Best Practices

RF Interference is a major threat to Wi-Fi networks, to guarantee optimal performance continual monitoring is recommended. Currently two approaches are available:

• Embedded Spectrum Analyzers within all access points
• Ad-Hoc systems on separate computers

Consider the following when deciding between an embedded or Ad-Hoc spectrum analyzer:

	Embedded	Ad-Hoc	Advantage Defined
Coverage	100%	Limited	Ad Hoc analyzers only monitor the current location of the laptop analyzer. Embedded analyzers continually monitor 100% of the Wi-Fi coverage area.
Monitoring	Real-Time	Reactive	Ad Hoc analyzers are dispatched after a problem has been reported and require a user to walk around with a dedicated laptop hoping to catch the problem again. Embedded analyzers are available 24/7, are constantly on guard, and able to alert administrators often before users notice a problem.
Remote Sites	Real-time	Truck Roll	Ad Hoc analyzers require administrators to travel to remote sites to perform monitoring. Embedded analyzers only require an IP link to the remote site to gain complete visibility to the RF environment.
RF Visibility	100%	Restricted	Ad Hoc analyzers visibility is restricted to real-time activity at its current location. Embedded analyzers are able to see the total enterprise, operate 24/7, aggregate data, and even show historical trending.
Deployment	Simple	Complicated	Ad Hoc analyzer solutions require dedicated laptops, dedicated users and must be constantly repositioned to perform monitoring. Embedded analyzers are integrated in the Arrays, no additional effort is required to deploy and there is never a need for repositioning.
Cost	Free	High	Ad Hoc analyzer solutions require specialized software to be loaded on laptop(s), costs can easily reach many thousands of dollars. An embedded analyzer is included in every Wi-Fi Array at no additional cost to the user.