Cuwss v1.0 Student Guide_vol1
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CUWSS
Conducting CiscoUnified Wireless
Site Survey
Volume 1
Version 1.0
Student Guide
Text Part Number: 97-2788-01
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Student Guide 2009 Cisco Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER WARRANTY: THIS CONTENT IS BEING PROVIDED AS IS. CISCO MAKES AND YOU RECEIVE NO WARRANTIES IN
CONNECTION WITH THE CONTENT PROVIDED HEREUNDER, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR IN ANY OTHER PROVISION OF
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WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, OR ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE OR TRADE PRACTICE. This learning product may contain early release
content, and while Cisco believes it to be accurate, it falls subject to the disclaimer above.
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Students, this letter describes important
course evaluation access information!
Welcome to Cisco Systems Learning. Through the Cisco Learning Partner Program,
Cisco Systems is committed to bringing you the highest-quality training in the industry.
Cisco learning products are designed to advance your professional goals and give youthe expertise you need to build and maintain strategic networks.
Cisco relies on customer feedback to guide business decisions; therefore, your valuable
input will help shape future Cisco course curricula, products, and training offerings.We would appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete a brief Cisco onlinecourse evaluation of your instructor and the course materials in this student kit. On the
final day of class, your instructor will provide you with a URL directing you to a short
post-course evaluation. If there is no Internet access in the classroom, please complete
the evaluation within the next 48 hours or as soon as you can access the web.
On behalf of Cisco, thank you for choosing Cisco Learning Partners for yourInternet technology training.
Sincerely,
Cisco Systems Learning
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Table of ContentsVolume 1
Course Introduction 1Overview 1
Learner Skills and Knowledge 1Course Goal and Objectives 2Course Flow 3
Additional References 4
Cisco Glossary of Terms 4Your Training Curriculum 5
Prepare for the Site Survey 1-1Overview 1-1
Module Objectives 1-1Identifying Site Survey Requirements for Different Vertical Industries 1-3
Overview 1-3Objectives 1-3
Determining RF Application Requirements 1-4The Enterprise Office 1-12Vertical Markets 1-14Summary 1-39
References 1-39Identifying Customer Requirements 1-41
Overview 1-41Objectives 1-41
The Customer Questionnaire 1-42RF Applications and Client Devices 1-48The Customer Facility 1-58The Current Network Infrastructure 1-60Summary 1-66
Identifying Regulatory Issues 1-67Overview 1-67
Objectives 1-67RF Regulations 1-68
15.203 Antenna Requirement 1-71Effective Isotropic Radiated Power 1-77Summary 1-88
References 1-88Identifying Safety and Aesthetic Requirements 1-89
Overview 1-89Objectives 1-89
Safety Issues 1-90Government Safety Regulations 1-95
FCC Safety Rules 1-98
Enterprise Requirements 1-104Summary 1-108
References 1-108
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Understanding Logistical Considerations 1-109Overview 1-109
Objectives 1-109Resource Planning 1-110
Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) Planning Mode Tool 1-110Facility Access 1-114Deployment Considerations 1-118Summary 1-124Module Summary 1-125Module Self-Check 1-127Module Self-Check Answer Key 1-129
Plan for the Site Survey 2-1Overview 2-1
Module Objectives 2-1Selecting the Proper Survey Model 2-3
Overview 2-3Objectives 2-3
Selecting a Data Model 2-4Client Density and Throughput Requirements 2-6Selecting a Voice Model 2-13Selecting a Location-Based Services Model 2-29
Cisco Aironet 1250 Series Deployment 2-34Selecting a Bridging Model 2-37Grounding and Lightning Protection 2-46Summary 2-49
Determining the Proper Deployment Characteristics 2-51Overview 2-51
Objectives 2-51Highly Mobile Deployments 2-52Indoor Enterprise Wireless Mesh Networks 2-58Comparing Predictive and Physical Site Surveys 2-65Summary 2-75
Specifying the Tools Necessary to Complete a Site Survey 2-77Overview 2-77
Objectives 2-77Site Survey Software Tools 2-78Cisco WCS Planning Tool 2-79Cisco Spectrum Expert 2-80
AirMagnet Survey Software Tools 2-83A Site Survey Kit 2-88
2.4-GHz Antennas 2-915-GHz Antennas 2-91
Summary 2-101Defining Site Survey Documentation 2-103
Overview 2-103Objectives 2-103Preassessment Form 2-104
Site Survey Report 2-114Project Contact List 2-114
Document Acceptance 2-115Summary 2-130Module Summary 2-131Module Self-Check 2-133
Module Self-Check Answer Key 2-135
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CUWSS
Course Introduction
OverviewWelcome to Conducting Cisco Unified Wireless Site Survey(CUWSS) v1.0, an instructor-led
course. This five-day course is design to help you prepare for the Cisco CCNPWirelesscertification, a professional level certification specializing in the wireless field. The course is a
component of the proposed CCNP Wireless curriculum. It is designed to give you a firm
understanding of how to conduct a site survey and explores WLAN topologies for voice and
data as well as location appliance services.
Learner Skills and Knowledge
This subtopic lists the skills and knowledge that learners must possess to benefit fully from the
course. The subtopic also includes recommended Cisco learning offerings that learners should
first complete to benefit fully from this course.
2009 Cisco Systems, Inc. Al l rights reserved. CUWSS v1.0-1
Conducting CiscoUnified Wireless SiteSurvey
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Course Goal and ObjectivesThis topic describes the course goal and objectives.
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Conducting Cisco Unified Wireless Site Survey
To provide learners with information andpractice activities to prepare them totechnically plan and conduct a wireless sitesurvey
Course Goal
Upon completing this course, you will be able to meet these objectives:
Describe the requirements for preparing for a site survey
Describe the requirements for planning a site survey
Perform a site survey for data, voice, and location applications
Determine the placement of the access points for data, voice, and location applications
Assess the deployment of the WLAN
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2009 Cisco Systems, Inc. Course Introduction 3
Course FlowThis topic presents the suggested flow of the course materials.
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Course Flow
Prepare forthe SiteSurvey
CourseIntroduction
AM
P
M
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
Prepare forthe SiteSurvey
Plan for theSite Survey
Conduct theSite Survey
Conduct theSite Survey
AP andController
Density andLicensing
Assessing theDeployment
Assessing theDeployment
Lunch
Plan for theSite Survey
Conduct theSite Survey
Conduct theSite Survey
Conduct theSite Survey
The schedule reflects the recommended structure for this course. This structure allows enough
time for the instructor to present the course information and for you to work through the lab
activities. The exact timing of the subject materials and labs depends on the pace of your
specific class.
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Additional ReferencesThis topic presents the Cisco icons and symbols that are used in this course, as well as
information on where to find additional technical references.
