Performing a Predictive Site Survey 307 Client Device Such as a Notebook Computer A device to take measurements from the client side is an important component of the site survey kit. This can be a notebook com- puter or Pocket PC with appropriate software to take signal measurements. Size and weight should be considered as well. A Wi-Fi, VoIP handset may also be used for locations that are considering WLAN Voice over Internet Protocol capabilities. Battery Packs or Extension Cords Battery packs to temporarily power access points are recommended. However, if these are not available, extension cords are a good substitute. The disadvantage of extension cords is that they require accessible AC power outlets, which might not be available at all sites. An extra battery pack for the survey device is also recommended. Various Antennas (If Required) If antennas other than those mounted directly to an access point will be used in the deployment, a variety of these antennas should be on hand for testing during the site survey process. If 802.11n technology will be tested during the site survey, appropriate 802.11n antennas will be required as part of the site survey kit. Temporary Mounting Hardware Mounting hardware for temporarily mounting access points and antennas should also be considered, including expandable poles, brackets, tape, and nylon tie straps. Measuring Device, Either Tape or Wheel A measuring tape or wheel is recommended for measuring distance to wiring closets and distance between access points and any other areas where distance is of importance. Digital Camera As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Using a digital camera to take photographs of situations that may be difficult to explain in writing is a great help. This also adds quality to site survey reports. Pens, Pencils, and Paper Documentation is a critical part of wireless site surveys as well as all other areas of the network. Keeping clean and accurate notes will allow the surveyor to document areas of importance. Ladder Ladders or lifts are required for mounting temporary access points and antennas. The height of the ladder or lift will depend on the mounting locations for the access points. Cart A cart or dolly to move all equipment used for the site survey will ease the burden of getting the equipment around the facility. Performing a Predictive Site Survey A predictive site survey can be an accurate way to design a wireless LAN without having to spend time on-site performing a physical walkthrough and testing of the entire loca- tion. This type of site survey can be performed a couple of different ways depending on the equipment used. You can use a commercial software program designed specifically for this purpose or, in some cases, manufacturers build this site survey functionality directly into a wireless LAN controller/switch. 38893c09.indd 307 5/19/09 6:17:27 AM 308 Chapter 9 N Performing a WLAN Site Survey This type of site survey requires the wireless engineer or surveyor to input a floor plan drawing of the facility, such as a CAD, JPEG, BMP, or other format file, directly into the software program or the controller/switch. Then information and details such as the atten- uation values of the facility is added. This information includes: Type of walls: for example, drywall, brick, or poured concrete ÛN Thickness of walls ÛN Types of windows, including glass, thickness, and coating ÛN Type of doors, such as hollow core, solid core, fire doors, wood, steel ÛN Location of certain types of furnishings, such as cubicle offices ÛN Height of ceiling ÛN One thing to keep in mind about a predictive site survey is that the accuracy and final results are only as good as the information that was input into the program. It is essential for the surveyor to use accurate information about the location, including the attenuation value of all the building materials. Figure 9.13 shows a predictive analysis site survey tool. FIGURE 9.13 Motorola LANPlanner showing a predictive modeling site survey Listed are some the advantages and disadvantages of using the predictive site survey process: Advantages ÛN Limited time on-site ÛN Does not require a complete physical walkthrough for testing ÛN 38893c09.indd 308 5/19/09 6:17:28 AM Performing a Predictive Site Survey 309 Allows for easy adjustment of access point locations and settings ÛN Can model different scenarios ÛN Disadvantages ÛN Surveyor may be unfamiliar with the location’s physical characteristics ÛN Accuracy limited to data input within program ÛN Requires extensive knowledge of physical properties of the installation area includ- ÛN ing attenuation values In Exercise 9.3, you will explore a predictive site survey program. EXERCISE 9.3 Predictive Site Survey Demonstration In this exercise, you will install the Motorola LANPlanner program. This site survey demo program can be requested by contacting the Motorola Enterprise Mobility Group at www .motorola.com . 