Wireless Networks – Wireless Survey

Wireless Networks – Wireless Survey

Wireless networks are a group of interconnected devices that are not physically linked to each other but rather use a wireless link. These devices can then be connected to the internet through a router or modem. Wireless networks are difficult to manage as many items can change the effective range and strength of a wireless network. For instance, the placement of a metal object in front of any wireless transmitter can greatly affect the effectiveness of a wireless network. In order to gain the most out of wireless networks, technicians conduct wireless surveys. Radiofrequency, or wireless survey as it is commonly referred to, is the process of preparing or planning for the placement of wireless equipment in order to make the most of the resources while ensuring all the required locations are covered by the WIFI.

Conducting a Wireless Network Survey

In order to conduct a wireless network survey, the first step is to draw up a blueprint for the locations the wireless network is supposed to cover. This is followed by taking note of objects that can deflect or block wireless network frequencies from traveling to their intended destinations. Objects such as metal desks and other devices that produce a wireless signal of their own also need to be noted. During a wireless survey, an effective range boundary is set; this is the area in which the wireless network works seamlessly without any issues. The purpose of setting up a range boundary is so as to mark the regions in which a particular wireless network can be used. A range boundary can be set by connecting a device and physically marking the areas in which the network works or using software and determining the signal-to-noise ratio (Pandley, Pant & Tripathi, 2019). If other electronic devices are producing radio waves that are stronger than the wireless network waves, then the signal-to-noise ratio is wrong, and the devices need to be moved or reorganized.

The next step is to determine the kind of wireless network survey that would be required for the situation at hand. There exist three major forms of wireless survey, active, passive, and predictive. The three types of wireless surveys are most effective for different kinds of wireless networks and different situations (Deak, Curran & Condel, 2021). Active wireless surveys are most effective for conducting troubleshooting and setting up a wireless network as it involves physically moving around the effective radius of the wireless network. While implementing an active wireless survey, a device is connected to the access points and counts the data packets and traffic being transmitted over the network. During a passive wireless survey, on the other hand, an application is installed on one of the connected devices and is used to measure WIFI data without interfering with the network. Passive wireless surveys are most effective for wireless networks that are already in existence but need to be improved but not at that exact moment. The information from this kind of survey can be saved and consulted when making changes to the network at a later time. Finally, during a predictive wireless survey, a simulation of the network radius and blueprint of surrounding buildings is used. The simulation is then used to approximate the strength and effective radius of the wireless network. Predictive wireless surveys can be most useful when proposing a wireless network; the information from the survey can be used to inform a company on what kind of equipment can work most effectively and the kind of range the network will be effective from (Mehmood, Alrajeh & Song 2018). Predictive surveys can also inform a company on whether a wireless network is the best option or whether would they rather implement a cable connection for their office setup.

Location of Access Points and Delegation of Duties

            One of the main factors that determine the speed and efficiency of a wireless network is the placement of access points. It is advisable to place the highest number of access points in the room where most individuals will spend time on the network. Since pathways and halls are not expected to have many users on their devices for a long period of time, these are locations to avoid placing access points in. Access points also perform better when placed away from other devices that produce similar frequencies, such as mobile wifi and microwaves. The most suitable locations for wireless network access points are on raised platforms in the building where they are not blocked by objects that reduce or deflect wireless signals.

The duties that would be delegated to junior network engineers would be, the physical movement of a device connected to the wireless network in order to determine the strength and effective range boundary. The installation of computer software that can be used in analyzing data from the wireless network survey can be delegated to junior network engineers. After concluding the survey, the movement of network devices to more effective locations in the building as well as the removal of obstacles that might reduce the speed and effectiveness of the wireless network can also be delegated to junior network engineers.

References

Deak, G, Curran & Condel (2021). A survey of active and passive indoor localization systems. Computer communications, 35(16), 1939-1954.

Mehmood, A, Alrajeh & Song (2018). A survey on proactive, active and passive fault diagnosis protocols for wsns: network operator perspective (18)6, 1787.

Pandley, A, Pant& Tripathi, R,C (2019). A system and method for authentication in wireless area local networks. 86(2), 149-156

Parkoon, S, Bennis & Debbah, M (2019), Wireless network intelligence at the edge proceeding of IEE, 107(11), 2204-2239.

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Part 1: Wireless Networks

Section 1: Wireless Survey

Using your favorite search engine, find a minimum of 4 resources that explain how a wireless survey should be conducted where APs can be placed in the right place with maximum connection stability and performance being the primary directive. Then, indicate how you would delegate, to some junior network engineers, and how to go about deploying these APs in a building where many users and devices will connect wirelessly. The paper must be a minimum of 3 pages.