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Cisco Icons and Symbols
Router
Workgroup
Switch
Terminal
Server
Route/Switch
Processor
Dual-Mode
Access Point
Access Point
WLAN Controller
Lightweight
Single-Radio
Access Point
Wireless Bridge Lightweight
Double-Radio
Access Point
Mesh
Access Point
Wireless Connectivity
MobileAccess
Router
SecureServer
Network
Cloud
PC
Web Server
Printer
Laptop
Fax
BroadbandFixed
Wireless
Media
Mobile
AccessPhone
Cisco Glossary of Terms
For additional information on Cisco terminology, see the Cisco Internetworking Terms and
Acronymsglossary of terms at http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/ita/index.htm.
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2009 Cisco Systems, Inc. Course Introduction 5
Your Training CurriculumThis topic presents the training curriculum for this course.
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www.cisco.com/go/certifications
Cisco Certifications
Cisco Career Certifications
You are encouraged to join the Cisco Certification Community, a discussion forum open to
anyone holding a valid Cisco Career Certification (such as Cisco CCIE, CCNA, CCDA,
CCNP, CCDP, CCIP, CCVP, or CCSP). It provides a gathering place for Cisco certified
professionals to share questions, suggestions, and information about Cisco Career Certification
programs and other certification-related topics. For more information, see
www.cisco.com/go/certifications.
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Cisco Career Certifications
Expand Your Professional Options, Advance Your Career
Cisco Certified Network
Professional WirelessRecommended Training ThroughCisco Learning Partners
Conducting Cisco Unified Wireless SiteSurvey
Implementing Advanced Cisco UnifiedWireless Security
Implementing Cisco Unified WirelessMobility Services
Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless VoiceNetworks
www.cisco.com/go/certifications
CCNA WirelessCCNA
CCNP
Wireless
CCIE
Professional
Associate
Expert
Cisco CCNP Wireless certification validates professional-level knowledge and skills to
configure, implement and support WLANs, specifically those networks using Cisco equipment.
With a CCNP Wireless certification, network professionals can technically plan and conduct a
wireless site survey, design the RF network, and conduct a postinstallation assessment to ensure
regulatory compliance. They will be able to secure the wireless network from security threats
using appropriate security policies and best practices, ensure the proper implementation of
security standards, ensure the proper configuration of security components, integrate Voice
over WLAN (VoWLAN) services into the WLAN, and be able to implement VoWLAN,
quality of service (QoS), and high-bandwidth applications into the wireless network. They will
also be able to integrate mobility services into the network, tune and troubleshoot the WLAN,
and implement indoor enterprise mesh networks. The CCNP Wireless curriculum includesinformation and practice activities to prepare candidates for configuring, monitoring, and
troubleshooting a Cisco WLAN in small and medium-size business (SMB) and enterprise
networks.
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2009 Cisco Systems, Inc. Course Introduction 7
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Cisco Learning Network
Developing a world of talent through collaboration
Social learning, online assessments, mentoring
www.cisco.com/go/learnnetspace
Find current information and answers to your questions about Cisco certifications and training
at the Cisco Learning Network, a career-oriented site that helps current and future networkers
master the language that connects the world of networking.
The first of its kind, it is a social learning resource where networkers learn from Cisco and from
each other, and where Cisco also learns from professionals in the field.
To take a look, go to http://cisco.com/go/learnnetspace.
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Learner Introductions
Your name
Your company
Job responsibilities
Skills and knowledge
Brief history
Objective
Prepare to share the following information with the other participants in the course:
Your name and work location
Your job responsibilities
A profile of your internetworking experience
What you would like to learn from this course
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Module 1
Prepare for the Site Survey
OverviewThis module discusses how to prepare to conduct an RF site survey to supply enoughinformation to determine the number and placement of access points that will provide adequate
coverage throughout the facility. This module also addresses potential situations and obstacles
that a site survey engineer might encounter.
Module Objectives
Upon completing this module, you will be able to describe the requirements for preparing for a
site survey. This ability includes being able to meet these objectives:
Identify site survey requirements for different vertical industries
Identify customer requirements
Identify various regulatory issues affecting a site survey
Identify safety and aesthetic requirements of which a person performing a site survey
should be aware
Define various logistical requirements necessary to conduct a site survey
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Lesson 1
Identifying Site SurveyRequirements for DifferentVertical Industries
OverviewBefore starting the planning process, some preparation is necessary to identify user needs and
determine the challenges and requirements of the specific site where the WLAN will be
deployed. This lesson explores the various types of WLAN sites that site survey engineers need
to survey to optimize coverage, and the special considerations that each site type presents.
ObjectivesUpon completing this lesson, you will be able to identify site survey requirements for different
vertical industries. This ability includes being able to meet these objectives:
Identify the criteria for determining the requirements of the RF application
Describe the RF environment common to an enterprise office
Describe the RF environment common to vertical markets
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Determining RF Application RequirementsThis topic identifies the criteria for determining the requirements of the RF application. A radio
frequency site survey is the first step in the deployment of a wireless network, and it is the most
important step to ensure desired operation. A site survey is a task-by-task process in which the
surveyor studies the facility to understand the RF behavior, discovers RF coverage areas,
checks for RF interference, and determines the appropriate placement of wireless devices.
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WLAN Applications
As wireless technology continues to evolve, data rates and interference immunity are
improving. These improvements make wireless a viable technology for use in most
applications. As the acceptance of wireless technologies continues to grow, the advantages of a
mobile workforce and a flexible network become more apparent to network managers.
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RF Yesterday and Today: Old School andNew School
Early adopters of RF technology:
Vertical markets
Mobility, bar coding
Today:
Vertical and horizontal markets
Mobility
Standards and throughput
Intrusion detection services
Location-based services
VoWLAN
Early adopters of wireless technology were in vertical markets such as education and logistics,
where users were more concerned with mobility than with standards or data throughput.
Users today are moving into more horizontal markets, where mobility might be less of a
concern than interoperability and throughput. With Cisco Aironet products, you do not need to
sacrifice mobility and roaming to gain throughput and interoperability. Today, applications,
such as Voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) and location-based services require a more stringent
survey than that required for a data-only WLAN.
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5 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz
Both technologieswill work in thesemarkets.
802.11a 802.11b/g 802.11n
Hospitality X X
Manufacturing X X
Health Care X X X
Higher Education X X X
Enterprise Office X X X
Financial Institutions X X
Retail X X
Transportation X X
Warehousing X X
Popular Choices
The figure shows popular application choices for various technologies. Depending on the
application, all three technologies function very well in vertical markets. For example,
warehousing generally involves record transaction updating, and therefore the data rate is not
the highest concern; instead, range is of great interest. On the other hand, the patient areas of a
hospital might require higher data rates for file transfers of X-ray images.
