HP ProCurve RF Planner User Guide ProCurve 5400zl Switches HP RF Planner Installation and Getting Started Guide User Guide
HP RF Planner User Guide Wireless LAN Planning for Security, Coverage, and Performance Version 5.1 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., 8000 Foothills Boulevard, Roseville, California 95747-5552 www.hp.com/go/networking/ Product documentation is being enhanced continuously based on customer feedback. To obtain a latest copy of this document, visit www.hp.
© Copyright 2012 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.. This document contains proprietary information, which is protected by copyright. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated into another language without the prior written consent of Hewlett-Packard.
Table of Contents Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 1.1 1.2 BEFORE YOU BEGIN ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 CONTACTING HP ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 CHAPTER 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 GETTING STARTED ........................................................
Table of Contents 5.5.2 5.5.3 5.5.4 5.5.5 5.5.6 5.5.7 5.5.8 5.5.9 5.5.10 Sensor Repository ................................................................................................................................................. 38 Antenna Repository .............................................................................................................................................. 40 Radiation Pattern Repository ............................................................................
Table of Contents CHAPTER 8 SETTINGS ................................................................................................................................................... 95 8.1 SETTINGS: INVOKING FROM TOOLS MENU ................................................................................................................... 95 8.2 SETTINGS: PREFERENCES .........................................................................................................................................
Table of Contents Chapter 1 1.1 Getting Started Before You Begin Thank you for purchasing HP RF Planner (Planner), a state of the art Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) security and network planning tool developed by HP. 1.2 Contacting HP For getting local contact information visit http://welcome.hp.com HP offers support for 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the use of a number of automated electronic services.
Table of Contents Chapter 2 Introduction to WLAN Planning and Planner Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) connect you instantly even while you are moving. They provide convenient and increasingly flexible productivity in today’s corporate and industrial environment. However, WLANs need to be properly planned for adequate coverage and security to get these benefits. This chapter discusses the disadvantages of poorly planned WLANs and presents Planner as the solution to such problems.
Table of Contents 2.3 Planner: A Complete WLAN Planning Solution Planner makes the task of WLAN planning simple. Its easy-to-use interface provides rich visibility into security exposure, RF coverage, channel allocation, and available link speed in WLANs. This ensures security, high reliability, and optimal configuration of WLANs.
Table of Contents • • Auto Device Placement Auto Channel Allocation Capacity Estimation Support of AutoCAD files for site modeling 2.6 Working of Planner Perform the following steps for WLAN Planning using Planner: 1 Installing 2 Launching 3 Designing a Layout 4 Planning WLAN for security, coverage, and speed 5 Setting various protocols, filters, and advanced parameters for accurate RF views 6 Generating a BoM and reports 2.
Table of Contents Chapter 3 Launching Planner This chapter shows you how to launch Planner and use the new Planner file. 3.1 Global Functions Planner contains several common functions that apply throughout the application. They are as follows: 3.1.1 Dialogs The following functions apply to all dialog boxes in Planner. Depending on options available in a particular dialog box, you can: • Click to accept an action or save all the changes and close the dialog box.
Table of Contents Figure 2. • • • • 3.2.1 New Project Click to start a New Project File to create a new Wi-Fi project. Select a file from the Recent Files section to view a recently used project. Click to select an existing project (.spm, .prj or .zip). Click to open the selected Wi-Fi project. New Project File You can start a new project in Planner by doing one of the following: • From the File menu, select New Project.
Table of Contents Figure 4. • • Browsing for Folder Directory Name: Displays the path and the project file directory name. Location Map: Enter the location of the desired location map image or click to navigate to the folder containing the desired image. If you enter invalid data or select an invalid file, Planner displays an alert. The Planner outputs are: • Project file created and saved as an XML file with an extension ‘.prj’.
Table of Contents The project layout appears as follows. Figure 5. Project Layout The new Planner project layout screen is divided into three panes as follows: 1 Menu and Toolbars at the top: The Menu bar provides Planner operations. The Toolbar provides buttons for quick operations. The operations enable you to design and view the layout. Refer to the section Menu Items for more details.
Table of Contents • Autodesk DWG Release 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2000, 2002, 2004/2005/2006 Planner allows importing of the following information from an AutoCAD file. • Layout Dimensions • Layer Information Planner supports the following shapes of objects. All these shapes must be 2D.
Table of Contents Chapter 4 Working with the Locations Tree and the Devices List Planner enables you to model the enterprise across locations. It also enables you to place devices on a location to ensure optimum coverage. The Locations tree and the Devices list features appear on the left pane of the project layout screen. 4.1 Locations Tree The Locations tree enables you to organize the network into a list of locations and view live 802.11 RF coverage maps for each location node.
