Chapter 15 Radio Frequency Site Survey Fundamentals WLAN Site Survey Interview Documentation and reports Vertical market Considerations

Exam Essentials Define the site survey interview. Be able to explain the importance of the interview process prior to the wireless site survey. Understand that the interview is for educating the customer and clearly defining all their wireless needs. Identify the questions necessary to determine capacity and coverage needs. Understand the importance of proper capacity and coverage planning. Define all the numerous considerations when planning for RF cell coverage, bandwidth, and throughput. Explain existing wireless network troubleshooting concerns. Be able to explain the questions necessary to troubleshoot an existing WLAN installation prior to conducting a secondary site survey.

Exam Essentials Define infrastructure connectivity issues. Understand all the necessary questions that must be asked in order to guarantee proper integration of the WLAN into the existing wired infrastructure. Identify site survey documentation and forms. Correctly identify all the documentation that must be assembled and created prior to the site survey. Be familiar with all the information and documentation that is needed in the final deliverables. Explain vertical market considerations. Understand the business requirements of different vertical markets and how these requirements will alter the site survey and final deployment.

Site Surveys Administrative perspective What do you need to know, and who do you need to talk to What preparation and document gathering needs to be done. Final reports for delivery Pg 502

WLAN Site Survey Interview Is a site survey needed YES Planning Small locations are relatively easy Large locations often require proper prep Interview is to help customer and technician sync expectations So WLAN meets the mobility, coverage, and capacity needs Pg 502

Customer Briefing Prepare customer for reality of WLAN More than plug and play Explain advantages and limitations Explain bandwidth ratings vs. throughput Half duplex RF signals and interference Pg 502

Business Requirements What is the purpose of the WLAN Applications needs/VoWiFi…. Different requirements Warehousing vs. Hospital Different needs Pg 503

Business Requirements What applications will be used Who will be using the WLAN What types of devices will be connecting to the WLAN Pg 503

Capacity and Coverage Requirements What capacity is needed What is the coverage area Everywhere?? Outdoors Closets Bathrooms Additional areas are additional costs Hallways may need semidirectional rather than dipole Pg 504

Capacity and Coverage Requirements Capacity Needs Plan for cell sizing Colocation if high user density/high throughput needs Data applications 12 to 15 users per AP User Density How many users now How many users in the future Where are they located Pg 504

Capacity and Coverage Requirements Peak on/off use When will usage peak Existing Transmitters Sources of interference Microwaves, cordless headsets, cordless phones, wireless devices, etc Mobile vs. Mobility Mobile-Move from one location to another and reconnect Mobility-Seamless motion while staying connected roaming Pg 504

Capacity and Coverage Requirements 802.11g (ERP) protection Backward compatibility? Pg 504

Existing Wireless Networks What about when you are fixing an existing network Additional site survey Need to evaluate settings/ power/placement of existing APs, clients Look for interference, hidden node, etc Pg 506

Existing Wireless Networks What are the current problems with the existing WLAN Get clear description Are there known sources of RF interference Kitchen near AP, headsets, etc Are there any known coverage dead zones Is there existing documentation What Equipment is currently installed Technology version and vendor details Security settings Power Use site survey to adjust existing may fix problem Pg 506

Infrastructure Connectivity Plan for good integration with wired network Where/How will APs connect to infrastructure Where is WLAN controller/ RADIUS server, etc Network diagrams are often “secured” documents May need an NDA Pg 507

Infrastructure Connectivity Roaming Wiring Closets Antenna Structure Hubs/Switches PoE Pg 507

Infrastructure Connectivity Segmentation Naming Convention User Management Infrastructure management Pg 507

Security Expectations Need to coordinate wireless security with network management Data privacy Authentication, Authorization, Accounting requirements Use of WIDS or WIPS Rogue APs Encryption overhear needs to be part of plan VPN, etc Be aware of other regulations Health, finance, etc Pg 509

Guest Access Do they need is Separate WVLAN? Pg 510

Documents and Reports Need good documents Up to date if possible Documents are used to create final report Customer Docs Blueprints Can be used with software for survey Topographic Map For outdoor connections Pg 510

Documents and Reports Blueprints Topographic Map Can be used with software for survey Topographic Map For outdoor connections Pg 510

Documents and Reports Network Topology Map Security credentials As stated before, understanding this is needed for planning AP placement and layer 3 boundaries Security credentials For you to access physical locations Interview Checklist Questions and docs to get Installation Checklist Hardware placement, antenna type, power, etc Equipment checklist What was used for the survey Pg 510

Deliverables Documents/Materials in the report Purpose Statement Spectrum Analysis RF Coverage Analysis Hardware Placement and Configuration Application Analysis Pg 512

Additional Reports In addition to site survey, installation recommendations can be made Vendor Recommendations Particular product line Implementation Diagrams Design diagram with AP placements Bill of materials Project Schedule and Costs Security Solution recommendations Wireless Policy Recommendations Training Recommendations Pg 513

Vertical Markets Outdoor Surveys Aesthetics Weather constraints National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) enclosures RF Regulations Aesthetics Most businesses want APs out of sight Also want them secured Pg 514

Vertical Markets Government Education Healthcare Security Multi OS environment Drivers Old buildings RF Transmissions Healthcare Other equipment in ISM range RFID tags Pg 514

Vertical Markets Hotspots Retail Warehouses Mostly 2.4 Ghz Other equipment can cause interference Racks and metal Warehouses Legacy deployments Survey at peak times Inventory will affect propogation Pg 514

Vertical Markets Manufacturing Multitenant Buildings Safety Harsh Environments Multitenant Buildings Other businesses and their equipment Use 5 Ghz where you can Pg 518

Exam Essentials Define the site survey interview. Be able to explain the importance of the interview process prior to the wireless site survey. Understand that the interview is for educating the customer and clearly defining all their wireless needs. Identify the questions necessary to determine capacity and coverage needs. Understand the importance of proper capacity and coverage planning. Define all the numerous considerations when planning for RF cell coverage, bandwidth, and throughput. Explain existing wireless network troubleshooting concerns. Be able to explain the questions necessary to troubleshoot an existing WLAN installation prior to conducting a secondary site survey.

Exam Essentials Define infrastructure connectivity issues. Understand all the necessary questions that must be asked in order to guarantee proper integration of the WLAN into the existing wired infrastructure. Identify site survey documentation and forms. Correctly identify all the documentation that must be assembled and created prior to the site survey. Be familiar with all the information and documentation that is needed in the final deliverables. Explain vertical market considerations. Understand the business requirements of different vertical markets and how these requirements will alter the site survey and final deployment.