Current wireless solutions operate in the 2.4-GHz radio band (IEEE 802.11g and IEEE
802.11b) or the 5-GHz radio band (IEEE 802.11a). Solutions based on the IEEE 802.11n
standard will operate in the 2.4-GHz, the 5-GHz radio band, or both bands. The 802.11n
standard was not a ratified standard at the time of this writing.
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WLAN Design Concerns
Client type and mobility
Cards
CardBus, PCI
Repeaters and workgroupbridges
Third-party 802.11 devices
Bar code scanners, telephony,Wi-Fi devices
Several factors are important in a WLAN design. One factor that can affect WLAN design is
particular type of client that customers will be using. PC cards or embedded radios in laptops
provide mobility to internal staff and easy connectivity for remote users when they are in the
facility. Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) cards give you the freedom to occasionally
move desktop PCs without needing to worry about installing cable. A repeater or a workgroup
bridge provides connectivity to remote users without standard leased lines or the need to run
fiber. Some customers might want to use data collection terminals, and others will want 802.11
phones.
Most sites use a combination of these options. A review of the specifications and compatibilityinformation is needed for all devices to ensure functionality. You should examine and
standardize on the latest client drivers and client types.
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Customer Applications
Know what the customer needs from the WLAN:
Email and web users have different needs from those of a CADdeveloper.
Client-server. Thin client.
The site survey engineer must be aware of the applications that will be used in the wireless
network. Someone who performs the occasional file transfer and checks email has very
different needs from someone using a computer-aided design (CAD) application across the
network.
In many offices today, frequently used applications such as email and internal ordering
software are loaded on each terminal. Other companies are moving to thin clients. Thin clients,
or thin client software, rely on servers for processing information; little is done locally on the
PC. Thin clients can have much greater bandwidth requirements. This type of setup requires a
very reliable connection to the network, because an interruption of network service leaves theuser helpless.
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Mobile Users
Wireless data collection meansmobility.
Coverage must be seamless.
Data collection users are also highly mobile users, which is an advantage of the wireless data
collection device. It enables the end user to freely roam throughout the facility and scan items
instead of needing to carry the items to a scanner that is attached to a fixed terminal.
Coverage must not have holes and must have enough overlap between access points to offer
truly transparent roaming. If the application stops working, so does the user.
Voice devices, unlike data collection devices, do not tolerate uneven or spotty coverage; the
voice user demands uninterrupted and clear conversations; otherwise, customers complain, and
the system is not used.
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Wireless LAN Design
Pools of higher data rate coverage
Stationary vs. mobile
In an environment in which the PCs remain stationary most of the time, providing wireless
connectivity is an easy task. For installations of this type, users typically need pools of
coverage and are not overly concerned with their link speed while moving.
Many customers do not fully understand the equipment that will be installed or what to expect.
Some people believe that it will be a full 11- or 54-Mb/s link for every user. Some people
question the reliability of the RF link and intend to use the wireless link on a limited basis. The
truth is that most users fall somewhere between those two.
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Copper vs. Wireless LAN
Lower pricing on WLAN equipment.
Moving a terminal once makes RF the better solution.
Popularity increasing.
Consider future WLAN expansion while surveying.
Consider the future addition of services such as VoWLAN or
location-based.
Are these applications or services on the roadmap future?
Copper installations can still provide higher data rates, but price is no longer a factor. A WLAN
can be installed for roughly the same price as a copper-based network, and provides many
benefits in comparison to a wired network.
As prices continue to come down on wireless products and throughput speeds continue to
increase, wireless will continue to increase in popularity. The Wi-Fi Alliance interoperability
certification program adds to this popularity.
Future expandability is another possible reason for the popularity of wireless. If the customer
wants to start by using a few wireless clients, and then increase the number when there is
confidence about the reliability, it is possible to design a WLAN to accommodate this future
expansion.
Ensure that you know if VoWLAN or location-based services are planned for the future. If they
are, design the WLAN to support these services.
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The Enterprise OfficeThis topic describes the RF environment common to an enterprise office. The enterprise office
is often rich with wireless applications, such as VoWLAN, and multiple sales force and supply
chain management automation applications. The WLAN for the enterprise office needs to be
designed around the applications that are intended to run on the wireless network.
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The Enterprise Office
Normally rich in applications and features such as:
VoWLAN
Security
Location aware
Email
Calendar
Enterprise databases Supply chain management
Sales force automation
Customer relationship management
Design should support the most critical applications, such asVoWLAN or location-based services, if they are to be
implemented.
Mobile users require the same accessibility, security, quality of service (QoS), and high
availability currently enjoyed by wired users. Whether you are at work, at home, or on the road
locally or internationally, you need to connect. The technological challenges are apparent, but
to this end, mobility plays a role for everyone. Companies are deriving business value from
mobile and wireless solutions. What was once a vertical market technology is now mainstream
and is an essential tool in getting access to voice, real-time information, and critical
applications such as email and calendar, enterprise databases, supply chain management, sales
force automation, and customer relationship management.
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Small Office
Quickly emerging market
New solutions being developed
Wireless is more cost-effective
Enterprise security availablethrough:
Local RADIUS in autonomousaccess point
Controller-based localRADIUS
H-REAP
The wireless small office, home office (SOHO) markets are among the most quickly emerging
markets. Many vendors are racing to put out RF products for the home. In the meantime, many
customers are trying to find creative ways to use industrial products in the SOHO environment.
Many small offices might not require a site survey; but some customers might want a site
survey anyway, looking ahead to future growth and expansion. In such instances, a single
access point that might be moved or connected via a wireless repeater can be set up.
Small offices are often located near retail properties that have other small offices. Those offices
might also be using WLAN solutions, so there is the potential for overlapping cells between
different businesses. Channels should be selected either with low use or with a signal strength
that is adequate but that does not send the signal far outside the required coverage area. Part of
securing a network is making it less visible. Lowering the transmit (Tx) power to just what is
needed to provide coverage inside the office area makes the network more secure against
interference from outside the office.
Local RADIUS servers are built into Cisco autonomous access points providing enterprise-
class security for support of up to 50 users in the SOHO environment. Local RADIUS servers
are also supported in controllers, as well as Hybrid Remote-Edge Access Points (H-REAPs,)
another option that supports enterprise security. H-REAP local RADIUS servers can support up
to 100 users in the SOHO environment.
A remote wireless office can also be monitored by a centralized management system like the
Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) using the controller-based solution.
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Vertical MarketsThis topic describes the RF environment common to vertical markets. Early adopters of
wireless technology were in vertical markets. Even though wireless has become a part of the
infrastructure in the enterprise office, vertical markets still use wireless, and each vertical
market has certain common characteristics that help the person performing the site survey to
assess the RF environment.
