Definition of the need with the client
Definition of the need with the client
This step is crucial to frame the mission and ensure that the study will meet the client's expectations and business objectives.
Objective: Determine the scope of the audit, budget constraints, and especially the performance requirements of the future or existing Wi-Fi network.
Key actions:
Gathering Functional Requirements: Identify the types of applications that will be used (VoIP, video streaming, IoT, critical applications) and the required level of quality of service (QoS).
Defining Success Criteria: Specify acceptable thresholds for signal level (RSSI), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), minimum data rates, and minimum coverage.
Inventory: Inventory the existing network infrastructure (Access Point models - AP, type of controller, cabling) and the density of users/devices by area.
Environmental Constraints: Identify the areas to cover (offices, warehouses, outdoors, difficult RF zones) and the topology of the locations.
This step is crucial to frame the mission and ensure that the study will meet the client's expectations and business objectives.
Objective: Determine the scope of the audit, budget constraints, and especially the performance requirements of the future or existing Wi-Fi network.
Key actions:
Gathering Functional Requirements: Identify the types of applications that will be used (VoIP, video streaming, IoT, critical applications) and the required level of quality of service (QoS).
Defining Success Criteria: Specify acceptable thresholds for signal level (RSSI), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), minimum data rates, and minimum coverage.
Inventory: Inventory the existing network infrastructure (Access Point models - AP, type of controller, cabling) and the density of users/devices by area.
Environmental Constraints: Identify the areas to cover (offices, warehouses, outdoors, difficult RF zones) and the topology of the locations.
This step is crucial to frame the mission and ensure that the study will meet the client's expectations and business objectives.
Objective: Determine the scope of the audit, budget constraints, and especially the performance requirements of the future or existing Wi-Fi network.
Key actions:
Gathering Functional Requirements: Identify the types of applications that will be used (VoIP, video streaming, IoT, critical applications) and the required level of quality of service (QoS).
Defining Success Criteria: Specify acceptable thresholds for signal level (RSSI), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), minimum data rates, and minimum coverage.
Inventory: Inventory the existing network infrastructure (Access Point models - AP, type of controller, cabling) and the density of users/devices by area.
Environmental Constraints: Identify the areas to cover (offices, warehouses, outdoors, difficult RF zones) and the topology of the locations.
Consultant Meltwain defining the coverage and capacity objectives of the future Wi-Fi network
Consultant Meltwain defining the coverage and capacity objectives of the future Wi-Fi network
This is the stage of the data collection that will lead to the heatmap that you have visualized.
Audit on plan (Pre-deployment / Design)
Method: Use of Wi-Fi design software (Ekahau, AirMagnet Planner, etc.) to simulate the behavior of radio waves.
Actions: Integrate construction plans, define material attenuation (walls, windows, shelving) and virtually place Access Points (AP) to achieve the coverage and capacity goals defined in stage 1.
On-site audit (Validation / Post-deployment)
Method: Use of a site survey kit (spectrum analyzer, specific Wi-Fi adapter) to measure actual network performance.
Actions:
Survey: Systematic movement in the area to collect thousands of data points regarding the signal level (RSSI), the SNR, and interference sources.
Spectrum Analysis: Identify and locate sources of non-Wi-Fi noise (microwave ovens, wireless cameras) that can degrade performance.
Throughput Testing: Conduct performance tests (throughput) in the field to validate the actual throughput achieved by users.
This is the stage of the data collection that will lead to the heatmap that you have visualized.
Audit on plan (Pre-deployment / Design)
Method: Use of Wi-Fi design software (Ekahau, AirMagnet Planner, etc.) to simulate the behavior of radio waves.
Actions: Integrate construction plans, define material attenuation (walls, windows, shelving) and virtually place Access Points (AP) to achieve the coverage and capacity goals defined in stage 1.
On-site audit (Validation / Post-deployment)
Method: Use of a site survey kit (spectrum analyzer, specific Wi-Fi adapter) to measure actual network performance.
Actions:
Survey: Systematic movement in the area to collect thousands of data points regarding the signal level (RSSI), the SNR, and interference sources.
Spectrum Analysis: Identify and locate sources of non-Wi-Fi noise (microwave ovens, wireless cameras) that can degrade performance.
Throughput Testing: Conduct performance tests (throughput) in the field to validate the actual throughput achieved by users.
This is the stage of the data collection that will lead to the heatmap that you have visualized.
Audit on plan (Pre-deployment / Design)
Method: Use of Wi-Fi design software (Ekahau, AirMagnet Planner, etc.) to simulate the behavior of radio waves.
Actions: Integrate construction plans, define material attenuation (walls, windows, shelving) and virtually place Access Points (AP) to achieve the coverage and capacity goals defined in stage 1.
On-site audit (Validation / Post-deployment)
Method: Use of a site survey kit (spectrum analyzer, specific Wi-Fi adapter) to measure actual network performance.
