Module 10Site Survey and InstallationIng. Jos Patio S.

OverviewThis module will cover the actual WLAN site survey and installation. Topics covered in this module include the importance of infrastructure awareness, and creating an accurate network map as an initial step in conducting a site survey. Mounting and installation concerns will also be covered. Although determining the appropriate coverage area involves trial and error, experience and proper network maps can greatly assist the survey engineer. Finally, the student will learn how to document the entire process by creating a site survey report or by appropriately responding to Request for Proposals (RFPs). Ing. Jos Patio S.

Learning ObjectivesIdentify potential difficulties that may arise while designing a wireless LAN due to the current configuration of the wired LAN.Make suggestions on how to make changes to the wired LAN configuration to accommodate a wireless LAN.Make suggestion on how to reconfigure wired LAN infrastructure equipment to support a wireless LAN.Identify potential design problems associated with network cabling.Identify facts and potential problems with mounting antennas and access points.Ing. Jos Patio S.

Learning ObjectivesIdentify facts on splitter and connectors.Recommend the proper equipment for plenum spaces.Identify what should be included in a site survey document.Define characteristics of RF propagation.Identify proper placements of access points.Identify access points limitations.Ing. Jos Patio S.

Key termsFire WallRiserService LoopNEMARFP

Ing. Jos Patio S.

LAN Infrastructure AwarenessIng. Jos Patio S.

LAN InfrastructureIT personnel already overworked and not looking to increase workloadCustomer expects a professional, detailed, all inclusive site surveyA good site survey and report will lead to future business for your companyIng. Jos Patio S.

LAN Infrastructure (cont.)Get to know the customers networkKnow topologiesHave an IT representative walk you through the facility and show you the networkIng. Jos Patio S.

LAN Infrastructure - MediaKnow the types and the limitations Copper vs. FiberAccess points provide copper connections onlyTransceiversIng. Jos Patio S.

Operating Systems, Protocols, and Drivers

Operating Systems used on ClientsProtocol need for the wireless LANNot all O/S have supporting driversIng. Jos Patio S.

SwitchesAbility for each port to be seen as a virtual LANNot just fancy hubs

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Switches (cont.)Designed for stationary usersSee mobile devices as wandering from VLAN to VLANAccommodate Cisco Aironet Access PointsSwitchVLAN 1VLAN 2Ing. Jos Patio S.

Switches (cont.)VLAN 1VLAN 2VLAN 3STOPHost Switch DataIng. Jos Patio S.

Switches (cont.) Group devices on a single VLANsHost Switch DataIng. Jos Patio S.

Switches (cont.)VLAN Host Switch DataIng. Jos Patio S.

VLAN 100VLAN 102VLAN 101VLAN 101VLAN 102Switches (cont.)Use VLANs to propagate across access pointsAccess points handle up to 16 VLANsUse a router to span across VLANsIng. Jos Patio S.

RoutersPresent considerations similar to switchesStop broadcast packetsMust be configured for IP Helper Address in order to pass DHCP packetsMay indicateRemote hostMay require static routeNeed for support of Proxy Mobile IPIng. Jos Patio S.

Other ConsiderationsDHCP addresses for mobile users on VLANsApplication least common denominatorVLAN 1HostIng. Jos Patio S.

Proxy Mobile IPLaptop 1.1.1.39Laptop 1.1.1.39AP 2.2.2.157AP 1.1.1.30Before Roam Client is in the subnet of AP. All traffic directly connecting to client. After RoamClient IP address does not change.Since AP is in a different subnet all traffic must go through router for directions.

Home Agent / Foreign AgentHome Agent / Foreign AgentIng. Jos Patio S.

Site SurveyMake customer aware of potential problemsBe proactive instead of reactiveYour chance to help the customerReputations win further businessIng. Jos Patio S.

Site SurveyIng. Jos Patio S.

RF PropagationRadio waves are reflected just like light wavesCan reduce the reflected waves by using directional antennasIng. Jos Patio S.

RF Propagation (cont.)Waves 1800 out of phase will create a null or dead spotUse diversity antennas to help overcome nullsWhen using a single antenna, change the antenna location to overcome the nullIng. Jos Patio S.

RF Propagation (cont.)If the RF wave is unable to pass through an object, it may suffer from DiffractionDiffraction creates RF shadowsIng. Jos Patio S.

PreparationPrior to arrivalEnsure your equipment is operationalConfigure equipment (if possible)Determine if manlift is neededWho will provide the lift?Make sure batteries are fully chargedIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey

Site Survey (cont.)

Channel Selection

Data RatesSurveyed at 2 MbpsSurveyed at 5.5 MbpsIng. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Choice, Power Level, & Cell SizeIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey ProblemsProcess of trial and errorExperience = more trial, less errorTalk with other engineersSite surveys can be puzzlesMore than one solutionIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Problems (cont.)Frustration and laziness are your enemiesTake a breakMay be necessary to start survey overAlways design the WLAN properlyDo not try and force your original plan to workIng. Jos Patio S.

Site SurveyIng. Jos Patio S.

FreezersFreezer 0o FFreezer -5o FFreezer -20o FPerishable Goods 36o FIng. Jos Patio S.

Antenna SplittersFreezerWRONG!OKOK2.4 GHz TechnologyIng. Jos Patio S.

Multi-floor SurveyAP 1AP 2AP 4AP 3Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site SurveyTrauma RoomNo coverageIng. Jos Patio S.

InterferenceCoverage cell seems small in comparison with previously surveyed access pointsCoverage from access point seems to be intermittentMount antennas in open areas for best RF propagationLook for objects that may interfere with RF signalMay need to use Spectrum Analyzer to find interferenceIng. Jos Patio S.

