Hello everyone,
I am currently looking for a DAS solution that can meet my specific workload and storage needs. However, I am not sure what factors I should consider when selecting a DAS solution. Can anyone provide some guidance on this matter?
After conducting some research, I have found some factors that I believe are important to consider when selecting a DAS solution:
RF Benchmarking Test: The first step in designing a DAS system is to conduct an RF Benchmarking Test. During this phase, the tester will walk the entire building layout and use devices that measure the signal strength at set intervals (every ten feet, for example). Once they’re done, a report will be generated that clearly shows where there are weak spots in the building.
Coverage and Capacity: Identifying whether you need coverage or capacity as the primary requirement of your project is an important first step. Choosing the right DAS technology means making trade-offs between coverage, capacity, and price.
Types of DAS systems: There are four types of DAS systems - Passive DAS, Active DAS, Hybrid DAS, and Digital DAS. Active DAS can be expensive, with long installation times, but is the ideal solution for extremely large buildings (500,000 square feet or more) such as airports. Passive DAS is a viable option regardless of the size or type of business. It can be effectively deployed in industries spanning retail, hospitality, restaurants, medical facilities, commercial offices, and more.
Cost: The cost of DAS installation can vary depending on the type of DAS system you choose. A single-carrier active DAS costs between $2 and $4 per square foot. For a multi-carrier solution, costs increase to $5 to $10 per square foot. In some cases, there are additional recurring support fees for the dedicated fiber optics and backhaul requirements.
Scalability: DAS has limited scalability and lacks the type of centralized management and backup capabilities available to other storage platforms. In addition, it can't be easily shared and doesn't facilitate failover should the server crash.
I hope this information helps you as much as it has helped me. If you have any other factors to consider, please feel free to share them. Thank you!
