Wi-Fi survey tools get RF analysis
Wi-Fi site survey tools are starting to include spectrum analysis, so network managers can set up more reliable wireless LANs with one trip round the office.
AirMagnet has combined its RF analysis tool (launched last year, into the latest version of AirMagnet Survey, which also includes GPS linkage to make for easier data gathering. Wireless survey specialist Ekahau, meanwhile, has had its product adopted by network measurement company.
"With one walk through the floorplan, you can collect Wi-Fi and spectrum interference data," said Wade Williamson, product manager at AirMagnet, which is launching an integrated version of AirMagnet Survey 3.0 and Spectum Analyzer version 2.0 today. Building in spectrum analysis allows the network staff to identify the characteristic signals patterns of non-Wi-Fi devices such as phones and micro-wave ovens, and avoid problems, as well as to plan for the capacity and quality of the eventual network, he said.
