Module 10

Site Survey and Installation

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Overview
This 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 Objectives
Identify 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 Objectives
Identify 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 terms
Fire Wall
Riser
Service Loop
NEMA
RFP

Ing. Jos Patio S.

LAN Infrastructure
Awareness

Ing. Jos Patio S.

LAN Infrastructure
IT personnel already
overworked and not
looking to increase
workload
Customer expects a
professional,
detailed, all inclusive
site survey
A good site survey
and report will lead
to future business
for your company
Ing. Jos Patio S.

LAN Infrastructure (cont.)

Get to know the customers network
Know topologies
Have an IT representative walk you
through the facility and show you the
network

Ing. Jos Patio S.

LAN Infrastructure - Media

Know the types
and the
limitations
Copper vs. Fiber
Access points
provide copper
connections only
Transceivers
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Operating Systems, Protocols,

and Drivers
Operating
Systems used on
Clients
Protocol need for
the wireless LAN
Not all O/S have
supporting drivers

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Switches
Ability for each
port to be seen
as a virtual LAN
Not just fancy
hubs

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Switches (cont.)
Designed for
stationary users
See mobile
devices as
wandering from
VLAN to VLAN
Accommodate
Cisco Aironet
Access Points

VLAN 1

Switch

VLAN 2

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Switches (cont.)
VLAN 1

VLAN 3
Switch

VLAN 2

STOP
Host

Data

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Switches (cont.)
Group devices
on a single
VLANs
Switch

Host
Data

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Switches (cont.)
Switch

VLAN

Data

Host

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Switches (cont.)
Use VLANs to
propagate across
access points
Access points
handle up to 16
VLANs
Use a router to
span across
VLANs

VLAN 101

VLAN 102

VLAN 102

VLAN 100

VLAN 101
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Routers
Present considerations
similar to switches
Stop broadcast packets
Must be configured for IP
Helper Address in order to
pass DHCP packets

May indicate
Remote host
May require static route
Need for support of Proxy
Mobile IP
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Other Considerations
DHCP addresses
for mobile users
on VLANs
Application
least common
denominator

VLAN 1

Host
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Proxy Mobile IP
Home Agent / Foreign Agent

Home Agent / Foreign Agent

AP 2.2.2.157

AP 1.1.1.30

Laptop 1.1.1.39

Before Roam

Laptop 1.1.1.39

After Roam

Client is in the subnet of AP.

Client IP address does not change.

All traffic directly connecting to client.

Since AP is in a different subnet all

traffic must go through router for
directions.
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey
Make customer
aware of potential
problems
Be proactive
instead of reactive
Your chance to
help the customer
Reputations win
further business
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey

Ing. Jos Patio S.

RF Propagation
Radio waves are
reflected just
like light waves
Can reduce the
reflected
waves by using
directional
antennas

Ing. Jos Patio S.

RF Propagation (cont.)
Waves 1800 out of
phase will create a
null or dead spot
Use diversity
antennas to help
overcome nulls
When using a
single antenna,
change the
antenna location to
overcome the null

Nulls

Ing. Jos Patio S.

RF Propagation (cont.)
If the RF wave is
unable to pass
through an object,
it may suffer from
Diffraction
Diffraction creates
RF shadows

Shadow

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Preparation
Prior to arrival
Ensure your equipment
is operational
Configure equipment
(if possible)
Determine if manlift is
needed
Who will provide the
lift?
Make sure batteries
are fully charged
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey

Site Survey (cont.)

Channel Selection

AP1
Channel 1

AP 5
AP 3

Channel 6

Channel 11

AP 4
AP 2
Channel 6

Channel 1

AP 6
Channel 11

Data Rates

Surveyed at 2 Mbps

Surveyed at 5.5 Mbps

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Choice, Power Level,

& Cell Size

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Problems

Process of trial and
error
Experience = more
trial, less error
Talk with other
engineers
Site surveys can be
puzzles
More than one
solution
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Problems

(cont.)
Frustration and laziness
are your enemies
Take a break
May be necessary to
start survey over
Always design the WLAN
properly
Do not try and force
your original plan to
work
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Freezers
Perishable Goods 36o F

Freezer 0o F

Freezer -5o F

Freezer -20o F

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Splitters
WRONG!
Freezer

OK
OK
2.4 GHz Technology

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Multi-floor Survey
AP 4

AP 3

AP 2

AP 1

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey

Trauma Room
No coverage

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Interference
Coverage cell seems small in comparison with
previously surveyed access points
Coverage from access point seems to be
intermittent
Mount antennas in open areas for best RF
propagation
Look for objects that may interfere with RF signal
May need to use Spectrum Analyzer to find
interference

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Interference (cont.)

Cardboard

Electrical
Transformers

Wood

Microwave
Ovens

Paper

Firewalls

Fluorescent
Lighting
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Mounting and Installation

Ing. Jos Patio S.

