RE: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools
I wanted to thank everyone who provided valuable input, both publicly and privately, regarding Network Computing's planned feature article on wireless analysis tools. To be honest, I was a little surprised that AMP was the most oft-mentioned tool, but I think I understand why. While it's great to have a bunch of point tools to help you manage your WLAN, it's even nicer to have a flexible centralized management console that provides timely and actionable information. Too bad the wireless system vendors themselves don't do a better job of meeting that need. Having said that, I think a review of AMP is somewhat beyond the scope of this specific article but I am planning to do some kind of formal evaluation, perhaps in conjunction with Wavelink and other AP-agnostic management systems. For this feature, we are trying to get a grip on more portable tools that go beyond the configuration and performance management capabilities of AMP, including spectrum analyzers, 802.11 scanners, protocol analyzers, etc. dm > -Original Message- > From: Earl Barfield [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 1:06 PM > To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU > Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools > > We at Georgia Tech use Airwave Management Platform with our network of > roughly 850 access points. We have a mix of Cisco, Proxim, and even a > Vivato thrown in. AMP monitors them all. It has been such an > improvement to have a consistent user interface to manage all the APs > from the different vendors. > > We've got our captive portal configured to send radius accounting packets > to AMP. This provides the mapping between client MAC address and user > login name. When a user calls the helpdesk with a wireless complaint, > we can look him up by login name and pretty quickly see what his > client MAC address is, which AP he's associated with, etc. > > As one user commented, some functions are not well supported with the > Proxim APs. In the case that mattered to us, Airwave told us that > they can only present the data that Proxim provides and the Proxim APs > were providing inaccurate data. The particular case was a Proxim AP1000 > with dual 802.11b radios that was showing some crazy numbers (in the > hundreds) of users associated simultaneously. This was skewing all > the nightly reports of utilized APs, etc. I finally gave in and > replaced the AP1000 with an AP2000. > > I really like the Airwave product. They're responsive to feature > requests and their support folks are great. We've even written a few > simple scrips to extract data from the Airwave data store. Very > handy. > > > > -- > Earl Barfield -- Academic & Research Technologies / Information > Technology > Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332 > Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ** > Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent > Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools
I too have/had Airwave. Their support for the Proxim products is lacking to say the least and therefore it wasn't much use to me. I hear it works well with CSICO. Ken Connell Intermediate Network Engineer Computer & Communication Services Ryerson University 350 Victoria St RM AB50 Toronto, Ont M5B 2K3 416-979-5000 x6709 - Original Message - From: Tom Zeller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 12:24 pm Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools > In response to Dave Molta's query: > > Indiana University has well over 1000 access points. Our favorite > tool is the AMP software from Airwave. It provides an excellent > overall central management platform, supports many brands of APs, > pushes firmware, provides realtime data with detailed drill-down, > holds a database of configurations and matches that against SNMP > results (flagging mismatches due to mis-configuration), and > provides > a ping failure alert service. > > Sorry if that sounds like an ad, but unlike most management > software > we have tried, it works well for us. > > Another tool: One of our engineers carries a WiFi telephone (we > don't > support this generally) as an application-level test of wireless > connectivity. If he gets good voice quality on the phone, his > laptop > will be happy too. And it's a faster test than booting a laptop. > > Tom Zeller > Telecommunications Technical Advisor > Indiana University > (812) 855-6214 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ** > Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE > Constituent Group discussion list can be found at > http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools
1, Most common problems: a. Users putting up their own APs and then providing open access to our entire network through it. b. VPN configuration issues. Our users must go through our VPN for access to anything other than basic Web browsing or email. 2. Helpful Tools: a. AirWave AMP product does incrediblty well in managing my 250+ Cisco APS. Most are 1200 series boxes with a few old 340/350s still around. The ability to config a new box just like others (with a few things like IP address & name) still being unique is a piece of cake. In addition, the unit tracks device uptimes, device usage, client usage across APs, etc. A piece of cake to drive. b. The Cisco ADU software for doing site surveys and getting stats on throughput, errors, frequency usage, etc. c. The NetMRI box does a good job of finding rogue APs across an entire network. It will handle any size address space(s) you point it to. But, it is way too pricy. Our was a demo unit that is now gone. -jcw > To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU > From: Dave Molta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 08:58:14 -0400 > Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools > Reply-To: "802.11 wireless issues listserv" > > > I'm working with a couple of my students here at Syracuse on an article for > a December issue of Network Computing magazine that we are tentatively > calling the "Wireless LAN Analysis Toolkit." We're hoping to provide readers > with an understanding of the range of problems faced by managers of large > WLANs along with a feel for the essential tools that are available, both > commercial and open-source. We're thinking about everything from the > physical layer (e.g., spectrum analyzers) all the way up the stack. Since > Frank Bulk recently looked at distributed monitoring systems, we're not > planning to cover those products explicitly. > > We're looking for help from current WLAN managers. You can either provide > general input or answer the following two questions. I hope in most cases > you would be willing to post your thoughts publicly, but if you have > comments that are of a sensitive nature, you can e-mail me directly. > > 1. What are the most common WLAN problems you face, either in the design or > operation of your network, for which WLAN analysis tools might be helpful? > > 2. Which specific available tools -- commercial or otherwise -- are most > helpful in allowing you to do your job? > > Thanks, > > Dave Molta > Director, Syracuse University Center for Emerging Network Technologies > Sr. Technology Editor, Network Computing > 315-443-4549 > > ** > Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent > Group discussion list > can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. > John Watters UA: Office of Information Technology 205-348-3992 ** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools
