Hp Airprotect Wireless Security Software Users Manual 3Com+r+AirProtect+Planner+User+Guide V5.0

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3Com® AirProtect Planner
User Guide
3CWXPGS
Wireless LAN Planning for Security,
Coverage and Performance
Version 5.0
www.3Com.com
Part number: 10016914
June 2008
Disclaimer
3Com®AirProtectPlannerUserGuide
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TableofContents
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TableofContents
CHAPTER 1 GETTING STARTED...................................................................................................................................1
1.1 BEFORE YOU BEGIN .......................................................................................................................................................1
1.2 HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................................1
1.3 CONTACT INFORMATION.................................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 2 INTRODUCTION TO WLAN PLANNING AND PLANNER .................................................................2
2.1 WHAT IS WI-FI? .............................................................................................................................................................2
2.2 DISADVANTAGES OF POORLY PLANNED WLANS...........................................................................................................2
2.3 PLANNER: A COMPLETE WLAN PLANNING SOLUTION ..................................................................................................3
2.4 DELIVERABLES FROM PLANNER.....................................................................................................................................3
2.5 PLANNER: BENEFITS ......................................................................................................................................................3
2.6 WORKING OF PLANNER ..................................................................................................................................................4
2.7 PLANNER: WORKFLOW ..................................................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER 3 LAUNCHING PLANNER............................................................................................................................5
3.1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS ......................................................................................................................................................5
3.1.1 Dialogs...................................................................................................................................................................5
3.1.2 Messages ................................................................................................................................................................5
3.1.3 Trees .......................................................................................................................................................................5
3.1.4 Other Functions......................................................................................................................................................5
3.2 OPENING PLANNER ........................................................................................................................................................5
3.2.1 New Project File.....................................................................................................................................................6
3.3 SUPPORT FOR AUTOCAD ...............................................................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 4 WORKING WITH THE LOCATIONS TREE AND THE DEVICES LIST.........................................10
4.1 LOCATIONS TREE..........................................................................................................................................................10
4.1.1 Adding a new Location Folder.............................................................................................................................10
4.1.2 Adding a new Location Node ...............................................................................................................................10
Cross Floor Location folder................................................................................................................................................................ 14
Non-Cross Floor Location folder........................................................................................................................................................ 14
4.1.3 Managing Layers..................................................................................................................................................14
4.1.4 Viewing/Loading a Location.................................................................................................................................15
4.1.5 Closing a Location Node......................................................................................................................................16
4.1.6 Importing a Location............................................................................................................................................16
4.1.7 Cut/Copy/Paste a Location ..................................................................................................................................17
4.1.8 Moving a Location ...............................................................................................................................................18
4.1.9 Placing Locations on a Location Folder with an attached image........................................................................18
4.1.10 Renaming a Location........................................................................................................................................19
Renaming a Location Folder...............................................................................................................................................................19
Renaming a Location Node ................................................................................................................................................................ 20
4.1.11 Deleting a Location ..........................................................................................................................................20
4.1.12 Modifying Location Properties.........................................................................................................................20
4.2 DEVICES LIST...............................................................................................................................................................22
CHAPTER 5 MENU AND TOOLBAR OPTIONS .........................................................................................................24
5.1.1 Menu Items...........................................................................................................................................................24
File Menu............................................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Edit Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
View Menu ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Draw Menu......................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Drawing a Polygon ............................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Drawing a Curved Polygon.................................................................................................................................................................28
Tools Menu......................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Help Menu..........................................................................................................................................................................................30
5.1.2 Updating the License............................................................................................................................................30
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5.2 LAYOUT: ICONS ............................................................................................................................................................31
5.3 MANAGING OBJECTS WITHIN THE LAYOUT ..................................................................................................................33
5.3.1 Selecting Objects..................................................................................................................................................33
5.3.2 Moving an Object.................................................................................................................................................33
5.3.3 Changing the Properties of an Object..................................................................................................................33
5.4 MANAGING MATERIAL REPOSITORIES..........................................................................................................................34
5.4.1 Global Material Repository..................................................................................................................................34
5.4.2 Local Material Repository....................................................................................................................................35
5.4.3 Adding a Material ................................................................................................................................................36
5.5 LAYOUT: USING THE TOOLS OPTIONS ...........................................................................................................................37
5.5.1 AP Repository.......................................................................................................................................................37
Add AP ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
IEEE 802.11n Advance Parameters .................................................................................................................................................... 38
Modify AP ..........................................................................................................................................................................................39
Delete AP............................................................................................................................................................................................ 39
5.5.2 Sensor Repository.................................................................................................................................................39
Add Sensor .........................................................................................................................................................................................40
Modify Sensor Model.........................................................................................................................................................................41
Delete Sensor...................................................................................................................................................................................... 41
5.5.3 Antenna Repository ..............................................................................................................................................41
Add Antenna.......................................................................................................................................................................................42
Modify Antenna.................................................................................................................................................................................. 42
Delete Antenna.................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
5.5.4 Radiation Pattern Repository...............................................................................................................................43
Add Radiation Pattern......................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Modify Radiation Pattern.................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Delete Radiation Pattern.....................................................................................................................................................................45
5.5.5 Application Environment Repository....................................................................................................................45
Adding an Application Environment ..................................................................................................................................................46
Modifying an Application Environment .............................................................................................................................................46
Deleting an Application Environment................................................................................................................................................. 47
