2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.

010-1
Module 10
Site Survey and Installation
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Overview
This module will cover the actual WLAN site survey and
installation. Topics covered in this module include the
importance of infrastructure awareness, and creating an
accurate network map as an initial step in conducting a
site survey. Mounting and installation concerns will also
be covered. Although determining the appropriate
coverage area involves trial and error, experience and
proper network maps can greatly assist the survey
engineer. Finally, the student will learn how to document
the entire process by creating a site survey report or by
appropriately responding to Request for Proposals
(RFPs).
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Learning Objectives
Identify potential difficulties that may arise while
designing a wireless LAN due to the current
configuration of the wired LAN.
Make suggestions on how to make changes to the
wired LAN configuration to accommodate a wireless
LAN.
Make suggestion on how to reconfigure wired LAN
infrastructure equipment to support a wireless LAN.
Identify potential design problems associated with
network cabling.
Identify facts and potential problems with mounting
antennas and access points.
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Learning Objectives
Identify facts on splitter and connectors.
Recommend the proper equipment for
plenum spaces.
Identify what should be included in a site
survey document.
Define characteristics of RF propagation.
Identify proper placements of access points.
Identify access points limitations.
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Key terms
Fire Wall
Riser
Service Loop
NEMA
RFP

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LAN Infrastructure Awareness
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LAN Infrastructure
IT personnel already
overworked and not
looking to increase
workload
Customer expects a
professional, detailed,
all inclusive site survey
A good site survey and
report will lead to future
business for your
company
2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.010-8
LAN Infrastructure (cont.)
Get to know the customers network
Know topologies
Have an IT representative walk you through
the facility and show you the network
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LAN Infrastructure - Media
Know the types and
the limitations
Copper vs. Fiber
Access points
provide copper
connections only
Transceivers
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Operating Systems, Protocols, and
Drivers

Operating Systems
used on Clients
Protocol need for
the wireless LAN
Not all O/S have
supporting drivers

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Switches
Ability for each port
to be seen as a
virtual LAN
Not just fancy hubs

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Switches (cont.)
Designed for
stationary users
See mobile devices
as wandering from
VLAN to VLAN
Accommodate Cisco
Aironet Access
Points
Switch
VLAN 1
VLAN 2
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Switches (cont.)
VLAN 1
VLAN 2
VLAN 3
STOP
Host
Switch
Data
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Switches (cont.)
Group devices
on a single
VLANs
Host
Switch
Data
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Switches (cont.)
VLAN
Host
Switch
Data
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VLAN 100
VLAN 102
VLAN 101
VLAN 101
VLAN 102
Switches (cont.)
Use VLANs to
propagate across
access points
Access points
handle up to 16
VLANs
Use a router to
span across
VLANs
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Routers
Present considerations
similar to switches
Stop broadcast packets
Must be configured for IP Helper
Address in order to pass DHCP
packets
May indicate
Remote host
May require static route
Need for support of Proxy Mobile
IP
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Other Considerations
DHCP addresses for
mobile users on
VLANs
Application least
common
denominator
VLAN 1
Host
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Proxy Mobile IP
Laptop 1.1.1.39 Laptop 1.1.1.39
AP 2.2.2.157
AP 1.1.1.30
Before Roam
Client is in the subnet of AP.
All traffic directly connecting to client.
After Roam
Client IP address does not change.
Since AP is in a different subnet all
traffic must go through router for
directions.

