Wi-Fi site surveys: predictive, passive and active, and when you need each
KINNEX Team4 min read
Wi-Fi problems often come from placing access points by eye.
Predictive survey
Software models the building from the floor plan and wall materials. Fast and inexpensive, useful for quotes and early design. It is only as accurate as the inputs.
Passive (post-install) survey
An engineer walks the site measuring signal strength, noise and interference from existing access points. It shows coverage and overlap as they really are.
Active survey
The surveyor connects to the network and measures throughput, latency and roaming from a client’s view. This tests the real user experience.
When to use which
- New building: predictive, then verify after installation.
- Complaints in an existing site: passive and active.
- High-density spaces such as halls, hotels and warehouses: all three.
What a good report contains
Heat maps, the access-point schedule with positions and mounting heights, channel and power plan, cabling and PoE needs, and recommendations.
Remember
Walls, glass, racking, lifts and crowds change everything. Survey in conditions close to real use.