Table of Contents Figure 7. Adding a New Location Node The New Location Node dialog box contains details of the Location Node and two sections: Dimensions and Copying of Objects. Specify the following details of the Location Node: • Name: Enter the desired name for the new location node. • Plan Type: Specify if the plan type is an Indoor or Outdoor layout. • Location Map: Specify if the Location Map is a .jpg or .gif Image, or an AutoCAD file.
Table of Contents Max Attenuation Factor: Specifies the maximum attenuation factors for 802.11a/n and 802.11b/g/n protocols, depending on the application environment selected. Dimensions • Unit: Select the unit of measurement you want to use for the layout from the drop-down list. • a: Specify the length of the layout. • b: Specify the width of the layout. • Lock Aspect Ratio: Allows you to maintain the ratio of the length and width of the layout to that of the Layout image selected earlier.
Table of Contents If you import an AutoCAD file, Planner extracts the dimensions from the AutoCAD file. It is sometimes observed that the dimensions derived from the AutoCAD file are not correct as it shows the complete canvas size. As a result, ensure that you enter the exact layout dimensions. Copying of Objects: • Copy Objects From: Allows you to copy all objects from the previously created layouts. Select the layout from which you want to copy objects from the drop-down list.
Table of Contents 4.1.3 Managing Layers The Manage Layers dialog box displays details of layers in an AutoCAD file. When you select and import an AutoCAD file for a location node, the Manage Layers dialog box appears. Figure 10. Managing Layers of an AutoCAD file In the Manage Layers dialog box, some or all layers are selected by default. This is because every AutoCAD file stores the status of the layers that are turned on or off based on the selected checkboxes of layers.
Table of Contents Note: A .spm file created with the previous versions of Planner does not have any application environment assigned to the file. When you import the file and try to load the node, then Planner pops up an alert asking if you want to assign the default application environment. Figure 11.
Table of Contents The Open dialog box appears. Figure 12. Importing a Location Specify the path of the file or navigate to the file you wish to import into the location folder. Select the file type from the Files of type drop-down list. • On importing a .prj file, the entire location hierarchy of that project is imported under the selected folder. • On importing a .spm file, Planner creates a node under which the .spm file is imported. • On importing a .
Table of Contents 4.1.7 Cut/Copy/Paste a Location You can cut/copy location folders and nodes, and paste them onto other locations. 1 Right-click a location folder or node that you want to cut/copy, from the Locations tree. Select Cut or Copy. Figure 14. 2 Copying a location Right-click the destination location folder onto which you want to paste the location selected in the above step. Select Paste.
Table of Contents 2 3 4 The bottom left pane, called Locations, shows all the nodes and folders available under the selected location folder. Drag and drop the required locations on the attached image in the right pane. To view details about the location, hold the cursor over the green colored bullets. To go to a particular location placed on the image, do one of the following: • Click the green colored bullet representing the location.
Table of Contents • Right-click the location folder and select Properties. The Location Folder Properties dialog box appears which allows you to edit the name of the location folder. Figure 17. Renaming a Location Folder Renaming a Location Node Use the following steps to rename a location node: 1 Select a location node from the Locations tree. 2 Do one of the following: • Click the location. The field becomes editable. Enter the new name of the location node.
Table of Contents Note: In case of a location node, you will first have to Load the node. Otherwise, the Properties option is disabled. Figure 20. 2 Viewing Location Properties The Location Folder Properties or Location Node Properties dialog box appears. Edit the desired location properties. Figure 21.
Table of Contents Figure 22.
Table of Contents 4.2 Devices List The Devices list enables you to view all the devices that are placed on a particular location node. This list is populated only when the node is loaded. The devices are divided based on their type. You can modify the device properties by right-clicking or double-clicking the device. Note: Refer to the section Device Library to perform device related operations. Figure 23.
Table of Contents Chapter 5 Menu and Toolbar Options This section describes in detail various menus and Toolbar options in Planner, enabling you to create a complete layout model. You can design the layout using various objects available in Planner. 5.1.1 Menu Items This section gives a complete description of the available menu options. Note: Advanced users can skip the menus section and directly refer Layout Icons. File Menu Figure 24.
Table of Contents Edit Menu Figure 25.
Table of Contents Menu Item Name Description Keyboard Shortcut Zoom Mode Activates the zoom mode enabling you to zoom-in or zoom-out using the mouse scroll F10 Zoom In Zooms in by 10% at each step F11 Zoom Out Zooms out by 10% at each step F12 Resets the zoom and displays the layout in the actual size (100%) Functions as a snap tool to move around in the layout Reset Zoom Apply Pan Toolbar Button Ctrl+0 Shift+F2 Reset Pan Resets the snap tool Ctrl+P Show Grid Shows the grid in the layout
Table of Contents Drawing a Polygon Figure 28. 1 2 3 4 Drawing a Polygon Left-click the starting point (#1) Left-click the next point through all points until you are at the last point (#6) Left-click the last point (#6) Right-click to complete the polygon Drawing a Curved Polygon Figure 29.
