Performing Wireless Site Surveys

On-site surveys are essential for optimal WiFi performance. This is how you do it

Pre-deployment wireless site survey

Before implementing a new wireless network, a site survey should be conducted to begin developing a wireless network project based on the needs gathered by the company's stakeholders. There are two ways to conduct a pre-site survey: AP-on-a-Stick or predictive modeling.

AP-on-a-Stick that uses more time. This includes setting up a WLAN and WLAN access to

connect to a laptop. The laptop is equipped and familiar with the Wireless Site Survey software

Collect information such as signal strength, data rate, and overlapping channels. It's simply called an AP-on-a-Stick because an access point mounts to a pole and rises to where the access point will be installed. The radio engineer then analyzes the access point and collects the necessary data.

Determine the cell size, signal spread, and other information.

In site inspection software, the engineer freezes the access point on the floor plan so you can

You can move the access point to another location and inspect a new area. This allows a technician to find the edge of each cell and plan the appropriate cell overlay for roaming and secondary coverage, as well as other requirements.

Although still used by radio engineers, the AP-on-a-stick method is not used very often these days. That

An engineer takes too long to complete, and for some companies, this cost is a high hourly rate. Some scenarios, like B. external distributions, but are very suitable for the method.

A faster and more efficient way to design a wireless network using location detection software is

Create a prediction model. The result is a floor plan with strategically positioned simulated access points with an appropriate channel plan based on coverage and capacity requirements.

Software location detection performs all of these calculations using special formulas based on

Provider access point and on the antenna selected for the prediction model. The engineer imports a floor plan into the software and tracks the wall materials based on the expected dB loss across the floor plan.

To return to coverage requirements, the software considers the configured minimum

Requirements such as:

• Interference on the same channel or overlapping channels
• Signal strength
• Data speed
• Lost packet

The software can also take into account the capacity requirements when configuring the number of devices and their types expected in the wireless network. The devices are discovered during the requirements capture phase and added to the location detection software.

Remember, this method is exactly what we call it: predictive. It is the prediction process

Signal propagation, data rates, channels, access performance of the access point and other mathematical data and attenuation data.

Post Deployment Wireless Site Survey

Post-distribution surveys are often called validation surveys. The purpose of validation

The survey is designed to ensure that the distributed wireless network meets customer needs. The validation survey should be compared to the prediction model that was run previously. In some scenarios, pre-deployment detection may not have been performed. A distribution survey can be conducted at any time and is also part of the iterative wireless distribution process.

The process of running a validation survey begins with importing a floor plan. The next

The step is to measure a long wall, which is needed to crumble the numbers used to calculate the RF properties. One of the advantages of validation surveys is to omit the arrangement of the walls in the floor plan.

When the validation survey ends, it's time to take the laptop with you, start the survey, and walk slowly

and stable It is important to walk slowly and smoothly so that the external adapter passively collects wireless information from all necessary channels. The adapter scans all frequencies in the 2.4 GHz spectrum and all channels in the 5 GHz spectrum. To maintain performance, you can choose which channels to scan.

After exploring and collecting this data, it is time to analyze and validate it. At least

Determine if the cell size of an access point is within the specification. Determine if the transmit power level is set correctly. Secondary coverage of other access points is essential to verify compliance with roaming requirements if necessary. This can be seen with site survey software like Ekahau Site Survey. The secondary cover shows the overlapping cells.

Make sure the channel widths are adequate. The 20 MHz width changes in most environments.

Offer maximum efficiency. Anything larger will result in improper channel reuse and can cause channel overlap. If the validation survey shows that 40 MHz channel widths can be used, do so. However, I highly recommend not using 80 MHz or 160 MHz channel widths.

Speaking of overlap: Another basic measure is channel overlap. Although secondary

Coverage is critical, channel overlap should be kept to a minimum. If two or more access points operate on the same channel in the same area, the capacity of one access point increases. Devices not only share the same conflicting domain, but access points also compete for airtime.

Review the validation survey and determine if optimization is required. If so, validate again

the project with another survey and compare it with the client or the client's requirements. The distribution can only be considered complete if these requirements are met. Be aware that wireless environments and requirements change, which may trigger the entire wireless survey cycle again.

Wireless site survey software

You may be wondering what software is available to perform prediction and validation surveys.

Fortunately, there are a few options available. The following list is not exhaustive. Do your due diligence and request a demo to find out which one is best for your workflow.

