Verification

Verification WLAN RF Design (with remodeling)

The Verification WLAN RF Design is the third stage of the WLAN deployment model, although this stage is sometimes overlooked or not budgeted in the overall scope of the project. It’s one of the most crucial steps of the Wi-Fi design process. When all the access points are installed and configured, the radio management algorithms of the WLAN infrastructure will control and disperse several settings like channels, TX power, and minimum Data Rates for all access points in both frequency bands. Some of these settings can change depending on how strong the access points hear each other. This dynamic is very hard to predict in the pre-Install phase but can have a significant impact on the overall performance of the Wi-Fi network. 

That’s more than one good reason to perform a Verification WLAN RF Design to optimize the RF environment for optimal performance.

During this on-site WLAN survey, we validate and make recommendations on the infrastructure WLAN for;

• Visual inspection, correct install of the access points, antennas, and mounting accessories.
• Wi-Fi coverage (primary signal).
• Signal overlap (secondary signal) towards roaming.
• Capacity (if applicable).
• Co-Channel signal overlap levels (Co-Channel Contention)
• Wi-Fi & non Wi-Fi interference
• Config check-up on RF parameters (data rates, TX power settings, Channel mappings,..)

Reason to Perform a Verification WLAN RF Design

Validate an existing WLAN infrastructure designed by Skyline Networks

In the third phase of the WLAN deployment model, we already know a lot of the installed WLAN infrastructure and its WLAN requirements since we performed the Pre-Install WLAN RF Design at an earlier stage.

Still, this is a critical phase when deploying business-critical devices and applications. In the Pre-Install WLAN RF Design phase, we documented the access points locations, antennas (if applicable), and recommendations towards RF parameters as configured on the new Wi-Fi network. During this on-premises intervention, we validate the recommendations as stated in the WLAN RF Design report and fine-tune the RF Parameters when needed.

The detailed final report includes procedures, analyses, and advice for the optimization of the current RF environment and can be used as an AS-Build document. 

After the completion of the recommended fine-tuning, the WLAN RF environment will be optimized and ready to host the wireless clients.

Reason to Perform a Verification WLAN RF Design

Validate an existing WLAN infrastructure (unknown network)

With an “unknown” WLAN infrastructure, we don’t have any information on the current Wi-Fi deployment. Any information regarding the original WLAN RF Design is desirable. If the information is not available, it is not a problem, although more analysis time is required to complete the audit.

Use cases for this type of Wi-Fi survey;

• Validating a current Wi-Fi deployment against a new set of WLAN requirements, like a new type of device or application (VoWLAN). 
• Validation of the RF environment, after the remodeling of the interior building infrastructure (new or fewer walls).
• RF health check-up towards the current WLAN requirements. 

The onsite Wi-Fi measurements and analyses will correctly identify the health of the current RF environment as well if there are any flaws in meeting the requested WLAN requirements. The detailed final report includes procedures, analyses, and recommendations for the optimization of the RF environment.

Reason to Perform a Verification WLAN RF Design

Validate an existing WLAN infrastructure + onsite quick-win actions

Besides a full Verification WLAN RF Design includes this WLAN service also the execution and the validation of the quick-win action plan onsite. Based on the first results of the Verification WLAN RF design, a quick-win action plan will be discussed and executed. A second Verification survey will be performed to validate the changes made.

Take Note: A maintenance window needs to be scheduled during the onsite intervention.

Reason to Perform a Verification WLAN RF Design

First Phase of WLAN Troubleshooting (Layer 1)

WLAN troubleshooting starts at Layer 1. We highly recommend a Verification WLAN RF Design as the first step in the WLAN troubleshooting process.
The troubleshooting area can be a specific area or a whole site. The analyses result from this WLAN site survey will give us a better insight if the reported problems are RF (layer-one) related; most of the reported Wi-Fi client issues are layer-one related.
When wireless problems persist, the next step of the troubleshooting process will be analyzing the layer two. Additional troubleshooting services (layer two) in the Optimization phase can be required to tackle these specific types of issues.

Need more information or a quote?

Are you interested in one of our Verification WLAN RF Design services, contact us for more information, we are more than happy to help you out?

For more information or request an RFI questionnaire, please contact us.