Table of Contents Tools Menu Figure 30.
Table of Contents Help Menu Figure 31. Help Menu Menu Name Description Keyboard Shortcut Update License RF Planner Help Updates the License Displays the Planner Help file F1 User Guide Displays the Planner User Guide in .PDF format About RF Planner Displays information about Planner 5.1.2 Updating the License Go to HelpUpdate License to update the license key. Figure 32.
Table of Contents 5.2 Layout: Icons The following icons are available to you from the Planner Toolbar. Some of these are not covered in the Menu List. Figure 33. Indoor Objects The following list describes the layout type and materials available.
Table of Contents 2 3 The cursor changes to the cross hair icon . Click the location where you want to draw the object and without releasing the button, drag the mouse on the layout to where you want the object placed. You will see the outline of the object you are drawing. Repeat the above two steps to place any number of objects on the layout. Recommended: Place the objects in such a way that the physical layout is well represented in the Layout with minimum number of objects. 5.
Table of Contents To change the properties of an object, double-click or right-click the object and select Properties. Figure 35. Viewing Layout object properties You can change the following parameters: • Material: Select the material type from the drop-down list. • a: Specify the length of the object. • b: Specify the width of the object. • Angle: Specify the angle at which you want the object to be inclined. • Apply Rotation: Specify the rotation of the object.
Table of Contents • • • Add: Click to add a new material to the list of materials in the Global Repository. The Material Properties dialog box appears. Refer to section Adding a Material for more information. View: Click to view material properties of a material in the factory default list. The Material Properties dialog box appears. However, the fields in this dialog box are disabled, and read-only. Modify: Click to modify material properties of a material that you have defined.
Table of Contents • Import from Global Repository: Click to import materials from the Global Material Repository. Click to save and close the dialog box. Alternately click ; this will close the dialog box without applying changes made. 5.4.3 Adding a Material You can add a new material to the existing list of materials in the Local and Global Material Repositories. Click on the respective repository dialog boxes. The Material Properties dialog box appears. Figure 38.
Table of Contents Common Properties: • Name: Name of the new material. • Back Color: Background color for the new material. Click the color to choose the desired color from the Color dialog box. • Fill Color: Fill color for the material. Click the color to choose the desired color from the Color dialog box. • Border Color: Border color for the material. Click the color to choose the desired color from the Color dialog box. • Fill Style: Select the fill type pattern from the drop-down list.
Table of Contents 5.5.1 AP Repository Select AP Repository from the Tools menu. Figure 40. Tool Menu – AP Repository The Access Point Repository dialog box displays a list of available APs, their manufacturer, model, and number of radios. You can do the following: • Add an AP. • Modify an AP. • Delete an AP. Add AP Click to add an AP and specify the AP properties. The Add Access Point dialog box allows you to select and define radio properties. Figure 41.
Table of Contents Add AP Properties Description Manufacturer Model Enter the name of the manufacturer. Enter the AP model. Available Radio Select the radio from the drop-down list of available radios. Click to add a new radio to the AP. This takes you to the Radio Properties section in the dialog box. Click to delete a radio. Add Radio Delete Radio Antenna Select the antenna type from the drop-down list. Click to select or add a new antenna. For details, refer to the Antenna Repository section.
Table of Contents Modify AP Click on the Access Point Repository dialog box to modify an existing AP. The Modify Access Point dialog box appears. Figure 43. AP Repository – Modifying an AP The Modify Access Point dialog box is similar to the Add Access Point dialog box. Delete AP Click and confirm the deletion of an AP.
Table of Contents 5.5.2 Sensor Repository Select Sensor Repository from the Tools menu. Figure 44. Tool Menu – Sensor Repository The Sensor Repository dialog box displays a list of available Sensors, their manufacturer, model, and number of radios. You can do the following: • Add a Sensor. • Modify a Sensor. • Delete a Sensor. Add Sensor Click to add a Sensor and specify the Sensor properties. Figure 45.
Table of Contents Add Sensor Properties Description Manufacturer Model Enter the name of the manufacturer. Enter the Sensor model. Available Radio Select the radio from the drop-down list of available radios. Click to add a new radio to the Sensor. This takes you to the Radio Properties section. Add Radio Delete Radio Antenna Click to delete a radio. Select the antenna type from the drop-down list. More Antenna Detachable Click to select or add a new antenna.
Table of Contents Delete Sensor Click and confirm the deletion of a Sensor. 5.5.3 Antenna Repository Antenna Repository contains a list of predefined antennae. You can add a new antenna, delete an antenna, or define new radiation patterns for an antenna. Select Antenna Repository from the Tools menu. Figure 47. Tools Menu – Antenna Repository The Antenna Repository dialog box displays a list of available antennae, their manufacturer, model, radiation pattern and gain.
