NetSurveyor-Pro is a new type of diagnostic tool that puts a different spin on Wi-Fi troubleshooting — emphasizing performance metrics over measurements of RF signal strengths. It is used to test the performance and reliability of a Wi-Fi network and help identify and troubleshoot problems. Furthermore, NetSurveyor-Pro also allows you to concurrently test multiple (up to five) Wi-Fi connections. NetSurveyor-Pro is a software-only product that uses your 802.11 adapter(s) and access point(s) — no additional proprietary hardware is required. Novices through experts will find it most useful when installing, testing, and troubleshooting 802.11 adapters and wireless networks. Distributed as a free tool, NetSurveyor-Pro provides a more accurate picture of a Wi-Fi network from a performance perspective than more costly solutions.

Applications for NetSurveyor-Pro include the following:

• Monitor the reliability of a Wi-Fi network using performance / bandwidth metrics
• Optimal AP placement
• Concurrently test and compare the performance and reliability of up to five (5) different 802.11 connections — employing a variety of combinations of adapters and access points — that is, adapters can be associated with either the same or different access points
• Test whether the performance of a Wi-Fi network is handicapped by RF or multipath interference or is overburdened with other 802.11 traffic
• As an aid in properly locating 802.11 wireless devices and orienting their antennas so as to optimize throughput, performance and reliability
• Determine which 802.11 channel results in the best performance
• Benchmark the performance of a Wi-Fi network when first installed and at some later point in time — comparing results helps determine whether something in the RF environment has changed that impacts the wireless network.

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NetSurveyor

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NetStress

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NetSurveyor-Pro

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NetSurveyor is an 802.11 (WiFi) network discovery tool that gathers information about nearby wireless access points in real time and displays it in useful ways. Similar in purpose to NetStumbler, it includes many more features. The data is displayed using a variety of different diagnostic views and charts. Data can be recorded for extended periods and played-back at a later date/time. Also, reports can be generated in Adobe PDF format. Applications for NetSurveyor include the following:

• During the installation of a wireless network, as an aid in verifying the network is properly configured and antennas are positioned at locations to achieve efficient transmission / reception — that is, for use in verifying WiFi coverage and maximizing beacon signal strength
• Trouble-shooting an existing network or wireless environment that is performing poorly
• Reporting the presence of WiFi networks and local access points and the signal strengths of their beacons
• Conducting wireless site surveys where the installer is interested in learning about the coverage of a new or existing access point, roaming capability, presence of RF interference or “dead spots”, and optimum location of access points, their antennas and client stations
• In a secure business environment, for use in detecting the presence of rogue access points
• As a learning tool to help understand the relationship between access points (BSSIDs), wireless networks (SSIDs), and client stations (STAs)

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In order to test and troubleshoot networks we need tools that allow us to generate network traffic and analyze the network’s throughput performance. This is true for both wired and wireless networks. In order to properly troubleshoot a wireless (or wired) network we need a way to benchmark its performance, so as modifications are made we can determine whether or not they really make a difference in the network’s performance. This is where NetStress fits in. It’s a simple tool, originally created for our internal use. Here’s the ideal scenario: You install a new wireless network and it works perfectly. Run NetStress and record the benchmark results for later reference. Sometime in the future when either you or others suspect performance has declined then run NetStress again and compare the latest results with those you gathered when the network was first installed and working “perfectly”. The results of that comparison will indicate whether or not there really is a problem and dictate which steps to take next (if any). Regardless of your technical expertise or how expensive your diagnostic tools, if you are modifying a wireless network or making decisions to modify it and you are not testing throughput then you risk wasting time and resources going down the wrong path.

NetStress includes the following features:

• single instance of the application (i.e. each instance can be used as server or server plus client)
• supports both TCP and UDP data transfers
• supports multiple data streams
• variable TCP / UDP segment size
• rate of packet transmission (Packets Per Second)
• variable Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU)
• uplink and downlink modes
• auto node discovery
• choice of display units (KBps, Kbps, MBps, Mbps)
• support for multiple network adapters

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