Wireless site survey

Session Objectives What is site surveying? Identify the importance of site surveying Identify items a wireless site survey should disclose Identify the site surveying tools Site surveying methods How different vendor equipment impacts site surveying How different technologies impacts site surveying

What is a Wireless Site Survey? A series of procedures using specific wireless equipment to identify proper wireless coverage in a given area for a wireless local area network. –Identify any interference sources either work around the interference propose eliminating the interference –Identify the need for specific antenna usage and its characteristics –Identify the dB gain of the antenna –Identify the directional properties –Identify throughput requirements based on users and equipment to determine access point placement –Identify type of wireless devices to be used and types of applications to be used –Idendify maximum number of devices/users

Importance of Wireless Site Surveying Without a site survey, everyone assumes wireless coverage is complete and adequate when in fact the opposite is normally true because: –Wireless interference may occur without knowing where or why within the wireless coverage area –Wireless security is often overlooked and radio frequency spillage occurs in unwanted areas like public streets or other buildings –Inadequate coverage occurs without knowing the proper number of access points and antennas required for a given coverage area –Lack of wireless coverage testing results in coverage gaps where no coverage exists –Depending on the antenna placement and environment, multipath distortion will cause too many null zones where no coverage exists. –With site surveying, one can guarantee the coverage

A Site Survey Should... Disclose problem (radio interference) areas Identify the technology needed for a given coverage area Identify the equipment that can and cannot work with existing WLAN technology Determine the total number of access points and antennas needed Identify the type of access points Identify the type of antennas Identify the need for any antenna accessories Identify the need for any security issues

The Need for Site Surveying Before a company decides on a wireless network or a wireless site survey, they need to be able to answer a wireless questionnaire that includes the following: –How many users? –What type of wireless devices? –What type of applications are being used on these devices? –What type of throughput is required? –How many wireless sites? –What are the characteristics and dimensions of the sites? –Do the sites include multiple floors of coverage? –After these and other questions are answered, a site survey can be scheduled with the proper equipment for specific dates

Site Surveying There are many tools that can be used for a site survey. These tools are discussed later. Bring only the tools that are right specifically site survey job based on customer needs. An analysis of the survey sites must be done to determine if additional equipment is needed i.e., lift bucket for high ceilings

Site Survey Tools Access points Antennas Client devices Test software Power source Mounting hardware Digital Camera Accessories Site survey plan Floor layouts

Site Surveying Methodology In site surveying, there are many different site surveying methods and everyone has their own unique method in determine wireless coverage. The most popular of these methods are: –"Outside-In" method This method assumes an omni-directional antenna is used –"T" method This method assumes a directional antenna is used –"3-D" method This method assumes coverage is provided on more than just one floor of a multi-floor building