User guide

Summit WMScanner Overview
Summit WMScanner Users Guide16
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Understanding Wireless Network Design
Some general knowledge is important for measuring a 802.11a, b, g, or n wireless communications
network. By no means is this section meant to be complete or comprehensive, but it should serve as a
general introduction for someone who is looking to expand their knowledge of WLANs.
Wireless Network Basics
Measuring wireless signal coverage and placing access points can be a relatively easy task, but problems
hindering the quality of the network quickly multiply when multiple access points are involved. The
proximity of access points to users and to each other, access point channel settings, and access point
power settings can all affect the signal quality and thus wireless network performance.
Several important factors directly affect signal strength. Signal strength near an access point (same room
to several tens of feet away) is considered very strong and is directly related to the access point’s output
power level. Signal strength, however, decreases as you move farther away from the access point
(referred to as attenuation). Another key factor that contributes to diminished signal strength are
obstructions, such as walls and wall-like metal shelving. Keep in mind that different construction
materials attenuate RF signals in different ways.