When Wi-Fi isn’t working, it’s a frustrating mystery. Users start complaining of dropped signals, slow speeds, and dead zones. Important data isn’t being transferred, people can’t get their tasks done, and the workplace grinds to a halt. You’re in charge of Wi-Fi, but the same reason Wi-Fi is so awesome — it’s invisible — is why it’s so hard to fix.
See the invisible with Wi-Spy, a custom USB spectrum analyzer designed specifically for troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues.
Wi-Spy + Chanalyzer creates a complete picture of how RF transmitters impact your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless networks, giving you what you need to resolve the issues affecting your users.
Out of the box, Chanalyzer shows you the signal strength and RF activity of co-channel networks, overlapping channel networks, and non-Wi-Fi transmitters on each Wi-Fi channel. The Density View gives you a color-coded snapshot of both Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi activity at any given frequency on your chosen band, and the Channels Table lets you view more details about your chosen networks. Armed with this information you can pick the quietest channel for each of your access points.
There are three types of interference that can eat away at your Wi-Fi network speed.
Fortunately, overlapping channel interference can be reduced or eliminated by simply selecting the proper Wi-Fi channel for your network. But which channel is the right one?
To answer that question, let’s get technical for a moment. The 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n spectrum (a.k.a. where your Wi-Fi lives) is made up of 11 channels, centered 5 MHz apart. Each channel is 20 – 22 MHz wide. For all the channels to peacefully coexist, the 2.4GHz band would need to be about 242 MHz wide, but it’s not. It’s only 100 MHz wide. So, the band is pretty crowded. The channels have to overlap each other to cram into a too-small space, and this is how you get overlapping channel interference.
Every channel in the 2.4GHz spectrum is overlapping, except channels 1, 6, and 11. Why is overlap bad? It’s bad because Wi-Fi is a very polite conversation. If your wireless router hears others talking on the same channel, it will wait for its turn to talk. If there are a lot of routers talking, there’s going to be a lot of waiting around. You can lose 40-60% of your performance this way. Keep your network antisocial and isolated on either channels 1, 6, or 11, and you won’t have that problem.
The second type of interference (Co-channel interference) isn’t as big of a deal. Think of it as a “if you can’t avoid them, join them” situation. If you can’t pick a non-overlapping channel that no other networks are on, it’s ok to share a channel. It’s still better to choose 1,6, or 11 (even if you have to share with another network) rather than choose another channel that is NOT 1, 6, or 11.
The last type of interference (non-Wi-Fi interference) is problematic because your computer’s Wi-Fi card can’t see it. Luckily, Wi-Spy can, and it works with Chanalyzer to give you better insight into your Wi-Fi network than ever before.
Chanalyzer will allow you to see all the surrounding networks in your environment and will help you eliminate the first two causes of interference (co-channel and overlapping). With the addition of Wi-Spy, Chanalyzer visualizes the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz RF spectrum, so you can see interference caused by baby monitors, microwaves, wireless security cameras, Xboxes and any other nearby device transmitting in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz spectrum – all of which are invisible to your regular Wi-Fi tools. As 802.11ac adoption continues, the problem of overlapping bonded channels in the 5 GHz band will become more of an issue. Luckily, Chanalyzer 5 is ready!
The standard antennas found in most wireless devices are omni-directional, so they receive signals from all directions. This can be useful, but when you need to find out where interference is coming from, a directional antenna can pinpoint your mystery device.
The Device Finder 2.4 GHz Directional Antenna is just what it sounds like — attach it to the Wi-Spy and point it in any given direction to quickly track down troublesome interferers.
With just a few clicks using the Report Builder Accessory, you can add a snapshot of any image or table displayed in Chanalyzer. Add your own pictures, create your own descriptions, or just use the defaults. After you’re done, export to PDF and present it to your client or boss.
With the optional Cisco CleanAir accessory for Chanalyzer, you gain immediate visibility into the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band from the perspective of your Cisco Access Points without leaving your desk.
Being able to perform spectrum analysis from locations throughout your WLAN gives you a front seat to the action– whether it be down the hall, across town, or on another continent.
Chanalyzer displays a table with a list of interferers detected by your CleanAir AP. This list stays consistent with Chanalyzer’s Waterfall Navigation, meaning you can quickly jump back to any point in time to positively identify the source of your problems. The interfering devices list is filterable, and includes adjustable duty cycle thresholds to only display interferers that may significantly impact your wireless network.
Chanalyzer will also show you where interferers appear in the spectrum by drawing a spanning visual indicator in the main density view. The more opaque the fill, the more impact your users are likely to experience.
Our Chanalyzer Lab Accessory delivers lab-quality spectrum analysis anytime, anywhere right from your laptop. An expert’s tool designed for mobile device testing, signal analysis, and other deep-dive looks outside your Wi-Spy’s default settings. Zero in and dissect signal behavior with this highly specialized accessory. Or haul your test bench spectrum analyzer around like a serious uber-nerd.
TamoGraph Site Survey can test the overall signal strength of your APs while simultaneously testing the throughput performance at every location automatically. Simply upload a floor plan or map to begin logging and testing the WLAN.
Wi-Fi dead zones can be caused by high levels of interference from non Wi-Fi transmitters. TamoGraph conveniently supports spectrum analysis capture with a Wi-Spy to create a snapshot of interference in the 2.4 or 5 GHz bands to help you locate interference.
Ideal for smaller networks
Ideal for 802.11n and 802.11ac networks
Ideal for large mission-critical networks
SKU: BUN-CHAN-RFDB, SFW-TAMOPRO-001
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