My iPhone 5, being held in my hand right in front of my laptop, shows an RSSI of -55 dBm. For example, I'm sitting in my friend's office and my Apple MacBook laptop shows an RSSI of -62 dBm. On the other hand, if you're using Chrome OS then you're used to things that suck, so you should be fine.) It does you no good (and it can actually end up being COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE) to run Discovery software on a laptop if you're trying to support someone's iPhone. (I know that sucks for Chrome OS people because Chrome OS has no Discovery software. Windows: Acrylic WiFi (Tarlogic), inSSIDer (Metageek - $20)Īn important note to remember when using Discovery software is to always use Discovery software that runs ON A PRODUCTION DEVICE. Mac OS X: Wireless Diagnostics (Apple), WiFi Explorer (Adrian Granados - $15) If you want details about the options, read my previous post. (Pop Quiz: Why does the 802.11 standard have two different types of frames that carry essentially the same information?Ī: Probe Request/Response frames allow devices to connect to hidden/non-broadcasting SSIDs, while Beacon frames do not carry the SSID when the SSID is hidden/non-broadcasting.ī: Probe Request/Response frames allow devices to initiate 802.11 Discovery, thus potentially making roaming faster and giving devices a higher likelihood of connecting quickly in congested Wi-Fi areas.Ĭ: The designers of the 802.11 standard are stupid, and stupid people do things like creating two different frames that essentially do the same thing.ĭiscovery software is either free or cheap. Beacon frames and Probe Response frames carry essentially the same thing: information about the AP. Active Scanning involves a device sending Probe Request messages as a broadcast in the hopes of getting APs to respond with Probe Response messages. (Hence, the term "Scanner" software.) Passive Scanning involves a device listening for Beacon frames that have been sent by APs. There are two ways that 802.11 Discovery can be done: Active Scanning and Passive Scanning. Because the first part of my three-part series on Essential Wi-Fi Troubleshooting Tools is going to be about the free (or, very inexpensive) one: Discovery Software.ĭiscovery software, which is also called Scanner software, is software that records and displays information that a Wi-Fi radio gathers during 802.11 Discovery. It captures and analyzes network traffic, including Wi-Fi packets.You're reading a free blog, so I'm guessing the answer is, "all of us". Wireshark is a powerful network protocol analyzer. It offers features for analyzing Wi-Fi signals, mapping signal strength and coverage, and optimizing network configurations. NetSpot is a comprehensive Wi-Fi analysis and survey tool. By identifying channel interference and optimizing your network’s configuration, you can improve Wi-Fi performance. It provides insights into signal strength, channel usage, and security settings. InSSIDer is a popular Wi-Fi scanning tool that displays crucial information about nearby networks. Access Wireless Diagnostics by holding the Option key and clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. It helps troubleshoot connection problems, capture Wi-Fi logs for analysis, and suggest potential solutions. Wireless Diagnostics (Mac):įor macOS users, the built-in Wireless Diagnostics tool provides detailed information about Wi-Fi networks, signal strength, and performance. This tool is built-in to operating systems like Windows and macOS, and no separate download is required. By pinging your router or other devices on your network, you can determine if there are latency issues or packet loss. It helps you check the response time by sending small data packets to a specific IP address or domain. Ping is a command-line tool available on most operating systems. Visit the following links to access SpeedTest: By conducting speed tests at different locations within your network, you can identify areas with weak signals and troubleshoot accordingly. SpeedTest allows you to accurately measure your Wi-Fi connection’s download and upload speeds. With visual representations and real-time data, you can identify the least congested channel for your network, ensuring optimal performance and reduced interference. Wi-Fi Analyzer tools provide detailed insights into nearby Wi-Fi networks, signal strengths, and channel interference. Wi-Fi Analyzer (Android, Windows, macOS): In this article, we’ll explore the best tools that can assist you in diagnosing and resolving Wi-Fi problems effectively. Fortunately, there are powerful tools available to help troubleshoot and optimize your Wi-Fi network. However, Wi-Fi issues can be frustrating, causing slow speeds, dropped connections, and limited coverage. A strong and reliable Wi-Fi connection is essential in today’s interconnected world.
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