SUBMITTED BY

Anu Sindhu Nair

Mohsin Ali Kadiwala
Pranav Kambhoj
Amandeep Singh
Sai Phaneendra Nevala

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SECTION NO SECTION TITLE
1 Introduction - Connectivity issues during Concert
2 Problem 1: WI-FI Connectivity issues due to channel overlap and congestion
3 Solution 1A: Change in Channel
4 Solution 1B: AP placement
5 Problem 2: Network security in concert venues
6 Solution 2: VLAN Segmentation
7 Problem 3: DHCP exhaustion
8 Solution 3: Expanding DHCP pool
9 Problem 4: Bandwidth Saturation
10 Solution 4: Implement QOS
11 Conclusion
12 References

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WI-FI CONNECTIVITY ISSUES DURING THE CONCERT

During concerts, Wi-Fi connectivity often becomes a major challenge due to the overwhelming number of
attendees trying to connect their devices simultaneously. This surge in demand can easily overload the venue's
network infrastructure, resulting in a host of connectivity issues. Concertgoers frequently experience
frustratingly slow internet speeds, difficulty connecting to the network, and frequent disconnections.

These problems are particularly acute in densely crowded areas and at peak times, such as just before the main
act begins or during popular songs. Many attendees find themselves unable to share their experiences in real-
time through photos or videos on social media, stream content, or even send simple text messages. This inability
to connect can significantly detract from the overall concert experience, leaving people feeling isolated from
their digital networks.

Venues face an ongoing struggle to provide reliable Wi-Fi that can meet the demands of modern, tech-savvy
audiences. The challenge lies not only in providing sufficient bandwidth but also in managing the network to

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ensure fair access for all users. Despite advances in technology, the sheer volume of simultaneous connections
in a confined space continues to pose significant technical challenges.

PROBLEM 1:
WI-FI CONNECTIVITY ISSUES DUE TO CHANNEL OVERLAP AND CONGESTION.

In a crowded venue like Baylor Quick's New Epoch, multiple Wi-Fi access points and other wireless devices
can cause interference. If access points are configured to use overlapping channels, this can severely degrade
wireless performance.

When the network becomes overloaded with traffic, data transmission slows down. This is often due to
excessive data being sent over the network, surpassing its capacity. In a music venue, this could affect critical
systems like sound mixing consoles or live streaming equipment.

In this, we can see that all the Access Points are connected to Wi-Fi channel 6 on the 2.4 GHz band which is
causing the interference. When multiple APs are using the same channel, they create co-channel interference.
This means all devices on that channel must share the available airtime, reducing overall network performance.
By concentrating all traffic on a single channel, you're not utilizing the full capacity of the 2.4 GHz band. This
can lead to network congestion and poor performance.

Solution:

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 1A. Change in Channel

• Using only channel 6 misses the opportunity to spread the network load across the three non-overlapping
channels (1, 6, and 11), which would allow for better network design and reduced interference.
In the 2.4 GHz band, there are only three non-overlapping channels: 1, 6, and 11. These channels are far
enough apart that they don't interfere with each other when used properly. APs are reconfigured to use non-
overlapping channels (1, 6, 11).

1B. AP placement
• Access points are positioned strategically to provide optimal coverage while minimizing overlap between
them.

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• Reduce the transmit power of access points to minimize overlap between neighboring APs. This helps create

distinct coverage cells.

• Use professional Wi-Fi analysis tools like NetSpot, Wireshark and Acrylic Wi-Fi Analyzer to map out the

existing wireless environment, identify areas of interference, and optimize access point placement.

• Utilize network monitoring tools like PRTG Network Monitor and Zabbix to continuously assess Wi-Fi

performance and make real-time adjustments to channel assignments and power levels.

PROBLEM 2:
NETWORK SECURITY IN CONCERT VENUES

Network security in concert venues is a critical aspect of overall event safety and management. It involves

protecting both the physical network infrastructure and the digital data flowing through it. Key considerations

include implementing strong Wi-Fi security measures to prevent unauthorized access and data interception,

segmenting networks to isolate critical systems (like sound equipment) from general attendee traffic, and

employing robust firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Venues must also be vigilant about potential cyber

threats, including DDoS attacks that could disrupt operations. Additionally, network security extends to

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protecting attendee data, managing bandwidth to ensure critical systems remain operational during high-traffic

periods, and monitoring for unusual network activity that could indicate a security breach. As concerts

increasingly rely on connected technologies for everything from ticketing to live streaming, maintaining a

secure and resilient network has become essential for ensuring both the safety of attendees and the smooth

operation of events.

Solution: VLAN Segmentation

• VLAN segmentation: Create separate VLANs for guest, staff, and admin traffic. This allows to logically

separate these networks even if they share the same physical infrastructure.

• SSID configuration: Set up different SSIDs for guest and staff/admin access. Associate each SSID with its

corresponding VLAN.

