WLAN alternative solutions

WLAN fallback solutions - recommendations for stable system environments

In professional IT environments, a principle applies that has proven itself over decades:

Wired connections (LAN) are always the first choice when it comes to demanding data processing or system-critical communication. They offer the highest stability, low latency times and are significantly less susceptible to interference than wireless transmission paths.

Particularly in complex system landscapes such as Hypersoft's, this stability is not a convenience feature, but an operational necessity.

WLAN - not suitable for all Hypersoft components

The wide range of Hypersoft solutions utilise system components that are either not primarily designed for WLAN or where wireless connections are particularly critical.

Although a theoretically perfectly functioning WLAN would be sufficient for many scenarios, in practice it is not possible to guarantee a permanently 100% stable WLAN connection. Interference due to capacity utilisation, structural conditions, other radio networks or temporary shadowing is unavoidable.

Some Hypersoft programmes have automatic mechanisms for error handling in the event of network problems. However, these only apply in clearly defined situations. If connections become unstable, unexpected effects can occur: increased system load, influence on other network components or even chain reactions in the overall system.

For this reason, it is crucial not to place critical components in unstable environments from the outset, but to secure them structurally.

Best practice: RDP as a fallback solution in the absence of a LAN connection

If no wired LAN connection is available for certain Hypersoft components and WLAN is not recommended for stability reasons, the use of remote desktop solutions (RDP) has proven itself - for example via the integrated Windows Remote Desktop.

The advantage lies in the clear separation of transmission and processing:

Only the screen display and inputs are transmitted via WLAN. All critical processes - such as database access or programme logic - run locally on the target system with a stable network connection.

The RDP protocol is also designed to deal with fluctuating connections and reacts to interruptions in a controlled manner. The actual application remains stable and unaffected even in the event of temporary WLAN disruptions. At the same time, negative effects on other Hypersoft components are reliably avoided.

Conclusion:

RDP prevents unstable transmission paths from disrupting central processes or generating unnecessary system load. It is the recommended alternative solution if LAN is not directly available.

DLAN (PowerLAN) - not a recommended alternative

DLAN or PowerLAN, i.e. data transmission via the power grid, is not an equivalent substitute for a real LAN connection. The quality is heavily dependent on the electrical infrastructure, connected devices and changing loads.

Should DLAN nevertheless have to be used for structural or organisational reasons, the same applies here:

connect critical Hypersoft components exclusively via RDP in order to decouple them from the unstable transmission path.

WLAN POS printers - use with a sense of proportion

The use of WLAN is generally not critical for POS printers, provided that high-quality devices designed for professional use are used. These have more stable radio modules, better error handling and a more reliable reconnection.

In contrast, inexpensive WLAN printers or those designed for the consumer sector are often the cause of disconnections, print failures and unnecessary support cases - especially in continuous operation in the catering sector.

Summary

  • LAN is always the first choice for all critical systems

  • RDP is the ideal alternative solution if LAN is not available

  • WLAN only for suitable components, never for database servers or centralised processes

  • DLAN only with additional protection via RDP

  • High-quality WLAN printers can be used stably

A clean network architecture is not a technical detail, but the basis for trouble-free operation. Conscious planning prevents problems before they arise.

Back to the overarching topic: WLAN requirements