Home Agent / Foreign Agent Home Agent / Foreign Agent
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Site Survey
Make customer
aware of potential
problems
Be proactive instead
of reactive
Your chance to help
the customer
Reputations win
further business
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Site Survey
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RF Propagation
Radio waves are
reflected just
like light waves
Can reduce the
reflected waves
by using
directional
antennas
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RF Propagation (cont.)
Waves 180
0
out of
phase will create a
null or dead spot
Use diversity
antennas to help
overcome nulls
When using a single
antenna, change the
antenna location to
overcome the null
Nulls
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RF Propagation (cont.)
If the RF wave is
unable to pass
through an object, it
may suffer from
Diffraction
Diffraction creates
RF shadows
Shadow
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Preparation
Prior to arrival
Ensure your equipment is
operational
Configure equipment (if
possible)
Determine if manlift is
needed
Who will provide the lift?
Make sure batteries are
fully charged
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Site Survey
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Site Survey (cont.)
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Channel Selection
AP1
Channel 1
AP 4
Channel 1
AP 6
Channel 11
AP 5
Channel 6
AP 3
Channel 11
AP 2
Channel 6
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Data Rates
Surveyed at 2 Mbps
Surveyed at 5.5 Mbps
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Antenna Choice, Power Level, & Cell
Size
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Site Survey Problems
Process of trial and
error
Experience = more trial,
less error
Talk with other
engineers
Site surveys can be
puzzles
More than one solution
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Site Survey Problems (cont.)
Frustration and laziness are
your enemies
Take a break
May be necessary to start
survey over
Always design the WLAN
properly
Do not try and force your
original plan to work
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Site Survey
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Freezers
Freezer 0
o
F

Freezer -5
o
F

Freezer -20
o
F

Perishable Goods 36
o
F

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Antenna Splitters
Freezer
WRONG!
OK
OK
2.4 GHz Technology
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Multi-floor Survey
AP 1
AP 2
AP 4
AP 3
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Site Survey
Trauma Room
No coverage
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Interference
Coverage cell seems small in comparison with
previously surveyed access points
Coverage from access point seems to be
intermittent
Mount antennas in open areas for best RF
propagation
Look for objects that may interfere with RF signal
May need to use Spectrum Analyzer to find
interference
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Interference (cont.)
Cardboard
Wood
Paper
Electrical
Transformers
Microwave
Ovens
Fluorescent
Lighting
Firewalls
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Mounting and Installation
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WLAN Design Considerations
Access points have to be
connected to the network
Should be familiar with:
Network components
Media
Topology
Need to have some
knowledge
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Plenum
A compartment or
chamber to which one
or more air ducts are
connected
Forms part of the air
distribution system
Cat 5 cable available in
plenum and non-plenum
Non-plenum sheath is
PVC and gives off toxic
fumes when melted
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Plenum (cont.)
Cat 5 available
Plenum
Non-Plenum
Plenum areas
Egg crate ceiling tiles
No insulation
Firewalls
Non-plenum areas use
ducting in plenum for
air return
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Plenum (cont.)
No chance for toxic
fumes to get inside
the ducting
Non-plenum areas
Ductwork
Lack of firewalls
Insulation
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Firewalls
Easily identified
Act as barriers to
contain fires
Hinders 2.4 GHz
signal
Stops 5 GHz signal
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Firewalls (cont.)
Some firewalls may
have doors
Fire doors can hamper
the RF signal as well
Survey with doors
closed
Automatic Fire Doors
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Risers
Sometimes referred to
as wiring closets
Used for wiring between
floors
Stacked on top of each
other
Riser walls are firewalls
If a riser is plenum-rated,
only install plenum rated
equipment
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1200 Series Access Point Mounting
Mounting holes
Mounting
solutions
Concrete
Drywall
I-Beam
Ceiling
Secure the access
points
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Mounting on a Horizontal or Vertical
Surface
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Mounting on a Suspended Ceiling
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Attaching and Securing the Access
Point to the Mounting Bracket
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1100 Series AP:
Variety of Mounting Configurations
Wall
Mount
Desktop
Stand
Hang on
Cube Wall
Ceiling
Mount
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Access Point Mounting (cont.)
Do not cover
access point lights
Mount upside-down
so Ethernet indicator
lights can be seen from
the floor
Label access points