> 1. What are the most common WLAN problems you face, either in the design or > operation of your network, for which WLAN analysis tools might be helpful? #1, Ad-Hoc networks in large classrooms #2, Interferences on 5 GHz, point-to-point links #3, People believing that we need to secure WLANs at all prices > > 2. Which specific available tools -- commercial or otherwise -- are most > helpful in allowing you to do your job? #1, -Education for prevention -Netstumbler etc.. for Detection -On-site visit and yelling, for remediation (cannot detect a specific user when 200 laptops are next to each other...don't want to use jamming solutions #2, -We use of a portable Spectrum Analyzer #3, -Secure Applications, then revisit the problem! (WLAN security is only between Devices and APs it's all clear after that!) Philippe Hanset University of Tennessee > Thanks, > > Dave Molta > Director, Syracuse University Center for Emerging Network Technologies > Sr. Technology Editor, Network Computing > 315-443-4549 > > ** > Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent > Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. > ** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
RE: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools
> 1. What are the most common WLAN problems you face, either in > the design or operation of your network, for which WLAN > analysis tools might be helpful? 1: Misconfigured clients. Same as it ever was - if we didn't have users on the network, life would be so much simpler. 2. Poor receptivity of clients (can anyone say titanium-shelled Macs!) 3. Intermittent connectivity. RF is dyanmic. Deal with it. > > 2. Which specific available tools -- commercial or otherwise > -- are most helpful in allowing you to do your job? 1. Airwave Monitoring Platform (AMP.) Even with an all-Cisco infrastructure, this is hands-down the best tool we have for keeping tabs on what's up in our network. 2. Airmagnet Sniffer. Sooo nice to be able to see everthing at once. Wish it had better depth on decodes, tho. 3. The Cisco ADU - a very well designed client interface and really handy for basic troubleshooting in our environment, see above. ** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
RE: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools
1. Devices using 802.11 that were purchased by faculty for the classroom ie: AMX panels, Qwizdom. It has been difficult getting information from the factory for these devices as far as RF Radio specifications and data patterns. 2. To get a layer one snapshot of the radios being used, we have purchased a PSA37xp from AVCOM of Virginia. With this tool, I was able to get a footprint of the devices radio to determine channel used and power output. Chip Greene Network Specialist University of Richmond -Original Message- From: Dave Molta [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, July 18, 2005 8:58 AM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools I'm working with a couple of my students here at Syracuse on an article for a December issue of Network Computing magazine that we are tentatively calling the "Wireless LAN Analysis Toolkit." We're hoping to provide readers with an understanding of the range of problems faced by managers of large WLANs along with a feel for the essential tools that are available, both commercial and open-source. We're thinking about everything from the physical layer (e.g., spectrum analyzers) all the way up the stack. Since Frank Bulk recently looked at distributed monitoring systems, we're not planning to cover those products explicitly. We're looking for help from current WLAN managers. You can either provide general input or answer the following two questions. I hope in most cases you would be willing to post your thoughts publicly, but if you have comments that are of a sensitive nature, you can e-mail me directly. 1. What are the most common WLAN problems you face, either in the design or operation of your network, for which WLAN analysis tools might be helpful? 2. Which specific available tools -- commercial or otherwise -- are most helpful in allowing you to do your job? Thanks, Dave Molta Director, Syracuse University Center for Emerging Network Technologies Sr. Technology Editor, Network Computing 315-443-4549 ** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools
1. What are the most common WLAN problems you face, either in the design or operation of your network, for which WLAN analysis tools might be helpful? - Rogue APs- but are only of concern if executive policy forbids them and is enforceable (hot and cold here at SU) - Design/budgetary planning- people want to know what it will cost to do a building without a valid/realistic survey - User education- some things just aren't suited for wireless/doing things over wireless with no security 2. Which specific available tools -- commercial or otherwise -- are most helpful in allowing you to do your job? - Ekahau works nicely for planning - AirMAgnet wonderful all-around tool - Wild Packets AiroPeek- nice decodes - Net stumbler/WiFiFoFum, other freebies- they are free - Noppix Auditor suite- free, host of Linux-based powerful wireless tools Lee Lee H. Badman Network Engineer CWSP, CWNA (CWNP011288) Computing and Media Services (NSS) 250 Machinery Hall Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 13244 (315) 443-3003 Voice (315) 443-1621 Fax ** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
RE: [WIRELESS-LAN] WLAN Analysis Tools
> > We're looking for help from current WLAN managers. You can > either provide general input or answer the following two > questions. I hope in most cases you would be willing to post > your thoughts publicly, but if you have comments that are of > a sensitive nature, you can e-mail me directly. > > 1. What are the most common WLAN problems you face, either in > the design or operation of your network, for which WLAN > analysis tools might be helpful? Bridging of the wired and wireless interface, and interference from Rougue/AdHoc Wireless Networks. > > 2. Which specific available tools -- commercial or otherwise > -- are most helpful in allowing you to do your job? Ethereal, Allows packet capture and basic decodes on wireless frames. Ekahau Site Survey. Site Survey tool that also is very good at detecting hidden networks (With appropriate card) Network Stumbler. ** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
