One essential step in deploying enterprise quality WiFi is conducting a thorough, pre-deployment site survey. An onsite pre-deployment survey is sometimes called an AP on a Stick Survey (APoS).

We use Ekahau’s WiFi survey software to conduct our site surveys. They provide an accurate prediction and visual representation of WiFi performance. It enables us to plan the optimal placement of APs even in difficult environments.

The purpose of an APoS survey is to determine the optimal number and placement of APs needed. When conducting the survey, you place an AP in a certain spot and do a walk-through survey to see the signal strength around the room.

There are a sequence of steps required to complete the survey:

• Decide on the best place for APs
• Turn the AP on and confirm that it’s showing up on the Real Time Frequency Monitor
• Survey the coverage area of the AP
• Once you’ve finished the survey, turn off the AP and unplug it
• In Ekahau’s software, select the AP, select actions and then freeze selected access points
• Move the AP to your next location
• Survey all locations and make sure you change the channels for the APs using the channel planner

 

Completing these steps will provide a pre-deployment survey that gives a fairly complete picture of the WiFi performance after deployment.

If you need a new WiFi installation or are experiencing problems with your current WiFi, performing a site survey can identify problems in your network so they can be fixed. Contact our team to book a site survey and take your WiFi performance from good to great.