5.5.6 Waterfall Curve Repository ..................................................................................................................................47
Adding a Waterfall Curve ................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Modifying a Waterfall Curve ..............................................................................................................................................................49
Deleting a Waterfall Curve..................................................................................................................................................................50
5.5.7 Import Planner Settings........................................................................................................................................50
5.5.8 Export Planner Settings........................................................................................................................................51
5.5.9 Location Properties..............................................................................................................................................52
Location Properties: Dimensions Tab ................................................................................................................................................. 52
Location Properties: Calculations Tab ................................................................................................................................................53
Location Properties: Local Material Repository Tab ..........................................................................................................................54
5.5.10 Renumber Devices ............................................................................................................................................55
CHAPTER 6 WLAN PLANNING WIZARD ..................................................................................................................56
6.1 STEPS IN WLAN PLANNING.........................................................................................................................................56
Coverage Planning.............................................................................................................................................................................. 59
Capacity Planning............................................................................................................................................................................... 61
6.2 AUTO DEVICE PLACEMENT ..........................................................................................................................................64
6.3 AUTO CHANNEL ALLOCATION......................................................................................................................................65
6.4 ESTIMATING THE CAPACITY .........................................................................................................................................65
CHAPTER 7 DEVICE PLACEMENT ON THE LAYOUT MODEL...........................................................................66
7.1 PLANNING DEVICE PLACEMENT...................................................................................................................................66
7.1.1 RF View Area........................................................................................................................................................66
7.1.2 Status and Control Pane.......................................................................................................................................67
7.2 PLANNING DEVICE PLACEMENT: VIEWS FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LAYOUT ............................................................67
7.2.1 AP Coverage View................................................................................................................................................67
7.2.2 AP Channel View..................................................................................................................................................69
7.2.3 AP Link Speed View..............................................................................................................................................71
7.2.4 AP Interference View............................................................................................................................................72
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7.2.5 AP Redundancy View............................................................................................................................................74
7.2.6 AP SINR View.......................................................................................................................................................76
7.2.7 Sensor Coverage View..........................................................................................................................................77
7.2.8 Sensor Threat View...............................................................................................................................................79
7.2.9 Sensor Redundancy View......................................................................................................................................80
7.2.10 Calibration View...............................................................................................................................................82
7.3 PLANNING DEVICE PLACEMENT: STATUS AND CONTROL .............................................................................................83
7.3.1 Signal Certainty Level..........................................................................................................................................83
7.3.2 Accuracy...............................................................................................................................................................84
7.3.3 Opacity.................................................................................................................................................................84
7.3.4 Show Grid.............................................................................................................................................................84
7.3.5 View Layout Model...............................................................................................................................................84
7.3.6 Show RF Signal....................................................................................................................................................84
7.3.7 Show Spillage View ..............................................................................................................................................84
7.3.8 Selecting Protocols...............................................................................................................................................85
7.3.9 Calculate/Calibrate Button ..................................................................................................................................86
7.3.10 Color Palette.....................................................................................................................................................86
7.4 STATUS BAR .................................................................................................................................................................87
7.4.1 Cursor Location (X, Y) .........................................................................................................................................87
7.4.2 RSSI Display.........................................................................................................................................................87
7.4.3 Layout Dimensions...............................................................................................................................................87
7.4.4 Current Mode .......................................................................................................................................................87
7.4.5 Interference ..........................................................................................................................................................87
7.4.6 SINR .....................................................................................................................................................................87
7.5 DEVICE LIBRARY..........................................................................................................................................................88
7.6 DEVICE PROPERTIES.....................................................................................................................................................89
7.6.1 Access Point Properties........................................................................................................................................89
7.6.2 Sensor Properties .................................................................................................................................................91
7.7 VIEWING SIGNAL STRENGTH........................................................................................................................................92
7.8 STATISTICS ...................................................................................................................................................................92
7.9 SAVING THE FILE..........................................................................................................................................................95
7.10 SAVING THE PROJECT FILE........................................................................................................................................95
CHAPTER 8 SETTINGS...................................................................................................................................................97
8.1 SETTINGS: INVOKING FROM TOOLS MENU ...................................................................................................................97
8.2 SETTINGS: PREFERENCES .............................................................................................................................................97
8.2.1 Preferences: Layout Designer ..............................................................................................................................97
8.2.2 Preferences: AP Views..........................................................................................................................................98
8.2.3 Preferences: Sensor Views....................................................................................................................................98
8.2.4 Preferences: Color Palettes..................................................................................................................................99
8.2.5 Preferences: Calibration ......................................................................................................................................99
8.3 SETTINGS: AP DEFAULTS............................................................................................................................................100
8.4 SETTINGS: SENSOR DEFAULTS....................................................................................................................................102
CHAPTER 9 GENERATING OUTPUT FROM PLANNER.......................................................................................104
9.1 WLAN PLANNING REPORT ........................................................................................................................................104
APPENDIX A: PLANNING SENSORS...............................................................................................................................107
PLACEMENT OF SENSORS ......................................................................................................................................................107
APPENDIX B: INTEGRATION OF 3COM ® AIRPROTECT PLANNER AND 3COM ® AIRPROTECT
ENTERPRISE........................................................................................................................................................................108
EXPORTING THE PROJECT FROM PLANNER ............................................................................................................................108
APPENDIX C: FILE LEVEL AND APPLICATION LEVEL PARAMETERS...............................................................110
APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY OF TERMS ........................................................................................................................... 111
GettingStarted
3Com®AirProtectPlannerUserGuide
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Chapter1 GettingStarted
1.1 BeforeYouBegin
Thankyouforpurchasing3Com®AirProtectPlanner(Planner),astateoftheartWirelessLocalAreaNetwork(WLAN)
securityandnetworkplanningtooldevelopedby3ComCorporation.
1.2 Howtogetmoreinformation
Toreceiveimportantnewsonproductupdates,pleasevisitourwebsiteatwww.3com.com.
