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In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, a reliable and high-performing wireless network is essential for businesses to thrive. However, ensuring optimal network connectivity can be a complex task, especially when dealing with factors such as RF interference and access point placement. This is where an Ekahau wireless survey comes into play. Ekahau, a leading provider of Wi-Fi site survey tools, offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to help businesses design, optimise, and troubleshoot their wireless networks. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using Ekahau for wireless surveys and how it can help you create a robust and efficient network.

Understanding the Importance of a Wi-Fi Site Survey

Before delving into the benefits of using Ekahau for wireless surveys, let’s first understand why conducting a Wi-Fi site survey is crucial. A Wi-Fi site survey involves collecting data about the wireless environment to determine the optimal placement of access points and identify areas of weakness. By conducting a site survey, businesses can ensure that their wireless networks are capable of meeting their specific requirements and avoid potential issues such as dead zones or interference. A thorough site survey helps in creating a solid network design and eliminates the need for costly equipment overhauls in the future.

Introducing Ekahau Connect: A Comprehensive Suite of Wi-Fi Performance Software

Ekahau offers its Wi-Fi solutions through Ekahau Connect, an all-in-one suite of Wi-Fi performance software. This suite comprises six powerful tools that cover diagnostics, optimisation, analysis, surveying, and cloud collaboration. By utilising Ekahau Connect, businesses gain access to a wide range of features and functionalities that enable them to create and maintain a high-performing wireless network.

Ekahau Sidekick: Empowering Network Optimisation

One of the key components of Ekahau Connect is Ekahau Sidekick, a powerful spectrum analyser that aids in determining the optimal number and placement of access points. This advanced hardware solution not only helps optimise network performance but also serves as a reliable diagnostic tool to identify coverage gaps. With dual Wi-Fi radios and support for Wi-Fi 6, Ekahau Sidekick offers a plug-and-play setup and an 8-hour battery life, making it a valuable asset during Ekahau site surveys.

Ekahau Pro: Designing an Optimal Network

To complement Ekahau Sidekick, Ekahau Pro software provides comprehensive 3D network planning based on the data collected. By utilising the information from Sidekick, Ekahau Pro creates accurate network design plans, taking into account factors such as wall materials and flooring. The software includes preinstalled guidelines from industry-leading vendors, ensuring that networks meet industry standards. Additionally, Ekahau Pro offers troubleshooting tools to identify and resolve common network issues, providing businesses with a detailed analysis of their network’s performance.

Ekahau Survey: Mobility and Convenience in Site Surveys

Ekahau Survey, a mobile app optimised for iOS, enables users to conduct site surveys while on the move. By pairing the app with Ekahau Sidekick, users can easily gather data as they walk through the survey area. The app automatically recognises access points and plots them on a site map, generating heatmaps that offer a clear visualisation of network coverage and performance. The collected data is seamlessly synced to the cloud, making it readily available for analysis and sharing with relevant stakeholders.

Ekahau Analyser: Real-time Wi-Fi Validation

For quick and efficient troubleshooting, Ekahau Analyser provides real-time Wi-Fi validation. Compatible with both Apple and Android devices, this app enables on-site personnel to instantly detect network issues and transmit the information for resolution. Paired with Ekahau Sidekick, Analyser can identify low signal areas, rogue devices, and access point channels that require optimisation. The app provides a pass or fail result, indicating whether the network meets preset standards, effectively streamlining the troubleshooting process.

Ekahau Capture: In-depth Network Analysis

To gain a deeper understanding of network performance, Ekahau Capture focuses on Wi-Fi packet analysis. Paired with Ekahau Sidekick, Capture utilises packets to identify overused channels and analyse usage details such as data rates, retry rates, and frame rate distribution. This enables businesses to proactively address channel congestion and potential security risks. Additionally, Capture saves packets in .pcap format, making them compatible with third-party tools that adhere to industry standards.

Ekahau Cloud: Collaborative Network Management

Ekahau Connect’s cloud feature provides a centralised platform for uploading and analysing collected data. This enables off-site professionals to remotely interpret complex network issues and collaborate with on-site personnel to resolve them promptly. With files synced across connected devices, Ekahau Cloud offers a secondary storage location, allowing for easy access to project data. The cloud feature ensures efficient communication, minimising network downtime and maximising network performance.

The Advantages of Using Ekahau for Wireless Surveys

Now that we have explored the various tools and features offered by Ekahau Connect, let’s delve into the specific benefits of using Ekahau for wireless surveys:

1. Accurate Network Design: Ekahau’s advanced algorithms and comprehensive data analysis ensure that network designs are accurate and aligned with industry standards. This minimises the risk of coverage gaps, interference, and other issues that can hinder network performance.

    

2. Time and Cost Savings: By utilising Ekahau’s suite of tools, businesses can save significant time and costs associated with manual network planning and troubleshooting. The automation and efficiency provided by Ekahau’s software streamline the survey process and enable quick identification and resolution of network issues.

    

3. Enhanced Network Performance: Ekahau’s tools enable businesses to optimise access point placement, minimise interference, and maximise network capacity. This results in a high-performing network that meets the specific requirements of the business, ensuring seamless connectivity for users.

    

4. Improved User Experience: A well-designed and optimised network leads to improved user experience, whether it’s employees accessing critical business applications or customers connecting to guest networks. By utilising Ekahau’s software, businesses can create networks that provide reliable and consistent Wi-Fi coverage, enhancing user satisfaction.

    

5. Remote Collaboration: Ekahau Connect’s cloud feature enables remote collaboration, allowing off-site professionals to analyse network data and provide guidance without the need for physical presence. This streamlines communication and decision-making processes, ensuring efficient network management.

    

6. Future-proof Network Designs: With support for Wi-Fi 6 and comprehensive analysis of network performance, Ekahau’s tools enable businesses to future-proof their network designs. This ensures that networks can handle increasing demands and technologies, saving businesses from costly upgrades in the future.

Conducting a Wi-Fi site survey is crucial for optimising network connectivity, and Ekahau provides a comprehensive suite of tools through Ekahau Connect to facilitate this process. By utilising Ekahau’s advanced software and hardware solutions, businesses can design, optimise, and troubleshoot their wireless networks with ease. The benefits of using Ekahau for wireless surveys include accurate network design, time and cost savings, enhanced network performance, improved user experience, remote collaboration, and future-proof network designs. Embrace Ekahau’s wireless survey solutions to create a robust and efficient network that meets the specific needs of your business.