LAN/WAN Network Installation in Rwanda
The physical network connecting desks, floors and buildings, plus the wide-area links between sites.
LAN/WAN network installation is the build phase of a network: switches racked and configured, routing set up, links between sites brought online, and everything tested against a design. Organisations moving into a new space, replacing failing equipment, or connecting several sites for the first time need it. It follows network architecture design and the cabling, and it’s what turns those plans into a working network.
What is LAN/WAN installation, and who needs it
LAN installation is the network inside a site: the switches, VLANs and port configuration that connect every desk, access point, printer, camera and phone. WAN installation connects sites together, so branches can reach a central server, ERP or file store as if they were in the same building. A new office needs LAN installation; a growing organisation with a second site, or with branches currently connected by improvised workarounds, needs WAN installation too.
The problem it solves
Networks built one device at a time, as needs arose, collect inconsistent VLANs, undocumented port assignments and switches nobody is sure are still doing anything. Branches end up connected by consumer routers and ad hoc remote-desktop sessions that break whenever a password changes. Installation to a design replaces that with a network where every port, VLAN and link has a purpose and a record.
Connecting sites: the main options
Choosing how sites connect is the biggest decision in a WAN project, and it turns on reliability and budget.
Dedicated circuits from a provider offer predictable performance and are typically the most reliable option, at a higher monthly cost. They suit branches that can’t function without the central system.
Site-to-site VPN over ordinary internet connections encrypts traffic between sites across the public internet. It costs less and suits most offices, with performance depending on each site’s internet link.
Backup links from a second provider or mobile data take over automatically when the main link fails. For sites in areas with less reliable connectivity, a backup link often matters more than a faster primary one.
Whatever the option, links are sized to what actually crosses them, such as the ERP, file shares and video calls, which we estimate before you order bandwidth.
What the work involves
- Staging. Switches and routers are prepared and configured to the design before they reach site, so on-site time is short.
- Physical installation. Equipment is racked, powered from the UPS, and patched to the labelled cabling according to the port schedule.
- LAN configuration. VLANs, port assignments, Power over Ethernet and switch management are set up and secured.
- Routing. Routing is configured between VLANs and out to the internet, through the firewall.
- WAN links. Links between sites are brought up, with routing so each site reaches shared systems, and failover where specified.
- Testing and handover. Every port and link is tested against the design, failover is proven, and documentation is handed over.
What’s included and what’s not
Included: switch and router configuration, VLAN setup, inter-site routing configuration, and testing.
Not included unless specified: the cabling itself (see structured cabling), the internet connection or WAN circuit from an ISP (arranged separately, though we can advise on requirements), and firewall rule configuration beyond basic routing (see router, switch and firewall configuration for the security-focused work).
Typical timelines and what drives cost
A single-site LAN installation for a 20 to 40 person office typically takes two to five days once cabling is in place. Each additional site adds time for staging, travel and link testing. Cost is driven by switch count and capacity, including port count and Power over Ethernet budget for access points, phones and cameras, the number of VLANs and sites, and whether redundant links and redundant core equipment are included.
Equipment typically used
Managed switches that support VLANs, Power over Ethernet where devices need it, and central management. Routers or firewall appliances handling internet and inter-site routing, with VPN where sites connect over the internet. Fibre or copper uplinks between switches depending on distance. Where possible, we choose equipment with local support and spare parts, so a failure doesn’t mean weeks waiting for a part.
Common mistakes we see
Unmanaged switches used where separation was needed, so security boundaries exist on paper but not on the network. Links between sites with no failover, so one provider fault cuts every branch off from the central system. Switches without enough Power over Ethernet budget, discovered when the last cameras won’t power up. Core equipment plugged straight into the mains, with no UPS. And networks installed without documentation, so every later change starts by rediscovering what’s configured.
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IT Infrastructure & Networking
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between LAN and WAN installation?
A LAN, or local area network, connects everything within one site: desks, floors, Wi-Fi and devices in a single building or compound. A WAN, or wide area network, connects sites to each other, whether two offices in Kigali or branches across the country. Most projects involve LAN work; WAN work is added when more than one site needs to share systems.
What internet connection do we need alongside a new network installation?
That depends on how many people work there, what they use, such as cloud applications, video calls or remote access to servers, and which providers serve your location. We don't sell internet connectivity ourselves. We measure your expected load, recommend a bandwidth and whether you need a second provider, and design the network to make full use of the link you order.
Can WAN links between our offices be made redundant?
Yes, usually with a second connection from a different provider, or a mobile data backup, that takes over automatically if the main link fails. Whether it's worth the extra monthly cost depends on how disruptive an outage between sites would be. For branches that can't serve customers without the central system, it usually is.
Do you install network equipment from any manufacturer, or only specific brands?
We work across established networking manufacturers and recommend equipment based on your requirements, budget and local support availability, not a fixed brand relationship. Where you already have equipment from one manufacturer, staying with it often makes management simpler. Where local spare parts are scarce for a brand, we'll say so before you buy it.
How is the network segmented for different departments or purposes?
With VLANs, which are logically separate networks running over the same cables and switches. Finance, staff, guest Wi-Fi, CCTV and phones each get their own VLAN, and the firewall decides which may talk to which. Separation costs very little when built in from the start and limits how far a problem on one device can spread.
What testing happens after installation, before you consider it done?
Every port is checked for connectivity and the right VLAN, routing and firewall rules are tested against the design, and links between sites are tested for speed and stability. Where failover is configured, we deliberately disconnect the main link to prove the backup takes over. You receive the test results along with the as-built documentation, not just a verbal assurance.
Is your network holding the business back?
Tell us how many sites, users and drops you have, and where it slows down. We’ll survey it and quote what’s needed.