Interference (cont.)CardboardWoodPaperElectrical TransformersMicrowave OvensFluorescent LightingFirewallsIng. Jos Patio S.

Mounting and InstallationIng. Jos Patio S.

WLAN Design ConsiderationsAccess points have to be connected to the networkShould be familiar with:Network componentsMediaTopologyNeed to have some knowledgeIng. Jos Patio S.

PlenumA compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connectedForms part of the air distribution systemCat 5 cable available in plenum and non-plenumNon-plenum sheath is PVC and gives off toxic fumes when melted Ing. Jos Patio S.

Plenum (cont.)Cat 5 availablePlenumNon-PlenumPlenum areasEgg crate ceiling tilesNo insulationFirewallsNon-plenum areas use ducting in plenum for air returnIng. Jos Patio S.

Plenum (cont.)No chance for toxic fumes to get inside the ductingNon-plenum areasDuctworkLack of firewallsInsulationIng. Jos Patio S.

FirewallsEasily identifiedAct as barriers to contain firesHinders 2.4 GHz signalStops 5 GHz signalIng. Jos Patio S.

Firewalls (cont.)Some firewalls may have doorsFire doors can hamper the RF signal as wellSurvey with doors closedAutomatic Fire DoorsIng. Jos Patio S.

RisersSometimes referred to as wiring closetsUsed for wiring between floorsStacked on top of each otherRiser walls are firewallsIf a riser is plenum-rated, only install plenum rated equipmentIng. Jos Patio S.

1200 Series Access Point MountingMounting holesMounting solutionsConcreteDrywallI-BeamCeilingSecure the access pointsIng. Jos Patio S.

Mounting on a Horizontal or Vertical SurfaceIng. Jos Patio S.

Mounting on a Suspended CeilingIng. Jos Patio S.

Attaching and Securing the Access Point to the Mounting BracketIng. Jos Patio S.

1100 Series AP:Variety of Mounting ConfigurationsWallMountDesktopStandHang onCube WallCeilingMountIng. Jos Patio S.

Access Point Mounting (cont.)Do not cover access point lightsMount upside-down so Ethernet indicator lights can be seen from the floorLabel access points

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Antenna MountingSome antennas not shipped with mounting bracketsModify bracketsFit your needsCan be used with a variety of antennasCeiling MountIng. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Mounting (cont.)Solid and secureDo not hang antennas by their cableCable can break or become damagedAntenna can sway and provide a moving cellIng. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Mounting (cont.)Sometimes antennas are mounted in unusual waysSpecify in your report exactly how the antenna is to be mountedIng. Jos Patio S.

NEMA EnclosuresProtect equipment in harsh environmentsNEMA - National Electronics Manufacturers Association Rating system - NEMA 1 - 13Ing. Jos Patio S.

NEMA Enclosures (cont.)NEMA type 2, 4, 4x most commonly used for WLAN equipmentCan be purchased through local hardware distributorsDo not come equipped for WLAN equipmentIng. Jos Patio S.

NEMA Enclosures (cont.)Ing. Jos Patio S.

NEMA Enclosures (cont.)Pre-fabricated NEMA enclosures are available with all of the necessary connectionsSpecial NEMA enclosures are available with solar panels or temperature controlMake sure NEMA enclosures are mounted securely to avoid injury or damaged equipmentIng. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Extension CablesAntenna and access point locationCisco offersLMR 400 style cables20 and 50 ft.Total loss of 1.3 and 3.4 dB respectively LMR 600 style cables100 and 150 ft.Total loss of 4.4 and 6.6 dB respectively Ing. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Extension Cables (cont.)Consider loss for cables and connectorsUse Cat 5 cable to locate access point as close to antenna as possibleCan buy custom length cables from third party companiesIng. Jos Patio S.

RP-TNC ConnectorsRP-TNC connectors available from CiscoRG-58 should not be used for extension cablesN-style extension cablesJumpersAs much as 3.5 dBi lossIng. Jos Patio S.

SplittersUnderstand losses attributable to splitters Most use N-style connectorsRP-TNC splitters are availableSplitter attaches to access point and antennas using extension cable jumpersJumpers are LMR 400 cablesIng. Jos Patio S.

Splitters (cont.)Each antenna connected to the splitter suffers 4 dBi lossDoublesNumber of antennasNot the coverage areaIng. Jos Patio S.

DocumentationIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey ReportIs the deliverableCustomer needs detailed informationAll information gathered during the site survey should be included in the reportIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)Be as specific as possibleYou are the surveyor; you may not be the installerReport is protection for you and your customerDate your reportIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)Be very specific when describing locationsUse objects and facility markersDo not use object or markers that may be temporaryIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)Antenna orientationNot all installers familiar with the equipmentThe more directional an antenna, the more important the orientation descriptionIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)Describe the facilityDiscuss tools used and survey methodsMention settings used for surveyDescribe and diagram access point coverageMark areas that are covered as well as those not needing coverageHave customer sign and return a copy of the reportIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)Proper access point, antenna, and power mountingProposed cabling runsSystem componentsFuture expansionSite survey objectiveIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)Parts List Access points Antennas Accessories and network componentsDiagramsPhotographsIng. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)List contacts Name Company Address Phone & Fax E-mailList contacts for all companies involvedIng. Jos Patio S.

SummaryIdentify potential difficulties that may arise while designing a wireless LAN due to the current configuration of the wired LAN.Make suggestions on how to make changes to the wired LAN configuration to accommodate a wireless LAN.Make suggestion on how to reconfigure wired LAN infrastructure equipment to support a wireless LAN.Identify potential design problems associated with network cabling.Identify facts and potential problems with mounting antennas and access points.Identify facts on splitter and connectors.Recommend the proper equipment for plenum spaces.Identify what should be included in a site survey document.Identify proper placements of access points.Ing. Jos Patio S.

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