1.3 ContactInformation
3ComCorporation
350CampusDrive,Marlborough,MA01752
5083235000(Tel)
5083231111(Fax)
Fortechnicalsupport,sendanemailto:esupport@3com.com
IntroductiontoWLANPlanningandPlanner
3Com®AirProtectPlannerUserGuide
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Chapter2 IntroductiontoWLANPlanningandPlanner
WirelessLocalAreaNetworks(WLANs)connectyouinstantlyevenwhileyouaremoving.Theyprovideconvenientand
increasinglyflexibleproductivityintoday’scorporateandindustrialenvironment.However,WLANsneedtobeproperly
plannedforadequatecoverageandsecuritytogetthesebenefits.Thischapterdiscussesthedisadvantagesofpoorlyplanned
WLANsandpresentsPlannerasthesolutiontosuchproblems.
Plannerplanstheentirenetworkwiththehelpofvariousoutdoorobjectsnamely,buildings,trees,waterbodies,indoor
buildingobjectsnamely,walls,windows,doors,elevatorshafts,furniture,concretecolumns,andmetalobjects;anddevices
suchasAccessPoints(APs)andSensors.TheinitialinputtoPlannerisalayoutimageinanygraphicalformat.Asanoutput,
itgeneratesvariousRFviewsandthenassemblestheseviewsintoacomprehensiveRFplanningreport.
2.1 WhatisWiFi?
WiFiisanothernameforIEEE802.11basedWLANs.Thesenetworksoperateatanduse802.11a,5GHz,802.11b/g,2.4GHz
andtheemerging802.11n,2.4and5GHz.WiFiispromulgatedbytheWiFiAlliance.ProductscertifiedasWiFicompatible
byWiFiAllianceareinteroperablewitheachothereveniftheyarefromdifferentmanufacturers.Youcanuseanybrandof
APwithanyotherbrandofClienthardwarethatisbuilttotheWiFistandard.WiFihasgainingacceptanceinhomes,offices,
andpublicplaceslikecoffeeshops,hotels,andairports.
2.2 DisadvantagesofPoorlyPlannedWLANs
PoorlyplannedWLANshavethefollowingrisks:
LowPerformance:Lackofcoverage,capacity,andthroughputplanningresultsinpoorconnectivityspeedsincertain
areas.Thiscouldresultinlowperformanceofthenetwork.
HighSecurityRisk:RFsignalsspillduetotheverynatureofthewirelessnetworkenvironment.Forexample,
hackerscouldtapintotheWLANfromtheparkinglotorthestreet.Thiscanleadtoserioussecuritybreaches.
BadUserExperience:Lowperformance,throughput,orcoverageleadtobaduserexperience.
HighOperationalExpenses(OPEX):Networkadministratorshavetospendalotoftimeandeffortin
troubleshootingissues,qualityofservice,andsecurityexposureafterthedeploymentofnetworks.Thisleadsto
higheroperationalexpenses.
LowerReturnonInvestment(RoI):ApoorlyplannednetworkresultsinalowerRoIastheproductivitygainsare
notashighaspredicted.
Thecurrentstateoftheartistocarryoutasitesurvey(alsocalledradiosurvey),usebestpracticesforAPplacement,oreven
performdeploymentonadhocbasis.Thesemethodshavethefollowinglimitations:
Sitesurveysaretimeconsuming,expensive,andpronetoerrors.
Adhocdeploymentsposedifficultyinvisualizingnetworkcoverage,leadtosecurityexposure,andcausechannel
interference.
‘WhatIfscenariosarenotpossibleinsitesurveyoradhocdeploymentmethods.
ThereisnoestablishedpracticeforplanningWLANsecuritynetworks,anessentialpartofITsecurityintoday’snetwork
environment.
PredeploymentenablessuccessfulWLANdeploymentsby:
Maximizingnetworkcoverageandthroughput
Minimizingchannelinterference
MinimizingsecurityexposurebyensuringminimumsignalspillageoutsidethedesignatedareaofWLANoperation
Providing‘WhatIfscenariosfortradeoffbetweensecurityexposureduetosignalspillageandnetworkcoverage
MaximizingthedetectionandpreventionrangeofWLANsecuritySensors
PlanningSensorstoensurereliablelocationtrackingofunauthorizeddevices
EnsuringthateventheweakesttransmitterisdetectedandpreventedbytheSensors
Planningtoenablelive24x7RFmonitoring
Troubleshootingremotely
Restructuringthewholeplanespeciallywhileextendingtheexistingofficespaceordeployingnewequipments
IntroductiontoWLANPlanningandPlanner
3Com®AirProtectPlannerUserGuide
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2.3 Planner:ACompleteWLANPlanningSolution
PlannermakesthetaskofWLANplanningsimple.Itseasytouseinterfaceprovidesrichvisibilityintosecurityexposure,RF
coverage,channelallocation,andavailablelinkspeedinWLANs.Thisensuressecurity,highreliability,andoptimal
configurationofWLANs.
Plannerprovidesthefollowing:
AdvancedpredictionmodelforSensorandAPplacement
DevicedatabasewithpresetoptionsforcommonAPmodels,Sensorsmodels.
AbilitytoaddnewAPmodelsandantennae
Buildingmaterialdatabase
CrossFloorcoverage
LiveAPcalibration
Onceyoumodelthelayoutofthefacility,youcanplaceAPs(RefertoAppendixD:GlossaryofTerms)usingasimpledrag
anddropoperationtogenerateRFmapsandacomprehensivesetofdeliverablesasdescribedinthefollowingsection.
