We use Ekahau as our primary survey tool for conducting wireless surveys. Our sites range anywhere from small buildings with three access points to large buildings with up to 40 access points. So, we're pretty diverse in using this software. We also do post-surveys by using the software with Sidekick, which is a device that monitors wireless signals.
Having GPS capabilities built into the device you are using is beneficial because it can easily line up with maps and things of that nature, especially if you are doing any kind of site surveys outside.
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Their software, combined with the Sidekick, is the best tool that we have come across. This is why we chose it: to conduct accurate site surveys, and they are compatible with all of the access points that we use.
I'd like to see the option of an in-app photo application or a way to upload photos while carrying out an active onsite survey. You can obviously use a tablet's camera but it would be helpful to have an automated import of the physical AP in the Ekahau reports. Also, they come out with a lot of updates and it sometimes feels too much. Finally, I'd like to see a function or plugin for Ekahau to pick up on the switches the APs connect to so that you can map out further than just the APs when you do your site survey. It would be great if it could pick up a Mac address of each AP's switches, which would help engineers map out a network topology.
It would be helpful if the tool could be managed by someone who doesn't have a lot of experience and doesn't need any support to do a site survey. That could increase its value in comparison with other software.
A wireless site survey analyzes the radio frequency environment of an area where a Wi-Fi network is deployed. Network teams use site surveys when planning a new network to determine where to install access points (APs).
Teams should also conduct periodic site surveys while the network is operating. Changes to office floor plans and layouts, such as the movement or addition of desks or file cabinets, might require changes to AP locations. New equipment might need a high level of signal strength in a location that doesn't provide the required signal levels. New applications or increased use of an existing application might also require improved performance. A site survey can determine any necessary changes to the network.
In a predictive site survey, the blueprint shows virtual APs, and the survey software determines signal strength based on information about how signals propagate through walls and around cabinets and desks. The software also factors in the types of applications used in the area -- e.g., heavy video use requires high throughput, while VoIP calls don't require high throughput, but do require tight limits on latency and delay.
The goal of a passive survey is to report on all signals at each location, including the installed network and signals from neighboring sites or other devices that generate noise at wireless frequencies.
Teams should perform passive surveys periodically after they build the site, install equipment and activate the network. These surveys report information on APs and their characteristics, signal strength, signal-to-noise ratios and interference. They might reveal marginal performance changes before users notice.
Active surveys focus on a specific signal or set of specific signals and produce an extensive list of measurements for each AP that generates a studied signal. These measurements include signal strength, throughput, round-trip time, packet loss and retransmission rate throughout the area where the signal is used. Active site surveys also measure upstream and downstream data rates and might result in teams moving an AP or adding or removing an unneeded AP. Teams should perform active surveys when investigating performance problems.
It might be tempting for network teams to avoid the cost of doing a site survey. Often, teams want to use rule-of-thumb guidelines to determine how many APs a given area needs. The estimate might be adequate for some deployments, but it could also result in more or fewer APs than applications and performance levels require. Even if the estimated number of APs is accurate, guesses about where to locate the APs might not provide the performance needed.
In the end, skipping a site survey could result in larger costs due to the extra cost of buying and installing more APs than needed. Not installing enough APs might result in user complaints of poor performance. Adding more units and moving existing ones later are more expensive than installing the right number in the right places initially.
The initial input to a wireless site survey includes a blueprint that shows the placement of walls, desks and other equipment. The survey then produces several types of output. It generates a heat map, which is a color-coded map that shows signal strength throughout the area based on where APs are placed. If the map shows that strength is too low in some places, teams can move APs or add units.
Wireless network technology has made and continues to make steady progress, and it now supports applications that previously required a wired network. Nevertheless, a wireless network requires constant maintenance to ensure excellent performance. Wireless site surveys can help network teams ensure their wireless networks meet coverage and performance requirements.
Ekahau Site Survey is an enterprise-level Wi-Fi planning, site survey and WLAN troubleshooting solution developed by Ekahau. It can intuitively and visually collect, analyze and display all the key parameters related to a whole of WiFi coverage on both map and plan, including: RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication), interference, SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio), access points with best strength, total number of access points, channel signals, data transfer rate, and so on. Its design intent is to integrate simple wireless network plan, accurate measurement information of site survey and straightforward & visualized data/reports in one place, thereby saving the time spent on various stages of wireless network planning & developing.
While its not free netspot is an OK heat mapper. Its not as good as Ekahau, but no where as ridiculously expensive either. For a small business the Pro level is reasonable enough in cost. The home version is also usable if your use case fits into their terms of service. I do see they have a free version of netspot too, but I've never tried it. The other option is to get the 7 day activation code so you can try out the pro version. Hint: have your site, building drawings. map already built (in visio or whatever and saved as PNG). This way you can import them into netspot and start scanning right away. 2ff7e9595c
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