Wireless Software required

Hi,

Can anybody suggest software for make wireless surveys?

I have a customer who's wireless network at home keeps dropping out and it
look as if it's being caused by interferance. I need software that I can use
on my laptop with wireless card to perform a survey / spectrum analysis to
help either pin down what could be cause the interference.

Any suggestion would be gratfully received.

Cheers

TheDysk

"TheDysk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bAyQf.62617$(E-Mail Removed). ..
> Hi,
>
> Can anybody suggest software for make wireless surveys?
>
> I have a customer who's wireless network at home keeps dropping out and it
> look as if it's being caused by interferance. I need software that I can
> use on my laptop with wireless card to perform a survey / spectrum
> analysis to help either pin down what could be cause the interference.
>
> Any suggestion would be gratfully received.
>
> Cheers
>
> TheDysk
>
You don't need software, any wireless enabled PC can be used. Tell your
friend/client to use his own PC and tell you which other networks show up.
Then just change channels for him. If you can't do any of that then god
help your customer! Tell him to come to the group and we will advise him
directly as it sounds like you don't know much about computers and might
confuse matters.
If you really want analysis software to break encryption and passwords in
order to hijack a connection - just say so! There are a few programs for
that.

"paul" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:ERBQf.176$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "TheDysk" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:bAyQf.62617$(E-Mail Removed). ..
>> Hi,
>>
>> Can anybody suggest software for make wireless surveys?
>>
>> I have a customer who's wireless network at home keeps dropping out and
>> it look as if it's being caused by interferance. I need software that I
>> can use on my laptop with wireless card to perform a survey / spectrum
>> analysis to help either pin down what could be cause the interference.
>>
>> Any suggestion would be gratfully received.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> TheDysk
>>
> You don't need software, any wireless enabled PC can be used. Tell your
> friend/client to use his own PC and tell you which other networks show up.
> Then just change channels for him. If you can't do any of that then god
> help your customer! Tell him to come to the group and we will advise him
> directly as it sounds like you don't know much about computers and might
> confuse matters.
> If you really want analysis software to break encryption and passwords in
> order to hijack a connection - just say so! There are a few programs for
> that.
>
>

My god! Your 100% wrong about me on all counts.

This is a genuine request for genuine help to fix a genuine problem.

My client has a wireless network on channel 13 of the 2.4Ghz range and 2
audio/visual senders on channels 2 and 3 on the 2.4Ghz range. Using windows
on my laptop I was able to do the usual simple site survey to determine that
there were no other computer wireless network in the immediate area on the
2.4Ghz range. The problem persists even when the Audio/Video senders are
turned off.

I have tested his wireless router and wireless network card off site and had
no dropout problems. Therefore the dropout problems have to be with
interference from some other device, not computer related, that is
transmitting in the 2.4Ghz range. This is why I need software that I can use
with my laptop and wireless card to analyse the 2.4Ghz range and see what
other signals (other than Wireless Networks) I can detect and try to narrow
down the problem.

I am not in the least bit interested in breaking encryption and gaining
passwords. I set up the encryption and passwords for him. I'm not even
interested in any packets of data that are being transmitted. And also for
your information, I have worked in IT support for the past 25 years. I was
setting up network and PC's, Mac's and Unix boxes when you were probably
still in nappies.

Now. If you can get down of your high horse and if you are able to provide
some useful information that will lead me to software for analysing the
frequencies in the 2.4Ghz range then fine. If you cannot help then don't
make assumptions about people you do not know.

I don't want software that can analyse packets of data, I just want to find
out what frequancies are transmitting in the area without spending a fortune
on professional equipment to fix one problem.

Rant Over

TheDysk

>
> My god! Your 100% wrong about me on all counts.
>
> This is a genuine request for genuine help to fix a genuine problem.
>
> My client has a wireless network on channel 13 of the 2.4Ghz range and 2
> audio/visual senders on channels 2 and 3 on the 2.4Ghz range. Using
> windows on my laptop I was able to do the usual simple site survey to
> determine that there were no other computer wireless network in the
> immediate area on the 2.4Ghz range. The problem persists even when the
> Audio/Video senders are turned off.
>
> I have tested his wireless router and wireless network card off site and
> had no dropout problems. Therefore the dropout problems have to be with
> interference from some other device, not computer related, that is
> transmitting in the 2.4Ghz range. This is why I need software that I can
> use with my laptop and wireless card to analyse the 2.4Ghz range and see
> what other signals (other than Wireless Networks) I can detect and try to
> narrow down the problem.
>
> I am not in the least bit interested in breaking encryption and gaining
> passwords. I set up the encryption and passwords for him. I'm not even
> interested in any packets of data that are being transmitted. And also for
> your information, I have worked in IT support for the past 25 years. I was
> setting up network and PC's, Mac's and Unix boxes when you were probably
> still in nappies.
>
> Now. If you can get down of your high horse and if you are able to provide
> some useful information that will lead me to software for analysing the
> frequencies in the 2.4Ghz range then fine. If you cannot help then don't
> make assumptions about people you do not know.
>
> I don't want software that can analyse packets of data, I just want to
> find out what frequancies are transmitting in the area without spending a
> fortune on professional equipment to fix one problem.
>

And before anybody suggest it. Yes I have tried the Wireless network on
other channels and still seem to have problem with interference. Strangely
enough the Audio/Video senders don't seem to have a problem.