2.4 DeliverablesfromPlanner
SiteModelforfutureRFplanning
BillofMaterial(BoM)for3Com®AirProtectEnterpriseSensors(Sensors)
BoMforAPsandantennae
¾ NumberandlocationofSensors
¾ Number,location,andconfigurationofAPs
¾ Antennatypesandlocation
RFMaps
¾ SecurityView:CoverageinsidethePerimeter,CoveragebeyondthePerimeter,Redundancy
¾ AccessPoints:Coverage,Spillage,ChannelAllocation,Interference,andRedundancy
Consolidatedplanningreport
¾ BoMforSensorsandAPs
¾ RFmapsforsecurity(Sensors)coverage
¾ RFmapsfornetwork(AP)coverage
¾ With/outCustomerInput
¾ WLANbasics
Files
¾ .spm
¾ .prj(project)
¾ .zip(compressedprojectfilein.zipformat)
2.5 Planner:Benefits
PlannerprovidesvisibilityintotheWLANallowingthenetworkadministratorto:
Eliminatesecurityrisksbyminimizingsignalspillagetoprotectthenetwork.
PlanforsecurityusingSensorstomaximizedetectionandpreventionofthreats.
ReducetheOperatingExpenditure(OPEX)byestimatingthenetworkperformanceandminimizingnetwork
problemsandongoingnetworkmaintenancethroughproperplanning.
ReduceCapitalExpenditure(CAPEX)byinvestingonlyintherequiredequipmentsandeliminatingexpensivesite
surveys.
Increasevisibilityforsecurityexposureanalysisandeffectivemaintenancebyunderstandingtheimpactof
upgrades.
Satisfyuserneedsbyreducingnetworkdowntimeandmaximizingcoverage,networkcapacity,andthroughput.
Provide‘WhatIf’scenarioswhenthereisachangeinthelayoutorintheplacementoffurniture,oranyadditionor
deletionofWLANequipments.
‘WhatIfanalysistomigrateto802.11ndevicesfromtheexistinglegacysystems.
WLANPlanningWizard
¾ CapacityPlanning
¾ CoveragePlanning
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¾ AutoDevicePlacement
¾ AutoChannelAllocation
CapacityEstimation
SupportofAutoCADfilesforsitemodeling.
2.6 WorkingofPlanner
PerformthefollowingstepsforWLANPlanningusingPlanner:
1 Installing
2 Launching
3 DesigningaLayout
4 PlanningWLANforsecurity,coverage,andspeed
5 Settingvariousprotocols,filters,andadvancedparametersforaccurateRFviews
6 GeneratingaBoMandreports
2.7 Planner:Workflow
PlannerhelpsyouplantheentireWLANwithminimalinputfromthecustomer.TheinputtoPlannerisalayoutimageinany
graphicalformatoravalidAutoCADfile.Youcancreateamodelofthedeploymentspacebyplacingobjectssuchaswalls,
windows,doors,furniture,andopenspacesontothelayoutasdepictedbelow.
Figure 1. Planner Workflow
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Chapter3 LaunchingPlanner
ThischaptershowsyouhowtolaunchPlannerandusethenewPlannerfile.
3.1 GlobalFunctions
Plannercontainsseveralcommonfunctionsthatapplythroughouttheapplication.Theyareasfollows:
3.1.1 Dialogs
ThefollowingfunctionsapplytoalldialogboxesinPlanner.Dependingonoptionsavailableinaparticulardialogbox,you
can:
Click<OK>toacceptanactionorsaveallthechangesandclosethedialogbox.
Click<Save>tosaveallthechangesmadeandclosethedialogbox.
Click<Cancel>todiscardtheactionorthechangesandclosethedialogbox.
Click<Apply>tosaveallchangeswhilekeepingthedialogboxopen.
Click<Delete>toremoveaselecteditem.
Click<Close>toclosethedialogbox.
Click<RestoretoDefaults>toresettofactorydefaults.
Click<ResettoInstallationDefaults>torestoretodefaultinstallationvalues.
Click<Yes>toaccepttheactioninthedialogbox.
Click<No>todenyordeclinetheactioninthedialogbox.
3.1.2 Messages
ThefollowingfunctionsapplytoallmessageboxesinPlanner.
Click<OK>forYes.
Click<Cancel>forNo.
Ifyouexceedtheallowedrangeforanyparameter,Plannerpopsupanalertmentioningthevalue/dataisinvalid,
andthatyouhavetobewithinthepermittedrange.
3.1.3 Trees
ThefollowingfunctionsapplytoalltreesinPlanner.Inanytree,youcanperformthefollowing:
Clicktoexpandthesubnodes.
Clicktocollapsethesubnodes.
Doubleclickthenodetexttoeitherexpandorcollapsesubnodes.
3.1.4 OtherFunctions
ThefollowingfunctionsapplytoalltherepositoriesandmessageboxesinPlanner:
Click intherelevantsectiontoviewmoreinformationabouttherespectivesection.
Onthevariousrepositoryscreens,clickthecolumnheaderofthetablestosortthelistofitemsinthetable.
3.2 OpeningPlanner
WhenyoulaunchPlanner,theOpenWiFiProjectdialogboxappears.Youcandooneofthefollowing:
1 CreateanewWiFiProject
2 SelectfromoneoftherecentlyusedWiFiProjects
3 OpenanexistingWiFiProject
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Figure 2. New Project
Click<CreateNew>tostartaNewProjectFiletocreateanewWiFiproject.
SelectafilefromtheRecentFilessectiontoviewarecentlyusedproject.
Click<Browse>toselectanexistingproject(.spm,.prjor.zip).
Click<Open>toinvoketheselectedWiFiproject.
3.2.1 NewProjectFile
YoucanstartanewprojectinPlannerbydoingoneofthefollowing:
FromtheFilemenu,selectNewProject.
Click<CreateNew>ontheOpenWiFiProjectdialogbox.
Click fromtheToolbar.
ThisopenstheNewProjectFiledialogbox.
Figure 3. New Project File
EnterthefollowingdetailsintheNewProjectFiledialogbox.
Name:Enterthedesirednameoftheproject.