• Research on the Ekahau website
• IBwave
• Fluke Networks AirMagnet
• Acrylic WiFi
• TamoGraph
• VisiWave

Network Deployment

Network infrastructure change programs should always be associated with an improvement in users' perception of the quality of the service received. Before starting such a project, there are technical and commercial bid phases and evaluations that must be approved.

Once this is accomplished, the main phases are:

• Commitment.
• Operation and administration.
• The breakdown or transition of the network to a new project.

In the Network Deployment Services, operations are performed in which devices are started / installed. The end result is the contracted service. In this phase of the project there are:

1. The agreed service periods and delivery times must be respected.

2. Tools that simplify predictable bulk configuration tasks must be available.

3. A team of specialists must supervise the installation of the devices in a previously agreed location.

4. Validation of the entire start-up process so that the project location can go to the operational phase.

While this list contains the obvious, it makes the network implementation phase one of the most intense and troublesome parts of a new scheme. This implies the not insignificant additional costs for the commissioning of external services.

In general, the service provider or freight forwarder offers its clients an all-inclusive package with the best possible service / price ratio. They are expected to select device manufacturers that not only meet the technology and economics side, but also help keep network deployment costs low.

One of the most important components for network provisioning is a zero-touch installation service for participating devices. This means that starting the service on the site must include:

• Customers should receive a device with basic on-site connection instructions (similar to automatic installation of home services like ADSL / FTTH). The customer can simply connect and turn on their device according to the basic instructions.
• The automatic configuration process begins: the device downloads its individual configurations from a control center and then activates them to provide the contractually agreed service.
• The status and availability of these services are determined from the central office (validation of the entire process).

The availability of automatic configuration during deployment and the use of pre-validated templates reduce installation costs by optimizing lead times and minimizing configuration error rates.

In this phase, there are not only advantages: maintenance procedures are significantly optimized, but an office with a device that is out of service only has to send a new router to start the business again. The rest of the configuration, the restoration of saved data, etc., is carried out almost automatically through administration tools. This facility optimizes SLAs and punishment.

In summary, automatic configuration throughout the network deployment becomes a very relevant aspect and should always be included in the commercial offer of the manufacturers. Not only because this represents a great improvement in their products, but also because they can offer tools through their sales network to reduce overall project costs and improve the perception of service quality for their clients.

Understands this concept and integrates its software tool, the NetManager Colibrí, to manage networks. In addition to other standardized tools and together with its WLAN and access routers, this offers optimal solutions for schemes where your clients need them.

What is Network Operations Center (NOC) Services and why to go for it?

The Network Operations Center (NOC) is a big improvement if MSPs or organizations want to run their IT services without investing a lot of local IT staff. The Network Operations Center is one or more centralized locations from which network monitoring experts manage and control the entire IT infrastructure using remote monitoring and management tools. Managed service providers use NOC services to ensure that their networks are operational without interruption or less. NOC services help detect and resolve alerts immediately before they become a problem. Plus, easily monitor and control global clients with securely connected networks.

NOC specialists are fully aware of current events and alarms that may affect the networks or systems for which they are responsible. They are often placed with multiple desktops, essentially displaying very important alert details, ongoing incidents, and network performance to keep IT services up and running. A certified team with experience in various technologies, it actively protects things like DDoS attacks, network outages, power outages, and black hole routing. NOC experts not only provide core network stability, but also provide remote assistance, support, hardware configuration (such as firewalls and routers, purchased by a customer), and vendor coordination for customers.

Control on Process and Procedures

It is the best practice to control processes and procedures in managed IT departments. At NOC Support, this is the key point that each member of the expert network must follow defined standard operating procedures and procedures. NOC services perform many tasks to make the network and its most valuable endpoints safe and secure in every way. The installation and deployment of any application should follow standard operating procedures to avoid future problems.

Security and Support 

Managed IT departments and their customers are most concerned about security, which is on the list of best guidelines for NOC services. They are well trained and expert in these activities to connect endpoints in a very secure way using various remote management and monitoring (RMM) tools. Each RMM is activated with bi-directional authentication to prevent any violation and make it secure enough. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) should not worry about endpoint connections due to increased security and support for NOC services.

Reliable and profitable

NOC services are very reliable and profitable in every way. Today, not everyone knows how much local IT staff costs. Additionally, it is highly inconvenient for local IT staff to manage multiple tasks at the same time that the NOC team can perform in comparison. NOC services maintain and follow the priority service level agreement. Monitoring and managing the network 24/7 from the central point is advantageous for all managed service providers (MSPs) and other IT clients, as they are available at a very reasonable cost.