Actions:
Survey: Systematic movement in the area to collect thousands of data points regarding the signal level (RSSI), the SNR, and interference sources.
Spectrum Analysis: Identify and locate sources of non-Wi-Fi noise (microwave ovens, wireless cameras) that can degrade performance.
Throughput Testing: Conduct performance tests (throughput) in the field to validate the actual throughput achieved by users.
Validation study
The validation study consists of analyzing the data collected in step 2 to compare it to the success criteria defined in step 1 and draw conclusions.
Objective: Determine if the current (or simulated) coverage and capacity meet the client’s requirements, and identify issues.
Key Actions:
Analysis of Heatmaps: Visually assess the coverage (RSSI) and quality (SNR) heatmaps. Identify undercovered areas ("black holes") or overcovered areas (where co-channel interference is too strong).
Problem Diagnosis: Point out the causes of issues (interference, poor transmission power, poor positioning of APs, incorrect channel configuration).
Correction Scenarios: If the objective is not achieved, propose concrete changes (adding/moving APs, changing channels/power, updating software versions).
The validation study consists of analyzing the data collected in step 2 to compare it to the success criteria defined in step 1 and draw conclusions.
Objective: Determine if the current (or simulated) coverage and capacity meet the client’s requirements, and identify issues.
Key Actions:
Analysis of Heatmaps: Visually assess the coverage (RSSI) and quality (SNR) heatmaps. Identify undercovered areas ("black holes") or overcovered areas (where co-channel interference is too strong).
Problem Diagnosis: Point out the causes of issues (interference, poor transmission power, poor positioning of APs, incorrect channel configuration).
Correction Scenarios: If the objective is not achieved, propose concrete changes (adding/moving APs, changing channels/power, updating software versions).
The validation study consists of analyzing the data collected in step 2 to compare it to the success criteria defined in step 1 and draw conclusions.
Objective: Determine if the current (or simulated) coverage and capacity meet the client’s requirements, and identify issues.
Key Actions:
Analysis of Heatmaps: Visually assess the coverage (RSSI) and quality (SNR) heatmaps. Identify undercovered areas ("black holes") or overcovered areas (where co-channel interference is too strong).
Problem Diagnosis: Point out the causes of issues (interference, poor transmission power, poor positioning of APs, incorrect channel configuration).
Correction Scenarios: If the objective is not achieved, propose concrete changes (adding/moving APs, changing channels/power, updating software versions).
Provision of a report
The report is the final deliverable that synthesizes the entire approach, from objectives to recommendations, providing the client with a clear roadmap.
Objective: Present the results in a professional, objective, and actionable manner.
Report Content:
Executive Summary: Summary of the main conclusions and recommendations.
Methodology: Description of the tools used and the approach followed (steps 1, 2, and 3).
Audit Results: Insertion of heatmaps of the current site (RSSI, SNR, interferences).
Gap Analysis: Comparison of measured/simulated results with the defined performance objectives.
Action Plan and Recommendations: List of corrective actions (for example, "Add 3 APs in the West wing", "Reduce the power of APs A and B", "Change the channel of AP C"), with, if possible, the optimized placement plan for future APs.
Appendices: Technical details, screenshots of configurations, and spectrum analysis logs.
The report is the final deliverable that synthesizes the entire approach, from objectives to recommendations, providing the client with a clear roadmap.
Objective: Present the results in a professional, objective, and actionable manner.
Report Content:
Executive Summary: Summary of the main conclusions and recommendations.
Methodology: Description of the tools used and the approach followed (steps 1, 2, and 3).
Audit Results: Insertion of heatmaps of the current site (RSSI, SNR, interferences).
Gap Analysis: Comparison of measured/simulated results with the defined performance objectives.
Action Plan and Recommendations: List of corrective actions (for example, "Add 3 APs in the West wing", "Reduce the power of APs A and B", "Change the channel of AP C"), with, if possible, the optimized placement plan for future APs.
Appendices: Technical details, screenshots of configurations, and spectrum analysis logs.
The report is the final deliverable that synthesizes the entire approach, from objectives to recommendations, providing the client with a clear roadmap.
Objective: Present the results in a professional, objective, and actionable manner.
Report Content:
Executive Summary: Summary of the main conclusions and recommendations.
Methodology: Description of the tools used and the approach followed (steps 1, 2, and 3).
Audit Results: Insertion of heatmaps of the current site (RSSI, SNR, interferences).
Gap Analysis: Comparison of measured/simulated results with the defined performance objectives.
Action Plan and Recommendations: List of corrective actions (for example, "Add 3 APs in the West wing", "Reduce the power of APs A and B", "Change the channel of AP C"), with, if possible, the optimized placement plan for future APs.
Appendices: Technical details, screenshots of configurations, and spectrum analysis logs.