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Wireless in Retail
Early users of wirelesstechnology
Wireless use for real-timeapplications
Use of wireless technology forspecial events
Use of WLANs for voice and
paging Hotspots in retail stores
Data collection devices are extremely valuable tools for checking stock, receiving, and point-
of-sale information. Wireless data collection devices offer the retail industry real-time updates
to their databases and the ability to place registers and printers throughout the store for special
events (such as a sidewalk or tent sale) without having to worry about cabling.
Recently, new kinds of wireless devices and services have been placed in retail stores. The
most popular are the following:
Wireless 802.11 phones
Wireless kiosks:Help customers to scan and validate prices
Wireless multimedia stations or carts:Provide marketing and advertising information to
retail customers
Wi-Fi hotspots:Provide Wi-Fi access to the Internet in certain locations in the stores
These wireless services and devices are additional overhead to the WLAN in the retail industry.
They can be difficult to plan for, because the wireless use is coming from the retail customers
and not from the retail employees.
Additional customer services can require higher throughput RF technology such as 802.11a or
802.11g. In this case, a site survey would need to be performed to accommodate data collection
devices using 802.11g devices.
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Wireless in Retail (Cont.)
Uneven use of wireless duringretail open and off hours
Different wireless applicationsduring different retail hours
Heavy WLAN:
Usage during inventory hours
Overhead by 802.11 voicedevices
Special coverage requirementsfor loading docs, back rooms,trailers, and hotspot usage
Retail implementations often involve a large number of users sending data frequently. These
same stores are likely to conduct their inventory at night. This situation can mean that there will
be uneven WLAN usage during normal store hours and night hours.
During normal business hours, the WLAN might be taxed more with voice devices that place
huge overhead on the access points, because most voice devices operate in the 2.4-GHz range.
Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phone 7921G is the first dual-band product available from Cisco that
takes advantage of 802.11a and 802.11g speeds. If data collection terminals need to operate at
the same time and in the same locations, the design and survey should be performed
accordingly.
When the inventory crew comes in at night, the customer expects that the WLAN will be able
to handle the demand. The design needs to take into account several factors: how often
inventory is conducted, how many data collection devices are used, the specific locations, and
what the requirements are for their particular applications. It is also important to know if
wireless phones will be used at the same time that the inventory is being conducted.
It is also important to know if coverage on the loading docks or inside the trucks at the loading
docks is required. Depending on the WLAN design, there might be enough RF coverage
extending to the outside of the buildings to accommodate this need, but it should be factored
into the design.
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Wireless in Retail (Cont.)
Most data collection devices donot support 802.11a.
Older devices require only 2 to11 Mb/s.
Newer devices use 802.11g andcan automatically rate-shift up to54 Mb/s.
Will data collection devices bethe only clients using the WLAN?
Investigate device ratecapabilities.
If the customer intends to use data collection devices exclusively, this situation will change
how the survey is performed. Currently, most data collection devices do not support 802.11a or
802.11n.
Newer data collection devices have the ability to rate shift from 54to 48 to 36 to 24 to 18 to 11to 5.5to 2 to 1 Mb/s for 802.11g. It is important to know which devices the customer plans todeploy, what abilities these devices have, and how the devices are to be used.
Different data rates provide different coverage areas; the lower the data rate, the larger the
coverage area will become, and the adjacent access point overlap can increase significantly.
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Wireless in Retail (Cont.)
Multiple workers sending largeamounts of information
Needs of the application
Evaluate the application
Retail sites might have areas, such as receiving areas, that have large numbers of very busy
users. When equipment is unloaded from trailers, it is unboxed, and bar codes are scanned in
rapid succession, sending packets containing a large amount of data. If there are 20 to 30 users
scanning bar codes and entering keystrokes in rapid succession, a single access point might not
be enough.
For example, if all the data collection devices are communicating at 11 Mb/s, then realistically,
the access point is operating at only 11 Mb/s. This is not to say that the access point is limited
to 11 Mb/s, but that there are no communications occurring at data rates above 11 Mb/s.
Although the 11 to 54 Mb/s connections might be sufficient to handle 20 to 30 users, the single11 Mb/s access point might be a bottleneck. The packet size of the application, the number of
users, and the frequency with which the users will be transmitting data need to be assessed to
determine if extra access points are needed in the area. If extra access points are needed, then
access points must be configured on nonadjacent channels.
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Wireless in Retail (Cont.)
Source of interferencein retail:
Inventory items
2.4-GHz and 5-GHz
equipment
Colocated:
Stores using WLANs
Hotspots
Locate access points away fromthese items on the showroomfloor
Consider different approaches tolower interference
Another concern within the retail industry is the close proximity of the store to other RF
devices. Some stores might stock and demonstrate RF devices in their store, such as satellite
systems, baby monitors, and cordless phones. Many of these might operate in the 2.4-GHz
range and some might operate in the 5-GHz range. Access points should not be installed next to
this type of equipment because they typically have a higher transmitter power.
Some retail stores use internal cordless phone systems. Ideally, they should use a system that
operates in a different RF spectrum. There are phones that operate at 900 MHz, 1.9 GHz, 2.4
GHz, and 5GHz. It is far less expensive to replace a few cordless phones than to try to design aWLAN around an existing phone system so that the phone system does not interfere with theWLAN.
Retail stores might also be located in malls or strip malls where other users might be operating
2.4 GHz equipment, or a hotspot service provider might be operating on the same RF spectrum.
The systems integrators and surrounding store managers can provide information about their
systems or hotspot services. Site surveys should not be performed without this information.
Optimally, the stores can separate their signals by channel, Service Set Identifier (SSID), and so
on.
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Warehousing
Multiple users
Large coverage areas
Transaction-oriented applications
Highly mobile users
Varied wireless devices
Warehouse implementations present many of the same problems as the retail market. There
might be a limited number of users during the day, but when a shipment comes in, or if
multiple shipments come in at the same time, many or all users might be operating at the same
time.
Coverage areas are generally large, subject to a lot of multipath distortion or RF interference
because of concrete floors, metal roofing, and metal shelving. Cell size is more important than
data rates because warehouse applications are generally transaction driven, with small packet
sizes. Cell coverage overlap needs to be from 10 to 15 percent. The usage is not very high, but
the users are highly mobile and must roam often.
With 802.11g in the 2.4-GHz band, this is usually the choice. Diversity antennas are often
useful in areas with higher multipath distortion interference and utilization, and medium-gain
antennas are generally the best solution.
There is no way of determining the distance of a signal without knowing the type of inventory.