Location:Enterthedesiredlocationfortheprojectorclick<Browse>tonavigatetothelocation.IntheBrowseFor
Folderdialogbox,selectalocationfromthefoldertreeorclick<MakeNewFolder>toaddanewlocationtothe
foldertree.
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Figure 4. Browsing for Folder
DirectoryName:Displaysthepathandtheprojectfiledirectoryname.
LocationMap:Enterthelocationofthedesiredlocationmapimageorclick<Browse>tonavigatetothefolder
containingthedesiredimage.
Ifyouenterinvaliddataorselectaninvalidfile,Plannerdisplaysanalert.
ThePlanneroutputsare:
ProjectfilecreatedandsavedasanXMLfilewithanextension‘.prj’.
PlannerfilecreatedandsavedasanXMLfilewithanextension‘.spm’.
Ifatalaterpoint,youmodifyandsavethisXMLoutputfile,byeditingitinatextpad,thefilebecomescorrupt.Afterthat,
youwillnotbeabletoopenthisfileinPlanner.
A.spmfileisboundtoa.prjfile.Youcannotcreatea.spmfileonly.Whenyoutrytoopena.spmfileseparatelyandnot
throughtheProject,Plannercreatesadefaultproject,createsanodeforthat.spmfileunderthe‘Root’locationfolder,and
displaysthe.spmfile.
Theprojectlayoutappearsasfollows.
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Figure 5. Project Layout
ThenewPlannerprojectlayoutscreenisdividedintothreepanesasfollows:
1 MenuandToolbarsatthetop:
TheMenubarprovidesPlanneroperations.TheToolbarprovidesbuttonsforquickoperations.Theoperationsenableyou
todesignandviewthelayout.RefertothesectionMenuItemsformoredetails.
2 LeftpaneconsistsoftheLocationstreeatthetopandtheDeviceslistbelow:
TheLocationstreecontainslocationfoldersandlocationnodes.Onlaunchinganewproject,PlannercreatestheLocations
treewiththe<ProjectName>astherootlocation.
TheDeviceslistcontainsalistofdevicesplacedonthefloormap.YoucanseethisdevicelistonlyiftheLocationNodeis
loaded.
TheLocationstreeandtheDeviceslistarediscussedfurtherinthesectionWorkingwithLocationTreeandDevicesList.
3 RightpaneconsistsofthePlannerLayoutModelforthelocation.
ThePlannerLayoutModelistheviewablelayoutareaforthelocationselectedintheLocationstree.
3.3 SupportforAutoCAD
PlannersupportsAutoCADfiles.AnAutoCADfilecontainsthedimensionsofthelayoutandalsoalistoflayersinthelayout.
WhenimportedintoPlanner,PlannerautomaticallypopulatestheDimensionsfield.Youcaneditthedimensions.Oncethese
dimensionsareaccepted,theManageLayersscreenappearswhereyoucanselecttherequiredlayers.Plannerselectsthe
layersthatareturnedonintheAutoCADfile,bydefault,andbasedonthat,importsandmodelsalltheobjectsfromthese
layers.Youdonothavetoremodeltheseobjects.RefertothesectionManagingLayerstoknowmoreaboutmanaginglayers
ofanAutoCADfile.
PlannersupportsthefollowingversionsofAutoCADfiles:
AutodeskDXFRelease10,11,12,13,14,2000,2002,2004/2005/2006
AutodeskDWGRelease9,10,11,12,13,14,2000,2002,2004/2005/2006
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PlannerallowsimportingofthefollowinginformationfromanAutoCADfile.
LayoutDimensions
LayerInformation
Plannersupportsthefollowingshapesofobjects.Alltheseshapesmustbe2D.
Lines
Rectangles
Polygons
Circles
Arcs
However,Plannerdoesnotsupportthefollowingshapes:
Doughnut
HollowArcs
CurvedPolygons
Spline
3Dobjects
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Chapter4 WorkingwiththeLocationsTreeandtheDevicesList
Plannerenablesyoutomodeltheenterpriseacrosslocations.Italsoenablesyoutoplacedevicesonalocationtoensure
optimumcoverage.TheLocationstreeandtheDeviceslistfeaturesappearontheleftpaneoftheprojectlayoutscreen.
4.1 LocationsTree
TheLocationstreeenablesyoutoorganizethenetworkintoalistoflocationsandviewlive802.11RFcoveragemapsforeach
locationnode.Thetreealsohelpsyoueasilynavigatethroughthelocationsandswitchbetweendifferentfloors.
TheLocationstreecomprisesoflocationfoldersandlocationnodes.
Locationfoldersrepresentorganizationalcomponentssuchasbuildings,cities,orcountries.
¾ RootLocation:Thisistherootlocation.PlannerassignstheProjectNameyouselect,asthenamefortheRoot
Location.Youcanrenamethislocation.However,youcannotdeleteormovethislocation.
Locationnodesrepresentcomponentdetailssuchasafloorinabuilding.Forexample,HawaiiConferenceRoom,
Bldg15–CubicleG2,orExecutiveArea.
Youcanperformvariousfunctionslikeadding,deleting,renaming,movingalocation,andsoonfromtheLocationstree.
4.1.1 AddinganewLocationFolder
IntheLocationstree,rightclickthelocationfolderunderwhichyouwishtoaddanewlocation,andselectAddLocation
Folder.TheNewLocationFolderdialogboxappears.
Figure 6. Adding a New Location Folder
Name:Enterthedesirednameforthenewlocationfolder.
LocationMap:SpecifythelocationoftheLocationMap.Alternately,click<Browse>tonavigatetothegraphical
locationmapthatyouwishtoimportintothelocationfolder.
ConsiderCrossFloorSpillage:Selectthischeckboxtoenablecrossfloorspillage.Plannerpopsupanalerttowarn
youthatthisactionisirreversibleonceCrossFloorfolderiscreated.Youcannotdeselectorchangethisoptionata
laterpoint.
