We'll help you to optimize wireless communication potential with a wide range of wireless Site Survey Services. The initial wireless network survey is a critical first step. Incorrectly configuring your wireless network risks a network unable to handle future demands of mobile devices, smart phones, tablets and the ongoing wave of dynamic new products.

All wireless devices are not created equal, and it's vital that a wireless survey addresses your specific coverage today with a vision looking into the future. At ExterNetworks, we use the latest industry tools and techniques to map RF coverage and capacity and provide you with detailed and comprehensive documentation.

The Importance

The Importance of Wireless Site Surveys

Network teams need to conduct wireless site surveys to ensure optimal performance. Without a site survey, there is no guarantee that the guesswork of determining how many access points are necessary and where they should be placed will provide the desired results or quality.

Rule-of-thumb guidelines are convenient, but you need precise and detail-driven information when it comes to an efficient and reliable wireless network. Site surveys provide the necessary data, supplying information such as the number of users in specific areas, types of applications used, any obstructions or interference created by walls or other objects, and the exact power level needed.

Furthermore, while saving money on installation costs sounds enticing, not completing a site survey can lead to an overall increase in expenses due to not getting the expected performance from too few (or too many) access points. If not enough APs were installed originally, customers may complain about poor connectivity or sluggish speeds, which would necessitate purchasing additional equipment - costing more than if an accurate number was determined beforehand with a proper survey. A wireless site survey should therefore be considered essential for any enterprise deployment handling sensitive data or businesses counting on stable connections with low latency times for all users.

Key Elements

Four Elements of Wireless Site Surveys

We have years of experience surveying hundreds of sites across multiple industries.

  • New Network - Wireless Survey

    Assessment of received wireless signal strength, location of each wireless access point, RF interference and noise levels are all included. Using this information, we can optimize your wireless deployment and choose appropriate radio channels, antennas, and transmit power levels of each wireless access point to maximize the performance of your wireless network.

  • Post Installation - Wireless Survey

    Other wireless network suppliers too often fail to provide this essential service. To us, it's a big part of what sets us apart. We perform a final Post-Installation Wireless Survey that verifies that coverage and capacity requirements have been met, certifies our 100% coverage guarantee and provides clients with assurance they are moving forward with a new wireless network that has been correctly designed for both current and future use.

  • Health Check - Wireless Survey

    There is no more effective tool for diagnosing troublesome wireless networks. Problems such as network dropouts, hidden nodes, RF interference, Wi-Fi rogue access points and more can be identified. Our Health Check Wireless Survey examines all these issues to determine what improvements can be made to realize the greatest performance gains.

  • Outdoor - Wireless Survey

    Outdoor wireless networks surveys present unique challenges, but we're ready for them. With years of experience delivering point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, outdoor wireless mesh networks, and wireless LAN networks of every size, ExterNetworks Wireless one of a few companies with the specialized knowledge, skillset and experience required for the successful deployment of even the most challenging outdoor wireless network project.

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Who Performs

Who Performs Wireless Site Surveys?

A wireless site survey is essential to installing and maintaining a wireless network, ensuring all connected devices' efficient and reliable operation. The primary purpose of a site survey is to identify potential locations for access points and other necessary hardware to optimize performance and coverage. Choosing the appropriate people for the job is important to ensure a successful site survey.

Consulting firms specializing in wireless technology offer qualified personnel who are knowledgeable about all aspects of wireless networks, including those related to capacity planning, security, coverage area mapping, and interference avoidance.

Alternatively, companies may hold internal resources - experts with current knowledge of the latest specs and capabilities offered by various wireless vendors - to perform such surveys themselves. Additionally, individual IT professionals with expertise in this field are experienced in performing site surveys as well.

Regardless of the selected approach, it’s critical that these employees be kept up-to-date on new offerings from hardware vendors, as they can often provide opportunities to improve existing networks or create more capable structures.

Why Needed

Why is a Wireless Site Survey Needed?

When setting up a wireless network, the Wi-Fi coverage's accuracy, and reliability are key factors. This is why Wireless Site Survey is a necessary step to make sure an optimal connection can be achieved. By conducting the survey, areas of signal interference, dead zones, and other points of concern can be spotted before any actual implementation begins.