The highest quality with the latest infrastructure:

Customer satisfaction is in their profession. NOC services never compromise their quality. To optimize the IT infrastructure for their clients, they use the latest technology tools and superior infrastructure to deliver services more efficiently. It is their cornerstone that Managed IT Services and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) literally need.

Certified and experienced experts reduce risk

Create your own style with NOC services by reducing risk in IT infrastructure. They set the threshold and trigger the alarm before it becomes a troublesome approach. Contact NOC support and protect your network with certified engineers monitoring 24x7 respectively. They review each of the alerts and generate an RCA to analyze and resolve them so that it never creates a problem in the future.

Administrative task during production and after hours.

In the IT field, it is common to have work outside office hours to avoid any network interruption. It is a continuous activity to perform administrative tasks outside of production hours. This type of task was quite easy with the help of NOC services. In most cases, they plan core activity outside of business hours and perform their critical tasks that require no downtime, in production hours.

24-hour network monitoring and support

Clients do not have to worry about their services, day or night, because NOC Services do their job 24 hours a day. It is an uncomplicated and painless act of NOC Services to monitor continuous Networks. 24/7 support reduces any unforeseen incident on the network and keeps them in perfect working order.

Noc Agile Services

Are you looking for NOC services? NocAgile services are available for the best level of NOC support at the most affordable prices with highly certified and experienced professionals. We deal with managed service providers (MSP) as well as medium and small business clients with reasonable rates. 24/7 network monitoring and managed IT services with phenomenal means are always provided.

Why the services of NocAgile?

A team of well-trained and experienced staff, working with global clients for over 10 years, monitoring and managing thousands of devices really makes a big difference to the rest. We work with various remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools, ticket systems and threat detection tools equipped with the latest technologies. 24/7 network monitoring and phone support available when needed.

Get support as internal virtual staff and contact them at any time through instant messaging, email or phone call. We understand the importance of IT services and are always ready to provide our best customer support. The best NOC services with NocAgile with 24x7 support and 100% availability.

Network Support Analyst Job Description

A network support analyst installs, designs, and maintains various aspects of an organization's network. The man or woman will plan, design, analyze and provide technical guidance for the network Support.

The analyst will also research and consider network technologies and make suggestions for purchasing network equipment. This character works collaboratively with the IT team to organize the systems.

Analysts are also responsible for managing and resolving tickets. Since they want to network with crew members and clients and must also create documentation, they must have strong verbal and written conversation skills.

Analysts must have exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills. They must be organized to carry out physical work, such as handling, transporting and installing the equipment.

work description

Network support analysts are responsible for the installation, configuration, and support of local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), Internet systems, and certain aspects of community systems. They also diagnose problems with software, hardware, computer systems, and the network, fix them, and modify faulty items when necessary.

Analysts manipulate and maintain computer networks, hardware, software, and all configurations. Because they want to monitor the overall performance of networks and systems and align community access and use, they work on entry consoles.

Analysts interact with network users to find a roadmap for solving existing system problems. They approve the adjustments to improve the configurations and systems of the community and decide on the hardware or software requirements to highlight the relevant changes.

Analysts stay on top of new applied science by participating in or studying roadshows and researching them to understand how they can be implemented within your company or at customer facilities.

Analysts consider how the tools work to determine if they need to be changed or corrected. They design, organize, and implement community security measures to protect software, hardware, and data.

Analysts reveal community performance in deciding whether or not changes are essential and in determining where they should be made in the future. They configure, manage and maintain antivirus software or email applications.

Educational and other requirements.

A network support analyst must have at least an associate degree if he no longer holds a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or an associated technical field. They must be able to write scripts in programming languages ​​like Perl, Python or Bash. They must be familiar with MS-Office (Excel, Word, Exchange and Outlook).

The future of a network support analyst

If network support analysts have completed more than three years and have an appropriate college degree, they can improve their careers and end up with IT security analysts or systems analysts. Job opportunities for professional computer guides predicted an eleven percent increase sometime in the 2016-2026 period, by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

How to Become a Network Engineer

So you want to be a network engineer. Where to start?

Here's the good news: Entry Level Network Engineers are in high demand. Companies are investing in newer and faster mobile networks and technologies every day, increasing the need for highly skilled network engineers.

What is a network engineer?