WLAN Design
Considerations
Access points have to
be connected to the
network
Should be familiar with:
Network components
Media
Topology

Need to have some

knowledge
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Plenum
A compartment or
chamber to which one
or more air ducts are
connected
Forms part of the air
distribution system
Cat 5 cable available in
plenum and nonplenum
Non-plenum sheath is
PVC and gives off toxic
fumes when melted
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Plenum (cont.)
Cat 5 available
Plenum
Non-Plenum

Plenum areas
Egg crate ceiling tiles
No insulation
Firewalls

Non-plenum areas use

ducting in plenum
for air return
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Plenum (cont.)
No chance for
toxic fumes to
get inside the
ducting
Non-plenum
areas
Ductwork
Lack of firewalls
Insulation
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Firewalls
Easily identified
Act as barriers to
contain fires
Hinders 2.4 GHz
signal
Stops 5 GHz
signal

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Firewalls (cont.)
Some firewalls may
have doors
Fire doors can
hamper the RF
signal as well
Survey with doors
closed
Automatic Fire
Doors
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Risers
Sometimes referred to
as wiring closets
Used for wiring
between floors
Stacked on top of
each other
Riser walls are
firewalls
If a riser is plenumrated, only install
plenum rated
equipment
Ing. Jos Patio S.

1200 Series Access Point

Mounting
Mounting holes
Mounting
solutions
Concrete
Drywall
I-Beam
Ceiling

Secure the
access points
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Mounting on a Horizontal or
Vertical Surface

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Mounting on a Suspended
Ceiling

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Attaching and Securing the

Access Point to the Mounting
Bracket

Ing. Jos Patio S.

1100 Series AP:

Variety of Mounting
Configurations

Desktop
Stand

Wall
Mount

Ceiling
Mount
Hang on
Cube Wall

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Access Point Mounting

(cont.)
Do not cover
access point lights

Mount upside-down
so Ethernet indicator
lights can be seen from
the floor
Label access points

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Mounting
Some antennas
not shipped
with mounting
brackets
Modify brackets
Fit your needs
Can be used
with a variety
of antennas

Mast
Mount

Patch

Ceiling
Mount
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Mounting (cont.)

Solid and secure
Do not hang
antennas by their
cable
Cable can break or
become damaged
Antenna can sway
and provide a
moving cell
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Mounting (cont.)

Sometimes
antennas are
mounted in
unusual ways
Specify in your
report exactly how
the antenna is to
be mounted
Ing. Jos Patio S.

NEMA Enclosures
Protect equipment
in harsh
environments
NEMA - National
Electronics
Manufacturers
Association
Rating system NEMA 1 - 13
Ing. Jos Patio S.

NEMA Enclosures (cont.)

NEMA type 2, 4, 4x
most commonly
used for WLAN
equipment
Can be purchased
through local
hardware
distributors
Do not come
equipped for WLAN
equipment
Ing. Jos Patio S.

NEMA Enclosures (cont.)

Mounting plate
with standoffs

Electrical
Workbox

Bulkhead Extender

External Antenna
Connector
Ing. Jos Patio S.

NEMA Enclosures (cont.)

Pre-fabricated NEMA enclosures are
available with all of the necessary
connections
Special NEMA enclosures are available
with solar panels or temperature
control
Make sure NEMA enclosures are
mounted securely to avoid injury or
damaged equipment
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Antenna Extension Cables

Antenna and access
point location
Cisco offers
LMR 400 style cables
20 and 50 ft.
Total loss of 1.3 and
3.4 dB respectively
LMR 600 style cables
100 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
connectors
Use Cat 5 cable to locate access
point as close to antenna as possible
Can buy custom length cables from
third party companies

Ing. Jos Patio S.

RP-TNC Connectors
RP-TNC connectors
available from Cisco
RG-58 should not be
used for extension
cables
N-style extension
cables
Jumpers
As much as 3.5 dBi
loss
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Splitters
Understand losses
attributable to splitters
Most use N-style connectors
RP-TNC splitters are
available
Splitter attaches to access
point and antennas using
extension cable jumpers
Jumpers are LMR 400
cables
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Splitters (cont.)
Each antenna
connected to the
splitter suffers 4
dBi loss
Doubles
Number of
antennas
Not the coverage
area
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Documentation

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report

Is the deliverable
Customer needs
detailed
information
All information
gathered during
the site survey
should be included
in the report

Site
Survey
Report

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)

Be as specific as possible
You are the surveyor; you may not be
the installer
Report is protection for you and your
customer
Date your report

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)

Be very specific when describing
locations
Use objects and facility markers
Do not use object or markers that
may be temporary

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)

Antenna orientation
Not all installers familiar with the
equipment
The more directional an antenna, the
more important the orientation
description

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)

Describe the facility

Discuss tools used and survey methods
Mention settings used for survey
Describe and diagram access point
coverage
Mark areas that are covered as well as
those not needing coverage
Have customer sign and return a copy
of the report
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)

Proper access point, antenna, and
power mounting
Proposed cabling runs
System components
Future expansion
Site survey objective

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)

Parts List
Access points
Antennas
Accessories and network components

Diagrams
Photographs

Ing. Jos Patio S.

Site Survey Report (cont.)

List contacts

Name
Company
Address
Phone & Fax
E-mail

List contacts for all companies

involved
Ing. Jos Patio S.

Summary
Identify 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.