Testing Radio Communications Quality; Using The Ap Manager - Enterasys 802.11 Networking Manual

Testing Radio Communications Quality

Testing Radio Communications Quality

You can test the radio communications quality from the AP to another wireless device
using the AP Manager, or from a client to another wireless device using the RoamAbout
Client Utility.

Using the AP Manager

The RoamAbout AP Manager provides a Link Test tool that tests the signal quality from
the AP to a client or another AP. Click on the Help button in any window for more
information.
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click Start, then select
Programs RoamAbout RoamAbout AP Manager.
2. Select the AP from the Managed List field in the AP Manager main window.
3. Click on the Integrity drop-down menu and select Link Test.
4. Under Remote Station Info in the Link Test window, click the down arrow to list the
available clients in the wireless network or the remote APs in a LAN-to-LAN
configuration.
5. Choose the client or AP to test the signal quality, then click the Start Sampling button
to start the test. To stop the test, click the Stop Sampling button.
6. Check the signal level and noise level if the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) is low
between the AP and the other wireless device.
If the signal level is low, the devices may be too far apart or there are obstructions
between them. If possible, remove the obstructions, move the devices closer, or use the
optional Range Extender antenna described in
1-17.
If the noise level is high, you may have one or more devices emitting radio signals in
the same frequency band as the client. Determine the source of interference by
selecting other clients. If available, use the RoamAbout Client Utility Link Test tool at
a mobile client to determine the extent of the noise. The source of the noise may be
closest to the device that has the highest noise level. Try to eliminate or move the
source of the noise.
6-2
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