Dead zones, a guest network that shares the same password as the office, a camera system on the same network as the accounting computer: small office networks tend to grow by accident. The result is slow, unreliable and less secure than it should be.
A short plan fixes most of it. This prompt asks about your space and devices and produces a layout, a security checklist and a list of what to buy or ask your IT provider for.
How to use it
- Sketch your space: rooms, floors, walls (concrete and metal kill Wi-Fi), where the internet comes in.
- List what connects: computers, phones, printers, cameras, card terminals, smart devices, guests.
- Run the prompt and use the result to brief your IT provider or to set up a mesh system yourself.
network-plan.txt
Plan a reliable, secure network for my office or shop. Space: [size, floors, rooms, wall materials, where the internet line comes in] Internet: [provider and speed] People: [number of staff, typical number of guests/customers on Wi-Fi] Devices: [computers, phones, printers, card terminals, cameras, smart devices, TVs] Problems today: [e.g. dead zones, slow video calls, guests on the staff network] Who will set it up: [me / our IT provider] Give me: 1. A simple layout: where the router or gateway and the access points should go, and what should be wired. 2. Network separation: which networks to create (staff, guest, devices/cameras) and what goes on each. 3. Security checklist: passwords, encryption setting, updates, admin access, remote access. 4. A shopping list by category (e.g. mesh system or business access points, switch, cabling) with what features to look for, not specific brands unless I ask. 5. A short brief I can send to an IT provider to get a quote. Plain language; explain any technical term in one line.
The basics
- Separate networks: staff, guests, and smart devices or cameras on their own.
- Strong admin password on the router and firmware updates turned on.
- Wired where it matters: desktops, printers and the main access points.
- Mesh or multiple access points for larger spaces, instead of one router in a corner.