Table of Contents appears. Figure 49. Antenna Repository – Modifying an Antenna The Modify Antenna dialog box is similar to the Add Antenna dialog box. Delete Antenna Click and confirm the deletion of the antenna. 5.5.4 Radiation Pattern Repository You can create custom defined radiation patterns where you can define the gain at each angle starting from 0° to 359°. Select Radiation Pattern Repository from the Tools menu. Figure 50.
Table of Contents Add Radiation Pattern Click to add a Radiation Pattern and specify the antenna properties. Figure 51. Radiation Pattern Repository – Adding a Radiation Pattern Add Radiation Pattern Properties Name Description Enter the name of the radiation pattern. Start with Select the type of antenna to start with from the dropdown list. You can choose from None, Dipole, Yagi, Patch, or Parabolic. Max Gain The maximum gain controls pattern behavior.
Table of Contents Modify Radiation Pattern Click on the Radiation Pattern Repository dialog box to modify a custom radiation pattern. The Modify Radiation Pattern dialog box appears. Figure 52. Radiation Pattern Repository – Modifying a Radiation Pattern The Modify Radiation Pattern dialog box is similar to the Add Radiation Pattern dialog box. Delete Radiation Pattern Click and confirm the deletion of a Radiation Pattern. 5.5.
Table of Contents • In case of a system or user-defined application environment: Add an Application Environment Modify an Application Environment Delete an Application Environment Choose the Default application environment, if you are modeling the project layout by drawing objects on the layout. When you use the Default application environment, you have to model the layout by drawing objects on the layout.
Table of Contents Deleting an Application Environment Click and confirm the deletion of the application environment. 5.5.6 Waterfall Curve Repository Planner provides a list of waterfall curves. You can use them to design the layout. You can also create custom defined waterfall curves. Select Waterfall Curve Repository from the Tools menu. Figure 56. Tools Menu – Waterfall Curve Repository The Waterfall Curve Repository dialog box displays a list of Waterfall Curves.
Table of Contents 802.11 (a, b, g): Figure 57. • • Waterfall Curve Repository – Adding a Waterfall Curve: 802.11 (a, b, g) Name: Enter the name of the waterfall curve. Select 802.11a protocol in the Waterfall Curve: Select the checkbox to select and enable edit access to values in the list for the 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g protocols (from the respective tabs) in the Waterfall Curve. The dialog box lists the link speed mapped to the signal strength for 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.
Table of Contents 802.11 (a/n, b/g/n): Figure 58. • • • Waterfall Curve Repository – Adding a Waterfall Curve: 802.11 (a/n, b/g/n) Name: Enter the name of the waterfall curve. Select 802.11a/n protocol in the Waterfall Curve: Select the checkbox to select and enable edit access to values in the list for the 802.11a/n or 802.11b/g/n protocols (from the respective tabs) in the Waterfall Curve. Channel Width (MHz): Select the channel width from the drop-down list.
Table of Contents Modifying a Waterfall Curve Click on the Waterfall Curve Repository dialog box to modify an existing waterfall curve. The Modify Waterfall Curve dialog box appears. Figure 59. Waterfall Curve Repository – Modifying a Waterfall Curve The Modify Waterfall Curve dialog box is similar to the Add Waterfall Curve dialog box. Deleting a Waterfall Curve Click and confirm the deletion of the waterfall curve.
Table of Contents 5.5.7 Import Planner Settings The Import option allows you to import settings and preferences so that all workstations have the same set of environments and all the planning team members can work in synchronization. You can choose to import any of the parameters. Select Import Planner Settings from the Tools menu. The Import Planner Settings dialog box appears. Figure 60.
Table of Contents 5.5.8 Export Planner Settings The Export option allows you to export all the application level configurations in a file. This exported file can be imported by Planner running on a different computer. This way all the team members can work in synchronization with all the configurations. Select Export Planner Settings from the Tools menu. The Export Planner Settings dialog box appears. Figure 61.
Table of Contents 5.5.9 Location Properties You can change the Location Properties from the Tools menu. Location Properties: Dimensions Tab The Dimensions tab allows you to change the dimensions of the layout. Figure 62. Changing Location Properties – Dimensions Tab Specify the following dimensions and properties: • Unit: Select the unit of measurement from the drop-down list. • Length in ‘a’ direction: Specify the length to be used for all layouts in the plan.
Table of Contents Location Properties: Calculations Tab The Calculations tab allows you can specify the calculations settings and path loss model settings. You can also invoke this screen by clicking Figure 63. from the Toolbar. Changing Location Properties – Calculations Tab Calculation Settings: • Spillage Factor: Specifies the size of the area as a multiplier of the actual layout area over which Planner will assess the WLAN signal spillage.
Table of Contents Location Properties: Local Material Repository Tab The Local Material Repository tab gives a list of available materials in the Local Repository of that .spm file. Refer to the Local Material Repository section to see the various functions you can perform from this tab. Figure 64. Changing Location Properties – Local Material Repository Tab 5.5.10 Renumber Devices Planner creates a default numbering label, namely 01, 02 …for the devices.