1. Start the installation by executing the LANPlanner setup program. 2. The LANPlanner Setup dialog box will appear. Click Next to start the installation wizard. 3. The License Agreement dialog box will appear. Read the license agreement; if you agree, select the “I accept” radio button and click Next. The serial number dialog box will appear. Fill in the blank fields, then click Next. 4. The Destination Folder dialog box will appear. Accept the default location by clicking Next. 5. The Start Installation dialog box will appear. Click Next to start the installation. 6. The LANPlanner Program Has Been Successfully Installed dialog box will appear. Click Finish to complete the installation. 38893c09.indd 309 5/19/09 6:17:28 AM 310 Chapter 9 N Performing a WLAN Site Survey 7. Click on the LANPlanner icon on your desktop. The LANPlanner program will start and the Activation Code Not Found dialog box will appear on the screen. Click OK to start the evaluation process. 8. The License Maintenance dialog box will appear. Click Exit Update Dialog to continue the evaluation. This product can be evaluated for two days. 9. Click the File dropdown box and New/Open Project. The Building Wizard Setup dia- log box will appear; click Next. Click No in the Save Changes dialog box. 10. The default sample drawing will appear on the screen. You can resize the drawing by left-clicking and dragging on the magnifying glass icon. Place an access point on the drawing by selecting the Equipment dropdown box and Place Access Point. EXERCISE 9.3 (continued) 38893c09.indd 310 5/19/09 6:17:28 AM Performing a Predictive Site Survey 311 11. Select an access point from the list with your mouse. Double-click on the desired access point and drag it to an area on the floor plan. Click your left mouse button to place the access point. 12. Hit the ESC button on your keyboard and click Exit in the Place Access Point dialog box. 13. Click on the Network Design dropdown box and Quick Predict. The quick Predict dialog box will appear; click Next to continue. 14. The Select Access Point dialog box will appear. Select an access point and click OK. 15. Move your mouse around throughout the floor plan to see the predicted signal read- ings based on the characteristics of the building. 16. Press the ESC button on your keyboard to return to the floor plan screen. Click on various buttons and menus to explore the features associated with this program. When finished with the demonstration, exit the program by clicking on the File drop down menu and Exit. Click No in the Save Changes dialog box. After you have completed the exercise and evaluation process, you can remove the soft- ware from your computer. EXERCISE 9.3 (continued) 38893c09.indd 311 5/19/09 6:17:28 AM 312 Chapter 9 N Performing a WLAN Site Survey There are many different site survey programs to choose from, both commercial and freeware or shareware. You should compare the programs and determine which would be best suited for your environment based on features, cost, and capabilities. Listed are many common programs for predictive modeling or manual site surveys that are available on the market today. Site Survey Program Web site AirMagnet Survey/Planner www.airmagnet.com Airtight Networks www.airtightnetworks.com Berkeley Varitronics Systems (BV Systems) Swarm www.bvsystems.com Ekahau Site Survey www.ekahau.com Fluke Networks InterpretAir www.flukenetworks.com Helium Networks Wireless Recon www.heliumnetworks.com Motorola LANPlanner www.motorola.com Motorola SiteScanner www.motorola.com Psiber RF3D WiFiPlanner www.psiber.com VisiWave – AZO Technologies www.visiwave.com InSSIDer (freeware) www.metageek.net NetStumbler (donationware) www.netstumbler.com Some wireless client adapter utilities can also be used in site surveys. Protocol Analysis Wireless LAN protocol analyzers are becoming a common tool, and many network admin- istrators will have one as part of their wireless LAN toolkit. A protocol analyzer will allow a network administrator or engineer to view all wireless frames that are traversing across the air in the hearing range of the analysis device. At one time protocol analysis was a spe- cialty role, and without extensive training few people had the skills to perform this task. Along with the evolution of wireless LAN technology in recent years, protocol analyzers 38893c09.indd 312 5/19/09 6:17:28 AM Protocol Analysis 313 are becoming more mainstream, affordable, and easier to use. Many variations of analyzers are