The SO ("Software Only") version of the product does not require any specialized hardware to keep track of your location. This allows you to experience the full power of VisiWave Site Survey without the added expense of purchasing our Hardware Navigation Unit. Instead of the Navigation Unit automatically keeping track of your location, you just need to tap the screen to tell VisiWave where you are. This requires a little more work on your part and you won't record as many data samples, but for smaller wireless installations the savings may be worth it. You can always upgrade to the full version for a discounted price (just contact VisiWave for details).
Collecting wireless site survey data is not enough. You need to also be able to analyze that data. VisiWave Site Survey Report is the tool that is needed to unlock the mountain of survey data collected during a site survey.
The following items are included in this package:
This software application runs on a Windows laptop computer and is responsible for collecting the survey information in the field.
This software application runs on a Windows laptop or desktop computer and allows you to view the results of the wireless site survey.
Each purchase includes free support for the lifetime of the product. Support includes email and call-back technical support along with free access to maintenance releases (release where only the third number in the version number changes).
The data collection application requires a laptop PC running Microsoft Windows version 2000/XP/Vista that is portable enough to be carried while performing a site survey. The only wireless adapter supported under Windows 2000 is the Orinoco Classic Gold or Silver wireless network adapter. Windows XP/Vista provides support for many other wireless network adapters.
The report and analysis software is run on a laptop or desktop PC running Microsoft Windows 2000/XP. A minimum of an 800MHz Pentium III (or equivalent) with 128MB of RAM, 800x600 display resolution, Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 or later, and 20MB of available disk space is recommended for best performance.
Viewing the user's guide requires a PDF viewer application such as Adobe's Acrobat Reader or FoxIt Software's FoxIt Reader. Also, site survey reports generated in the PDF format require a viewer to be viewed. You can optionally generate reports in HTML format which do not require this viewer. To download Adobe Acrobat Reader, visit Adobe's Web site at: http://www.adobe.com/. To download FoxIt Reader, go to http://www.foxitsoftware.com/.
A supported PC Card, Secure Digital, Compact Flash, or integrated wireless network adapter is required. A free utility called VisiWave CheckAdapter is available for download. This utility tests your wireless adapter to see if it is supported.
View a partial list of support adapters. In some cases, the latest drivers from the adapter manufacturer may be required.
You will need a "top view" or "bird's eye view" of the survey area. This image can be in GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or Windows BMP format. If you currently have a CAD drawing of your area, most CAD programs can export a floor plan view in JPEG format. Or, you can scan in a paper-version of your floor plan. Or, you can take a digital picture of a floor plan sign, such as a building directory or the fire-escape map found on the back of hotel room doors. In the worst case, you can create a rough drawing by hand of the walls of the area being surveyed. If you are surveying an outside area, you can use screen captures of any of the many online mapping services or scanned in images of printed maps.
This USB device is required in order to collect spectrum (interference) data using VisiWave. It is sold separately and is available directly from MetaGeek, LLC by visiting http://www.metageek.net.
A utility cart of some type works very well for carrying your laptop while conducting an indoor site survey. Placing the laptop on the cart allows you to easily click on the screen and gets rid of the burden of having to carry the laptop.