Six steps for wireless network location survey

Periodic wireless network location surveys are very important.

In order for the wireless network to work at the best level, make sure the access points (Access Points - AP) are in the best area and the radio waves (possibly the cause of the interference) must be at the lowest level.

Depending on the type of installation, there are a number of tools to help you do this, such as software in the location survey program. The following basic steps will help you get the job done at the best level:

Six steps for wireless network location survey Picture 1 1. Outline the detailed plan , or basic plan, for the areas that you want the wireless network to cover. Some software products can help you build a basic plan directly. Consider plans and obstacles such as walls, lobby, elevators, floors - things that can interfere with the signal. Also note where it can be provided to users (as well as places not provided) to determine the average range.

2. Determine where to allocate access points (APs) based on power and cable that you can connect APs to the rest of the network. Remember that you should not place access points near metal objects or concrete walls. They should be placed as close to the ceiling as possible.

3. Estimate the total number of access points needed for the entire network range. Remember the top rule is that an AP can provide a radius of about 30 meters, which gives you a preliminary scope of the AP area to help you start the survey. If you already have some access points, pay attention to its location on the preliminary plan.

4. Use survey tool . Make sure you use the same AP model in your real infrastructure survey. Please see the instructions below to select the appropriate tool to use.

5. Locate and re-check the access points , depending on the results of your survey.

6. Use search materials : record areas and symbol reading materials, estimated data observed for later work.

Six steps for wireless network location survey Picture 2 Source: summittechnologies

Which tool should you choose best for the survey? There are three basic types:

The first is Windows-based software, which can be used on a single laptop. These software help you record estimation calculations such as signal length when walking around the building. You only need to buy a single AP and rotate around the potential locations identified in step 3. This tool is suitable for places that require small installations, only from one to three APs.

They are also good in case you don't have a simple 'open office' plan, but there are different types of corridors and latent wave dead spots scattered around many floors. There are free tools for you to choose from such as NetStumbler and more features with AirMagnet Survey, Visiwave, Fluke Networks InterpretAir, Ekahau Site Survey, but costing a few thousand dollars.

There are also other tools that work in conjunction with switching wireless products. They can be from Cisco Systems, Aruba Networks and Trapeze Networks, monitoring your wave range, giving you location advice on where to place the best AP points.

The Aruba Mobility Controller has a free trial period and is an integral part of the manufacturer's switch set. Cisco's Wireless Control System costs $ 4,000 and Trapeze's RingMaster costs more than $ 549. If you have not decided on a wireless infrastructure vendor, rate their analysis tool.

Six steps for wireless network location survey Picture 3 Source: teamhogan One problem with these tools is that when applied to the real infrastructure, dead-point parameters and poor coverage areas are not accurate. Depending on the base plan and the number of obstacles such as thick walls and metal walls, you may need to purchase one of the "wall-around" tools discussed above.

Finally there are some similar tools with great elasticity. They are useful in assessing sizes for places of multi-storey construction, yard grounds, campuses. You can also use for similar deployment activities or for the requirements of many different models in the future. These tools include SpectraGuard Planner of AirTight Networks, Wireless Valley LANPlanner, AirDefense Survey of Motorola, Bluesocket's Wireless LAN Planner. Trapeze's RingMaster is also capable of building radio models and similar functions. These tools are useful in evaluating the total number of APs you will need and simulating the final environment to build for you relatively well. But they can't tell you which devices are obstructing or give you an overall overview of the wireless network environment you're about to build.

Remember, conducting a wireless network survey is never enough. They need to be done periodically. The wave environment may change when Bluetooth keyboards and radio listening devices come and go, as well as when microwave ovens turn on / off, or when a variety of other wireless devices contaminate the allocation sequence. 802.11 standard.

So first listen to users who will surely complain that their signals are too weak and look for new dead spots in your building. And make sure that surveys are a part of network activities in general.