5

CONDUCTING A SITE SURVEY

 

 

 

Setting up a basic wireless LAN can be as simple as placing a 3Com 11 Mbps

 

 

 

Wireless LAN access point in a central area, plugging it in, and setting up one or

 

 

 

more clients. However, you can be certain that you have selected the best location

 

 

 

if you conduct a site survey before installing an access point permanently. The

 

 

 

3Com Site Survey utility performs a set of tests that help you evaluate locations for

 

 

 

3Com access point units.

 

 

 

 

Before You Begin

You need the following items to conduct a site survey:

 

 

 

■ 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN access point, power adapter, and

 

 

 

mounting hardware.

 

 

 

■ Wireless client laptop computer with a wireless PC card and the 3Com Site

 

 

 

Survey tool installed. Alternatively, you can run the tests from client desktop

 

 

 

computers with wireless PCI cards and the 3Com Site Survey tool installed.

 

 

 

■ The IP address of the access point being surveyed. You can use the device

 

 

 

manager tool that came with your 3Com access point or another network

 

 

 

management tool to find the IP address.

 

 

 

The Site Survey utility is designed to test one 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN access

 

 

 

 

 

 

point unit at a time. The tool cannot be used with access points from

 

 

 

 

 

 

other manufacturers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choosing Trial

To set up the tests, you install the access point temporarily in several trial locations.

Locations

Look at your site floor plan and make a list of work areas where clients are likely to

 

 

 

 

 

 

be positioned. For example, list the office cubicles where users will be logging on

 

 

 

to the 3Com Wireless LAN. Then select several trial locations for the access point

 

 

 

and make a list of these locations. For example, you may wish to test the access

 

 

 

point mounted on the ceiling, on a desk, and on a wall.

 

 

 

Look for locations in the center of the room and away from potential transmission

 

 

 

barriers. Consider the following environmental and electrical factors when you

 

 

 

choose locations.

Environmental

Look for installation locations away from transformers, heavy-duty motors,

Requirements

fluorescent lights, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and other industrial equipment.

 

 

 

Avoid areas with excessive moisture, heat, and dust. Signal loss can occur when

 

 

 

metal, concrete, Interfering metal fire breaks, walls, or floors block transmission.

 

 

 

Doorways and passages can also affect the radio signal.

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3Com 11 Mbps manual Conducting a Site Survey, Choosing Trial, Locations, Environmental, Requirements
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11 Mbps specifications

3Com 11 Mbps was a pivotal product in the evolution of networking technology, paving the way for wireless communications as we know them today. Introduced in the late 1990s, this wireless LAN (Local Area Network) product utilized the IEEE 802.11 standard, which defined the protocols for wireless networking. Operating at a maximum data rate of 11 megabits per second, it offered users a revolutionary means of connecting devices without the constraints of physical cabling.

One of the main features of the 3Com 11 Mbps solution was its simplicity and ease of installation. Unlike traditional wired networks that involved intricate setups of cabling and switches, 3Com facilitated a swift deployment process. Users could set up a wireless network in minutes, allowing organizations to enhance their productivity without extensive infrastructure.

The technology behind 3Com 11 Mbps was based on Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) modulation. This approach spread the signal over a wider frequency range, which improved resistance to interference from other devices. The 2.4 GHz frequency band used by this network supported compatibility with various devices, making it a flexible option for businesses and homes alike.

In terms of security, 3Com incorporated Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which aimed to provide a level of data confidentiality comparable to that found in wired networks. However, WEP was later found to have vulnerabilities, leading to the development of more secure protocols like WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2 in subsequent technologies.

Another characteristic that distinguished the 3Com 11 Mbps system was its ability to support multiple devices simultaneously. With the emergence of wireless laptops, printers, and other peripherals, a single access point could service several users without significant performance degradation.

Ultimately, the 3Com 11 Mbps was a significant stepping stone in the development of wireless technology. It showcased the potential of wireless networking and set the standard for future innovations. Although much faster and more secure wireless technologies have since emerged, the legacy of 3Com 11 Mbps resides in the fundamental advancements it brought to the realm of connectivity, making it easier and more accessible for users around the globe.
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