RF Survey -- what's involved or how to do it??

Hi all,

We've put a wireless network into two of our buildings, and each has
identical hardware and access points... in fact the buildings are
almost identical in layout with AP's in the same spots at both sites.

With 4 access points per site and a number of wireless devices, we're
finding one building works great while the other isn't so good. In
the latter building we can literally put a laptop on a table,
stationary, and watch the wireless strength go up and down.. from 54
all the way down to 2 or so mbps and back up -- almost randomly goes
up and down.

I've talked to a few folks online and many asked if we did an RF
Survey of the area before putting in the wireless network. I've never
hurd of such a survey. Can someone give me info on whats involved in
doing such a survey or what equiptment is needed?

Before putting in the network I did use Kismet around each building.
The one that's having trouble is near a neighborhood with two access
points which reach to our building... but theirs plus ours are all
closed with WEP encryption. The site with no problems is isolated
with nothing around it -- so no neighboring AP's.

Some factors I've heard could cause problems are 2.4 Ghz phones and
other devices plus fluorescent lighting... but both buildings are
basically equal in both of these.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

- Ringo -

"Ringo Langly" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Hi all,
>
> We've put a wireless network into two of our buildings, and each has
> identical hardware and access points... in fact the buildings are
> almost identical in layout with AP's in the same spots at both sites.
>
> With 4 access points per site and a number of wireless devices, we're
> finding one building works great while the other isn't so good. In
> the latter building we can literally put a laptop on a table,
> stationary, and watch the wireless strength go up and down.. from 54
> all the way down to 2 or so mbps and back up -- almost randomly goes
> up and down.
>
> I've talked to a few folks online and many asked if we did an RF
> Survey of the area before putting in the wireless network. I've never
> hurd of such a survey. Can someone give me info on whats involved in
> doing such a survey or what equiptment is needed?
>
> Before putting in the network I did use Kismet around each building.
> The one that's having trouble is near a neighborhood with two access
> points which reach to our building... but theirs plus ours are all
> closed with WEP encryption. The site with no problems is isolated
> with nothing around it -- so no neighboring AP's.
>
> Some factors I've heard could cause problems are 2.4 Ghz phones and
> other devices plus fluorescent lighting... but both buildings are
> basically equal in both of these.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> - Ringo -

WEP encryption will not prevent your neighbor's radio signal from
interfering with yours. You should configure your APs to stay away from the
neighbor's channels, especially your APs that are closer to the neighbors.
Ideally you would like to use non-overlapping channels (1, 6, and 11), but
it's OK to use channels that are at least 3 channels away, especially if
they're not too close.

Ron Bandes, CCNP, CTT+, etc.