Site Survey Best Practices
If your business utilizes online communications for internal and external matters, you will already appreciate the importance of maximizing the efficiency and performance of the facilities. Switching to a wireless network is undoubtedly one of the best options, and a site survey is a vital part of the planning process. However, knowing how to conduct a wireless site survey is another challenge altogether. Frankly, only the best wireless site survey practices will suffice.
This guide to wireless site survey best practices will provide clarity, enabling you to keep this integral feature of the business venture running in style from the day of installation and for many years to come.
What are WiFi site surveys, and why are they needed?
Wireless site surveys describe the process of designing and planning the installation of a new wireless network. They should look at wireless coverage, data rates, network capacity, roaming capability and quality of service and are there to identify potential challenges before finding the best solutions to those problems.
Site surveys fall into three main categories. They are:
Passive site surveys, which listens to WLAN traffic but is not actively associated to any WLANs.
Active site survey in which the adapter is linked to one or more access points.
Predictive site surveys, which focus on simulation through virtual access points.
Site surveys are a necessary feature that can prevent a whole range of problems further down the line, including issues that would require a great deal of time and money to fix. They should be completed before going ahead with any proposed installations as they will ensure that the network is designed to provide the coverage and capacity needed for success.
Planning a wireless site survey
If your business is going to use a wireless site survey, it deserves to gain the very best results. Preparation is a vital component that will enable you to make it happen.
Organization is a crucial element, which is why you need to schedule the survey at a time where it will cause minimal disruption to the business operation. This could involve picking a week or a day where business is expected to be a little slower due to staff training or seasonal trends. Or it could mean having the survey completed out of business hours.
Additionally, it’s vital to have the wireless network survey completed by a professional network engineer that has the ability to provide a fast and reliable service - FieldEngineer allows you to find one with ease!
Finally, you need to ensure that the business premises are safe for the engineer.
Wireless site survey best practices
Aside from hiring the right expert to perform the wireless site survey at the right time, there are several other issues to consider regarding how to conduct a wireless site survey. As the website owner or IT administrator, it’s imperative that you understand them.
Focus on the following elements, and you won’t go far wrong:
Equipment
Passive and active site surveys can be completed with a simple WiFi adapter while predictive surveys require specialized RF equipment. The exact specifications of the latter item will be influenced by the size of the building as well as the intended use.
In addition to the hardware facilities, software will be required for running various tests. Software may be associated with the running of Windows, iOS, or Android applications depending on the needs of the business.
Assessments
Whether the company is currently fully wired or boasts wireless facilities in some areas, an assessment of the existing network infrastructure is key. Engineers should complete visual inspections of the locations as well as the facilities and devices being used.
Determine the capacity and identifying whether any existing features can be adapted and used for the implementation of the wireless network can aid the design and installation processes. Make sure this is done, as it can also reduce the costs by reducing equipment needs.
Access points
The wireless site survey should place huge emphasis on the concept of access points, which are essentially the gateways that are used to connect devices to the network as well as connecting the internal network to the outside digital world.
Engineers should pay close attention to the floor plans and try to find the highest point for the APs to be placed, as this will reduce the threat of obstructions to satellites and signals. It’s important for the engineer to factor in outside obstructions and airwave traffic pollution too.
This guide to wireless site survey best practices will provide clarity, enabling you to keep this integral feature of the business venture running in style from the day of installation and for many years to come.
What are WiFi site surveys, and why are they needed?
Wireless site surveys describe the process of designing and planning the installation of a new wireless network. They should look at wireless coverage, data rates, network capacity, roaming capability and quality of service and are there to identify potential challenges before finding the best solutions to those problems.
Site surveys fall into three main categories. They are:
Passive site surveys, which listens to WLAN traffic but is not actively associated to any WLANs.
Active site survey in which the adapter is linked to one or more access points.
Predictive site surveys, which focus on simulation through virtual access points.
Site surveys are a necessary feature that can prevent a whole range of problems further down the line, including issues that would require a great deal of time and money to fix. They should be completed before going ahead with any proposed installations as they will ensure that the network is designed to provide the coverage and capacity needed for success.
Planning a wireless site survey
If your business is going to use a wireless site survey, it deserves to gain the very best results. Preparation is a vital component that will enable you to make it happen.
Organization is a crucial element, which is why you need to schedule the survey at a time where it will cause minimal disruption to the business operation. This could involve picking a week or a day where business is expected to be a little slower due to staff training or seasonal trends. Or it could mean having the survey completed out of business hours.
Additionally, it’s vital to have the wireless network survey completed by a professional network engineer that has the ability to provide a fast and reliable service - FieldEngineer allows you to find one with ease!
Finally, you need to ensure that the business premises are safe for the engineer.
Wireless site survey best practices
Aside from hiring the right expert to perform the wireless site survey at the right time, there are several other issues to consider regarding how to conduct a wireless site survey. As the website owner or IT administrator, it’s imperative that you understand them.
Focus on the following elements, and you won’t go far wrong:
Equipment
Passive and active site surveys can be completed with a simple WiFi adapter while predictive surveys require specialized RF equipment. The exact specifications of the latter item will be influenced by the size of the building as well as the intended use.
In addition to the hardware facilities, software will be required for running various tests. Software may be associated with the running of Windows, iOS, or Android applications depending on the needs of the business.
Assessments
Whether the company is currently fully wired or boasts wireless facilities in some areas, an assessment of the existing network infrastructure is key. Engineers should complete visual inspections of the locations as well as the facilities and devices being used.
Determine the capacity and identifying whether any existing features can be adapted and used for the implementation of the wireless network can aid the design and installation processes. Make sure this is done, as it can also reduce the costs by reducing equipment needs.
Access points
The wireless site survey should place huge emphasis on the concept of access points, which are essentially the gateways that are used to connect devices to the network as well as connecting the internal network to the outside digital world.
Engineers should pay close attention to the floor plans and try to find the highest point for the APs to be placed, as this will reduce the threat of obstructions to satellites and signals. It’s important for the engineer to factor in outside obstructions and airwave traffic pollution too.
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