wireless test

[suthomas1]

Hi,

We want to do a wireless test for deciding appropriate wireless locations for AP's.

What is the best way to do this; can i use an autonomous AP with an ssid and move around to see the connection to a laptop?

will this work, considering this autonomous AP will not be connected to any controller during this test.

Appreciate all inputs!

[maldehne]

thats ok.

But you would rather need to use certain tools to conduct site survey such as airmagnet ...etc.

check the following links:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/docs/wireless/wlan_adapter/350_cb20a/user/win_ce/2.3/configuration/guide/CE_appE.html

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/tech/tk722/tk809/technologies_q_and_a_item09186a00805e9a96.shtml

There are a lot of poost in the internet that provides more details on how to run site survey.

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[suthomas1]

Thanks but we wont be able to use tools due to certain restrictions.

Hence all we are planning to do is to test the signal strength using a simple AP and one laptop.

Can an autonomous AP be used for this purpose, the AP will not be connected to any controller while we test the coverage.

Please advise.

[maldehne · Accepted solution]

yeah you can use autonomous APs

[suthomas1]

sorry, i just want to re-confirm my understanding. so we can carry an autonomous AP pre-configured with an ssid around the location & just power it up using an adapter. There will be no ethernet connection to it.

Will this be workable to obtain the desired coverage test.

[Scott Fella]

Yes it will work that way. You don't need the ethernet connected when doing a site survey.

Usually we use a PoE battery pack that powers up the AP so that you don't have to drag around an extension cable or a UPS. We use battery packs from Sparco and or Tessco.

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[Scott Fella]

Suthomas1,

Using an AP that you will eventually implement with is the best was to perform a site survey. Cisco provides autonomous code for the newer AP's to do this (wasn't available a year ago). Using an autonomous AP is how we perform a site survey. Even though you don't use a tool and will just use a laptop, there are many free tools to give you RSSI and SNR readings.

http://www.nowiressecurity.com/articles/free_wi-fi_stumbling_and_surveying_tools.htm

I'm glad to see that your going to perform a wireless site survey even though your not using an expensive tool! It's better to perform one than not one at all!

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[Scott Fella]

Sparco was bought out by PCTel and I don't think no longer offers their PoE battery pack which I preferred. Here is the PoE battery pack from Tessco. They usually last you 6-8 hours.

http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProducts.do?bgCategoryId=29248

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