Specifying Signal Strength Units; Using Passive Mode - Cisco Aironet Installation And Configuration Manual

Appendix F Performing a Site Survey
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Note Refer to the Hardware Installation Guide for your infrastructure device for additional information on
factors affecting placement.

Specifying Signal Strength Units

Follow the steps below to specify how signal strength units are displayed on the site survey screens.
Double-click the Aironet Client Utility (ACU) icon on your desktop to open ACU.
Step 1
Click the Preferences icon or select Preferences from the Options drop-down menu. The Aironet Client
Step 2
Utility Preferences screen appears.
Under Signal Strength Display Units, select one of the following options:
Step 3
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Click OK to save your changes.
Step 4

Using Passive Mode

Step 1 Open ACU; then click the Site Survey icon or select Site Survey from the Commands drop-down menu.
The Site Survey - Passive Mode screen appears, provided a client adapter is installed in the Windows
device and is running.
Figure F-1
percentages, and
in dBm.
Note
OL-1394-04
Obstructions—A physical obstruction such as metal shelving or a steel pillar can hinder the
performance of wireless devices. Avoid placing these devices in a location where a metal barrier is
between the sending and receiving antennas.
Building materials—Radio penetration is greatly influenced by the building material used in
construction. For example, drywall construction allows greater range than concrete blocks, and
metal or steel construction is a barrier to radio signals.
Percent—Displays the signal strength as a percentage.
dBm—Displays the signal strength in decibels with respect to milliwatts.
Note dBm can be selected only if your client adapter is using PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware
version 3.92 or greater, mini PCI card firmware version 5.0 or greater, or PC-Cardbus
card firmware version 4.99 or greater.
shows the Site Survey - Passive Mode screen with the signal strength values displayed as
Figure F-2 shows the top of the same screen with the signal strength values displayed
The name of the current profile appears in parentheses at the top of the screen.
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for Windows

Specifying Signal Strength Units

F-3