Uncovering Hidden Wi-Fi Issues: The Case for a Wireless Survey

Just as a seasoned architect meticulously plans every aspect of a building's design to ensure structural integrity and functionality, a business must approach its Wi-Fi networks with the same level of detail to ensure seamless coverage, eliminate dead zones, minimise signal interference, and optimise network configurations. 

 

Even if you have many wireless access points (APs) installed, your offices might still struggle to get good Wi-Fi everywhere. That's why a thorough Wi-Fi survey is important – it helps figure out where to put the wireless access points so that Wi-Fi works well in every corner. It is like constructing a building without a blueprint - it may look stunning from the outside, but improper AP placement leaves your teams grappling with connectivity issues.

 

This blog post will explore why your business needs a wi-fi site survey with complete wi-fi mapping and how tools like the Ekahau site survey can ensure a seamless wireless network.

 

What is a Wi-Fi Survey?

A wireless network site survey, also known as a Wi-Fi site survey, is a crucial step in improving an organisation's Wi-Fi network coverage. It involves using wireless site survey tools to thoroughly understand the floor plan of your premises, identify sources of interference, and analyse the network infrastructure. These tools help conduct a detailed assessment of signal strength, coverage areas, and potential obstacles that may impact connectivity in some areas.

 

When setting up a Wi-Fi network (WLAN), it's important to think about the types of applications that will be used and how many users might be using the network at its busiest times. For a WLAN focused on data transmission, it's important that the network can handle many users who need fast and reliable connections, plenty of data capacity, and secure connections that switch seamlessly between access points. The main priorities during surveying are signal strength and capacity to avoid overloading access points and causing network slowdowns.

 

Identifying Hidden Wi-Fi Issues

The main objective of a wireless survey is uncovering hidden Wi-Fi issues that might not be noticeable otherwise.

 

These issues include:

• Areas with weak signal strength
• Interference from electronic devices or neighbouring networks
• Dead zones or Coverage gaps
• Channel congestion caused by overlapping channels 
• Channel congestion due to high channel utilisation
• Capacity planning to understand user density
• Security vulnerabilities in weak Wi-Fi coverage areas

Without addressing these issues, organisations risk facing constant connectivity problems and slower internet speeds.

 

Goals of a Wi-Fi Survey: Bridging the Gap Between Today and Tomorrow

• Identifying Existing Problems: A Wi-Fi survey begins by identifying and addressing current issues such as dead zones, signal interference, and areas with weak signal strength. This helps in the immediate improvement of Wi-Fi performance, ultimately increasing productivity.

 

• Future-Proofing the Network: A thorough Wi-Fi survey also looks ahead to anticipate future demands by considering technological advancements. By future-proofing the network, organisations can avoid potential disruptions and costly upgrades down the line.

 

• Adapting to Technological Advancements: Technology is constantly evolving, and so are the demands. A Wi-Fi survey considers the latest advancements in wireless technology, ensuring that the network infrastructure is compatible with new devices, protocols, and standards.

 

• Accommodating Scalability: As businesses grow, so do their network requirements. A Wi-Fi survey assesses the network's scalability, ensuring that it can accommodate an increasing number of devices and users without compromising performance or security.

 

How Wireless Surveys Improve Wi-Fi Performance and Productivity From Data to Action

According to The Global State of Business Wi-Fi 2021 by Ekahau1, just one hour of network downtime can cost an enterprise-level business a staggering USD 540,000. The same report also reveals that 75% of wireless networks require troubleshooting and can significantly enhance productivity after optimisation.

 

The process of conducting a wireless site survey and wi-fi mapping begins with gathering information about the physical layout of the premises, like the size of rooms, the material of the walls, and potential obstacles. Specialised tools like Ekahau heatmapper are then used to perform active and passive scans, measure signal strength, and analyse traffic.

 

Based on the data, a comprehensive heatmap report is generated, detailing recommendations for optimising the Wi-Fi network. This report includes insights on where to strategically place APs for maximum coverage, recommended channel configurations to minimise interference and adjustments to network settings for improved performance. 

 

Benefits of Wi-Fi Mapping

Some of the key benefits of Wi-Fi mapping are:

 

Visualising Signal Strength: Wi-Fi mapping provides a visual representation of signal strength across the premises, helping identify areas with strong and weak signals, also called dead zones.

 

Optimal AP Placement: By analysing Wi-Fi mapping data, organisations can determine the best locations to place APs for maximum coverage, and minimising interference.

 

Enhancing Network Performance: Wi-Fi mapping helps in optimising network configurations, adjusting channel settings, and reducing overlapping channels, leading to better network performance and reliability.

 

Identifying Interference Sources: Wi-Fi mapping tools can identify sources of interference, such as electronic devices or neighbouring networks, allowing organisations to take corrective measures.

 

Capacity Planning: Wi-Fi mapping helps understand user density and network capacity needs, enabling to plan and allocate resources effectively to support a growing number of devices and users.

 

The illustration below showcases the enhanced connectivity within an office before and after conducting Wi-Fi mapping using the Ekahau wireless survey tool. The adjustments made to the wireless access point placement and other recommendations from the Ekahau site survey tool have eliminated dead zones. After implementing the recommendations, Wi-Fi is now available throughout the entire floor.

 

Before	After

 

Proactive Data Systems and Ekahau's Survey Expertise

The strategic implementation of Wi-Fi surveys is vital for optimising Wi-Fi networks. Businesses, regardless of their size, cannot afford poor connectivity in this highly competitive world. 

 

Proactive Data Systems Pvt Ltd stands as a leader in conducting Wi-Fi surveys using Ekahau, recognised as one of the best wireless site survey tools globally. Through our expertise, we have assisted numerous organisations, including enterprise customers, in achieving enhanced wi-fi coverage and improved network performance. To discover how Proactive can elevate your Wi-Fi network, please reach out to us at [email protected].