Connections for August 2022

PANORA FIBER • WWW.PANORAFIBER.COM • 641.755-2424 IN PANORA • 641.332-2000 IN GUTHRIE CENTER EMPLOYEE PROFILE Nathan VanZee Technician Nathan VanZee recently joined Panora Fiber as a Technician. He previously worked for Windstream for four years, where he installed services including DSL and fixed wireless internet and handled trouble tickets. VanZee has similar job responsibilities at Panora Fiber, with one major exception— he’s now working with a fiber network. “I’ve learned how to fiber splice and install fiber internet since I came to Panora Fiber. I also help customers get their computers and TVs con- nected, and I answer their questions. I make sure the customer is taken care of 100%,” said VanZee. What does he like best about work- ing for Panora Fiber? VanZee replied, “The technicians and managers have been very helpful to me. I also appre- ciate having a normal 40-hour work week. At Windstream, I was working 7 days a week for a total of 130+ hours and having to travel to cover a large territory. Now with Panora Fiber, I have free time again!” VanZee is married to Robyn VanZee, who works for Hospice of the Midwest in Guthrie Center. On the weekends, he enjoys riding UTVs and ATVs as well as hunting and fishing. At the center of traditional Wi-Fi networks is the router, the key piece of equipment that seamlessly routes internet traffic between a connected modem and Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as computers, tablets, and phones. The main issue with traditional routers is that the reach of their Wi-Fi signals is limited. Large buildings that need internet access on multiple floors often have areas with limited or nonexistent service, called dead zones. By contrast, a mesh Wi-Fi router system has multiple access points. One node links to the modem and acts as the router, while one or more other access points, often called satel- lites, capture the router’s signal and rebroadcast it. If you have a large home — at least 3,000 square feet — or one that has an unusual layout, more than two stories, or interior brick walls, you may experience Wi-Fi dead zones with a traditional Wi-Fi network. If so, your home might be a good candidate for a mesh Wi-Fi router system. In addition to providing strong and reliable Wi-Fi signals, a mesh Wi-Fi router system offers benefits including these: • Easy network management – Many meshWi-Fi router systems are totally automated, allowing for easy remote management through a mobile app. Users can quickly test their internet speeds, create guest networks, install firmware updates for better security, and more. • Streamlined connections –With traditional routers, devices known as range extenders are often used to repeat the signal soWi-Fi can be accessed from long distances. However, even the best Wi-Fi extenders require you to create a separate network, with a separate name, for the range extender. This means you may have to switch Wi-Fi connections, sometimes manually, as you move around your home. A mesh Wi-Fi router system, on the other hand, doesn’t require constant reconnection, even as you move from room to room. You also won’t have to deal with as much lag, as the access points all broadcast the same signal. Panora Fiber offers Managed Wi-Fi, which is a mesh Wi-Fi router system, for a low monthly price. For details, call 641.755.2424 in Panora or 641.332.2000 in Guthrie Center. What is a Mesh Wi-Fi Router System?