User Manual

5
55
5
C
CC
C
ONDUCTING A
S
SS
S
ITE
S
SS
S
URVEY
[This information is currently being revised for another manual. When
that document is reviewed and completed, the new Site Survey section
will replace this chapter.]
To ensure that you have selected the best location for an access point, conduct a
site survey before permanently installing the hardware. The 3Com Site Survey
utility helps you evaluate locations for access points.
You need the following items to conduct a site survey:
■
An access point, power brick, and mounting hardware
■
Wireless client with 3Com Administrator Utilities installed
To set up the tests, temporarily install the access point in several trial locations. To
set up a wireless client computer with 3Com Administrator Utilities, use the 3Com
Administrator Utilities CD when you install the wireless client.
Choosing Trial
Locations
Look at your site floorplan andmake a list of work areas where clients are likely to
be positioned. For example, list the office cubicles where users will be logging on
to the 3Com Wireless LAN. Then select several trial locations for the access point
and make a list of these locations. For example, you may wish to test the access
point mounted on the ceiling, on a desk, and on a wall.
Look for locations in the center of the room and away from potential transmission
barriers. Consider the following environmental and electrical factors when you
choose locations.
Environmental
Requirements
Look for installation locations away from transformers, heavy-duty motors,
fluorescent lights, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and other industrial equipment.
Avoid areas with excessive moisture, heat, and dust. Signal loss can occur when
metal, concrete, Interfering metal fire breaks, walls, or floors block transmission.
Doorways and passages can also affect the radio signal.
You should also consider the following items:
■
If there any radio frequency (RF) systems already in use at the site, their signals
could interfere with the access point signals.
■
If the access point will be connecting to a wired LAN, the access point must be
installed close enough to connect to the hub with an Ethernet cable.
■
Available AC power. See Electrical Requirements below.
The Site Survey utility is designed to test one access point at a time. The tool
cannot be used with access points from other manufacturers.