International Success Story: Expansion of the Wireless Network at Boavista Palace Serviced Apartments (Porto) – 72 Wi-Fi Networks
Serviced Apartments Boavista Palace, located on Av. da Boavista in Porto, chose DataRoad for a critical project: the expansion and optimization of its wireless network to support 72 apartments spread across eight floors in two buildings, ensuring stable Wi-Fi coverage, enhanced security, and a consistent user experience for guests and staff.
The project involved a total of 85 network devices, including switches and wireless access points, with a clear goal: to ensure an infrastructure capable of handling demanding environments—where connectivity cannot fail.
About Boavista Palace: a resort focused on modernity, comfort, and the guest experience
The Boavista Palace is located in a prominent business district in the city of Porto, near the Carolina Michaëlis Metro Station, and offers amenities such as a terrace and a gym.
The Serviced Apartments consist of 72 units of various types (one-bedroom and one-bedroom plus one-bedroom), designed to suit today’s lifestyle, with a strong emphasis on design, overall quality, and premium finishes, including indirect lighting, soundproofing, and welcome amenities.
In a context like this, Wi-Fi quality has a direct impact:
- guest satisfaction and retention,
- online reviews,
- the dwell time,
- and day-to-day operations (teams, management, and internal services).
Learn more about Boavista Palace Serviced Apartments here
The Challenge: High-performance Wi-Fi with complete privacy for each apartment
Wi-Fi networks in multi-unit environments (apartments, hotels, college dormitories, co-living spaces) face specific challenges:
- Privacy and seclusion
Each apartment must have its own separate and secure network, preventing any possibility of access between units. - Bandwidth Management (QoS / bandwidth management)
It is essential to manage internet usage on a per-unit basis to ensure fairness and stability, preventing one unit from affecting all the others. - Full coverage in multi-story buildings and apartment complexes
Building materials, floor plans, structural obstacles, and distances require technical planning to eliminate dead zones and signal drops. - Internet Access Security and Redundancy
The internet connection must be protected by a security gateway and, whenever possible, have redundancy to increase availability.
The DataRoad Solution: Wi-Fi per apartment with VLANs, security, and bandwidth management
DataRoad designed and implemented a solution in which each apartment has its own separate and secure wireless network, with VLAN (Virtual LAN) segmentation and access controls tailored to the environment.
In addition, the architecture has been designed to allow for bandwidth management on a per-apartment basis, ensuring:
- greater stability for everyone,
- greater service predictability,
- and a consistent experience throughout the day.
Services Provided (IT Networking + Enterprise Wi-Fi)
1) Coverage consulting and planning (approximately 85 devices)
DataRoad provided technical consulting services to determine the optimal placement of access points and network equipment, taking into account:
- floor layout,
- division into two blocks,
- usage density,
- interference,
- and coverage/roaming requirements.
Result: a network design based on actual performance in a residential environment, reducing rework and maximizing efficiency.
2) Installation and configuration of wireless access points for 8 floors (2 buildings)
Several access points were installed and configured to ensure:
- even coverage,
- signal stability,
- efficient roaming,
- capacity for multiple units per apartment.
3) Security gateway + Internet redundancy
Implementation of a security gateway for:
- perimeter protection,
- control and segmentation,
- implementation of security policies,
- and supports redundancy for internet access, thereby increasing availability.
4) Installation and configuration of switches and VLAN segmentation
Installation and configuration of network switches and implementation of VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) for:
- separate wireless networks by apartment,
- protect units from one another,
- create segmentation for internal networks (e.g., management/services), where applicable,
- and facilitate future monitoring and maintenance.
5) Wireless network optimization and tuning
After installation, configuration adjustments and optimizations were made, focusing on:
- channels and power (interference reduction),
- roaming patterns,
- authentication stability,
- and consistent performance.
6) Future maintenance with monitoring and alerts — “IT Unlimited” contract
To ensure continuity and prevent incidents, a “IT Unlimited” maintenance contract has been put in place, which includes:
- monitoring,
- alarmist (warnings),
- and proactive support.
Benefits delivered: security, stability, and a superior guest experience
Although each infrastructure has its own metrics and depends on multiple factors, the direct impact of a well-designed Wi-Fi architecture in multi-unit environments is clear:
✅ Wireless network per apartment (isolated and secure)
Improves privacy, security, and user confidence.
✅ Bandwidth management per unit
Prevents abuse and service degradation for everyone.
✅ Consistent Wi-Fi coverage across 8 floors and two buildings
Reduces complaints and increases satisfaction.
✅ Infrastructure designed for scalability and maintenance
Segmentation and management facilitate system evolution and troubleshooting.
✅ Increased availability with a security gateway and redundancy
Fewer outages, greater operational continuity.
Why DataRoad is the right partner for wireless networks in multi-unit buildings
DataRoad operates as an MSP (Managed Service Provider), offering specialized expertise and extensive experience in:
- installation of wireless computer networks,
- IT security,
- corporate networking,
- IT support and maintenance for businesses,
- and certified professional IT services.
Our goal is to provide high-quality IT support and consulting services in an efficient, cost-effective, and timely manner, ensuring that our clients’ technological infrastructures remain operational and secure.
With the “IT Unlimited” service (including the Premium and Premium 365x7x24 options), we ensure a proactive approach based on:
- monitoring,
- alarmist,
- availability reporting,
- failure prevention and rapid response times.
Thank you to our customer
DataRoad would like to thank Serviced Apartments Boavista Palace for placing their trust in our team to implement this business Wi-Fi solution, computer networks, and proactive maintenance.
Do you need secure Wi-Fi for your apartment, floor, or building?
If you manage:
- serviced apartments, vacation rentals, hotels, residences, co-living,
- multi-story, high-density buildings,
- or do you need business Wi-Fi with VLANs, security, and bandwidth management,
DataRoad can help with:
- design and installation,
- configuration and optimization,
- perimeter security,
- Internet redundancy,
- ongoing support with monitoring.
📩 Request a technical assessment of your wireless network and receive a proposal with a recommended architecture.
✅ FAQ
How can we ensure that each apartment has its own secure Wi-Fi network?
With VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) segmentation and appropriate security policies, it is possible to create isolated networks for each apartment, preventing communication between units.
Is it possible to limit internet access by apartment?
Yes. Per-device bandwidth management helps balance usage and keep the network stable, preventing one user from degrading the experience for others.
Does DataRoad install Wi-Fi in multi-story buildings?
Yes. DataRoad provides consulting, installation, and optimization services for multi-story buildings, ensuring adequate coverage and consistent performance.
What does the IT Unlimited contract include?
Includes proactive support with monitoring, alerts, and reporting, with options for extended coverage (including 24/7, depending on the plan).
