Multipath, the phenomenon whereby a signal is reflected and then echoed, can also wreak havoc. On rare occasions, it boosts amplitude at the receiver, causing a power boost. Most often, however, it weakens the received signal or cancels it out entirely. Then you get areas with little or no RF coverage where there should be adequate signal propagation. You can prevent multipath by removing or relocating interfering objects, such as cabinets and network-equipment racks, and increasing access-point density or power output.
Site-survey tools streamline the layout process significantly. RF modeling software such as Trapeze Networks' RingMaster can help automate the process of deciding initial placement of access points by automatically determining access point location and coverage based on input floor plans. Other tools, like Network Instruments' Observer, provide information about your RF environment from the laptop or handheld running the software. Hybrid tools like Ekahau's Site Survey record this same RF data, along with your location, for a systemwide view of your wireless network. Whichever tools you use, you'll still need to perform a manual site survey for the tasks your survey tool doesn't cover.
A conventional site survey includes manual tasks for properly provisioning your WLAN and the location of your access points. Start with a floor plan of the wireless site. This helps you plan cable-run distances and power outlet proximity. Once you're familiar with the environment, estimate the location of each access point. Keep in mind, however, that the final installation location will likely be different because RF propagation depends on many factors, from your environment to the type of antennae you use. Access points with omnidirectional antennae are often best in central locations because they radiate outward. More focused, higher-gain antennae, such as patch antennae, tend to be off to the side of the area you intend to cover. You may need a combination of the two types of antennae.
Planning tools like Trapeze Networks' RingMaster determine access-point locations, channel assignments, power output settings and other configuration attributes. They use parameters such as user density and throughput for criteria. The downside is that you must still assign preset attenuation levels to the building materials--concrete exterior walls and metal doors, for example--in your CAD-based floor plans unless this information is already included in them. The trade-off with RingMaster is that it's built mainly for Trapeze's own wireless switches and access points, though you can input power levels and antenna gains of your non-Trapeze access points so RingMaster can include those as well.
Next, you need to verify and document the coverage area of your access points. To do this, use the site-survey utility that comes with your client WLAN card (assuming the vendor bundled one), or the utilities that come with advanced monitoring tools, such as Network Instrument's Observer and Air Magnet's Laptop and Handheld WLAN analyzers.
When you're ready to place and verify access points, site-survey hardware kits from vendors such as TerraWave Solutions, complete with an access point, antenna options and a battery pack, can streamline the manual on-site survey process significantly. This makes it easier to walk around and test your WLAN's coverage.
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