Different types of stock either reflect or absorb the radio frequency. Inventory that reflects an
RF signal includes metal and lead-based paint. Inventory that absorbs an RF signal includes
water, wood, plants, trees, paper, boxes, non-lead-based paint, pet food, and cat litter.
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Warehousing (Cont.)
Talk with warehouse personnelabout inventory levels
Consult more than one individual
It is important to talk with and get buy-in from all stakeholders; that is, all levels of users and
those impacted by the WLAN. Listening to all possible stakeholders gives you invaluable
information. Making inquiries of numerous people provides more accurate details about stock
levels. The site survey engineer should talk with as many people as possible throughout the
warehouse, inquiring about stock levels and periods of high usage. A forklift driver, for
example, can have an accurate opinion of current stock levels. These levels can vary on a
monthly, weekly, or daily basis depending upon the time of year and the business. A warehouse
at 50 percent stocking level has a much better RF footprint than the same warehouse has at 100
percent.
If widespread information gathering is not possible, the plan should compensate for the
potential increase in stock. Otherwise, there should be a statement in the documentation that
indemnifies the engineer if the physical layout of the site changes, to include stock levels.
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Warehousing (Cont.)
Keep in mind whileperforming the survey:
Exposure to the elements
Freezers
Weatherproof enclosures
Shelving
Antenna mounting
Forklift paths
Warehouses and distribution centers are typically dirty and have maximum exposure to the
elements. Here are a few questions to keep in mind while performing the survey:
Will the access points need to be mounted in sealed boxes for protection? The environment
will help determine if a sealed box is needed.
Are there freezer areas (which are difficult to cover and hard on electrical equipment)?
If the environment exceeds the limitations of the access point, will you need heated
enclosures?
How much clearance exists above the shelving? Will it be sufficient to mount an antenna?
Will a forklift, or the inventory that a forklift is loading onto a top shelf, crush the antenna?
It is important to consider the performance of the various wireless devices. Warehouses often
have wireless devices from several vendors or for different applications. The access point must
be able to interface with the various devices and provide coverage for all.
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New Warehouse
Facilities will not have product.
Wireless systems must be installed before inventory delivery.
Best to survey and install after racking or shelving has been
installed. No guarantee that coverage and overlap will be perfect.
WLAN might need adjustments after inventory is received.
For a new warehouse facility, you need to have a WLAN installed before the inventory is
received. When the inventory is received, products are scanned in and out of the facility, so a
WLAN bar code system must exist to scan inventory into the facility.
For a new warehouse, it is best to have the inventory storage racks and shelving installed before
scheduling the survey. This will allow placing the access points out of the way of storage
vehicles (such as forklifts) so that they are not in jeopardy of being struck.
There is no way to guarantee the coverage area or overlap, due to the lack of inventory storage
at the time of the initial survey. It is best to perform the survey again after the inventory has
been added, to determine what changes, if any, are required to ensure optimum coverage and
performance.
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Manufacturing
The applications are generallytransaction-oriented.
Throughput could be the primaryconcern.
Surveying should be doneconsidering the same concernsas with warehousing.
Manufacturing embraces WLAN solutions because they integrate well into its just-in-time
environment. WLAN devices are used for assembly line inventory accounting, RF-controlled
robots, quality control, network connectivity, and warehouse management. Forklifts can be
equipped with wireless data collection devices, and handheld devices can be given to mobile
workers.
Manufacturing presents some issues that the site survey engineer must consider:
High ceilings:Caution should be used when omnidirectional antennas are installed higher
than 40 feet (12.2 meters). This height causes data collection devices underneath the
antennas to lose the signal.
Forklift paths:Forklifts can knock down equipment when they are moving stock.
Machines:Conflicting frequencies can be generated by machines.
Chain-link fence:This kind of fence blocks and grounds RF signals (such as in the tool
room).
Conveyor belts:The metal in the belts causes multipath distortion.
Robots:Unmanned robots follow tracks in the floor to deliver products throughout the
plant.
Racking:Racking can affect WLAN devices, depending on how the racks are oriented and
what the racking holds.
Union regulations:It is important to respectfully find out what can and cannot be done by
the site survey engineer.
System redundancy:Lightweight access points deployed at half power are excellent for
system redundancy.
Antenna or AP mounting:Access point placement can be difficult, depending on how the
manufacturing plant is built.
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Transportation
Rail yards
Rail cars:
Made of woodand metal
Transport a varietyof cargo
Large
Narrow pathways betweentracks
Transportation surveys for sites such as rail yards and airports present a variety of situations
and obstacles that site survey engineers must take into consideration. Rail yards are difficult to
survey and are difficult places to perform installations, for many reasons. The cars themselves
are very large and constructed of wood or metal. Cars can be filled with a variety of materials
that can limit the signal, such as livestock, wood, metals, or perishable materials in wooden or
cardboard boxes.
Inside the yard, tall rail cars that are located on parallel tracks form narrow pathways for the
signal. Yagi antennas mounted on poles above the cars at both ends of the yard are often the
best solution to this situation, allowing the RF signal to shoot down the narrow pathways.
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Transportation (Cont.)
Airports:
Multidimensional coverage:
Typically open area
Long open pathways
High traffic areas.
Equipment can be damaged orstolen if left unattended.
Security restrictions:
Rules and regulations
Baggage ramp area
Airports are usually very wide, with long, open pathways between terminals. This type of
coverage makes the survey simpler for the engineer because the survey becomes
multidimensional. However, surveying an airport can be difficult. Although people are
certainly used to seeing work crews roaming throughout an airport, it does not mean that they
will be cautious around an engineer during a site survey. Proper care of the site survey
materials is important to prevent theft or injury. A misplaced cable that a traveler trips over
could result in a lawsuit.
In addition, today more than ever, airports are concerned with security. Access points and
battery packs, with their flashing lights and wires wrapped around them, can easily be mistakenfor some sort of destructive device. It is important for site survey engineers to meet with all
necessary security and facilities personnel before starting the survey.
One difficulty in covering airports arises when coverage is needed outside the facility; for
example, in the outdoor baggage areas. Much like warehouse installations, these access points
can be subject to extreme weather conditions and might require weatherproof enclosures.
Another situation that the site survey engineer might encounter is that there could already be
wireless gear installed throughout the airport, making channel selection difficult. WLAN
products are used in many airports today by the airlines, as well as by service providers that are
enabling business travelers to connect to the Internet wirelessly while waiting for flights. The
projected wireless application must be in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) regulations as well as other governing guidelines for the specific airport.
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Health Care Three-Dimensional SiteSurvey
Watch out for the two-dimensional trap.
Expect lots of access points.
Make use of nonoverlapping
channels.
Look for trauma or X-ray roomswith lead-lined walls.
Elevators represent potentialdead zones.