TheDysk

> You don't need software, any wireless enabled PC can be used. Tell your
> friend/client to use his own PC and tell you which other networks show up.
> Then just change channels for him. If you can't do any of that then god
> help your customer! Tell him to come to the group and we will advise him
> directly as it sounds like you don't know much about computers and might
> confuse matters.
> If you really want analysis software to break encryption and passwords in
> order to hijack a connection - just say so! There are a few programs for
> that.
>
>

knob

"TheDysk" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>This is a genuine request for genuine help to fix a genuine problem.

That was impossible to determine from the original question. Detail
is always useful.

>Now. If you can get down of your high horse and if you are able to provide
>some useful information that will lead me to software for analysing the
>frequencies in the 2.4Ghz range then fine.

Use a tool, such as Kismet, that will detect wi-fi systems that do not
broadcast their SSID. It might show additional systems.
http://remote-exploit.org/?page=auditor
I currently get about 5-10 times as many hits with Kismet as I do with
Netstumbler.

Checklist of possible interference sources:
Microwave oven
2.4Ghz video or security camera link (X10).
Municipal wireless networks.
Bluetooth devices (mouse, phone, PDA, headset, cell phone, etc)
Portable wireless TV camera used at sports events.
Frequency hopping cordless phones (Panasonic Gigarange)
802.11b/g wireless keyboards, PDA's, and cell phones.
2.4GHz game pads and controllers.
RF Excited Lighting (Fusion Lighting).
2.4GHz baby monitors.
2.4GHz ham radio operation.
WISP (wireless internet service providers) which may be using
non-802.11 type of modulation (i.e. WiMax).
Breezecom/Alvarion/Symbol/Raylink frequency hopping networks.
Western Multiplex or Proxim non-802.11 wireless links. (e.g Lynx).
HomeRF frequency hopping network.
Zigbee 802.15.4 sensor wireless network.
Microwave fruit drying oven, plastic mold preheater.
Unstable high power wi-fi power amplifier spraying garbage.

Most of these cannot be detected by a wi-fi sniffer or probe. They
require a spectrum analyzer to see. Using a spectrum analyzer for
intereference detection and location is tricky. You'll need a big
directional antenna (24dBi dish). It's very difficult to see weak
signals. Those that you see are difficult to identify without
considerable experience. Reflections are always a problem. It's easy
to get false signals from front-end overload. For some possible
devices see:

Wi-Spy. Needs reflector or external antenna to be really useful.
| http://www.metageek.net ($99)
Limited dynamic range (about 35dB). I would recommend this as a good
minimum.

Proxim RangeLan2 card. ($20)
| http://www.e3.com.au/modules.php?op=...article&sid=22
Cheap but very slow and insensitive.

802.11 scanner. Prism 1 chipset only.
| http://www.allaboutjake.com/network/...lanexpert.html

Cognio.
| http://www.cognio.com ($4000)

Berkeley Varionics Yellowjacket.
| http://www.bvsystems.com/Products/WL...YJ802.11bg.htm
Be sure to view the video on the bottom of the page so you can see
what you're likely to run into.

Seriously professional spectrum analyzer. You don't wanna know the
price:
| http://www.us.anritsu.com/products/A...cat3=46&cat4=0

CATV and satellite portable spectrum analyzers.
| http://www.avcomofva.com/products/de...?page=psa1727b

I also use an MMDS downconverter feeding a lower frequency (i.e.
cheaper) spectrum analyzer. These are fairly easy to find, but tricky
to modify without an RF bench. A 2.4GHz receive pre-amplifier and
bandpass filter are also handy to improve sensitivity and selectivity
respectively.

There are other spectrum analyzers that will also work along with some
specialized techniques and tricks. Ask if you need details.

I think we have a different definition of "site survey". This is a
site survey tool:
http://www.ekahau.com
I think what you want is an interference locator system.


--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
(...)

One more spectrum analyzer:
http://www.bantaminstruments.com
$2600 for the 1.8 to 2.9Ghz version.
$4400 for adding 5.0 to 6.0GHz.
--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "TheDysk" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>
>>This is a genuine request for genuine help to fix a genuine problem.
>
> That was impossible to determine from the original question. Detail
> is always useful.
>
Snip

Yes your quite right. I should have given more information in my original
post. I wrote it whilst very tired and wasn't thinking 100% clearly.

Many thanks for the suggestions and information regarding spectrum
analysers. That certainly gives me plenty to think about and investigate.

Cheers

TheDysk

TheDysk wrote:
[...]
> I have tested his wireless router and wireless network card off site and had
> no dropout problems. Therefore the dropout problems have to be with
> interference from some other device, not computer related, that is
> transmitting in the 2.4Ghz range. This is why I need software that I can use
> with my laptop and wireless card to analyse the 2.4Ghz range and see what
> other signals (other than Wireless Networks) I can detect and try to narrow
> down the problem.
[...]

Unplug/turn off the wireless phones, microwave ovens, etc. Turn on one
at a time at test. If none of the in-house devices is the source, then
it's a 2.4GHz device at the neighbour's. Maybe your customer should
think about converting to 5GHz band.

One other possibility is unknown metal in the walls messing up the
signal (heating ducts, or metallised wallboard installed for heat
conservation, for example).

Good luck.

>Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Use a tool, such as Kismet, that will detect wi-fi systems that do not
>broadcast their SSID. It might show additional systems.
> http://remote-exploit.org/?page=auditor

I downloaded the Auditor security collection. So now I have a .ISO file.
Using IsoBuster, I see that the .ISO file has three subdirectories, all
named "Auditor", plus a "Bootable CD" directory. I tried extracting the
contents of one of the Auditor directories (plus the "Bootable CD"
files) to a CD, but my laptop (Toshiba Satellite M45) tells me it is not
bootable when I try to boot from it.

How do I use this .ISO file?

Thanks.

--
Dave