Table of Contents For example, if you choose the option Building Name, and the building name is ‘MyBuilding’, then Planner will number the APs as MyBuildingA01, MyBuildingA02, and Sensors will be numbered as MyBuildingS01, MyBuildingS02, and so on. The system will behave similarly with Layout Name and User defined names.
Table of Contents Chapter 6 WLAN Planning Wizard WLAN Planning Wizard is a feature in Planner that helps you plan the layout based on your requirements. The wizard helps you define objectives by seeking your inputs on Wi-Fi network parameters. Planner uses these given parameters to make available number of APs required on a floor, assigning channels to them, and placing the same on the floor map. Go to ToolsWLAN Planning, or click on the Toolbar to open the wizard.
Table of Contents 6.1 1 Steps in WLAN Planning The Welcome to WLAN Planning Workflow screen shows the steps in the WLAN Planning workflow. Figure 67. WLAN Planning – Welcome Screen Click each step in the workflow to view the information pop-up for that step. For example, if you click Select AP Model and configuration, an information pop-up for selecting AP models and their configuration appears. Figure 68.
Table of Contents 2 The WLAN Planning Wizard: Device Selection screen helps you select the desired AP model and set AP properties vital to WLAN performance. The device selection also lets you choose typical client models so that client characteristics are also taken into account by the Wizard. Figure 69. • WLAN Planning – Device Selection AP Model: Select the AP model from the drop-down list.
Table of Contents Figure 70. 802.11n Advance Parameters Set the IEEE 802.11n Advance parameters: MIMO configuration: Displays the MIMO configuration you specified while adding an AP. This field is disabled and cannot be modified. You must go to the AP properties screen to modify the same. Channel Width (MHz): Specify the desired channel width. Guard Interval (ns): Specify the desired guard interval.
Table of Contents Select one of the following options: • Coverage Planning: Select to plan the WLAN to enable users at most locations on the floor to connect with a specified minimum data rate. • Capacity Planning: Select to plan the WLAN to ensure connectivity with focus on user and application requirements. 4 5 6 Depending on the planning focus that you chose in the previous step, Planner displays the Coverage Planning or Capacity Planning screen of the wizard.
Table of Contents Figure 73. Coverage Planning Summary The Coverage Planning Summary screen gives you a summary of the coverage-focused plan as per your requirements and specifications. It also gives you the number of APs, as estimated by Planner to suit your requirements of coverage. Capacity Planning If you have selected Capacity Planning in the previous step of the wizard, the WLAN Planning Wizard: Capacity Planning – Parameters screen appears.
Table of Contents Note: A high percentage of uplink traffic with a large number of active users will degrade an AP bandwidth due to high contention. • Provision for VoIP: Select to enable Planner to provide for VoIP. VoIP has a major impact on capacity planning and is determined by: Voice codec type: Select the voice codec type from the drop-down list. Voice traffic: Specify the percentage voice traffic.
Table of Contents The WLAN Planning Wizard: Capacity Planning – Advance Parameters screen appears. Figure 75. Capacity Planning – Advance Parameters Specify the factors you would like to consider for WLAN capacity planning. These are ‘What-If’ scenarios. • Select the effects on AP capacity: 802.11 medium access anomaly: Select to consider the proportion of active users at various data rates. 802.
Table of Contents The WLAN Planning Wizard: Capacity Planning Summary screen appears. Figure 76. Capacity Planning Summary The Capacity Planning Summary screen gives you a summary of the capacity-focused plan as per your requirements and specifications, results of the ‘What-If Scenario Analysis’, and the number of APs, as estimated by Planner to suit the user and application requirements of capacity.
Table of Contents Figure 78. • Capacity Planning Summary – Passed? (Orange) If the Capacity Feasibility Check is ‘Failed!’, Planner also gives the potential reason for the failure. Figure 79. Capacity Planning Summary – Failed! Click to view the reason for failure. The ‘What-If Scenario Analysis’ is useful to understand the reason for failure.
Table of Contents If there are no Area Polygons defined, Planner places the devices on the layout at the calculated locations. After either of the above steps, if still more devices are left, then Planner displays a message that the remaining devices cannot be placed automatically and hence you can manually place the same at any desired location on the floor map. Planner shows a list of these devices in the Devices Library dialog box under Auto AP section.
Table of Contents Chapter 7 Device Placement on the Layout Model Device placement enables you to: • Plan the location of Sensors and APs on the layout model. • Create ‘What-If’ scenarios. • Generate RF views to get visibility into the security exposure and RF coverage. • Use various filters to get most relevant views. 7.1 Planning Device Placement Planning Device Placement is divided into: • RF View Area • Status and Control Pane. 7.1.