Network engineers (also known as network architects) plan, build, and manage networks to ensure they are optimized and working as intended.

As a network engineer, you are responsible for founding the IT system of an organization (and, by default, the entire organization).

While network technicians or IT administrators help with daily IT and troubleshooting tasks, network engineers take on the high-level challenge of designing and improving networks.

Depending on the company, it will create and implement physical and wireless networks, solve problems, and research and integrate new technologies. Here are some common questions about network racing:

• Is networking a good career? Network engineering is a growing profession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the employment of network engineers should increase by 6% from 2016 to 2026, above the average for all occupations.
• How much do network engineers earn? The national average salary for network engineers is more than $ 72,000. Junior network engineers earn approximately $ 64,000. The average salary for network analysts is $ 59,000.
• Experience level: Most network engineers have 5-10 years of experience.

How to become a network engineer

If you are looking to get into network engineering, here is how to get started.

Get your Bachelor’s Degree

Businesses generally require a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or computer engineering. Depending on the role, some organizations also require that you obtain a master of business administration (MBA) or computer science degree before applying.

Gain relevant IT experience

A bachelor's or master's degree will take you to the door. But that is not enough. Learning computer skills on the job is essential to becoming a network engineer.

First, you must create a network base. An entry-level IT or technical support role is a great way to develop real, basic IT skills.

If you are just starting out, here are the networking skills you should focus on developing:

Network Engineer Basics

• Clients and servers: connection of emails, websites and pages through networks
• IP addresses: unique identification codes for network devices that control data flow
• Network Hubs, Cables, and Switches: The Hardware Components of Any Network
• Firewalls and routers: tools that organize and control the flow of network traffic.

Be creative when choosing locations to gain experience. Volunteer for small businesses or friends. Try an internship. Create your own PC or full stack network project. You will gain networking skills, expand your project portfolio, and have enough to speak at job interviews.

Once you have acquired basic computer skills, search for more relevant networking jobs. Working as a junior network engineer or network analyst can help you gain networking experience. It will assist senior engineers with networking tasks, and it is a great way to develop your skills.

Maximize the experience in each role. Work on as many different projects as possible. Volunteer to take on new tasks. Establish links with engineers or associated suppliers. You will be more balanced and this will help you refine your specialization.

Identify the network engineering path you want

Once you have gained entry-level IT experience, you should identify your career path. Network engineering careers and positions vary widely by industry, business, and technology.

If you're just getting started, here is a list of some of the available network jobs:

• Network specialist
• Network Administrator
• Network Technician
• Network analyst
• Network Manager
• Network engineer
• Network Solutions Architect

Specialize your networking role

You can further specialize during your networking career. Roles range from cloud and security specializations, such as a network security specialist or cloud network architect, to VoIP and wireless concentrations as a wireless network quality insurer or VoIP engineer.

You can also choose to familiarize yourself with a little bit of everything as a Full Battery Network Engineer (FSNE).

Networks are complicated. Instead of hiring people to focus on each IT area, companies are increasingly looking for professionals with cross-functional skills. Full Stack network engineers are trained in all IT areas: routing, wireless, security, data center, automation, cloud, and VoIP.

Training is more difficult for FSNEs. There is no clear path or certification. Rather than using your time to specialize in one area, try different roles and projects to complement your skill set.

If you don't know which route you want to take, here are two strategies to help you find your way.

• Contact other network engineers for advice. Discuss your career aspirations with your manager or mentor. They may be able to help you move to more network roles.
• Look for senior network engineer jobs. Look at the job offers that interest you. What skills and requirements are companies looking for? Certifications or courses? Searching for a job can help you identify interests and skill gaps that you can improve.

 Complement your skills with training and networking courses

Computer training courses and certifications are a great way to complement on-the-job training.

Through network training courses, you will learn about operating systems, information security, network administration, and the essentials of programming. Depending on the organization, they may require specific certifications or training courses.

Explore networking courses in your area.

Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix, CompTIA, VMware, and Red Hat offer training and certification for network engineers. Here are some of the most desirable network engineer certifications:

• CompTIA A + certification
• CompTIA + certification network
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2016
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) - Core Infrastructure
• VMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization
• Cisco Authorized Network Technician (CCENT)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): Routing and Switching
• Cisco Professional Network Professional Level (CCNP): Routing and Switching
• Cisco is one of the most popular training options for network engineers. Courses include computer network theory, assess practical knowledge, and teach you how to perform networking tasks.