4.1.2 AddinganewLocationNode
IntheLocationstree,rightclickthelocationfolderunderwhichyouwishtoaddanewlocationnode,andselectAdd
LocationNode.TheNewLocationNodedialogboxappears.
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Figure 7. Adding a New Location Node
TheNewLocationNodedialogboxconstitutesdetailsoftheLocationNodeandtwosections:DimensionsandCopyingof
Objects.
SpecifythefollowingdetailsoftheLocationNode:
Name:Enterthedesirednameforthenewlocationnode.
PlanType:SpecifyiftheplantypeisanIndoororOutdoorlayout.
LocationMap:SpecifyiftheLocationMapisa.jpgor.gifImage,oranAutoCADfile.Click<Browse>tonavigateto
thegraphicallocationmapthatyouwishtoimportintothelocationnode.
OnceyouselectandimportanAutoCADfileforalocationnode,theManageLayersdialogboxappears.
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Figure 8. Managing Layers of an AutoCAD file
CeilingHeight:Enterthedesiredceilingheightforthelayout.
CeilingMaterial:Selectthedesiredceilingmaterialforthelayoutfromthedropdownlist.
Note:LocationMapAutoCADoption,CeilingHeight,andCeilingMaterialareavailableonlyifyouselectIndoorLayoutasthe
PlanType.TheyarenotavailableforanOutdoorLayout.
RegulatoryDomain:Differentcountrieshaveregulatoryagenciespermittingaselectnumberofchannelsfor
protocols.SelecttherelevantcountryfromthedropdownlistforwhichyouaredoingWLANplanning.
ApplicationEnvironment:Selectthedesiredapplicationenvironmentfromthedropdownlist.
MinAttenuationFactor:Specifiestheminimumattenuationfactorsfor802.11a/nand802.11b/g/nprotocols,
dependingontheapplicationenvironmentselected.
MaxAttenuationFactor:Specifiesthemaximumattenuationfactorsfor802.11a/nand802.11b/g/nprotocols,
dependingontheapplicationenvironmentselected.
Dimensions
Unit:Selecttheunitofmeasurementyouwanttouseforthelayoutfromthedropdownlist.
a:Specifythelengthofthelayout.
b:Specifythewidthofthelayout.
LockAspectRatio:AllowsyoutomaintaintheratioofthelengthandwidthofthelayouttothatoftheLayoutimage
selectedearlier.Toachievethis:
1. SelectLockAspectRatiobeforeenteringthedimensionsofthelayout.
2. Enteranyoneofthetwodimensionsofthelayout.Thevalueoftheotherdimensionisautomaticallyenteredas
perthedefaultaspectratio.
LayoutDimensions:Displaysapreviewofthelayoutmap.
Incaseyoudonotknowthedimensionsofthelayout,click<HelpMe>.TheFindLayoutDimensionsscreenappears.
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Figure 9. Finding Layout Dimensions
Clickonepoint,thendragthemouseandclickanotherpoint.TheDimensiondialogboxappears.
Figure 10. Dimensions
Distance:Specifythedistancebetweenthetwoselectedpointsonthismap.Theunitofmeasurementistheone
mentionedintheNewLocationNodedialogbox.Plannerusesthisinformationtoscalethedimensionsofthelayout,
anddisplaysthesameinthecorrespondingfieldsintheNewLocationNodedialogbox.
Note:EnsurethatthedistanceyouspecifyintheDimensiondialogboxisaccurate.Otherwise,therewillbedrasticdifferenceinthe
actualdimensionsandthedimensionscalculatedbyPlanner.
IfyouimportanAutoCADfile,PlannerextractsthedimensionsfromtheAutoCADfile.Itissometimesobservedthatthedimensions
derivedfromtheAutoCADfilearenotcorrectasitshowsthecompletecanvassize.Hence,ensurethatyouentertheexactdimensionsof
thelayout.
CopyingofObjects:
CopyObjectsFrom:Allowsyoutocopyallobjectsfromthepreviouslycreatedlayouts.Selectthelayoutfromwhich
youwanttocopyobjectsfromthedropdownlist.
CopyOptions:Selecttheitemsyouwishtocopy:LayoutObjects,Devices,andCalibrationPoints.
Note:PlannerenablesCopyingofObjectsonlyifthereismorethanonenodeunderalocationfolderandthatfolderhasConsiderCross
FloorSpillageactivated.
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Onceyouaredoneandclick<OK>,aConfirmdialogboxtoopenthecreatedlocationappears.Alternately,click<Cancel>to
discardaction.
CrossFloorLocationfolder
WhenyoucreatealocationfolderwiththeConsiderCrossFloorSpillagecheckboxenabled,theninformationofallthenodes
isbundledandstoredinonesingle.spmfile.Bydefault,thenameofthe.spmfileisthenameofthefirstnodethatyoucreate.
ItispossibletoaddalocationnodeunderaCrossFloorlocationfolder.However,youcannotaddalocationfolderundera
CrossFloorlocationfolder.
ThedimensionsofallthenodesinaCrossFloorfolderarethesame.Forexample,whiledefiningNode1,youspecifya=500
andb=600.Then,Plannerusesthesamedimensionsforallthenodescreatedthereafterinthatfolder.SincePlannerextracts
thedimensionsautomaticallyincaseofanAutoCADfile,theseextracteddimensionsmustmatchthedimensionsofthefirst
nodethatwascreated.Otherwise,PlannerdoesnotallowtheimportoftheAutoCADfile.
Additionally,whenyoucreatethesecondnodeundertheCrossFloorlocationfolder,youcannotchangetheregulatory
domain.