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Antenna Mounting
Some antennas
not shipped with
mounting brackets
Modify brackets
Fit your needs
Can be used with a
variety of antennas
Ceiling
Mount
Mast
Mount
Patch
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Antenna Mounting (cont.)
Solid and secure
Do not hang antennas
by their cable
Cable can break or
become damaged
Antenna can sway and
provide a moving cell
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Antenna Mounting (cont.)
Sometimes antennas
are mounted in
unusual ways
Specify in your report
exactly how the
antenna is to be
mounted
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NEMA Enclosures
Protect equipment in
harsh environments
NEMA - National
Electronics
Manufacturers
Association
Rating system -
NEMA 1 - 13
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NEMA Enclosures (cont.)
NEMA type 2, 4, 4x
most commonly used
for WLAN equipment
Can be purchased
through local
hardware distributors
Do not come
equipped for WLAN
equipment
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NEMA Enclosures (cont.)
Mounting plate
with standoffs
Bulkhead Extender
External Antenna
Connector
Electrical
Workbox
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NEMA Enclosures (cont.)
Pre-fabricated NEMA enclosures are
available with all of the necessary
connections
Special NEMA enclosures are available with
solar panels or temperature control
Make sure NEMA enclosures are mounted
securely to avoid injury or damaged
equipment
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Antenna Extension Cables
Antenna and access
point location
Cisco offers
LMR 400 style cables
20 and 50 ft.
Total loss of 1.3 and 3.4
dB respectively
LMR 600 style cables
100 and 150 ft.
Total loss of 4.4 and 6.6
dB respectively
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Antenna Extension Cables (cont.)
Consider loss for cables and connectors
Use Cat 5 cable to locate access point as
close to antenna as possible
Can buy custom length cables from third
party companies
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RP-TNC Connectors
RP-TNC connectors
available from Cisco
RG-58 should not be
used for extension
cables
N-style extension
cables
Jumpers
As much as 3.5 dBi loss
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Splitters
Understand losses attributable
to splitters
Most use N-style connectors
RP-TNC splitters are available
Splitter attaches to access
point and antennas using
extension cable jumpers
Jumpers are LMR 400 cables
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Splitters (cont.)
Each antenna
connected to the
splitter suffers 4 dBi
loss
Doubles
Number of antennas
Not the coverage area
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Documentation
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Site Survey Report
Is the deliverable
Customer needs
detailed information
All information
gathered during the
site survey should be
included in the report
Site
Survey
Report
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Site Survey Report (cont.)
Be as specific as possible
You are the surveyor; you may not be the
installer
Report is protection for you and your
customer
Date your report
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Site Survey Report (cont.)
Be very specific when describing locations
Use objects and facility markers
Do not use object or markers that may be
temporary
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Site Survey Report (cont.)
Antenna orientation
Not all installers familiar with the equipment
The more directional an antenna, the more
important the orientation description
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Site Survey Report (cont.)
Describe the facility
Discuss tools used and survey methods
Mention settings used for survey
Describe and diagram access point
coverage
Mark areas that are covered as well as those
not needing coverage
Have customer sign and return a copy of
the report
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Site Survey Report (cont.)
Proper access point, antenna, and power
mounting
Proposed cabling runs
System components
Future expansion
Site survey objective
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Site Survey Report (cont.)
Parts List
Access points
Antennas
Accessories and network components
Diagrams
Photographs
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Site Survey Report (cont.)
List contacts
Name
Company
Address
Phone & Fax
E-mail
List contacts for all companies involved
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Summary
Identify potential difficulties that may arise while designing a
wireless LAN due to the current configuration of the wired LAN.
Make suggestions on how to make changes to the wired LAN
configuration to accommodate a wireless LAN.
Make suggestion on how to reconfigure wired LAN
infrastructure equipment to support a wireless LAN.
Identify potential design problems associated with network
cabling.
Identify facts and potential problems with mounting antennas
and access points.
Identify facts on splitter and connectors.
Recommend the proper equipment for plenum spaces.
Identify what should be included in a site survey document.
Identify proper placements of access points.
76 76 76
2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.