available in the market today. Listed are some of the manufacturers and their products: Manufacturer Product Web Site AirMagnet WiFi Analyzer www.airmagnet.com BV Systems Yellowjacket www.bvsystems.com Motorola AirDefense Mobile www.airdefense.net NetScout Sniffer www.netscout.com Network Instruments Observer www.networkinstruments.com TamoSoft CommView for WiFi www.tamos.com WildPackets OmniPeek www.wildpackets.com Most wireless protocol analyzers require the use of certain network adapters and in many cases use a special device driver. It is recommended to verify you have access to an adapter that is supported by the protocol analyzer’s manufacturer. Protocol analyzers are available in software programs that can be installed on a notebook computer or Pocket PC and are also available in specialty dedicated handheld devices. In addition to performing protocol analysis or frame decoding, many analyzers are feature rich with the capability to view security information, perform legislative compliance analysis and reporting, and generate a variety of different reports. Figure 9.14 shows an example of a wire- less LAN protocol analyzer. The main goals of a wireless LAN analyzer or any protocol analyzer are to troubleshoot network problems, gather information about security issues, and optimize the network’s performance. When it comes to wireless LAN site surveys, a protocol analyzer is a valuable tool for evaluating which wireless LAN devices are currently in the same RF space where the proposed wireless LAN will be deployed. They can also be used to view the signal strength, security implementations, the network name or SSID, and which channels access points and other devices are currently operating on. An analyzer will show not only access points but any wireless LAN device that may have an impact on the site survey and deployment. Some of the devices an analyzer is able to locate and identify include: Access points ÛN Ad hoc networks ÛN Wireless bridges ÛN Mesh networks ÛN Client devices ÛN 38893c09.indd 313 5/19/09 6:17:29 AM 314 Chapter 9 N Performing a WLAN Site Survey FIGURE 9.14 OmniPeek by WildPackets identifies nearby wireless networks In Exercise 9.4, you will explore a protocol analyzer. EXERCISE 9.4 Protocol Analyzer Demonstration In this exercise you will install the CommView for WiFi protocol analyzer by TamoSoft. This protocol analyzer demo program is included on the CD that comes with this book. 1. Locate the CommView for WiFi setup program located on the CD that is included with this book. 2. Start the setup process by executing the setup.exe program 3. The CommView for WiFi setup wizard will appear on the screen. Click Next to start the installation process. 4. The license agreement will appear. Read the license agreement; click Yes. The Select Installation Folder dialog box will appear. 5. A second license agreement will appear applicable to Intel adapters only. If this per- tains to you, read the agreement and click Yes to agree. If this does not pertain to you, click N/A. 6. The License Type dialog box will appear. For this demonstration, select the radio but- ton next to Standard Mode and click Next. 38893c09.indd 314 5/19/09 6:17:29 AM Protocol Analysis 315 7. The Destination Location dialog box will appear. Click Next to accept the default location. 8. The Select Program Manager Group dialog box will appear. Select Next to accept the default Program Manager Group. 9. The Additional Settings Dialog box will appear. Select the appropriate language and deselect the checkbox next to “Launch CommView for WiFi once the installation has been completed.” 10. The Start Installation dialog box will appear. Click Next to start the installation. 11. After the installation is complete, the CommView for WiFi dialog box will appear. Click Finish to complete the installation. 12. Click on the CommView for WiFi icon on your desktop to start the program. EXERCISE 9.4 (continued) 38893c09.indd 315 5/19/09 6:17:29 AM 316 Chapter 9 N Performing a WLAN Site Survey 13. The program will attempt to start and the Driver Installation Guide dialog box will appear. Read this guide and verify you have a supported wireless adapter. 14. At the bottom of the Driver Installation Guide dialog box, click Next to start the instal- lation wizard. 15. The Driver Installation dialog box will appear. Select the appropriate radio button and click Next. 16. A second Driver Installation dialog box will appear. Select the “I want the program to install the driver automatically” radio button and click Next. 17. A third Driver Installation dialog box will appear. Select the supported adapter from the list and click Install Driver. EXERCISE 9.4 (continued) 38893c09.indd 316 5/19/09 6:17:30 AM [...]