Optimizing A Network Plan; Using Rf Measurements From Aps - Nortel 2350 User Manual

Optimizing a Network Plan

Using RF Measurements from APs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Using RF Measurements from an Ekahau Site Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Optimizing the RF Coverage Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Locating and Fixing Coverage Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
What's Next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Optimizing your network is a post-deployment technique. To optimize your WLAN, import RF measurement data to
correct RF attenuation obstacle information in your network plan. The following are reasons to optimize your network
plan:
• You have a reported coverage problem in your network
• You want to verify your network RF coverage
The RF measurement data you use to optimize your network plan can originate from the following:
• APs in your network. You can leverage the RF measurements derived from your APs. If you choose to use RF
measurement data from the APs in your network, the data is determined against a smaller set of RF measurements.
• An Ekahau Site Survey™ tool. You perform a site survey of your network. The benefit of using RF measurements
derived from a site survey is that the results more closely match the coverage environment that your wireless users
experience in your network. Thousands of measurements can be recorded, creating a set of RF measurements that
are more precise than those gained from your deployed APs.
• Both APs and a site survey.
By importing data and applying it to your network plan, you correct the RF model to reflect what the measurements
report. You update the RF attenuation for obstacles based on real-world measurements. You can then replan your
network to achieve the following:
• Make changes in the software to improve signal strength and coverage for groups or individuals
• Modify AP locations
• Add additional equipment to your network
The following sections describe how to import RF measurements from your network, or how to import RF measure-
ments from an Ekahau site survey.
Using RF Measurements from APs
You can apply the RF measurements derived from the APs in your WLAN (which regularly monitors the RF environ-
ment) to your network plan. The RF measurements are taken from AP radios.
After you apply the RF measurements, the floor's RF model (obstacles) will be optimized with this data.
Nortel WLAN Management Software 2300 Series User Guide
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