.
We conducted a full network and wireless audit at Thetford Golf Club to review how employees, members and guests connect and utilise the underlying network.
The network was made-up of a previously installed topology that whilst functional, is now behind on current technology. In speaking with users of the network, from the bar staff using a PDQ terminal, to the pro shop employees unable to take green fees, through to the green keeper’s slow access for updating cloud-based documents, there was a clear dissatisfaction with the current network set up.
The main issue reported was with an intermittent network connection impacting payments for the bar or pro shop, often costing the club money from not being able to take payments.
Findings
As part of our audit, we found a convoluted network with two legacy ADSL connections providing a maximum of 10mbps download and no more than 1-2mbps upload speeds. There is a 5G connection provided but this was only utilised on the Staff SSID and a small selection of devices. There were multiple gateways on this single network with either an ADSL connection or the 5G connection being used depending on the gateway address assigned by DHCP. The guest network was using one of the ADSL connections exclusively, which meant a poor user experience with very low bandwidth available.
Access points were configured per SSID, with each AP either broadcasting the Staff or Guest SSID, not both. This was an issue as the Staff network was only accessible in the office area, with only a very weak 2.4Ghz signal available in the bar area which was causing regular client disassociations.
Changes Made & New JGC IT Network
To rectify some of the issues seen in our audit, we needed to simplify the internet access across both the staff and guest networks. We identified that the ADSL connections were not fit for purpose, but the 5G cellular connection should be kept but utilised in a more effective way. With the remote location of Thetford Golf Club, fibre and SoGEA connectivity options are not available. We therefore installed and configured Starlink to serve as the primary internet connection for the network, paired with the existing 5G internet as a secondary and backup connection for staff. The old ADSL connections can be decommissioned, offering a cost saving for the club.
Above is the proposed and final network topology that we installed. This new network provides resilient internet connectivity through both the Starlink and 5G connections. All network traffic and gateways reside on the new UniFi UDM gateway providing better security, integration and monitoring for all devices across the network. This also facilitates internet monitoring and automatic failover to the backup service should there be an issue. All devices and access points connect through the Ubiquiti switch, allowing us to monitor connectivity from individual wired devices on the network as well as wireless.
Wireless access points have both Staff and Guest VLAN’s trunked to them to support and broadcast both the Staff and Guest wireless SSID’s, which was an inherent issue with the previous network. Now both the Staff and Guest SSID’s are available across the site for seamless roaming and access for all devices in all areas. This was key in resolving unreliable connectivity for PDQ machines which are often carried around to take payments.
The new Starlink connection provides a reliable internet link with download speeds consistently over 200mbps. This, combined with the 5G cellular link, the internet connectivity is now reliable and suitable for supporting the demands of a growing business like Thetford Golf Club.
New Ubiquiti WiFi 6 Access Points
New Starlink router and 5G internet
We provide ongoing network management and support for Thetford Golf Club following the installation and changes made on the network. We have provided significant benefits for the business by ensuring seamless connectivity and reduced downtime. With proactive monitoring and real-time issue resolution, the club experience fewer disruptions and quick identification of any issues causing impact on the network. Our support team quickly addresses concerns, optimising network performance and preventing costly outages. Additionally, we also maintain regular updates and security enhancements, safeguarding critical business data from cyber threats. By outsourcing network management to us, businesses can focus on growth while enjoying reliable, efficient, and secure network operations.