Health care site surveys are some of the most restrictive, time-consuming, and difficult site
surveys to perform. The primary reason for this difficulty is that almost every hospital is a
multistory building with numerous small rooms. Because of the multifloor configuration of
many sites, the survey must be thought of as a three-dimensional survey. While they are
marking site maps (which are two-dimensional), many engineers start to think of the survey as
2-D. The RF signal needs to be thought of as 3-D, covering not only the floor on which the
access points are mounted but also the floors above and below.
A hospital is a good example of a multifloor site survey. The need to think of a site survey as 3-
D is especially true in hospitals, because hospitals typically require a large number of accesspoints. Take advantage of the nonoverlapping channels when possible. For example, if one
access point is on channel 6, then the adjacent access point can be assigned channel 1 or 11.
Logically this is a better choice (due to utilization) than staying on a channel that is totally
unusable due to an interfering access point.
Watch out for trauma and X-ray areas where the walls might be lead-lined. Also locate elevator
shafts, which are usually colocated in hospitals and can be detrimental to the RF signal.
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Health Care
Multiple floors
Numerous rooms
Numerous and quite diverseapplications
Multiple vendors of WLANequipment
Certain applications such as portable X-ray and ultrasound devices can require a lot of
bandwidth. These applications would require 802.11a or 802.11g data rates and are generally
used in the areas of the hospital that are the least friendly to RF signal propagation. Most of
these areas of the hospital have an overlay of RF networks. Those networks might be on
different frequency bands but are generally using one of the three industrial, scientific, and
medical (ISM) bands.
Beyond this, there are a number of concerns that the RF devices might interfere with the
wireless equipment, or vice versa, and hospital administrators want assurance that there will not
be interference. It is important to remember that portable hospital monitoring equipment mighthave embedded WLAN radios.
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Health Care (Cont.)
Testing performed by biomedicaldepartment
Cisco access points:
ISM
FCC compliant
FCC safety
Hospital equipment should bebuilt to a standard to avoid RFinterference
Before any hospital floor space is surveyed, it is imperative for the site survey engineer to
determine that deploying 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz equipment will not interfere with life support
equipment. You obtain this information by having the hospital biomedical department certify
that the equipment will not cause life-threatening problems.
The 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz radios are FCC-compliant and are part of the ISM unlicensed band.
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Health Care (Cont.)
Hospitals house sick people; beprepared to deal with thesituation.
Be sensitive to areas where you
might not be wanted or allowed. Hospital IT department escort is
needed for access to restrictedareas.
Do not abuse privileges.
Hospital surveys also require engineers with a certain amount of mettle. It is not unheard of to
need to survey the intensive care unit, infant intensive care unit, birthing unit, surgery unit, burn
victim unit, morgue, emergency room, or trauma unit. The sight of patients in a condition that
requires them to be in one of those units sometimes has a very profound effect on individuals.
The engineer needs to be able to handle all this with grace. More than one engineer has been
caught in the trauma unit when a critically injured patient is being wheeled in.
When surveying hospitals it is a good idea to have an escort who is part of the IT department
and is known throughout the hospital. This clears access in many departments that are not open
to the public. In the surgery area of the hospital, the engineer might be required to wear a gownto survey the area. Usually, engineers are not allowed in the psychiatric ward or the criminal
ward without a security escort.
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Hotels and Hospitality
Multifloor construction
Numerous rooms
Throughput
Fewer users per access point
Multiple building materials
Hotels are much like hospitals in their building construction and configuration (multifloor with
many rooms). Hotels have started using WLANs to support data collection devices for taking
inventory of things such as minibars. However, with the popularity of the Internet and the
demand for Internet connectivity, WLANs are being installed into more and more hotels to
provide Internet connectivity for hotel guests. Beyond requiring the engineer to look at the
survey three-dimensionally, hotels present such concerns as data rates and throughput, and
security.
The high number of walls separating guest rooms decreases the range of access points and thus
increases the need for more access points.
Hotels want to offer their guests fast, reliable Internet access, which means fewer users per
access point. In addition, hotels historically have a lower density because rooms geographically
distribute users well, which helps with the placement of access points.
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Hotels and Hospitality (Cont.)
Security:
Physical
Network
Billing
Aesthetics:
Older hotel buildings:
Hard-cap ceiling
Poured concrete walls
Newer hotels have drop-tile ceilings.
Hotels often have restaurants and retail and convention areas, which makes them public places
and thus susceptible to theft and vandalism. A good practice is to properly secure access points
to ceilings or walls, or hide them above the ceiling.
Hotels also have many of the same concerns as hospitals regarding aesthetics. Depending on
the age of the hotel, building construction might become a factor. Newer hotels have drop-tile
ceilings in hallways but rarely in guest rooms. Older hotels often have hard-cap ceilings. These
ceilings are poured concrete. There is no real, effective way to run cable across a hard-cap
ceiling. Keep this fact in mind when you are deciding where to mount access points. Older
hotels can also have walls of poured concrete instead of drywall. This situation presents thesame problems as hard-cap ceilings. A solution is to use Cisco Long-Reach Ethernet (LRE)
over the existing phone lines; Cisco LRE makes use of the phone lines for high-speed Ethernet.
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Hotels and Hospitality (Cont.)
Possible interference with hotel infrastructure wireless:
Cleaning services
Maintenance
Security
Possible multiple providers in separate locations of hotel:
Rooms
Convention center
Retail areas
Wireless has become increasingly popular as a means of streamlining hotel operations for
everything from guest services (check-in, concierge) to house cleaning and maintenance.
Handheld devices and IP phones require their own infrastructure. If the public access provider
is willing, the use of VLANs can allow single access points to support both public and private
usage. Otherwise, overlay networks are required.
Hotels are no longer simply places for travelers to spend the night. Increasingly, they have
everything that travelers need during their stay: convention and conference services, retail
shops, and, of course, restaurants. These locations might have their own contracts and
providers, causing possible interference between networks.
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Hotels and Hospitality (Cont.)
Hotel conference centers:
Sporadic usage
High density for key shows
Differing security requirementsfor individual shows
Convention and conference centers do not have continual usage and often provide fewer access
points. When a convention or conference is taking place, however, there might be a huge
number of users in a small area, a situation that requires a high number of access points
providing high throughput per user.
The convention center network usually needs to be isolated and available for numerous changes
and additions. Each incoming convention requires different types of security (Wi-Fi Protected
Access 2 [WPA2], IEEE 802.1X, open, and so on), as well as front-end servers and other
services available to attendees. This location should not be connected to the hotel network
because it could provide a source for viruses and bring instability to the hotel network.
