3Com 3CRWE80096A User Guide - Page 43
Conducting a Site Survey, Before You Begin, Choosing Trial Locations, Environmental Requirements
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5 CONDUCTING A SITE SURVEY Before You Begin Setting up a basic wireless LAN can be as simple as placing a 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN access point in a central area, plugging it in, and setting up one or more clients. However, you can be certain that you have selected the best location if you conduct a site survey before installing an access point permanently. The 3Com Site Survey utility performs a set of tests that help you evaluate locations for 3Com access point units. You need the following items to conduct a site survey: s 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN access point, power adapter, and mounting hardware. s Wireless client laptop computer with a wireless PC card and the 3Com Site Survey tool installed. Alternatively, you can run the tests from client desktop computers with wireless PCI cards and the 3Com Site Survey tool installed. s The IP address of the access point being surveyed. You can use the device manager tool that came with your 3Com access point or another network management tool to find the IP address. The Site Survey utility is designed to test one 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN access point unit at a time. The tool cannot be used with access points from other manufacturers. Choosing Trial Locations To set up the tests, you install the access point temporarily in several trial locations. Look at your site floor plan and make a list of work areas where clients are likely to be positioned. For example, list the office cubicles where users will be logging on to the 3Com Wireless LAN. Then select several trial locations for the access point and make a list of these locations. For example, you may wish to test the access point mounted on the ceiling, on a desk, and on a wall. Look for locations in the center of the room and away from potential transmission barriers. Consider the following environmental and electrical factors when you choose locations. Environmental Requirements Look for installation locations away from transformers, heavy-duty motors, fluorescent lights, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and other industrial equipment. Avoid areas with excessive moisture, heat, and dust. Signal loss can occur when metal, concrete, Interfering metal fire breaks, walls, or floors block transmission. Doorways and passages can also affect the radio signal.