Perspective on Various

Consulting and Engineering Services

Prior to 2020, Connect802 performed hundreds of on-site RF surveys across the United States. An on-site RF signal propagation survey examines the way RF signals behave in the in-scope areas at a site. Professional RF site survey services help you plan and optimize a WiFi network deployment.

A Connect802 enginner uses signal measuring and mapping tools to walk through your site and create a graphic "heatmap" that depicts WiFi signal coverage, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), channel interference and other key characteristics. If no current WiFi system is in use at a site then the engineer will use a test WiFi access point transmitter to obtain RF signal strength measurements.

A site survey may also include an in-depth assessment of the overall network infrastructure. Current or proposed WLAN controller, Ethernet switch, Router, DNS, DHCP, and other configuration options are compared to best-practice recommendations to help assure optimal overall system operation.

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Prior to 2020, Connect802 would typically revisit a site after remediation or installation to confirm proper coverage. A post-installation 802.11 WiFi signal coverage validation and wireless network performance verification provides documentation that the installed WLAN meets the specified coverage, capacity, and performance requirements. This service may be a preliminary WiFi 802.11 assessment of an existing WLAN or a validation of WLAN WiFi coverage following installation of new 802.11 access points.

A WLAN validation is, essentially, a WiFi Site Survey focused on confirming that previously established goals for WiFi performance, capacity, and signal quality are being met. The Post-Installation Coverage report is confirmation that the investment made in the wireless LAN has met the desired objectives.

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As part of a WiFi wireless LAN Site Survey a Coverage Gap Analysis was often performed to call out and describe in detail any areas where 802.11 signal strength, signal quality, or other factors may result in a poor end-user experience. Using the data collected from the WiFi site survey the Connect802 engineering team would specifically documents each area where a coverage gap exists. Recommendations would be provided for remediating these gaps which could be through the addition (or removal) of WiFi access points or by moving access points to new locations.

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When a Connect802 engineer uses an RF spectrum analyzer to perform an RF Spectrum Analysis survey at a site the goal is to identify, isolate, and describe RF noise and interference and the impact of all other RF transmitters (and the resultant channal utilization) that may be present in the environment. The WiFi spectrum analyzer allows the engineer to evaluate the WiFi signal quality and the possible presence of WiFi signal degradation that may result in reduced 802.11 WiFi data rates, channel capacity, or even complete 802.11 communications failure.

LEARN MORE ABOUT 802.11 RF SPECTRUM ANALYSIS

When client mobile devices or computers are slow, or they "lock up", or have unexpected problems it's not always the fault of the WiFi system. 802.11 wireless network protocol analysis captures the underlying communications behavior between client software, the WiFi access point, and the server or other device with which the client is interacting.

The Connect802 engineering team uses tools like the Wireshark network protocol analyzer and the Savvius Omnipeek WLAN solution to examine not only 802.11 control and management behavior but also the interactions of upper-layer protocols in the TCP/IP protocol stack and other categories. Protocol analysis consulting services can disclose problems that would otherwise remain hidden. Protocol analysis services can also be used with Wireshark or OmniPeek trace files that you have captured and which are sent to Connect802 for analysis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PACKET-LEVEL PROTOCOL ANALYSIS SERVICES

A wireless LAN Physical Site Assessment is the starting point for a successful 802.11 WiFi deployment. A Connect802 engineer is dispatched to the WiFi wireless network installation site and, in conjunction with other WiFi Site Survey activities, evaluates and documents the RF-related characteristics of the site. This includes construction materials and wall/ceiling composition (relative to both mounting and RF attenuation) as well as identification of areas of concern for the WiFi access point design, mounting, and configuration. This is particularly important in warehouse and manufacturing facilities where the types of materials being stored and moved may impact WiFi signal propagation.

The findings of the Physical Site Assessment, along with photo-documentation of the site, provide a starting point for the development of an optimal 802.11 WiFi network system design.

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This design service is "Non-CAD" inasmuch as it does not utilize computer aided design software in a virtual model space. This service provides you with a basic, cost-effective wireless network design. It is Connect802's most popular and widely used 802.11 WLAN design service.

A successful 802.11 WiFi wireless network design includes more than simply a marked-up floorplan. The Connect802 team works with you to understand the end-user community, application requirements, the need for 802.11n versus 802.11ac, the WLAN controller features required, and the many details that underly a successful, secure, 802.11 WLAN.

You'll receive a complete set of Installer's Working Plans that includes a discussion of the 802.11 specifications and WLAN requirements. When a WiFi Network Design accompanies a Physical Site Assessment and WLAN Site Survey you also get photo-documentation and coverage predictions related to the 802.11 design.

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A Predictive RF Design (also called a Virtual WiFi Design or Virtual RF Design and sometimes referred to as a Virtual Site Survey) is created using AutoCAD drawing files with software that predicts WiFi characteristics for the virtual environment. Key information regarding the RF characteristics at a site (wall construction, interior obstructions, etc.) as well as the requirements of the end-user community are taken into consideration in the development of the virtual RF model. WiFi signal coverage is simulated in the RF model and an optimal design is created.

Predictive, virtual RF WiFi design services can be used for buildings that are not yet built or buildings being remodeled as well as for large-scale projects where multiple sites must have a WLAN design in a short period of time.

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Whether you're connecting buildings together on a corporate or educational campus or providing public access, law enforcement, or emergency services connectivity in your community or large geographic area, Connect802 has experience to create a successful system design, specify the right equipment, and work with your installation team to get the system up and running.

Point-to-point wireless links can be implemented for short-haul (across the street and between buildings) as well as for long distances (20+ miles) or with speeds over 1 Gb/sec. Outdoor 802.11b/g/n/ac WiFi coverage can be provided for sports stadiums, campgrounds, and other outdoor areas with high user densities.

LEARN MORE ABOUT POINT-TO-POINT, OUTDOOR, AND METRO-AREA WIFI

Full service support is available for all equipment purchased through Connect802 including:

• Configuration Support: Both local and cloud-based controllers
• Installation Support: Engineering resources during deployment
• Premium Operational Support: On-going Level 2 support for your IT/WLAN staff

The Connect802 engineering team can work with you during the equipment configuration and installation phase of your project. We provide direct support to your IT and wireless network staff as well as to the installation technicians who are physically pulling cable and mounting the hardware.

During and after the installation Connect802 can perform testing and system validation and can provide configuration assistance for both local and cloud-based WLAN controller systems. Services are available both on-site and remotely via phone or web conference.

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