Verify wireless coverage – live survey

A user complains of poor wireless performance, that it's slow or drops connection. The first question should be, where is the user and is there actually good quality wireless coverage in that location? Its an easy mistake to assume that just because wireless is available that performance should be fast and reliable. And possibly an even bigger mistake to solve it by just putting up additional Access Points. A live wireless survey will tell you the signal strength, throughput and interference at every space in the building. So how is that achieved? You have two options:

Option 1

Buy some Survey software (we recommend AirMagnet at around £3,200+VAT which includes a Planning module and 12 months support). Install it on your laptop, then import building/floor plans. You will have to walk the whole floor/building, around every office/meeting room, along every internal wall and as you do the software will capture data on the wireless signal it sees. The result is a report with data and colour pictures showing which locations have coverage at a usable level and which don't, plus information about SSIDs, interference, channels etc. Combined with the Planning module and sound knowledge of wireless technology you will be well armed to ensure you are offering good quality signal in all the right places.

Option 2

You hire a Full Control Networks engineer, who has the software and a lot of experience of wireless and interpreting the results. He does all the leg work walking your site and then submits a full report with the results, analysis of the data and recommendations on how to improve performance. Remember Full Control don't sell APs or any active hardware, so our advice is completely independent. The cost depends on the size of your building/site and how long it takes to walk - we are happy to review your building plans to give you an exact quotation, but a rough guide is £1,000 a day.  We also offer wireless planning services for new installations, read more on our wireless services here.