The article below (by GNS Wireless) describes the simple steps that RV parks can take to improve their networks.  But campers, how do you feel about internet systems?  Add your comments at the bottom as feedback to campground owners ...

While installing a wireless network at your RV Park or Campground may seem trendy, it makes good business sense. You give your customers the flexibility and convenience of working un-plugged, plus you won't have to pay someone to come in and reroute network cables if you expand, or require coverage in different areas of the campground. Setting up a wireless network requires thought and planning. At GNS WIRELESS, we ensure your wireless network works as smoothly and as securely as possible, right out of the box, to meet the needs of your particular campground or RV Park.

Below, you will find a few tips on improving your wireless network listed in order of their cost and complication. Depending on your particular campground size, and budget will determine what steps we recommend you take.

1. Set Up Wireless Encryption
Encrypting your network makes it difficult for un-authorized users to gain access to your wireless network connection or perform other malicious actions. It prevents your wireless network from slowing down to a crawl, due to bandwidth which is now being used by un-authorized guests.
You basically have two types of encryption from which to choose: WEP and WPA encryption. WEP is a bit older, but works all the same. You can have WEP 64 bit, or WEP 128 bit, only difference being a longer encryption key required, and more time to crack. According to some, 128-bit WEP can be cracked in up to four hour’s time. This will however deter most un-authorized surfers to look else where for free WiFi.
Most wireless access points (APs) support both WEP and WPA standards, but not all client cards (the internal or external Wi-Fi card that plugs into your laptop) support the updated WPA+AES encryption, which requires a dedicated chip. (For most campground and RV Parks, we do not recommend using an advanced security feature as it tends to cause more problems then solutions. At the very minimum, everyone running a wireless network should have WEP installed, and operational.

2. Stick With the Same Vendor
Purchasing your APs and Wi-Fi cards from the same vendor increases your network performance and reduces compatibility issues, since not all vendors support the same features.
Some manufacturers, such as D-Link, build a Turbo mode into their APs and Wi-Fi cards. The purpose is to double your network throughput, but it only works if all your cards come from the same vendor. This is particularly important when your campground requires more then one AP, and needs to have repeaters throughout the campground, in order to extend the signal. It is important to use the same AP throughout to insure compatibility between them.

3. Do a Site Survey
The first step in deciding which AP, and how many AP’s you need to cover your particular area is to conduct a site survey. If a physical sight survey is not possible, contact GNS Wireless, and we can walk you through which equipment will be required over the phone. Once you know exactly how far your wireless network reaches, and in what directions it travels, you can use correct antennas and reduce chances of leaking a Wi-Fi signal that anyone with a laptop and a Wi-Fi card — including hackers — can use for free. Encryption offers a good deal of protection, but the longer someone has access to your network, the greater the chance they can crack it.

4. Place Your Wireless Network on Its own VLAN
A VLAN or Virtual Local Area Network, is a way of separating your network so that employees can access only the job-related resources they need without having access to the entire network.
This is a way to add a layer of internal data protection to your business. This is a somewhat more costly addition to a wireless network, but a good option if your business requires compliance with HIPAA or other types of state and federal regulations or you want to make sure that your personnel or other backend data isn't readily accessible. VLAN capability is usually not supported by manufacturers such as D-link, Linksys or Netgear. Contact GNS Wireless for recommendations.

5. Set Up a Secondary Authentication Mechanism
Authentication is a way that people can prove they are who they say they are in order to access a network or any secure area. The most common authentication method is the user name and password. Some companies that deal with highly sensitive data might want to consider adding a second method on top of the type they currently employ.
Of these five steps, this is usually the most expensive option. A separate authentication gateway will have to be purchased to authorize usernames and passwords. This can also be done using a separate RADIUS server, which will have to be configured. This type of solution can also be useful in campground situations where a username and password can be required before user’s logon to the network. This can eliminate problems with users not knowing how to enter WEP or WPA security keys on their individual computers. When an authentication gateway is used at a campground, it can be as easy as opening up your Internet browser and entering your Username and Password.

Visit GNS Wireless website for more information.