Table of Contents RF views (also called RF maps) are classified into three groups as shown in the following table. Coverage View Access Point Views Channel View Link Speed View Interference View Redundancy View SINR View Sensor Views Coverage View Threat View Calibration View Redundancy View Calibration Note: Whenever you shift from one tab of the RF view to another, Planner displays an Information message describing that tab. 7.1.
Table of Contents Figure 82. AP Coverage View: Indoor Layout Figure 83. AP Coverage View: Outdoor Layout Color Palette Customization: Double-click the Color Index in the Status bar. This opens the Color dialog box where you can customize the colors.
Table of Contents Note: You can customize the Color Palette in all the other views too. Figure 84. 7.2.2 Planning Device Placement: Customize Color Dialog Box AP Channel View This view displays the channel distribution over the current layout. The operating channel of the AP that provides maximum link speed at a location decides the channel value at that location. This view helps you decide the channel that should be used at a location for the best performance.
Table of Contents Figure 86. 7.2.3 AP Channel View: Outdoor Layout AP Link Speed View This view helps you plan for available downlink connectivity speeds and the choice of wireless Clients that should be used at various locations on the layout. It displays the maximum downlink data rate that a wireless Client can expect from a connection. It shows the 802.11 downlink connection speed available at each point on the layout.
Table of Contents Figure 87. AP Link Speed View: Indoor Layout Figure 88.
Table of Contents 7.2.4 AP Interference View This view displays the level of 802.11 channel interference at various locations on the plan. The interference is based on the signal strength of different APs, operating on the same channel, at that location. This view helps you plan for minimum interference to provide better network connectivity and better throughput for higher end user satisfaction. There are Interference View checkboxes at the bottom of the AP Interference View screen.
Table of Contents Figure 90. AP Interference View: Indoor Layout Figure 91. AP Interference View: Outdoor Layout 7.2.5 AP Redundancy View This view displays the area on the layout covered by a set of AP radios.
Table of Contents availability in case of device breakdown, AP malfunction, capacity planning, and planned outages. Each AP Redundancy value is mapped to a color code. You can set the values using the color palette given at the bottom of the AP Redundancy View. Figure 92. AP Redundancy View: Indoor Layout Figure 93.
Table of Contents 7.2.6 AP SINR View This view displays the signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) values at different areas on the layout. SINR is the ratio of the received signal to the amount of interference and ambient noise at a given location on the layout. SINR determines the maximum date rate or the link speed feasible at a given point on the layout. If SINR is poor, see the AP Interference View to determine if the amount of interference is the limiting factor.
Table of Contents Figure 95. 7.2.7 AP SINR View: Outdoor Layout Sensor Coverage View This view helps plan the placement of Sensors. It displays the zone of visibility for each Sensor. Sensors can cover 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a/n, and 802.11b/g/n protocols. Sensors are placed on the layout such that they can detect WLAN activity at each point on the layout and its perimeter and can prevent unauthorized activity.
Table of Contents Figure 96. Sensor Coverage View: Indoor Layout Figure 97. Sensor Coverage View: Outdoor Layout 7.2.8 Sensor Threat View This view displays the area beyond the detection and prevention ranges of the Sensors.
Table of Contents which may be subjected to different kinds of threats and attacks. This view enables you to identify the type of threat depending on the type of device: AP, Sensor, and Client. The risk/safety levels are color-coded. It helps you identify the number of Sensors needed to adequately cover the layout against threats.
Table of Contents Figure 99. 7.2.9 Sensor Threat View: Outdoor Layout Sensor Redundancy View This view displays the area covered by a set of Sensors. It is useful in planning for improved security cover in case of Sensor breakdown, malfunction, planned outages, and for location tracking by RF Manager. You can set the Redundancy value using the slider bar at the bottom of the screen. Recommended: Use a Sensor redundancy of three for location tracking.
Table of Contents Figure 100. Sensor Redundancy View: Indoor Layout Figure 101. Sensor Redundancy View: Outdoor Layout 7.2.10 Calibration View This view displays a predefined set of points where you need to collect signal strength.
Table of Contents called system generated points and the placement of these points depends on various factors like location of floor objects, their material type, and so on. This view helps you fine tune the current predictions closer to real life values. For this, Planner needs to collect signal strength values at various places. Note: Calibration View is not available for outdoor planning. Figure 102.
Table of Contents After taking readings at all points, click . Planner will calculate the signal loss due to objects and other factors based on the measured signal strength. This process completes the loop of starting with RF prediction and using the actual measured signal strength to fine tune the RF prediction. The following options are disabled in Calibration View: • Layout edit options like drawing, rotate, cut, copy, paste, and so on • Spillage View • Generate Report • Statistics 7.
Table of Contents 7.3.5 View Layout Model Click from the Toolbar to view the layout model. This helps you verify the locations of the devices placed on the layout along with the original .gif or .jpg image. 7.3.6 Show RF Signal Click . from the Toolbar to view the RF signals of the layout. This helps you view the color-coded signal coverage of the devices on the layout, across different views. 7.3.7 Show Spillage View Click from the Toolbar to invoke the Spillage View.
