this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2023
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Home Networking

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I’m currently in a situation where I'm responsible for optimizing the Wi-Fi network in a moderately sized office. The challenge is that some areas have weak or no signal, and we suspect there are dead zones. We need to precisely identify these areas to improve our network coverage.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Poor mans Wi-Fi spectrum analyzer: Wi-Fi Man. Works with your phone.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Airport utility goto settings turn on WiFi scanner. Some AP’s have a scanner built in so it will show u from the AP overlapping coverage signal.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Yes, search for 'NetSpot' in the App Store. You'll find an app with limited features, but it does the job. They might start monetizing it soon, but as of now, it's free

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

is there anything in the WAP’s admin page? I’m not so sure that an iPhone would be secure enough for work usage. but I’ve used a few open source and trusted programs on Windows that have been fairly spot on just in my home setup

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Hate to say this (being an iPhone user) but the Android apps are way better :-( If you can face using one try https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.manageengine.wifimonitor

Apple ~~tweaked~~ crippled the API used by the tools on mobiles a few years ago and quality of results dropped dramatically even for home use.

If you have a MacBook try https://www.netspotapp.com and request the free trial (no obligations is their byline) but TBH its worth the entry cost (£144) to allow you to check the results of the changes and redo each time the office moves around :-) The results are way better (i.e. more accurate) than on a mobile app.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

iStumbler (i think?) on macOS is a good app for signal strength, etc. Free but doesn’t have mapping abilities.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

That one still exists? Remember using that one on my Powerbook about 20 years ago 🧓

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I saw your comment that you're in a iOS/macOS office. If you get stuck, macOS has a built-in WiFi scanner that displays the optimal 2.4 and 5ghz channels for a device's location. This might quickly help improve some areas and here is an explanation of what it does.

https://www.imore.com/how-use-macos-wireless-diagnostics-get-best-possible-wifi-settings-your-area

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Netspot is cheap and works on a Mac.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

What vendor Wifi are you using? Most controllers have the ability to import floor diagrams, place APs on the diagrams, and then it'll give you a pretty accurate heat map. You can then use apps on phone/tablet/laptops to do a site survey and confirm.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

iphone sucks, grab an android

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Best idea is to buy anything android.

Apple has forbidden such access.