About Me
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) - Enterprise
1 Introduction to Enterprise Networks
1-1 Enterprise Network Architecture
1-2 Network Design Principles
1-3 Network Security in Enterprise Environments
1-4 Network Management and Monitoring
2 Network Infrastructure
2-1 Cabling and Connectivity
2-2 Network Topologies
2-3 Network Devices (Switches, Routers, Firewalls)
2-4 Network Addressing (IP, Subnetting)
3 Switching Technologies
3-1 Layer 2 Switching
3-2 VLANs and Trunking
3-3 Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
3-4 EtherChannel and Link Aggregation
3-5 Virtual Switching Systems (VSS)
4 Routing Technologies
4-1 Static Routing
4-2 Dynamic Routing Protocols (RIP, EIGRP, OSPF, BGP)
4-3 Route Redistribution and Filtering
4-4 IPv6 Routing
4-5 Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
5 Network Automation and Programmability
5-1 Introduction to Network Automation
5-2 Python for Network Automation
5-3 RESTful APIs and NETCONFYANG
5-4 Ansible for Network Automation
5-5 Network Programmability with Cisco DNA Center
6 Network Security
6-1 Network Security Fundamentals
6-2 Access Control Lists (ACLs)
6-3 Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDSIPS)
6-4 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
6-5 Firewalls and Security Zones
7 Wireless Networking
7-1 Wireless LAN Fundamentals
7-2 Wireless Security Protocols (WPA, WPA2, WPA3)
7-3 Wireless Site Surveys
7-4 Wireless Network Design
7-5 Wireless Network Management
8 Network Services
8-1 DHCP and DNS
8-2 Network Time Protocol (NTP)
8-3 Quality of Service (QoS)
8-4 Network Address Translation (NAT)
8-5 Network Management Protocols (SNMP, Syslog)
9 Network Troubleshooting
9-1 Troubleshooting Methodologies
9-2 Common Network Issues
9-3 Troubleshooting Tools (Ping, Traceroute, Wireshark)
9-4 Troubleshooting Wireless Networks
9-5 Troubleshooting Security Issues
10 Enterprise Network Design
10-1 Network Design Models (Hub-and-Spoke, Mesh)
10-2 Network Redundancy and High Availability
10-3 Network Scalability and Performance
10-4 Network Documentation and Diagrams
10-5 Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios
7.3 Wireless Site Surveys

7.3 Wireless Site Surveys

Key Concepts

Purpose of Wireless Site Surveys

Wireless Site Surveys are conducted to assess the physical environment and determine the optimal placement of wireless access points (APs) to ensure reliable and efficient wireless coverage. The primary goals are to identify potential interference sources, assess signal strength, and ensure seamless connectivity for all users.

Example: Think of a wireless site survey as a blueprint for building a house. Just as a blueprint ensures that all rooms are accessible and functional, a site survey ensures that all areas have adequate wireless coverage.

Types of Wireless Site Surveys

Predictive Site Surveys: Use software tools to simulate wireless coverage based on architectural plans and known environmental factors. This type of survey is useful for preliminary planning and identifying potential issues before deployment.

Active Site Surveys: Involve actively measuring signal strength and quality in real-time using specialized equipment. This type of survey provides real-world data and is essential for fine-tuning the wireless network.

Passive Site Surveys: Collect data over time without transmitting any signals. This type of survey helps identify interference sources and long-term trends, providing a comprehensive view of the wireless environment.

Example: Consider predictive surveys as architectural renderings, active surveys as construction site inspections, and passive surveys as long-term maintenance checks.

Planning a Wireless Site Survey

Planning involves gathering detailed information about the physical environment, including floor plans, building materials, and potential interference sources. Key steps include defining the survey objectives, selecting the appropriate survey type, and preparing the necessary tools and equipment.

Example: Think of planning a site survey as preparing for a road trip. You need a map (floor plans), a vehicle (survey tools), and a destination (survey objectives) to ensure a smooth journey.

Conducting a Wireless Site Survey

Conducting the survey involves systematically measuring signal strength, quality, and interference at various points within the environment. This may include walking surveys, where technicians move through the area with survey equipment, and stationary surveys, where equipment is placed at fixed locations.

Example: Consider conducting a site survey as mapping out a hiking trail. You need to walk through the entire area (walking survey) and mark key points (stationary surveys) to create an accurate map.

Analyzing Survey Results

Analyzing the survey results involves interpreting the collected data to identify coverage gaps, interference sources, and optimal AP placement. This step may include creating heat maps, signal strength charts, and interference reports to visualize the wireless environment.

Example: Think of analyzing survey results as interpreting a weather map. You need to understand the patterns (heat maps) and anomalies (interference sources) to predict the best conditions (optimal AP placement).

Implementing Survey Recommendations

Implementing the survey recommendations involves making necessary adjustments to the wireless network based on the analysis. This may include relocating APs, adjusting transmit power, and configuring additional APs to ensure comprehensive coverage and optimal performance.

Example: Consider implementing survey recommendations as making adjustments to a garden layout. You need to move plants (APs), adjust watering schedules (transmit power), and add new plants (additional APs) to create a thriving garden (efficient wireless network).

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