Introduction to WLAN Planning and Planner

2.3Planner: A Complete WLAN Planning Solution

Planner makes the task of WLAN planning simple. Its easy‐to‐use interface provides rich visibility into security exposure, RF coverage, channel allocation, and available link speed in WLANs. This ensures security, high reliability, and optimal configuration of WLANs.

Planner provides the following:

•Advanced prediction model for Sensor and AP placement

•Device database with preset options for common AP models, Sensors models.

•Ability to add new AP models and antennae

•Building material database

•Cross Floor coverage

•Live AP calibration

Once you model the layout of the facility, you can place APs (Refer to Appendix D: Glossary of Terms) using a simple drag and drop operation to generate RF maps and a comprehensive set of deliverables as described in the following section.

2.4Deliverables from Planner

•Site Model for future RF planning

•Bill of Material (BoM) for 3Com ® AirProtect Enterprise Sensors (Sensors)

•BoM for APs and antennae

¾Number and location of Sensors

¾Number, location, and configuration of APs

¾Antenna types and location

•RF Maps

¾Security View: Coverage inside the Perimeter, Coverage beyond the Perimeter, Redundancy

¾Access Points: Coverage, Spillage, Channel Allocation, Interference, and Redundancy

•Consolidated planning report

¾BoM for Sensors and APs

¾RF maps for security (Sensors) coverage

¾RF maps for network (AP) coverage

¾With/out Customer Input

¾WLAN basics

•Files

¾.spm

¾.prj (project)

¾.zip (compressed project file in .zip format)

2.5Planner: Benefits

Planner provides visibility into the WLAN allowing the network administrator to:

•Eliminate security risks by minimizing signal spillage to protect the network.

•Plan for security using Sensors to maximize detection and prevention of threats.

•Reduce the Operating Expenditure (OPEX) by estimating the network performance and minimizing network problems and on‐going network maintenance through proper planning.

•Reduce Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) by investing only in the required equipments and eliminating expensive site surveys.

•Increase visibility for security exposure analysis and effective maintenance by understanding the impact of upgrades.

•Satisfy user needs by reducing network downtime and maximizing coverage, network capacity, and throughput.

•Provide ‘What‐If’ scenarios when there is a change in the layout or in the placement of furniture, or any addition or deletion of WLAN equipments.

•‘What‐If’ analysis to migrate to 802.11n devices from the existing legacy systems.

•WLAN Planning Wizard

¾Capacity Planning

¾Coverage Planning

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3Com ® AirProtect Planner User Guide