Note:TomodifythedimensionsofanodeunderaCrossFloorLocationfolder,rightclickanodeandselectLoadLocationNode.Planner
automaticallyappliesthesedimensionstorestofthenodesunderthisfolder.
TheCrossFloorlocationfolderisrepresentedbythe icon.
NonCrossFloorLocationfolder
WhenyoucreatealocationfolderwithouttheConsiderCrossFloorSpillagecheckboxenabled,informationofeachnodeis
storedinseparate.spmfiles.YoucanaddaCrossFloorlocationfolderunderaNonCrossFloorlocationfolder.
TheNonCrossFloorlocationfolderisrepresentedbytheicon.
4.1.3 ManagingLayers
TheManageLayersdialogboxdisplaysdetailsoflayersinanAutoCADfile.WhenyouselectandimportanAutoCADfile
foralocationnode,theManageLayersdialogboxappears.
Figure 11. Managing Layers of an AutoCAD file
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IntheManageLayersdialogbox,someorallthelayersareselectedbydefault.ThisisbecauseeveryAutoCADfilestoresthe
statusofthelayersthatareturnedonoroffbasedontheselectedcheckboxesoflayers.
LayerName:Selectthecheckboxagainstthelayersyouwant.Youcanoverridetheexistingstatusofeachlayerby
manuallyselectingthembasedonyourrequirement.
MaterialType:Selectthematerialtypefromthedropdownlist,aspopulatedfromthematerialrepository.Planner
usesallthisinformationtomodeltheobjectsonthefloormap.
Preview:Reflectsthechangeswiththeselectionoflayers.
Enlargethisview:Clicktoviewtheenlargedview.
RestoretonormalView:Clicktorestoretheenlargedviewtonormalview.
Click<Apply>toexecutethechangesmade.
OntheManageLayersscreen,ifyouclick<Cancel>,theAutoCADfileisnotimportedandyouwillseeablankimageonthe
layoutmodel.
CHECKSUM:
WhenyouloadanodewithanAutoCADfile,PlannervalidatestheattachedAutoCADfile.PlannercheckstheCHECKSUM
valueofthatAutoCADfileandverifiesitwiththeCHECKSUMvaluestoredinthe.spmfileforthatAutoCADfile.Thisisthe
valuestoredwhentheAutoCADfilewasfirstimported.Ifthereisanymismatchinthisvalue,Plannerstillloadsthenodebut
doesnotallowyoutousetheManageLayersoption.Plannerpopsupanalerttoinformyouaboutthis.
4.1.4 Viewing/LoadingaLocation
Loadingthelocationnodemeansopeningthe.spmfileassociatedwiththenode.Youcanopenonlyonenodeatatime.You
cannotviewalocationlayoutunlessyouloadit.
Toview/loadalocation,rightclickalocationnodefromtheLocationstreeandselectLoadLocationNode.Plannerlaunches
thelayoutonthelayoutmodelpane.Thetitlebarofthescreenreflectsthepathoftheselectedlocation.
Note:A.spmfilecreatedwiththepreviousversionsofPlannerdoesnothaveanyapplicationenvironmentassignedtothatfile.Whenyou
importthatfileandtrytoloadthenode,thenPlannerpopsupanalertaskingifyouwanttoassignthedefaultapplicationenvironment.
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Figure 12. Loading a Location Node
WhenyouloadalocationattachedtoanAutoCADfile,thebackgroundhasablankimageandyoucandrawalltheobjectson
that,unlikeincaseofanimagewherethelayouthasthe.jpgor.gifasthebackgroundimage.
Whenyouclickalocationnodeattachedtoanimage,Plannerdisplaystheimageonthelayoutmodelpane.
4.1.5 ClosingaLocationNode
YoucanclosealocationnodeinPlanner.Plannerunloadsthelocationnodeleavingonlythelayoutonthelayoutmodelpane.
Toclosealocationnodethatyouhaveloaded,rightclickalocationnodefromtheLocationstreeandselectCloseNode.
Additionally,ifyouclickanyothernodefromthelocationstree,Plannerclosesthecurrentnode.
4.1.6 ImportingaLocation
PlannerenablesimportofPlannerProjectfiles(.prj),Plannerfiles(.spm),andcompressedPlannerProjectfiles(.zip)intoa
location.Useeitherofthefollowingstepstoimportafile:
GotoFileÆOpen.
RightclickalocationfolderfromtheLocationstreeandselectImport.
TheOpendialogboxappears.
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Figure 13. Importing a Location
Specifythepathofthefileornavigatetothefileyouwishtoimportintothelocationfolder.SelectthefiletypefromtheFiles
oftypedropdownlist.
Onimportinga.prjfile,theentirelocationhierarchyofthatprojectisimportedundertheselectedfolder.
Onimportinga.spmfile,Plannercreatesanodeunderwhichthe.spmfileisimported.
Onimportinga.zipfile,Plannerunzipsthefileatatemporarylocationandthenimportsthe.prjfile.TheImport
ProjectdialogboxappearswherePlannerasksyouifyouwouldalsoliketoimporttheprojectpreferencesoptions.
Figure 14. Import Options
4.1.7 Cut/Copy/PasteaLocation
Youcancut/copylocationfoldersandnodes,andpastethemontootherlocations.
1 Rightclickalocationfolderornodethatyouwanttocut/copy,fromtheLocationstree.SelectCutorCopy.
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Figure 15. Copying a location
2 Rightclickthedestinationlocationfolderontowhichyouwanttopastethelocationselectedintheabovestep.Select
Paste.
Ifthelocationwhereyouarepastingthelocationfolderornodealreadyhasafolderornodewiththesamename,Planner
renamesthecopiedobjectsincrementallywithasuffix‘01’,‘02’,andsoon.