Table of Contents simultaneously. Selecting more than one protocol can sometimes lead to missing details for a specific protocol because of overlap. Using the Filter dialog box, you can view the coverage of a device above and below the current floor. The dialog box also displays details like the name of the device, the name of the layout where the device is located, and the level. Use the following steps to select the protocols. 1 Click from the Toolbar.
Table of Contents 7.3.10 Color Palette This section shows the color palette used in the planning of Device Placement views. Double-click the Color Index to open the Color dialog box where you can customize the colors. Figure 109. 7.4 Status and Control Pane: Color Palette Status Bar The Status Bar appears at the extreme bottom of the screen. The Status Bar is divided into five sections. • Cursor Location • RSSI Display • Layout Dimensions • Current Mode • Interference • SINR 7.4.
Table of Contents 7.5 Click Device Library on the Toolbar to invoke the Device Library dialog box. The Device Library dialog box displays the available APs and Sensors. It has two tabs: Access Points and Sensors. You can directly drag and drop the devices from this list to an appropriate place on the floor map. Figure 116.
Table of Contents Figure 117. Device Library: Displaying Coverage Area of the Device Once you place the devices on the layout, they do not appear in the list. These devices appear in the Devices Tree on the left pane of the screen. You can change the location of a device by dragging the device to the new location. 7.6 Device Properties You can change the device properties of APs and Sensors used to plan the layout. 7.6.
Table of Contents The Access Point Properties dialog box appears. Figure 118. Access Point Properties You can set the following AP parameters. • Name: Enter a unique name by which the AP is identified. • Model: Select an AP Model from the drop-down list of commercially available AP models. Planner enables, disables, or changes the other properties in this dialog box based on the selected AP model. • Ethernet MAC: Enter the Ethernet MAC Address of the AP.
Table of Contents Power (mW): Select a power level from the supported power values at which the AP will operate for each selected protocol. You must keep the default values, which are based on the maximum transmit power for the protocol as permitted by the regulatory agencies in the countries for which you are doing the WLAN planning. Refer to Appendix D: Glossary of Terms for more details on regulatory domain compliance. Click to set advanced 802.11n parameters.
Table of Contents • Radio Properties MAC Address: Enter the MAC Address of the Radio. Antenna: Select an antenna from the drop-down list. Click to view additional details of the antenna. The Select Antenna dialog box appears which helps you add or select the antenna in a better manner, from the list of available antennae. It is a good practice to keep the Sensor antennae to be dipole or omni-directional, which enables the Sensor to detect and prevent attacks from any direction.
Table of Contents Note: To view the Statistics for the Sensor Views, switch to the Sensor View group and click the Statistics icon. If you choose a specific area with the Area Polygon option, you can view statistics for different regions such as: • All Defined Area • Only Selected Area • Area Not Covered By Defined Area • Complete Layout Figure 121. Statistics: Area – Signal Distribution Figure 122.
Table of Contents Figure 123. Statistics: Area – Channel Interference Distribution Figure 124. Statistics: Area - Sensor Detection Note: To view the Statistics for Sensor Prevention, ensure that you have selected the Show Prevention checkbox in the Sensor Coverage View.
Table of Contents Figure 125. Statistics: Area - Sensor Prevention Figure 126. Statistics: Area - Sensor Redundancy 7.9 Saving the File After you have planned the entire network, you must save the file. If you have not saved the file, Planner prompts you to save the file, under the following circumstances: • Open another file • Create a new file • Save as a different file • Generate a Report • Exit Planner 7.
Table of Contents • • • Save as a different project Export the whole project for import into RF Manager or any other system running Planner Exit Planner 94 HP RF Planner User Guide
Table of Contents Chapter 8 8.1 Settings Settings: Invoking from Tools Menu Figure 127. Settings: Invoking from Tools Menu The Settings window contains the following: • Preferences • AP Defaults • Sensor Defaults 8.2 Settings: Preferences Go to SettingsPreferences, the Preferences screen opens in the Layout Designer tab. Figure 128. 8.2.1 Preferences – Layout Designer Preferences: Layout Designer The Layout Designer allows you to perform the following functions on the Layout Designer.
Table of Contents • • 8.2.2 Angular Line Settings: Default Width: Specify the desired width to draw all angular lines. Hollow Object Settings: Default Thickness: Specify the desired thickness to draw all hollow objects. Preferences: AP Views Go to SettingsPreferencesAP Views, the AP Views tab appears. Figure 129.
Table of Contents The prevention and detection thresholds are different for different protocols. The above screen enables you to set the prevention and detection threshold values for these protocols. • Sensor View Settings Protocol: Select a protocol from the drop-down list. The right pane of the screen displays the detection and prevention fields for the selected protocol.
