In the last past two decades, Wi-Fi has gone from being a “nice-to-have” feature to a “must-have” business-critical service. In more recent times, the shift from the traditional desktop workstations to laptops and mobile devices emphasises the need for fast, secure and reliable Wi-Fi networks.
Gone are the days when Wireless Access Points could be placed wherever was most convenient (or where the IT guy thought it was best), today, a well-designed network must be carefully planned and implemented based on a systematic assessment approach.
Wi-Fi surveys are conducted to design and/or optimize wireless networks. They ensure that Wi-Fi deployments provide sufficient coverage, bandwidth, and performance to meet user demands within a specific environment, be it an office, home, hospital, or any other facility. There are different types of surveys, including predictive (software-based simulations), onsite or physical (using actual equipment in the intended environment), and post-deployment (evaluating existing networks).
Key benefits of Wi-Fi surveys include:
Optimal Coverage: They determine the best locations for access points to ensure comprehensive coverage, minimizing dead zones.
Performance Assurance: By analyzing potential interference and signal strength, surveys ensure the network can handle the expected user load.
Cost Efficiency: Proper planning prevents overspending on unnecessary equipment while ensuring quality performance.
Problem Detection: Surveys can identify and help mitigate issues like interference sources or structural challenges affecting signal propagation.
Future-proofing: Understanding the environment and user demands helps in designing a network that can adapt to future needs.
In essence, Wi-Fi surveys are foundational in creating reliable and efficient wireless networks, ensuring seamless connectivity and optimal user experience and serve as the blueprint for the entire wireless network within the organisation.
Predictive Survey
A predictive Wi-Fi survey is a computer-based method used to plan the layout and configuration of a wireless network. Instead of physically visiting the site with equipment, this survey uses industry-leading software Ekahau Pro™ to allow our network design team to simulate and estimate how Wi-Fi signals will propagate throughout a given environment.
Here's how it works:
Site Floor Plan: The survey begins by importing a floor plan of the site into the software.
Environmental Input: Details about the construction materials, wall types, and any other obstacles are entered. These factors affect how Wi-Fi signals travel.
Simulation: Based on the provided information, the software predicts how the Wi-Fi signal will cover the area when access points are placed in specific locations.
Benefits of a predictive Wi-Fi survey include:
Cost-Efficiency: Since there's no need to physically visit the site initially, predictive surveys can save both time and money.
Planning: It provides an initial blueprint of where access points might be needed, helping in budgeting and equipment procurement.
Flexibility: Easily adjust parameters within the software to see how changes might affect coverage.
Speed: Quick simulations allow for rapid iterations and adjustments based on different design requirements or constraints.
Problem Anticipation: By simulating the environment, potential issues like coverage gaps can be identified and addressed before physical deployment.
However, while predictive surveys are valuable, they might not account for all real-world variables. Thus, they're often used as a starting point, followed by an on-site survey to validate and refine the initial predictions.
APoS Survey
An "Access Point on a Stick" (APoS) survey is a method used in wireless network design, specifically for Wi-Fi deployments. The phrase "on a stick" refers to the practice of mounting a wireless access point (AP) on a pole or other extendable device to simulate the actual position of the access point during a site survey. Here's how it works and why it's done:
Purpose: The primary goal of an APoS survey is to determine the optimal locations, quantities, and configurations for access points within a facility to provide adequate coverage and performance for the intended Wi-Fi user base.
Procedure:
Our Wi-Fi engineers visits the location or site where the wireless network is to be deployed.
The access point is mounted on an extendable pole (or "stick"), which is then raised to simulate the height at which the access point would be installed (for example, on the ceiling).
Using specialized equipment such as Ekahau Pro™ and Ekahau Sidekick 2® our engineer measures the signal strength and other pertinent metrics in various parts of the facility.
The AP is then moved to different locations throughout the site to continue the survey, allowing our engineer to gather data on how the signal propagates throughout the environment.
Benefits:
Accuracy: By using an actual access point, you get a realistic idea of the coverage and signal characteristics you can expect during the actual deployment.
Detection of Issues: APoS surveys can identify potential interference sources, dead zones, or areas with weak signals.
Optimal Placement: The survey ensures that when carry out the installation, the APs are positioned in the best possible locations to maximize coverage and performance.
Tools: Our Wi-Fi Engineers use Ekahau Pro™ site survey software along with the Ekahau Sidekick 2® detection tool to capture real-time data and visualization of signal strength, signal-to-noise ratios, and other crucial metrics. These tools allow our engineers to create heat maps of signal coverage, making it easier to identify potential problem areas.
Verification Survey
A validation Wi-Fi survey, also known as a post-deployment or verification survey, is conducted after the installation of the wireless network. Its primary purpose is to validate that the Wi-Fi deployment meets the design specifications and provides the desired coverage and performance.
Here's how it works:
Equipment Setup: After the wireless infrastructure (like access points) is installed, our network engineer uses Ekahau Pro™ and Ekahau Sidekick 2® to measure and map out various network metrics across the facility.
Metrics Collection: The survey captures data such as signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, channel interference, and more across different locations.
Comparison: The collected data is then compared to the initial design or requirements to ensure that the actual deployment matches or exceeds the intended design.
Benefits of a validation Wi-Fi survey include:
Quality Assurance: It confirms that the Wi-Fi network meets the design criteria and user requirements.
Problem Detection: Identify any unforeseen issues or discrepancies that weren't apparent during the design phase, such as unexpected interference or coverage gaps.
Optimization: Based on the validation survey, adjustments can be made to fine-tune the network's performance.
Documentation: A validation survey provides a comprehensive record of the network's performance post-deployment. This can be crucial for future network expansions or troubleshooting.
Legacy Applications: The Verification survey can also be used as a troubleshooting tool on existing networks to pinpoint issues with coverage and/or underperforming devices.
In essence, a validation Wi-Fi survey is a crucial step in the Wi-Fi deployment process, serving as a final check to ensure that the network delivers optimal performance and meets the needs of your users.
