Hi,

I had seen the Fluke stuff. I then saw the price and realised I had zero chance getting that one in, hence looking for an alternative. I'd *like* to use it, but I don't think the funds are there.

Regards

--

David Rickard

Systems Manager
IT - Network Team
Buckinghamshire New University
High Wycombe Campus
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire HP11 2JZ

Telephone: 01494 601 649
Facsimile: 01494 524 392
Main Switchboard: 01494 522 141, ext. 1649

bucks.ac.uk


-----Original Message-----
From: Wireless Issues in the JANET community [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of HUGHES David
Sent: 13 April 2012 10:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Surveying kit - starting out

Hi David,

We are undertaking a similar exercise soon and I have some of the same issues as you. We have tried the Ekahau *free* heat mapper (http://www.ekahau.com/) which will provide a static snapshot of the AP's it can see as you survey. This is very limited as you have to re survey each time you make a change. Ekahau Site Survey is pretty good as you can survey-once and then add or remove AP's from your virtual Wi-Fi network and the software will mock this up so you get an idea of what it will look like. Unfortunately it costs approximately £3K.

The other option if Fluke's Airmagnet which provides many of the same functions plus you can add a spectrum analyser (for non Wi-Fi sources of interference). Cost is approximately 3k as well. (http://www.flukenetworks.com/enterprise-network/wlan-security-and-analysis#WLAN%20Security%20and%20Analysis)

The big advantage of these products is that you can perform a site survey and then change the design. The downside is that they are expensive.

At present we use an AP on a tripod connected to a 12V battery and we range test this with a couple of laptops to perform a basic range test whilst loading the AP with traffic. When the connection drops to below 48 mpbs we add an AP to the floor plan and move on to the next area. To be honest the problem we now face is that we have a lot of static maps on WCS that are ok to look at but the floor data will have to be reimported each time an AP has changed. Ehakau and Fluke can export their data directly to WCS.

Hope this helps.

Regards

David Hughes
Senior IT Officer (Networks)
Staffordshire University

-----Original Message-----
From: Wireless Issues in the JANET community [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Rickard
Sent: 13 April 2012 09:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Surveying kit - starting out

Hi,

I've searched the archives for this list, but thus far not found much.

We've currently got a site-wide wireless implementation using Cisco LWAPs and WISMs. It works 'okay' but we're looking to improve on it.
Coverage is a little patchy in places, and general reliability isn't great. I've found part of the reason for this is that when installed, a good proportion of the APs were never properly located in the Cisco WCS, so many of them seem to have little clue as to where they are in relation to others. Consequentially, we've found some APs running on all sorts of crazy settings.

The APs were installed by a third-party company (they make printers with expensive ink, you may have heard of them), and actually physically locating some of them is proving 'fun' owing to the fact they're above suspended ceilings and the like - without pulling down half the ceiling, they're a bit tricky to find.

So to try and kill two birds with one stone, I'm looking for a decent bit of software which allows me to survey the site, and a) locate APs and b) locate areas with poor signal. So far I've played with a few, and the favourite is TamoSoft Site Survey (http://www.tamos.com/products/wifi-site-survey/). It seems pretty simple and robust, which suits me. Plus it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

I'm just curious if anybody can impart some wisdom, or recommendation.
Any help is gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

--

David Rickard

Systems Manager
IT - Network Team
Buckinghamshire New University
High Wycombe Campus
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire HP11 2JZ

Telephone: 01494 601 649
Facsimile: 01494 524 392
Main Switchboard: 01494 522 141, ext. 1649

bucks.ac.uk

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