Wireless networks are increasingly important in our daily lives, and organizations are always looking for ways to design and optimize their networks for maximum performance. One effective method for optimizing wireless networks is a passive site survey, and Ekahau is the ideal tool for performing these surveys.
Ekahau is a leading provider of wireless network design and analysis software, providing organizations with a comprehensive solution for wireless site surveys. The key benefit of using Ekahau for passive site surveys is its ability to collect data passively, without disrupting the normal operation of the network.
A passive site survey is performed by collecting data from existing wireless devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices. This data is used to map the wireless network, identify areas where the network may be weak, and take steps to improve the network's performance.
One of the best practices for performing a passive site survey using Ekahau is to ensure that the software is installed on a laptop or tablet with a Wi-Fi adapter. The laptop should also have a good battery life, as the survey can take several hours to complete.
Another best practice is to gather as much information about the site as possible before starting the survey. This includes the layout of the building, the location of walls and other obstacles, and the number and location of wireless access points.
It is also important to choose the right time for the survey. The best time is typical during business hours when the network is in use and wireless devices are actively transmitting and receiving data.
Finally, it is important to perform a walk-through of the site, collecting data from each location. The data should be collected in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and at different times of day to account for variations in network usage.
In conclusion, passive site surveys are an effective and efficient way to optimize wireless networks, and Ekahau is the ideal tool for performing these surveys. By following these best practices and ensuring that the software is installed on a suitable laptop, administrators can collect accurate and detailed data to help improve the performance of their wireless networks.
Recently, the Orion US wireless team completed a passive wireless site survey using Ekahau site survey pro in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The project involved surveying approximately 99,429 sq ft of office and warehouse. A comprehensive report was provided with findings and remediation.
During the analysis of the survey data, the RF engineer found the following issue onsite:
a. Inadequate wireless signal coverage was observed on both 2.4 GHz and 5GHz
b. Some Access Points have very high power in 5GHz
c. Some Access Points have extremely low power for 2.4GHz
d. Inconsistent channel width on Access Points in 5GHz
e. The Site currently uses 6 SSIDs.
Remediation
The above issues can be remediated by optimizing the configuration of the RF Profile on the Meraki Dashboard. RF Profiles provide more control over radio settings for APs. More information on RF Profile configuration can be found here.
We recommended the creation of two RF profiles as below:
a. Access Points in the office area
RF Setting for 2.4 GHz
Channel Width: 20 MHz
Radio Transmit Power: 8 to 14 dBm
Channel Width: 20 MHz [Can go upto 40 MHz]
Radio Transmit Power: 8 to 14 dBm
b. Access Points in the Warehouse area
Channel Width: 20 MHz
Radio Transmit Power: 8 to 14 dBm
Channel Width: 20 MHz
Radio Transmit Power: 8 to 14 dBm
The details of the surveys are below.
| 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz | |
| Signal Strength | -65 dBm | -65 dBm |
| Secondary signal strength | -68 dBm | -68 dBm |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 25 dB | 25 dB |
| Data rate | 12 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
The below Table shows the Power Level for each Access Point installed onsite.
The images below show the Signal Coverage for 2.4 and 5 GHz onsite – Red area shows major coverage gaps/holes.
5 GHz - Signal Coverage
Please get in touch with the experts at Orion US today.
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