The first four (4) columns in the top pane provide the common parameters listed above. Acrylic has two panes: the top pane is a network list and the bottom pane contains graphs. Figure 1 shows the basic layout of Acrylic. In addition to these IDs, we also want to get channels and power levels. This is a simplistic explanation that will be made more clear in the examples below. The basic service set identifier (BSSID) is the MAC address of the virtual access point (VAP) supporting that SSID, and it is common for the BSSID to be very close to the Ethernet MAC address of an AP. The service set identifier (SSID) is the WiFi network name that we see when connecting our devices. This will help make better channel and power plans, and it can also help identify the location of hidden or rogue APs. For example, screenshots can be named with a number appended to the filename, and those numbers can be written on the map. As the above information is gathered, it is important to thoroughly mark on the map where reading where taken, and the results should be saved such that they can be easily referenced. At the very least, a sketched floor plan with approximate AP locations is generally required. Most WiFi analysis will benefit from a detailed and scaled floor plan with AP locations marked. It is a good idea to gather these are four (4) primary items from multiple locations around the site or problem areas. Regardless of the application used, the information we want to gather is the same. Since Windows is a fairly ubiquitous OS and Acrylic Home Edition is free, we will use this software to provide a brief overview of how to gather some basic information. However, some problems will require professional grade equipment to resolve. For the basic purposes of quick troubleshooting, these readings are a good starting point. Further, non-802.11 RF interference sources such as cordless phones or microwaves will not show up. Power readings may not be consistent across devices, and in general, they may not be completely accurate. The tools described here simply use whatever wireless chipset is available in the device. Professional grade equipment will generally include hardware which makes power level readings more reliable and sometimes even provide the ability to see raw RF levels. It is important to understand that these utilities have some pitfalls. While kismet is a commonly referenced utility, LinSSID is more like the other options listed above. For more information see the Apple support document Check for Wi-Fi issues using your Mac. Hold the Option key and click the WiFi icon, then click Open Wireless Diagnostics. Mac users also have built-in tools available. The right application will depend on the platform (mobile, laptop, etc.) and operating system (OS). There are a number of free or low-cost applications. Coverage, performance, and connection issues can sometimes be resolved simply by using basic, and often even free, tools to get a guick and general idea of the radio frequency (RF) environment. A video demonstration is available - Windows Acrylic Wifi Scanner.īasic WiFi analyzers or "stumblers" can provide a lot of useful information for troubleshooting common wireless problems.
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