That's basically the practices that I follow, except that I use Airmagnets/Cisco Spectrum expert info tied into Airmagnets Site survey tool to identify potential interference issues.
Also I prefer to use Ekahau for the predictive stuff rather than WCS, but mainly I go on my "experience" when estimating AP counts. The Ciscopress "designing and deploying 802.11n wireless networks" book has a section on site surveying that quite informative. "The issue of what is an acceptable signal is always an interesting point for discussion and often the source of interpretation. Prepare to defend your findings and recommend options." ...So that happens to other people as well, I thought that I was the only one who gets cross questioned by people with questionable experience Another question. I remember watching a Cisco mobility pod a while back and it was mentioned that some folk were looking at moving to using patches over omni's, does has anyone used this "technique" in the past to optimize there coverage and was it worth the effort. Regards Andrew From: Darby Weaver Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 2:41 PM To: A J Low Cc: CCIE Wireless study group Subject: Re: [CCIE Wireless] Site Survey 1. Get a blueprint or set of floor plans you want to survey for the Wireless LAN. 2. How is the Wireless Network going to be used: Data, Voice, Location. 3. Identify obstacles and items that might block RF. 4. Figure out where you have users and don't have users. Is this full coverage required? 5. Determine where you can locate APs. Do you have wired connectivity? Do you have power? 6. Don't put APs too close to metal or concrete walls. 7. Place the APs as close to the ceiling as possible. 8. Take care to orient your antennas in the correct position. 9. Estimate the number of APs (WCS Planning Tool might be helpful). 10. There are various "rules of thumb" for placing APs depending on the purpose and capabilities desired for the WLAN. 11. There are various survey tools - I've used AirMagnet, NetStumbler, and Fluke Aircheck. 12. Consider moving your APs to taste and try various antennas to meet your needs. 13. Document your findings. 14. Record locations. 15. Log your signal readings and data rates observed for future references and baselining. 16. Remember to note issues like: AC outlets available, distance between wiring closets, and the distance between the AP and the switch. Note outside issues and environmental considerations. I'm sure other folks with more experience than I in this arena will add to this or have their own methodology. Remember the purpose of the site survey is to assess and document the signal coverage for each access point of the interesting area. The issue of what is an acceptable signal is always an interesting point for discussion and often the source of interpretation. Prepare to defend your findings and recommend options. You may wish to survey on a per band basis. Why not do it at the same time. Some folks use carts, just simple laptops, and I've seen pictures of APs tied to cars even. Think about overlap scenarios, roaming, signal levels for Voice or other applications. On Tue, Nov 9, 2010 at 6:17 AM, A J Low <[email protected]> wrote: Hi all, Can anyone recommend any update documentation on site survey methodologies? Many thanks Andrew _______________________________________________ For more information regarding industry leading CCIE Lab training, please visit www.ipexpert.com -- Darby Weaver Network Engineer [email protected]
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_______________________________________________ For more information regarding industry leading CCIE Lab training, please visit www.ipexpert.com
