Ekahau Site Survey Overview
Ekahau Site Survey (ESS) is a comprehensive and powerful tool designed to help network administrators design, optimize, and troubleshoot wireless networks with precision and ease. It is a key component of the Ekahau Connect suite, a unified platform for Wi-Fi performance management.
What Ekahau Site Survey Does
ESS is essential for any stage of a wireless network’s life cycle, whether you are in the planning, deployment, verification, or troubleshooting phase. The software enables users to capture and analyze Wi-Fi signal and spectrum data, inspect access point mounting and cabling accessibility, and create a detailed map of the network’s coverage and performance.
Key Features and Functionality
Planning
- Map Management: Users can insert and scale maps, add floors to a building, align floors, draw walls and attenuation areas, and define coverage areas. The Auto-Planner feature helps determine the optimal number and location of access points before physical deployment.
Survey Methods
- Continuous and Stop-and-Go Surveys: ESS offers two survey methods. The Continuous method involves walking through the area with continuous data collection, ideal for large, open spaces. The Stop-and-Go method is more controlled, allowing users to stop at specific points to take measurements, which is easier for beginners and useful in complex environments like stadiums.
- Mobile App Integration: The Ekahau Survey mobile app, optimized for iOS, allows users to pair the Ekahau Sidekick with their iPhone or iPad. This setup uses the device’s camera, Apple ARKit, and sensors to track movement and continuously survey the network, adding photos and adjusting coverage requirements directly within the app.
Data Collection and Analysis
- Data Collection: Using a portable Wi-Fi adapter, ESS collects data on signal strength, quality, and noise levels as the user moves through the coverage area. This data is then analyzed to create a comprehensive view of the network’s coverage and performance.
- Heatmap Generation: The software generates heatmaps that visualize network coverage, highlighting areas of strong signal strength and identifying dead spots or interference zones.
Optimization and Troubleshooting
- Network Optimization: Based on the heatmap and analysis, users can optimize the network by adjusting access point placement, power levels, and channel assignments to ensure optimal performance and user experience.
- Troubleshooting: ESS helps solve various Wi-Fi issues by identifying and addressing potential problems such as interference, physical barriers, and other environmental factors that could affect network performance.
Reporting
- Detailed Reporting: The software provides customizable reports on network coverage, capacity, and performance. These reports can be generated using generic templates or custom templates, offering valuable insights into network performance and usage patterns.
Additional Benefits
- Improved Network Performance and Reliability: ESS helps optimize wireless networks to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
- Reduced Downtime and Maintenance Costs: By identifying and troubleshooting issues early, ESS can reduce network downtime and maintenance costs.
- Increased Productivity and User Satisfaction: A well-designed and optimized wireless network can increase productivity and user satisfaction.
- Enhanced Security and Compliance: ESS can identify security vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Time-Saving: The software automates several tasks related to wireless network design and optimization, saving IT professionals time.
In summary, Ekahau Site Survey is a robust tool that offers a comprehensive suite of features for designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting wireless networks. Its intuitive interface, advanced survey methods, and detailed reporting capabilities make it an indispensable asset for network administrators aiming to ensure their wireless networks perform optimally.