João Silva

Indoor Arena Networking Project

Design full Network Infrastructure (FW, LAN, WLAN and CCTV) for an indoor arena with high density Wi-Fi requirements.

HuaweiWirelessSwitchingFirewallsNetwork Design
Indoor Arena Networking Project cover

At a Glance

Role
Solution Architect
Timeline
August 2019 – December 2019
Responsibilities
  • Led requirements gathering with project stakeholders and telecom operator
  • Performed site survey and RF simulations for high-density Wi-Fi
  • Defined network capacity, user throughput targets, and required bandwidth
  • Designed firewall cluster, core and access switching architecture
  • Provided consulting on scalability vs. cost efficiency trade-offs
Tech Stack
Huawei NetworkingEkahau RF PlanningSolution DesignStakeholder ManagementBudgetingSite Survey

Background

Context
The arena, with a maximum capacity of 12,000 people depending on event type, was undergoing a major rebuild. Stakeholders included the construction company’s project managers, event managers, and a national telecom operator. The venue needed a reliable and scalable network foundation to support both current and future requirements.
Problem
The client required a state-of-the-art infrastructure capable of handling high-density Wi-Fi for thousands of concurrent visitors, while also supporting CCTV coverage and corporate access with strong security rules. Budget constraints and scalability needs made it critical to balance cost with future-proofing.

Process

Collaborated with stakeholders and the telecom operator to define capacity and bandwidth needs.

  • Defined throughput targets per user
  • Estimated expected device counts
  • Aligned on hired bandwidth service

Key Features

High-Density Wi-Fi

Designed for ~100 Huawei APs with directive antennas to ensure coverage without obstructing visitors.

Robust Switching

50+ access switches and dual-star core topology to ensure resiliency. Including support for APs, CCTV, access control, and staff connectivity.

Firewall Resilience

Clustered firewalls enforcing separation of guest and corporate networks.

CCTV Integration

Network infrastructure included dedicated capacity and switching for security camera coverage.

Results & Impact

10,000+
Visitors Supported
Reliable Wi-Fi during full-capacity events
~100
Access Points
Deployed for optimized coverage and density
50+
Switches
Ensuring resilient LAN and CCTV connectivity
Yes
Future-Readiness
Fiber backbone and logical design prepared for scalability

Challenges & Learnings

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