8 Free WiFi Analyzers

Wireless connectivity is growing in leaps and bounds in volume and in importance to the business. But if you've ever managed a wireless LAN environment, you know it's just as much a matter of art as science. That's why having an arsenal of tools at your disposal to analyze and troubleshoot Wi-Fi performance, interference and placement is essential. Even better if those tools are free.

You're probably familiar with the classic free NetStumbler utility, which can be used to detect 802.11 a/b/g WLANs and can help in configuration verification and identifying weak signals. But NetStumbler was last updated in 2004, making it a little long in the tooth for measuring cutting-edge wireless environments.

Wireshark is another free tool that has a large community of users and continual improvements. Known best for its Ethernet analysis capabilities, Wireshark also offers support for 802.11 and provides the means to not only troubleshoot wireless problems, but also to better lock down security configurations.

There are additional, lesser known free options, and we've assembled the best of them here. Check them out if you're interested in delving into a specific aspect of wireless performance, planning access point placement, seeking out rogue networks, or you just want a cool, slick interface. 

Learn more about wireless infrastructure and supporting the mobile enterprise in the Wireless & Mobility Track at Interop Las Vegas this spring. Don't miss out! Register now for Interop, May 2-6, and receive $200 off.

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