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Hotspots
Hotspot provider:
Subscribers
Survey might not be necessary
Effective range 300 to 500 feet
Generic network
Public areas:
Coffee shops, restaurants, hotels
Airports, convention centers
Marinas, parks
Camp grounds, RV parks
The buzzword hotspot refers to a type of 802.11 wireless access points that is booming in
public areas. These hotspots are targeted at the business community and people on the go who
see the value in staying connected. Hotspot providers need to offer high-speed throughput and
transparent use of Internet subscriptions to satisfy the paying public.
Some of these locations can be easily covered by one access point (300 to 500 feet, or 91.44 to
152.4 meters). Coffee shops, airports, and other locations require a more elaborate
configuration.
According to research estimates for 2007, 40 million people were using hotspot locations
worldwide, with the popular use of handheld devices and laptops being shipped with embedded
wireless network cards.
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Hotspots (Cont.)
New and emerging technologies and standards.
802.11n to complement 802.11a/g.
Appropriately plan for users to have different types of technology
cards. Increased number of hotspots means increased interference,
possible overlap.
Hotspots are designed to cater to anyone who wants to obtain access to the Internet. With the
emergence of 802.11a, 802.11g combined with 802.11b, and 802.11n, providers must offer
additional capabilities. Cisco access points provide for all three technologies via a single access
point using multiple radios per access point; however, each radio has a different range, and
therefore, site surveys must be performed for each technology.
With the increasing demand for public access, a large number of locations are offering hotspot
services. These areas might be located in close geographic proximity to one another, which
increases the potential for interference. Pay close attention to who is in close proximity and
their possible interference.
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Education
Children can be:
Curious
Destructive
Antennas and access points should be hidden or enclosed toavoid damage.
The primary concern when you are implementing a WLAN in an educational facility is the
students. More and more WLANs are being installed in grade schools, middle schools, and high
schools. Students at this age have a tendency to be curious and sometimes destructive. An
antenna mounted to the ceiling in a hallway is not likely to stay mounted for long. Access
points have flashing lights that seem to attract the curiosity of children.
Educational facilities, more so than any other implementation, must have the equipment
installed in the most inconspicuous manner possible. This level of precaution is the only way to
ensure that the equipment is safe. However, other security mechanisms can help with the
situation. Using National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) enclosures withenclosed locks can help prevent tampering or theft. You can use these enclosures in locations
where access points cannot be hidden easily, or in a truly high-risk area. Another approach that
has become common is to have one dual-radio access point per classroom, which fits a class
size of 25 to 30 students.
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Education (Cont.)
New technologies requiringschools to plan for new surveys
New applications(IP telephony and surveillance)
requiring increased access pointdensity
Wireless technology provides more than just data access for laptops; it can also be used for IP
telephony or surveillance cameras. These technologies use additional bandwidth that requires
increased density of access points or use of newer technologies (802.11g and 802.11n). New
site surveys might need to be conducted on locations that have already deployed wireless
technology that was designed exclusively for limited data access. Many campuses are
converting from autonomous to controller-based solutions.
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Government
Secure facilities
Variety of facilities
Security clearance
Equipment checklists
Government facilities, like airports, are at a heightened level of security, and care should be
taken that the site survey equipment is not mistaken for something other than site survey
equipment. There are facilities of every type at government locations, particularly military
facilities. Security clearances or escorts are likely to be required as part of a government site
survey. The vehicle of the site survey engineer might be subject to a search upon entering or
leaving the facility. An equipment list might be required, and the equipment might be checked
on a daily basis.
Equipment lists and proper documentation are required when entering foreign countries to
perform site surveys. Each country might have different standards and require differentdocumentation for entering the country with site survey equipment. The site survey engineer
must be prepared and have the proper paperwork to save time, trouble, and potentially the
expense of having the equipment bonded or retained by the customs department.
Note United States government facilities are all Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS)
compliant. Cisco access points that support Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
encryption have passed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) FIPS
140-2 level two validation. Other governments can have similar requirements.
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2009 Cisco Systems, Inc. Prepare for the Site Survey 1-39
SummaryThis topic summarizes the key points that were discussed in this lesson.
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Summary
An RF site survey is the first step in the deployment of a wirelessnetwork, and it is the most important step to ensure desiredoperation.
The WLAN for the enterprise office needs to be designed aroundthe applications that are intended to run on the wireless network.
Each vertical market has characteristics that help the personperforming the site survey to assess the RF environment.
References
For additional information, refer to these resources:
http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm
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Lesson 2
Identifying CustomerRequirements
OverviewAsking the right questions is the key to any successful WLAN deployment. Each company and
location has unique needs that must be taken into account. This lesson describes pre-site survey
customer questionnaire contents, the pros and cons of the wireless protocols and applications,
and device association. This lesson will also help you understand the challenges associated with
the customers facility. In addition, you will be able to assess the current network infrastructure
for access point deployment.
Objectives
Upon completing this lesson, you will be able to identify customer requirements. This ability
includes being able to meet these objectives:
Describe the contents and importance of the pre-site survey customer questionnaire
Describe RF applications and the client devices associated with them
Describe the customer facility and the impact it has on the site survey
Describe the customers current network infrastructure and the impact it has on the site
survey
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The Customer QuestionnaireThis topic describes the contents and importance of the pre-site survey customer questionnaire.
Having your customers fill out a pre-site survey form helps you design a WLAN that meets
their needs and requirements.
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Site Survey Preassessment
Assists in assessing thefollowing:
Type of survey that isneeded
How long it will take
Equipment that is needed
Introduction to thecustomer facility
General fact-gathering form
When the decision has been made to conduct a site survey, the customer should complete a pre-
site survey questionnaire form to help determine the length and type of survey, what equipment
will be needed, and what questions the engineer will need to ask during a walkabout. The
completed questionnaire maximizes the effectiveness and efficiency of the engineer when
conducting the site survey and serves as an introduction to the customer facility.
The customer should make sure that all the information that is needed is mentioned in the form.
Because the questionnaire is completed before the survey visit, the engineer receives important
information in advance, which might otherwise take hours to extract on-site.
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Pre-Site Survey Questionnaire
Suggestions as to what, at a minimum, the questionnaire shouldcontain:
Customer contact information
Total number of sites Number of buildings per site
Hours of operation
Hours during which the site survey can be performed
Approximate square footage of facility
Total number of users, minimum and maximum
Packet size, average and maximum
The questionnaire should contain contact information such as customer name, address, phone
number, and email address; number of sites to be surveyed; square footage; hours of operation;
and the hours that the survey can be conducted. It is not uncommon in retail environments for
the survey to be conducted when the store is closed, such as during the late evening or early
morning.
What is the intended number of users for the WLAN? This helps to determine access point
density. If known, what is the application and its average packet size? If you do not fill out the
form yourself and plan on giving the questionnaire to the customer, do not be surprised if many
of the more technical questions go unanswered.
