Network & Wi-Fi 6 Infrastructure for a New Veterinary Hospital – Taling Chan, Bangkok

This project involved the design and deployment of a complete network infrastructure for a newly constructed veterinary hospital. Because the network was planned during the early stage of the building, the gateway, switching, wireless network, backbone connectivity, and network segmentation could be designed as one integrated architecture.

The objective was not simply to provide Internet access or install wireless access points. The network was designed as part of the facility's digital infrastructure, supporting multiple user groups, internal systems, connected devices, and visitor connectivity.

TP-Link Omada SDN was selected as the central networking platform, allowing the gateway, managed switches, and wireless access points to be managed within the same centralized environment.

Network Architecture Design

For a facility containing both indoor and outdoor service areas, wireless design cannot be based solely on the number of access points. The performance and manageability of the wireless network also depend on switching, VLAN design, uplink capacity, PoE infrastructure, and the physical placement of network equipment.

The architecture was therefore structured around the network gateway, managed PoE switching, indoor wireless, outdoor wireless, fiber optic backbone connectivity, and centralized management.

Network segmentation was also considered from the beginning, allowing different users and systems to be logically separated through VLANs and SSIDs rather than placing all devices on a single flat network.

Indoor Wi-Fi 6 Infrastructure

TP-Link EAP610 Wi-Fi 6 Access Points were deployed throughout the planned indoor service areas. The access points were positioned according to the intended usage zones to provide structured wireless connectivity across the facility.

Wi-Fi 6 provides a modern wireless platform suitable for environments containing a variety of connected devices, while the Omada Controller allows wireless configuration to be managed centrally.

SSIDs can be associated with different VLANs, allowing wireless services for staff, internal systems, and guests to be logically separated within the same infrastructure.

Outdoor Wireless Coverage

TP-Link EAP610-Outdoor Access Points were selected for outdoor service areas where wireless connectivity was required beyond the main building.

Using dedicated indoor and outdoor access point models allows each area to use equipment that is better suited to its installation environment, rather than relying on a single device type throughout the entire project.

Wireless Roaming

Because users may move between different areas of the facility, the wireless infrastructure was designed to support roaming between access points.

This approach is particularly useful in environments containing multiple access points, where the wireless system is designed as a coordinated infrastructure rather than as a collection of independent hotspots.

Managed Switching & PoE Infrastructure

TP-Link SG2210MP Managed PoE+ Switches form part of the switching layer and provide both network connectivity and Power over Ethernet for the wireless access points.

PoE simplifies access point deployment by delivering network connectivity and power through the Ethernet cabling, reducing the need for separate power adapters at each wireless installation point.

As managed switches, the SG2210MP units can also support VLAN configuration, port management, and structured network policies, making the switching layer an active part of the overall network architecture.

VLAN & Network Segmentation

A key design principle of the project was to avoid placing every user and connected system on the same network segment.

VLANs can be used to separate staff connectivity, internal systems, guest Wi-Fi, and other network services as required, while SSIDs can be mapped to the appropriate network segment.

This provides a more structured network environment and makes future policy changes or expansion easier to manage than a flat network architecture.

Gateway & Centralized Management

A TP-Link ER605 is used as the network gateway and operates together with the TP-Link OC200 Hardware Controller to provide centralized management of the Omada environment.

Administrators can view the status of the gateway, managed switches, wireless access points, and connected clients through a single management interface.

Centralized management becomes increasingly valuable as the number of network devices grows, because configuration and device status can be reviewed as part of one overall infrastructure instead of managing each device individually.

Fiber Optic Backbone

Single-mode fiber optic connectivity is used within selected parts of the network backbone, together with TP-Link SM311LS SFP Modules.

Fiber connectivity provides greater flexibility for network links over longer distances without the same distance limitations associated with conventional copper Ethernet.

Preparing fiber backbone connectivity also provides a stronger foundation for future network expansion when additional network equipment or service areas need to be added.

Why TP-Link Omada Was Selected

Omada was selected for this project because it allows the gateway, managed switches, and wireless access points to operate within a common management platform.

This reduces management complexity compared with operating multiple independent devices that require separate configuration interfaces.

The same architecture can also accommodate additional access points, switches, and network segments in the future without changing the overall management approach.

Lessons from the Real-World Deployment

One of the main lessons from this project is that network planning for a new building should begin during the infrastructure design stage, rather than waiting until construction is complete before deciding where network equipment should be installed.

Planning access point locations, network racks, uplinks, PoE switching, and fiber routes together helps reduce installation limitations and unnecessary changes later in the project.

Another important consideration is that the number of access points alone does not determine the quality of a wireless network. Wireless performance and manageability also depend on the switching infrastructure, VLAN architecture, uplinks, and management platform behind the access points.

Practical Design Guidance

For organizations building new facilities or upgrading existing network infrastructure, network design should begin by identifying the different users, devices, and systems that require connectivity.

VLANs, SSIDs, switching, and wireless architecture can then be designed around those requirements. Indoor and outdoor areas should also be evaluated separately according to their installation environments.

PoE capacity, uplinks, and backbone connectivity should be planned for the actual deployment while also allowing sufficient flexibility for future network expansion.

Introducing centralized management from the beginning can also reduce the operational burden as the number of network devices increases.

Project Outcome

Following installation and configuration, the network operates as an integrated architecture covering the gateway, managed switching, fiber backbone, and indoor and outdoor wireless infrastructure.

Network and wireless services can be logically separated according to their intended use, while configuration and device status can be monitored through the centralized Omada platform.

The infrastructure also provides a structured foundation for future additions such as access points, network segments, switches, and other connected systems without requiring a complete redesign.

Project Summary

This deployment demonstrates how network infrastructure can be treated as part of a building's core digital foundation rather than simply as an Internet or Wi-Fi service.

By combining the gateway, managed PoE switching, fiber optic backbone, indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi 6, and centralized management, the resulting architecture is structured, manageable, and ready to support future requirements.