40CHAPTER 5: CONDUCTING A SITE SURVEY

 

3 From the Run menu, select Start Test.

 

The tests take a few moments to run. When they are finished, the results appear

 

in the window. For details on the information that is presented, see “Interpreting

 

Test Results” on page 40.

 

4 Optionally, save the test: From the File menu, select Save. Name the test and save

 

it in the location of your choice. The Site Survey tool appends the characters .ssf to

 

the file name.

 

5 Move the client to the next test location and perform the next test:

 

a

If you previously saved the test, open it: From the File menu, select Open.

 

 

Select the saved test, and click OK.

 

b

In the PC Test Location field, type the new location of the wireless client. For

 

 

example, if you are in office number 2, type Office2.

 

c

From the Run menu, select Start Test.

 

 

The tests take a few moments to run. When they are finished, the results

 

 

appear in the window.

 

6 Repeat the tests in all of the client test locations. Specify a unique name for each

 

client test location.

 

7 When you are finished testing the first access point location in all of the client test

 

locations, place the access point in the next location, power it up, and repeat the

 

tests from the same client test locations. Repeat this process for all access point

 

locations. Make sure that you specify a new name for each access point location,

 

and that you use the same set of client test locations for each access point location.

 

At any time during the testing, you can save the current set of tests, start a new

 

set of tests, and print test results. For a description of the commands available in

 

the utility, see “Site Survey Menus” on page 41.

 

 

Interpreting Test

As you run the tests, the Site Survey utility keeps track of results and builds a list of

Results

access point locations rated from best to least desirable. In the 3Com 11 Mbps

 

Wireless LAN Site Survey window you see the following information:

 

■

Preferred AP Test Locations—This list of access point locations appears in the

 

 

left-hand pane of the window, and is sorted from best to least desirable, based

 

 

on the test results in the right-hand pane.

 

■

AP Test Location—This column lists access point locations associated with

 

 

client test locations listed in the PC Test Location column. You can sort this list

 

 

in ascending or descending order by clicking the AP Test Location column head.

 

■

PC Test Location—This column lists client test locations associated with access

 

 

point locations listed in the AP Test Location column. You can sort this list in

 

 

ascending or descending order by clicking the PC Test Location column head.

 

■

Throughput—This column lists the throughput in kilobytes per second for

 

 

each pair of access point and client test locations. Larger numbers indicate

 

 

better throughput. You can sort this list in ascending or descending order by

 

 

clicking the Throughput column head.

 

■

Avg Ping RTT—This column lists the average time it takes for a ping to travel

 

 

round trip from the client to the access point, in milliseconds. Smaller numbers

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3Com 11 Mbps manual Interpreting Test, Results
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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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