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Pre-Site Survey Questionnaire (Cont.)
RF coverage information:
RF coverage inside and outside
Complete or selective RF coverage
Encryption to be utilized
Utilizing rate shifting
Network infrastructure:
Existing network topology
Network speed 10/100/1000BASE-TX
Copper or fiber network media
If copper, Category 5 or 6 cabling
The questionnaire should be specific as to where the RF coverage is needed. Defining where
coverage is provided is critical to setting expectations for end users. It is not uncommon for
customers to request 54 Mb/s coverage in all areas inside and outside the building, but after you
talk to them and they find out how many access points are required to provide that coverage,
the customers then decide that 11 Mb/s or 5.5 Mb/s is sufficient for several of the areas.
The questionnaire should contain information on the type of encryption to be used and whether
or not rate shifting will be used. Remember, your customers are not likely to know what a
WLAN is, what packet size refers to, or even what rate shifting means, so it will be
difficult for them to know if they have or need one of those. You will need to explain some ofthe technical questions to the customer.
The questionnaire should make you aware of the environment you are going to survey; for
example, what type of infrastructure devices and media are used in the facility, and if there is
an existing network. You need to know the media types that could encompass the network.
Most networks likely use some type of copper cabling or even fiber optic cabling. The most
frequently used types of cabling are Category 5 and unshielded twisted-pair (UTP). Which
types of switches and routers are currently being used? Cisco Aironet 1250 Series Access
Points require 10/100/1000BASE-TX switch ports.
During the survey a tour of all wiring closets should be taken to document existing network
infrastructure.
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Pre-Site Survey Questionnaire (Cont.)
Site information:
Ceiling heights
Racking or shelving? If yes, describe construction
Clearance above storage level
Any hazardous areas?
Is there a lift available?
Special safety requirements such as steel-toe boots, hard hat,safety glasses
During an installation, you will need to gain access to ceilings or roofs of a building. In most
buildings a ladder is all that you will need to get to the ceiling. However, in warehouses where
the ceilings are typically very high you will need some type of powered equipment, such as a
forklift or a man lift, to access the ceiling. In such cases the questionnaire should mention this
equipment; will it need to be rented, or does this type of equipment already exist at the facility?
The questionnaire should include questions about racking and clearance above storage levels.
Warehouses generally contain stock and rows of shelving. Be sure to ask questions about the
current stock levels. If the stock levels are high, you will get a much better picture of the RF
coverage. This would be a good indication if an omnidirectional antenna or directional antennaswill need to be used during the survey.
Another extremely important question in the questionnaire should pertain to safety
requirements. It can be frustrating to arrive at the location ready to perform the survey and find
out that you need steel-toe boots. Find out what safety equipment is needed before the day of
the survey.
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Pre-Site Survey Questionnaire (Cont.)
Is this a union facility?
Is there other non-WLAN RF equipment installed at the facility?
If so, what frequencies are they using?
The questionnaire should include questions about escorts, badges, and general access to the
facility. If you do not have this information you might need to wait to start the survey of a
particular area because the security guard does not know who you are and will not let you into
the facility. At union facilities, regulations can include requirements such as having one of the
employees drive the man lift, or your being accompanied by a union escort during the survey.
Is there any other wireless gear installed at the facility? This could be anything that runs in the
2.4-GHz or 5-GHz unlicensed bands, such as cordless phones, wireless cameras, and so on.
The pre-site survey questionnaire is an invaluable tool for preparing for your site survey. For a
smooth survey, ensure that you have most or all of your questions answered before you arrive
on site.
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Obtain Floor Plans Prior to Survey
AirMagnet and Cisco WCS require floor plans.
Part of the site survey report should include a floor plan with coverage and noncoverage areas.
This floor plan, or site map, provides the customer, the installer, and a troubleshooter with
some indication of what coverage each access point should be providing.
Before starting the survey you should obtain floor plans of the facility you plan to survey.
Normally for large facilities these are available in computer-aided design (CAD) form. This
drawing format works well with Microsoft Visio, allowing you to import your final placement
and coverage into a Microsoft Word document.
Other programs such as Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) and AirMagnet Survey PRO
require floor plans to be imported to use certain tools. Verify the file format accepted by Cisco
WCS and AirMagnet Survey PRO and see if you can obtain the floor plan in an accepted file
type.
The following file formats can be used with Cisco WCS:
PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF, and related CAD files
The following file formats can be used with AirMagnet Survey PRO:
BMP, DIB, DWG, DXF, EMF, GIF, JPG, VSD, and WMF
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RF Applications and Client DevicesThis topic describes RF applications and the client devices associated with them. A look at the
IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE 802.11a, and IEEE 802.11n RF applications and RF client devices will
provide guidelines to the person performing the site survey.
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Customer Requirements
Protocol requirements:
802.11b/g 2.4 GHz
802.11a 5 GHz
802.11n 2.4 or 5 GHz
Client devices:
Wireless NIC
PDA
Wireless phone, QoS RFID tags
Client density:
Typical
Peak
These are some of the questions that need to be addressed:
What is the customer requirement?
Does the customer have an existing network application that requires 802.11b/g, 802.11a,
or 802.11n?
Will the customer need to install wireless network interface cards (NICs) for all the desktop
PCs?
Do employees have company-issued personal digital assistant (PDA) devices or 802.11
phones that need to be supported on the WLAN?
What are the quality of service (QoS) requirements?
Are any form of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags used to track company assets?
What is the density of users during a typical day and during peak hours that cause an
instantaneous load, such as during inventory?
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Customer Requirements (Cont.)
Expected throughput:
802.11b is typically 5.5 Mb/s.
802.11g is typically 20 Mb/s:
802.11g is typically 6 Mb/s with 802.11b clients present.
802.11a is typically 22 Mb/s.
802.11n expected (>100 Mb/s).
What is the expected throughput?
802.11b is typically 5.5 Mb/s.
802.11g is typically 20 Mb/s:
802.11g is typically 6 Mb/s with 802.11b clients present.
802.11a is typically 22 Mb/s.
802.11n expected (>100 Mb/s).
Note 802.11n speeds can vary due to the environment and depending on whether channel
bonding is enabled or not enabled.
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Protocol Evaluation
The standards that must be supportedby an enterprise WLAN are usuallydictated by the devices that require
support.
What is the right answer for yourenterprise WLAN solution?
IEEE 802.11a?
IEEE 802.11g?
IEEE802.11n?
One of the critical decisions in deploying a WLAN is what protocols and bands it will support.
The standards are usually dictated by the devices that require support.
Is this a new WLAN, or it is an upgrade that still supports legacy clients (802.11b)?
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