MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Message-Id: <E19xqaV-0001H7-00@snipe.mail.pas.earthlink.net>
Date:  Fri, 12 Sep 2003 12:15:03 -0400 (EDT)
Sender: os2-wireless_users-owner <os2-wireless_users-owner@2rosenthals.com>
Reply-To: os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com
From:  "Randy Fowler" <os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com>
To:  "OS/2 Wireless" <os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com>
Subject: [OS2Wireless] OT: Best WIC software/site survey utility

I need an inexpensive way to perform site surveys for determining the placement of 
Access Points. So far, I'm using an old ThinkPad 765L with a WIC and a low power LinkSys 
WAP11, walking all over, placing the APs, then finally adding the LinkSys signal 
boosters, which fills in the weak spots. Overall, this works pretty well.

Now I'm wondering if there's a better way. My last two locations to install are large 
and I know I'll have to get into directional antennaes in order to reuse the 3 
non-overlapping 802.11b channels at the same location. So I've been reading up on site 
survey products like the AirMagnet WLAN analyzers:

 http://www.acterna.com/united_states/products/descriptions/ACO/AirMagnet/index.html#app

which are *very* expensive.  A Linux buddy of mine mentioned that I could do about the 
same thing with a $700-800 handheld running Linux (can't remember the actual machine or 
devices he mentioned). I'll have to speak with him a little more.

Anyway, I'm looking for feedback on various WIC software/site survey utilities.  The ony 
two I've used much are the ones for the LinkSys WPC11 and the Cisco PCM352 (both windoze 
based).  IMO, the LinkSys has the best site survey utility which shows the available 
Access Points and their SSID, BSSID (MAC addr), Signal Strength, Channel, WEP (y/n), BSS 
Type (infrastructure/ad hoc mode).  I also like to snoop around at other locations when 
I travel to see how others are rolling out Wi-Fi.

I just don't know what else is out there.  I'm looking for something equal to or better 
than the LinkSys, if it exists.  Any comments or information on the subject would be 
most appreciated. (doesn't matter what OS the tools run on as I can run any OS needed on 
my Notebook)  

TIA,

Randy Fowler



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

To unsubscribe from this list, send a message to
steward@2rosenthals.com with the command
"unsubscribe os2-wireless_users" in the body
(omit the quotes).

For help with other commands, send a message
to steward@2rosenthals.com with the command
"help" in the body (omit the quotes).

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=