Introduction to Wireless LAN Analysis
Thus, analysis of range boundaries is absolutely necessary when
performing site surveys. Analysis of range boundaries includes using
parameters such as retry rates, throughput values, and interaction
between protocols when defining range boundaries. You will need to
determine what is acceptable for these parameters, but that is what
wireless LAN analysis skills will enable you to do.
Acceptance Testing
After installing a wireless LAN, more analysis is needed to ensure that
the installed system offers required levels of performance, coverage,
and security. If a discrepancy is found, the corrective actions can be
made before users begin sending heavy traffic across the network. For
example, acceptance testing may find that collision rates in a particular
area of the facility are very high. Through analysis, the source of the
problem, such as low signal levels in that area, can be found.
It is very common for a site surveying firm not to return to the site for
acceptance testing. Rather, the site survey experts perform the site
survey, assume that it is correct given all variables involved, and then
move on to the next site. Such a lack of follow through places the
performance analysis squarely on the shoulders of the IT staff, unless
there is enough budget to hire yet another firm to perform acceptance
testing. Regardless of the situation, analysis is necessary to validate the
site survey and to optimize the network given its current set of
variables.
Baseline Analysis
What is a Baseline?
A baseline is a process for studying the network at regular intervals to
ensure that the network is working as designed. It is more than a single
report detailing the health of the network at a certain point in time.
Data networks have been around for many years. Until recently,
keeping the networks running has been a fairly forgiving process, with
some margin for error. With the increasing acceptance of latency-
sensitive applications such as Voice over IP (VoIP), the job of running
the network is becoming harder and requires more precision. In order
to be more precise and to give a network administrator a solid
