Site Survey and Installation: © 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. FWL 1.0 - 10-1

Module 10
Site Survey and Installation
© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-1

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).

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.

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.

Key terms
• Fire Wall
• Riser
• Service Loop
• NEMA
• RFP

LAN Infrastructure Awareness

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

LAN Infrastructure (cont.)
Get to know the customer’s network

Know topologies
Have an IT representative walk you through
the facility and show you the network

LAN Infrastructure - Media
Know the types and

the limitations
Copper vs. Fiber
Access points
provide copper
connections only
Transceivers

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

Switches
Ability for each port

to be seen as a
“virtual” LAN
Not “just fancy hubs”

Switches (cont.)
Designed for
stationary users VLAN 1 Switch VLAN 2
See mobile devices

as wandering from
VLAN to VLAN
Accommodate Cisco
Aironet Access
Points

Switches (cont.)
VLAN 1 VLAN 3
Switch
STOP
VLAN 2 Host
Data

Switches (cont.)
Group devices
on a single
VLANs
Switch
Host
Data

Switches (cont.)
VLAN
Switch
Data Host

Switches (cont.)
Use VLANs to
propagate across VLAN 101
VLAN 102
access points
Access points
handle up to 16
VLANs
VLAN 102
Use a router to
span across
VLANs
VLAN 100 VLAN 101
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

Other Considerations
VLAN 1
DHCP addresses for
mobile users on
VLANs
Application “least
common
denominator”
Host

Proxy Mobile IP
Home Agent / Foreign Agent Home Agent / Foreign Agent
AP 1.1.1.30 AP 2.2.2.157
Laptop 1.1.1.39 Laptop 1.1.1.39
Before Roam After Roam

Client is in the subnet of AP. Client IP address does not change.
All traffic directly connecting to client. Since AP is in a different subnet all
traffic must go through router for
directions.
Site Survey
Make customer
aware of potential
problems
Be proactive instead
of reactive
Your chance to help
the customer
Reputations win
further business
Site Survey

RF Propagation
Radio waves are

reflected just
like light waves
Can reduce the
reflected waves
by using
directional
antennas

RF Propagation (cont.)
Waves 1800 out of

phase will create a
“null” or dead spot
Use diversity
antennas to help
overcome nulls
When using a single
Nulls
antenna, change the
antenna location to
overcome the null
RF Propagation (cont.)
If the RF wave is
unable to pass
through an object, it
may suffer from
Diffraction
Shadow
Diffraction creates
RF “shadows”

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

Site Survey

Site Survey (cont.)

Channel Selection
AP 5
AP1
AP 3 Channel 6
Channel 1
Channel 11
AP 4
AP 2 Channel 1 AP 6
Channel 6 Channel 11

Data Rates
Surveyed at 2 Mbps Surveyed at 5.5 Mbps

Antenna Choice, Power Level, & Cell
Size

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

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

Site Survey

Freezers
o
Perishable Goods 36 F
Freezer 0o F Freezer -5o F Freezer -20o F

Antenna Splitters
WRONG!
Freezer
OK
OK
2.4 GHz Technology

Multi-floor Survey
AP 4
AP 3
AP 2
AP 1

Site Survey
Trauma Room
No coverage

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

Interference (cont.)
Cardboard Paper
Wood Firewalls
Microwave Fluorescent
Electrical Lighting
Ovens
Transformers
Mounting and Installation

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

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

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

Plenum (cont.)
No chance for toxic

fumes to get inside
the ducting
Non-plenum areas
• Ductwork
• Lack of firewalls
• Insulation

Firewalls
Easily identified
Act as barriers to
contain fires
Hinders 2.4 GHz
signal
Stops 5 GHz signal

Firewalls (cont.)
Some firewalls may

have doors
Fire doors can hamper
the RF signal as well
Survey with doors
closed
Automatic Fire Doors

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

1200 Series Access Point Mounting
Mounting holes
Mounting
solutions
• Concrete
• Drywall
• I-Beam
• Ceiling
Secure the access
points

Mounting on a Horizontal or Vertical
Surface

Mounting on a Suspended Ceiling

Attaching and Securing the Access
Point to the Mounting Bracket

1100 Series AP:
Variety of Mounting Configurations
Desktop
Stand Ceiling
Mount
Hang on
Wall Cube Wall
Mount

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

Antenna Mounting
Some antennas
not shipped with Mast
Mount
Patch
mounting brackets
Modify brackets
• Fit your needs
• Can be used with a
variety of antennas
Ceiling
Mount

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”

Antenna Mounting (cont.)
Sometimes antennas
are mounted in
unusual ways
Specify in your report
exactly how the
antenna is to be
mounted

NEMA Enclosures
Protect equipment in
harsh environments
NEMA - National
Electronics
Manufacturers
Association
Rating system -
NEMA 1 - 13

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

Mounting plate
with standoffs
Electrical
Workbox Bulkhead Extender
External Antenna
Connector

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

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

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

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

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

Splitters (cont.)
Each antenna
connected to the
splitter suffers 4 dBi
loss
Doubles
• Number of antennas
• Not the coverage area

Documentation

Site Survey Report
Is the deliverable
Customer needs
detailed information Site
Survey
All information Report
gathered during the

site survey should be
included in the report

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

Be very specific when describing locations

Use objects and facility markers
Do not use object or markers that may be
temporary

Antenna orientation
• Not all installers familiar with the equipment
• The more directional an antenna, the more
important the orientation description

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
Proper access point, antenna, and power

mounting
Proposed cabling runs
System components
Future expansion
Site survey objective

Parts List
• Access points
• Antennas
• Accessories and network components
Diagrams
Photographs

List contacts
• Name
• Company
• Address
• Phone & Fax
• E-mail
List contacts for all companies involved

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.

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. 76

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Module 10

Site Survey and Installation

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-1

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-2

•Identify potential difficulties that may arise while

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-3

•Identify facts on splitter and connectors.

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-4

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-5

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-6

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-7

Get to know the customer’s network

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-8

Know the types and

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-9

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-10

Ability for each port

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-11

See mobile devices

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-12

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-13

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-14

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-15

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-17

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-18

Laptop 1.1.1.39 Laptop 1.1.1.39

Before Roam After Roam

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-21

Radio waves are

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-22

Waves 1800 out of

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-24

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-25

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-26

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© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-28

Surveyed at 2 Mbps Surveyed at 5.5 Mbps

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-29

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-30

Process of trial and

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-31

Frustration and laziness are

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-32

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-33

Freezer 0o F Freezer -5o F Freezer -20o F

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-34

2.4 GHz Technology

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-36

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-37

Coverage cell seems small in comparison with

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-38

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-40

Access points have to be

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-41

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-42

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-43

No chance for toxic

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-44

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-45

Some firewalls may

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-46

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-47

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—10-48