For small deployments running the site survey by oneself could suffice, but for more significant projects, it is recommended to seek help from experts in the field and use the proper equipment to properly assess any possible issue that may arise in your wireless network. It is also vital to ensure that after completing the site survey, all data related to wifi strength and speeds will be clearly documented so any future analysis can be carried out or visible changes in performance reported.

A professional survey will provide you with detailed information on issues such as signal leakages or optimizations covered by devices where access points and antennas may have different categories and output power levels throughout the wired or wireless network.

In addition to determining the proper placement of access points, a wireless site survey also analyzes data regarding existing radio frequency (RF) signals and noise levels across an area to ensure that the network operates within certain parameters that have been determined safe. This process is important to prevent RF exposure laws from being violated, as these laws typically require limiting specific frequencies for safety reasons. A wireless site survey may then identify any areas with RF noise levels that exceed government regulations or industry standards so that those areas can be corrected and brought into compliance with safety limits.

WHY CHOOSE US

Choose The Right Wireless Site Survey Company

When it comes to choosing the right wireless site survey company, taking the time to compare quotes, sample reports, and client references is essential. No one company or solution fits all scenarios.

At ExterNetworks, we understand this. With our years of experience in the industry, we have completed wireless site surveys for various businesses, helping them get the most out of their existing infrastructure. We are well-versed in surveying different environments, including office buildings, refrigerated warehouses, outdoor boardwalks, hospitals, and courthouses, with stringent security requirements.

In addition to offering quality service at a fair price point, At ExterNetworks, we also provide excellent customer support for every project. All of our consultants are equipped with decades of experience in both networking and radio frequency engineering/RF systems designs so you know that your request is being handled by professionals who are committed to providing exceptional results. So if you’re ready to fix your broken wireless network and need help getting started on your project the right way, contact us today for your no-risk, no-obligation wireless site survey consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Wi-Fi site survey is essential for creating, maintaining, and troubleshooting wireless networks. It involves visiting the location of the wireless network, including outdoor or indoor locations, to capture Wi-Fi signal and spectrum data and inspect access point mounting and cabling accessibility. The data collected during a survey can be used to test predictive wireless designs before a network is deployed, verify that changes or additions are installed correctly, and ensure that the network continues to be fast and reliable for its users and applications.

Depending on your needs, there are typically five types of surveys that can be performed: a Wi-Fi Design Survey (predictive), which helps to check if the proposed design will work; Pre-Deployment Site Survey – also known as ‘AP on a Stick Wi-Fi survey – which simulates access point performance without having to deploy anything; Post Installation Validation Survey; Coverage Verification Survey which tests if each area has enough usable signal strength; Troubleshooting or Diagnostic Survey which can help diagnose slowdowns or service outages. A qualified engineer is able to offer advice on what kind of survey should be used. Ultimately accurate data from a site survey will provide you with the necessary.

When it comes to the cost of a wireless survey, it can vary greatly depending on the type of survey and the size/location of the building being surveyed. Predictive site surveys are generally less expensive than active/passive surveys, ranging from free to $500+ depending on factors such as square footage and the environment around the site (for example, a warehouse will likely cost more than an office space). An active/passive survey is usually more costly and can range anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000+ due to the time-consuming process of setting up multiple access points for coverage analysis. Other factors that can influence price include the location of the site – as rural areas often require additional equipment to get a good signal – and how many wireless networks need 3D mapping or assessments.

A site survey in wireless networking assesses the local environment to determine where and how a wireless network should be set up. It involves visiting the physical location, gathering data on the type of environment, such as obstructions and types of furniture in that space, and capturing information about radio frequencies in the area. This helps identify potential sources of interference that could affect network performance and the best access points/locations for optimal coverage. The survey also helps ensure the network is configured correctly and provides users with sufficient signal strength and bandwidth.

Before beginning a wireless site survey, it is important to take the time to plan out your process. This starts with understanding what type of network you are looking to create, as this will help you identify the type of devices and connectivity points that will need to be considered when doing a survey. For example, if you are creating a network for multiple devices or dozens of users simultaneously, you may need a more advanced system to support this activity level. It is also important to consider what the purpose of the network is, as this will affect the range and signal strength needed for it to function properly.

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