Performing a Site Survey

A Site Survey is simply a study of the radio network coverage of an area. Typically someone walks the space being surveyed, collecting data samples of the radio characteristics and their location. The collected data is then used to design or optimize the location and type of radio transmitters (access points, repeaters, antenna, etc.).

The problem with most site surveying tools is that the location of a data point reading is not recorded. Just having signal strength values is not enough to determine if an area has effective coverage or where to place access points in a new installation.

Pre-Installation Site Survey

Are your existing site surveying methods labor intensive and often wrong? Using VisiWave Site Survey, you can dramatically cut your time and effort and increase the effectiveness of newly installed wireless networks.

By placing one or more temporary access points in the space and then performing a quick walk through of the area, you can visualize the wireless coverage in minutes. If what you see isn't right, make some adjustments to the placement of your access point(s), quickly walk through the area again, and then immediately see the new wireless coverage.

Survey an Existing Wireless Network

It is almost as important to perform a site survey after your wireless network is installed as it is before installation. Often even the best designed wireless network can perform inefficiently when actually deployed. And even small changes to an environment can have dramatic effects on radio wave propagation.

Performing regular site surveys is an essential step in maintaining well-tuned wireless networks that stay operational. Not performing regular check-ups leads to wireless networks with user complaints due to poor coverage, maintenance headaches for your support staff, and the increased risk of failure of a critical infrastructure component.