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Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for MS-DOS
OL-1744-02
Chapter 4 Utilities
Site Survey and Link Test
Site Survey and Link Test
To perform a meaningful site survey, you need t o conduct a test that accu rately models the intended use
of the system. It is important to perform a site survey using equipment that is similar to that
implemented. Survey thes e it em s:
•Transmit power
•Antennas and types
•Antennas and locations
•Packet (fragment) size
•Interference
Conduct the site survey with al l variables set to the operatio nal values. You should also perform it during
the time the RF link is generally fu nctio nin g with all othe r syst ems an d nois e so urce s opera tion al. For
efficiency, execute the site survey applicatio n e ntirely from the mobile s tat io n .
The link test tool helps determine the RF network coverage. The results of the link test help eliminate
low RF signal level areas that can result in loss of connection b etween the PC Card and the acc ess point.
It is important to remember that the information being displayed is from the access point viewpoint.
Therefore, packets sent are fro m t he access point to the PC C ar d cl ien t. Pa cket s r ece ived a re fro m the
PC Card to the access po in t. S ig n al qu al it y i s an e s ti ma te o f th e si gnal strength recorded at th e t im e o f
packet reception by th e radio.

Using Windows 3.11 or DOS to Perform a Link Test Using Telnet

Note For additional information about performing link tests, refer to the documentation for the access
point your system is using.
Link test through a Telnet session/connection is a useful tool for determining:
•Coverage range of an access point
•Communication range of stations/mobile stations
Follow these steps to perf or m th e l ink test using a Telnet sessi on .
Step 1 Install the drivers.
Step 2 Configure the drivers for network operation.
Step 3 Ensure that mobile or portable PC Card devices and the access point have unique IP assignments.
Step 4 Set up an access point for the intended operation (set fragmentation thresholds, RTS thresholds, and so
on.)
Step 5 Start the operating syst em o n th e mobile station.
Step 6 Configure the adapter.
Step 7 Make sure the mobile stati o n i s as s oci at ed to t he access point.
Step 8 Start a Telnet session on the mobi le s tat io n to t he acc es s p o in t. D ep end i ng o n th e sy s te m i n use, the
Telnet application mi gh t have l og g ing and note taki ng capability. If so, ena ble these modes.