... performing a wireless LAN site survey are: NN What frequency range will the new wireless LAN operate in? NN Are there any existing wireless LANs in the same RF space? NN Will all or part of the existing wireless LAN be utilized in the new deployment? NN What effect will the neighboring wireless networks have on this deployment? Ignoring existing wireless networks may have a significant impact on how the wireless. .. Rate (mbps) 2.4 GHz (dBm) 2.4 GHz (dBm) Voice 5 GHz (dBm) 54 –61 –56 – 58 36 –63 – 58 –63 24 –67 –62 –67 12/11 –72 –67 –72 6/5.5 –79 –74 –75 2 81 –76 N/A 1 84 –79 N/A Source: Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) In IEEE 80 2.11 wireless LAN technology, the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value is an arbitrary number assigned by the device manufacturer There is no standard for this... analyzer can be used as part of wireless LAN site survey. ​ Explain  ​ how a wireless protocol analyzer can be used to help identify existing wireless networks and how they may have an impact on the site survey Understand the importance of identifying existing wireless networks. ​ Know the impor ​ tance of existing wireless networks and how they may have an effect on a new wireless LAN deployment Be familiar... Active B Passive C Predictive D Optional 8 You are performing a protocol analysis in order to determine potential interference from other wireless LANs in the immediate area of the site survey You discover several wireless LANs that can potentially cause interference with the proposed installation Which technology in use would not have an impact on the 80 2.11g wireless network you are surveying for?... review from Chapter 7, “WLAN Terminology and Technology, ” the original IEEE 80 2.11 standard addresses two types of authentication: open system authentication and shared key authentication These authentication types are different from the examples described above, which most people are familiar with 80 2.11 authentication is performed by the wireless LAN technology and, except for shared key authentication,... candidate for a solution Channel Architectures There are two common types of channel architectures available today that pertain to wireless LAN technology In wireless LAN technology, channel architecture is the design, layout, or channel plan in use In the 2.4 GHz band, for example, using channels 1, 6, and 11 non-overlapping channels is a channel architecture The CWNP program defines these two architectures... an example of a software tool that will identify existing wireless networks RF Coverage Requirements  319 F i g u r e   9 1 5  ​ InSSIDer by MetaGeek can identify wireless networks  ​ RF Coverage Requirements As mentioned previously, one of the main goals of a wireless LAN site survey is to determine areas of RF interference and RF coverage The details of the required coverage and capacity in any wireless. .. wireless LAN systems is a minimum of 20 to 25 dB Table 9.1 shows received signal minimums for specific data rates These values will vary by manufacturer Ta b l e   9 1  ​ Examples of Minimum Received Signal Strengths Required for Specific  ​ Data Rates Data Rate (mbps) 2.4 GHz (dBm) 2.4 GHz (dBm) Voice 5 GHz (dBm) 54 –61 –56 – 58 36 –63 – 58 –63 24 –67 –62 –67 12/11 –72 –67 –72 6/5.5 –79 –74 –75 2 81 ... push-button, PIN-based wireless security, passphrase, and 80 2.1X/EAP We will also discuss encryption methods, ways to scramble computer data that are useful for wireless LANs One thing that is often overlooked is security from a remote location, such as a wireless hotspot In this chapter, we will take a look at virtual private network (VPN) solutions and how they can be used to secure wireless connections... when it came to wireless security In the early days of wireless networking, security was weak This led to much vulnerability, which in turn made wireless networking not a very attractive solution for many enterprise deployments, especially those concerned about security With the improvements in wireless LAN security, partly due to the Wi-Fi Alliance certifications as well as the IEEE 80 2.11i amendment . –56 – 58 36 –63 – 58 –63 24 –67 –62 –67 12/11 –72 –67 –72 6/5.5 –79 –74 –75 2 81 –76 N/A 1 84 –79 N/A Source: Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) In IEEE 80 2.11 wireless LAN technology, . an example of a software tool that will identify existing wireless networks. 388 93c09.indd 3 18 5/19/09 6:17:30 AM RF Coverage Requirements 319 FIGURE 9.15 InSSIDer by MetaGeek can identify wireless. directly into a wireless LAN controller/switch. 388 93c09.indd 307 5/19/09 6:17:27 AM 3 08 Chapter 9 N Performing a WLAN Site Survey This type of site survey requires the wireless engineer