• Implement 802.1X authentication for staff and admin networks to ensure only authorized devices can
connect.

• Enable client isolation on the guest VLAN to prevent guest devices from communicating with each other.

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• Firewall rules: Implement firewall rules to control traffic between VLANs. Typically, you'd want to:

o Allow guest VLAN to access only the internet o Restrict guest

VLAN from accessing internal networks o Allow staff VLAN to

access necessary internal resources o Provide admin VLAN with

broader access to network resources

PROBLEM 3: DHCP EXHAUSTION

If the DHCP server is not configured with a large enough IP address pool, it may run out of addresses to assign
to devices, preventing new connections. This is particularly problematic in venues where many attendees and
devices need network access.

The network needs to accommodate 55,000 users, but the DHCP server can only handle 32,766 addresses. This
limitation is likely due to the subnet configuration, which appears to be using a /17 network (32,766 usable
addresses).

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Solution: Expanding DHCP pool

• A /16 subnet can provide up to 65,536 IP addresses (from 0 to 65535), which is sufficient for our needs.

However, it's common to reserve some addresses for future expansion, so a slightly larger pool might be

preferable.

Changed the Subnet mask and increased the DHCP pool from 32,766 to 65,535, so which can be capable for

supporting 55,000 users.

• Multiple subnets: Create multiple smaller subnets and use multiple DHCP servers or scopes. This approach

can help with network segmentation and management.

• Implement DHCP logging and monitoring to track address usage patterns.

• Consider using DHCP reservations for devices that need consistent IP addresses.

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PROBLEM 4 BANDWIDTH SATURATION

During events, a large number of attendees may attempt to use the network simultaneously, potentially
overwhelming the available bandwidth. This can lead to slow connections, dropped packets, and poor
performance for critical applications like sound systems.

Solution: Implement QOS

Implementing Quality of Service (QoS) policies prioritize critical traffic like sound systems and event-related
applications over general attendee internet usage. This ensures essential services maintain performance even
under high load.

To implement Quality of Service (QoS) policies in Packet Tracer to prioritize critical traffic like sound systems
and event-related applications, follow these steps:

1. Create class maps to identify traffic:

Router(config)# class-map match-any CRITICAL-TRAFFIC

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Router(config-cmap)# match protocol rtp
Router(config-cmap)# match access-group name SOUND-SYSTEM
Router(config-cmap)# exit

Router(config)# class-map match-any EVENT-APPS

Router(config-cmap)# match access-group name EVENT-APPLICATIONS
Router(config-cmap)# exit

Router(config)# class-map match-any GENERAL-TRAFFIC

Router(config-cmap)# match any
Router(config-cmap)# exit

2. Create access lists to identify specific traffic:

Router(config)# ip access-list extended SOUND-SYSTEM

Router(config-ext-nacl)# permit ip any host [Link]
Router(config-ext-nacl)# exit

Router(config)# ip access-list extended EVENT-APPLICATIONS

Router(config-ext-nacl)# permit tcp any any eq 8080
Router(config-ext-nacl)# exit

3. Create a policy map to define QoS actions:

Router(config)# policy-map QOS-POLICY

Router(config-pmap)# class CRITICAL-TRAFFIC
Router(config-pmap-c)# priority percent 50
Router(config-pmap-c)# exit

Router(config-pmap)# class EVENT-APPS

Router(config-pmap-c)# bandwidth percent 30
Router(config-pmap-c)# exit

Router(config-pmap)# class GENERAL-TRAFFIC

Router(config-pmap-c)# fair-queue
Router(config-pmap-c)# exit

4. Apply the policy to an interface:

Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0

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Router(config-if)# service-policy output QOS-POLICY

5. Verify the configuration:

Router# show policy-map interface GigabitEthernet0/0

This configuration:

- Prioritizes RTP traffic and traffic to the sound system IP ([Link]) with 50% of bandwidth.

- Allocates 30% of bandwidth to event applications (using port 8080 in this example).

- Applies fair queuing to all other traffic.

• Utilize network monitoring tools to continuously assess Wi-Fi performance in real-time.

• Isolate critical systems (like sound and lighting controls) on separate network segments and ensure these

systems have dedicated, protected bandwidth allocations.

• Backup plans: Have contingency plans in place for network failures or severe degradation. Consider having

backup internet connections or cellular data options for critical systems.

CONCLUSION

The Baylor Quick's New Epoch concert venue faces several network challenges, including Wi-Fi connectivity

issues due to channel overlap and congestion, network security concerns, DHCP exhaustion, and bandwidth

saturation. To address these issues, the venue should implement strategic solutions such as optimizing Wi-Fi

channel allocation, enhancing network segmentation through VLANs, expanding the DHCP pool, and

implementing QoS policies. These measures will help improve overall network performance, security, and

reliability during large-scale events. By addressing these technical challenges, the venue can significantly

enhance the digital experience for attendees while ensuring the smooth operation of critical systems.

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REFERENCES

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