Table of Contents • • 8.3 Create System Defined Calibration Points: Select the checkbox to create system defined calibration points. This enables you to specify the pairs of points for calibration. Planner creates these points around a material when you are in the Calibration View. These points are represented by the icon. Specify Number of Pairs: Specify the number of pairs of calibration points. The default value is 4 pairs.
Table of Contents Click to add an SSID in the List of SSIDs. List of SSIDs: Displays the list of SSIDs of the AP’s radio. Click to delete an SSID selected from the List of SSIDs. Antenna: Select an antenna from the drop-down list. Click to view additional details of the antenna. The Select Antenna dialog box appears which helps you add or select the antenna in a better manner, from the list of available antennae.
Table of Contents The Default Sensor Properties dialog box appears. Figure 134. Settings – Sensor Defaults Define settings for the following Sensor properties: • Sensor Prefix: Specify the text to prefix to a Sensor when Sensors are numbered. • Model: Select a Sensor model from the drop-down list of commercially available Sensor models. Planner enables, disables, or changes the other properties in this dialog box based on the selected Sensor model.
Table of Contents Chapter 9 Generating Output from Planner Planner generates a comprehensive report giving the architect’s drawings, BoM for WLAN devices, information about AP and Sensor configuration, original layouts, and all the security exposure and network coverage RF views generated during planning. It also replays customer input as a ready reference. The report is configurable in that you can select any of the above for inclusion.
Table of Contents This displays the Generate Report dialog box. Figure 136. Generating a Report Enter the details to generate the report. • Work Order Number: Enter the work order number. • Customer Name: Enter the name of the customer for whom you are generating the report. • Click to change the report details. The Report Details dialog box appears.
Table of Contents Figure 137. Report Details You cannot edit the Work Order Number and Customer Name fields from this screen.
Table of Contents • Choose Report Folder: Specify the path to the folder, or click to navigate to the folder where you want to place the report output. The Browse for Folder dialog box appears where you can navigate to the desired folder. Figure 138. Browsing for Folder Click to generate the report. Alternately, click to discard the action.
Appendix A: Planning Sensors Appendix A: Planning Sensors In addition to Planner, HP also has a complementary product called RF Manager. RF Manager monitors and protects the corporate network that includes both wired and wireless devices. It consists of two main components—RF Manager Server and RF Manager Sensors (Sensors). The RF Manager Server acts as a database and the coordination center for various Sensors. Sensors are RF sniffing devices connected throughout the corporate network.
Appendix B: Integration of Planner and RF Manager Appendix B: Integration of Planner and RF Manager RF Manager monitors and protects the corporate network that includes both wired and wireless devices on a 24x7 basis. Two key features of RF Manager are: • Live RF Views: Enables you to take live RSSI readings from the Sensors to show live RF coverage maps for any layout. • Location tracking on a layout: Enables you to track the location of any device on a layout.
Appendix B: Integration of Planner and RF Manager The Export dialog box appears. Figure 140. Export Options The Export dialog box contains the Export Options. This enables you to select the files and preferences you wish to export. • Preferences: Select the checkbox to export the project with all the preferences.
Appendix C: File Level and Application Level Parameters Appendix C: File Level and Application Level Parameters The following section presents an overview of the File level and the Application level parameters. Table 1 File Level Parameters File Level Parameters Data Type Default Value Minimum Maximum Accuracy RSSI Calibration Integer Integer 1 -10 dB 1 -40 dB 4 40 dB Spillage Factor Min Attenuation Factor Positive Integer Real 2 2 2 1.6 3 4 Max Attenuation Factor Alpha Real Real 2 -4 1.
Appendix D: Glossary of Terms Appendix D: Glossary of Terms This section provides a quick reference to wireless networking and Planner related terms and abbreviations used in this guide. Table 3 Glossary of Terms Term Definition 802.11 802 Series LANs AP Access Point BoM Bill of Material Channel Interference Layout Model The model of the Layout with all the object placements defined Layout Image A .jpg, .
Appendix D: Glossary of Terms Term Definition Description RF Radio Frequency ‘What-If’ scenarios. You can also generate various RF views. This is a name given to invisible electromagnetic waves. RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator RF Manager RF Manager Sensors Spillage Propagation of signal outside a stipulated area .spm file Planner File .prj file Planner Project File WAN Wide Area Network Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity 802.11a Wireless Protocol 802.11b Wireless Protocol 802.
Appendix D: Glossary of Terms Term Definition multiple radios. The maximum number of spatial streams is limited by min (n, m), that is, the minimum among the number of radio chains at the transmitter and receiver. IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 makes it mandatory for APs to support a minimum of two spatial streams and support for up to four streams optionally. Legacy 802.11 protocols operate on 20 MHz channels. IEEE 802.11n allows bonding of two 20 MHz channels so that a net channel width of 40 MHz can be used.
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