It's impossible to see Radio Frequency (RF) signals, but he "secret" (if there is one) to installing and maintaining a productive wireless network is controlling RF strength and coverage – and that demands accurate site surveys, completed before installation, to decide Access Point locations, and after installation to confirm that expected coverage has been achieved.
NetUnity surveys follow one of three industry-standard formats:
- Predictive (Desk-top): The first step in planning a wireless network. Using CAD drawings of your buildings, software is used to predict where APs should be positioned to achieve optimum results;
- Pre-deployment (AP-on-a-Stick): The Pre-Deployment survey measures signal strength delivered by a test AP, placed in positions derived from the Predictive Survey. This confirms the predictions made in the predictive survey, or allows corrections to be made if the wireless environment is not as expected;
- Post Deployment/Remedial: Either after full deployment (as confirmation of performance) or at any stage in a wireless network's life (to assess the effect of structural or network changes or use change), the post-deployment survey gives a clear picture of the signal strength and coverage of the wireless network in clear and easy to understand diagrammatic ("heat map") format, where RF power and cover is represented by varying colours.
NetUnity has the skills and experience (Ekahau Pro and NetScout AirCheck G2) to undertake all versions and sizes of survey task.