Note:IfanodebelongstoaCrossFloorlocationfolder,youcannotCut/CopyandPastethatnodeintoanotherfolder.Ifyouwanttocopy
thatnode,youmustcopytheentireCrossFloorlocationfolder.
4.1.8 MovingaLocation
Youcanmovelocationfoldersandnodeswithinalocationfolder.Thischangesthelocationhierarchyofthatfolderinthe
project.
Note:You cannotmovealocationifthelocationisnotunderthesameparentlocationfolder.
Usethefollowingstepstomovealocation:
1 RightclickalocationfolderornodefromtheLocationstree.
2 SelectMoveUporMoveDown.
3 Repeattheabovestepsuntilyoureachthedestinationfolderunderwhichyouwanttomovetheselectedlocation.
Figure 16. Moving a location
4.1.9 PlacingLocationsonaLocationFolderwithanattachedimage
Plannerenablesyoutoplacelocationsonalocationfolderthathasanattachedimage.Thishelpsyouidentifythephysical
positionofeachofthelocations.Thelocationsplacedontheattachedimageareindicatedbygreencoloredcircles.Usethe
followingstepstoplacelocationsontheattachedimageandviewtheirdetails:
1 IntheLocationstree,selectalocationfolder.
2 ThebottomleftpanecalledLocationsshowsallthenodesandfoldersavailableundertheselectedlocationfolder.Drag
anddroptherequiredlocationsontheattachedimage,intherightpane.
3 Toviewdetailsaboutthelocation,holdthemousecursoroverthegreencoloredbullets.
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4 Togotoaparticularlocationplacedontheimage,dooneofthefollowing:
Clickthegreencoloredbulletrepresentingthelocation.
Rightclickagreencoloredbulletrepresentingthelocation,andselectLocateLocation.
Doubleclickthegreencoloredbullet.
Figure 17. Placing Locations on a Location Folder
YoucanalsoremovealocationplacedbyrightclickingagreencoloredbulletrepresentingthelocationandselectingDelete.
4.1.10 RenamingaLocation
Youcanrenamealocation.
RenamingaLocationFolder
Usethefollowingstepstorenamealocationfolder:
1 SelectalocationfolderfromtheLocationstree.
2 Dooneofthefollowing:
Clickthelocation.
RightclickandselectRename.
Thefieldnowbecomeseditable.Enterthenewnameofthelocationfolder.
RightclickthelocationfolderandselectProperties.TheLocationFolderPropertiesdialogboxappearswhichallows
youtoeditthenameofthelocationfolder.
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Figure 18. Renaming a Location Folder
RenamingaLocationNode
Usethefollowingstepstorenamealocationnode:
1 SelectalocationnodefromtheLocationstree.
2 Dooneofthefollowing:
Clickthelocation.Thefieldbecomeseditable.Enterthenewnameofthelocationnode.
RightclickthelocationnodeandselectProperties.TheLocationNodePropertiesdialogboxappearswhichallows
youtoeditthenameofthelocationnode.
Figure 19. Renaming a Location Node
4.1.11 DeletingaLocation
YoucandeletealocationfolderornodebyrightclickingthelocationandselectingDelete.
Figure 20. Deleting a location
4.1.12 ModifyingLocationProperties
Youcanmodifythepropertiesofalocationfolderornode.Usethefollowingstepstodoso:
1 RightclickalocationfolderornodefromtheLocationstreeandselectProperties.
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Note:Incaseofalocationnode,youwillfirsthavetoLoadthenode.Otherwise,thePropertiesoptionisdisabled.
Figure 21. Viewing Location Properties
2 TheLocationFolderPropertiesorLocationNodePropertiesdialogboxappears.Editthedesiredlocationproperties.
Figure 22. Viewing Location Folder Properties
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Figure 23. Viewing Location Node Properties
4.2 DevicesList
TheDeviceslistenablesyoutoviewallthedevicesthatareplacedonaparticularlocationnode.Thislistispopulatedonly
whenthenodeisloaded.Thedevicesaredividedbasedontheirtype.Youcanmodifythedevicepropertiesbyrightclicking
ordoubleclickingthedevice.
Note:RefertothesectionDeviceLibrarytoperformdevicesrelatedoperations.
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Figure 24. Devices List
MenuandToolbarOptions
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Chapter5 MenuandToolbarOptions
ThissectiondescribesindetailvariousmenusandToolbaroptionsinPlanner,toenableyoutocreateacompletelayout
model.YoucandesignthelayoutusingvariousobjectsavailableinPlanner.
5.1.1 MenuItems
Thissectiongivesacompletedescriptionoftheavailablemenuoptions.
Note:AdvanceduserscanskipthemenussectionanddirectlyrefertoLayoutIcons.
FileMenu
Figure 25. File Menu
MenuandToolbarOptions
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Menu Item Name Description Keyboard Shortcut Toolbar Button
New Invokes the new Planner project file Ctrl+N
Open Opens a dialog box to browse and select an
existing project or .zip file Ctrl+O
Open Demo Project Opens the demo project
Close Closes the currently loaded node
Close Project File Closes the current Planner project
Save Saves the current plan Ctrl+S
Save As Invokes a dialog box to save the current
project with a new name
Save Project File Saves the current project
Save Project File
As… Invokes a dialog box to save the current
project with a new name
Save All Saves both the node and project
Export Project Bundles the project into a .zip file so that you
can later import the whole project into a
different system at a different location Ctrl+E
Generate Report
Generates a report for the currently loaded
node. If the node is part of a Cross Floor
location folder, you can generate a report for
all the floors.
Ctrl+G
Recent Files Lists the last four opened projects
Exit Closes the Planner application
EditMenu
Figure 26. Edit Menu
MenuandToolbarOptions
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Menu Item Name Description Keyboard Shortcut Toolbar Button
Undo Reverses the last performed action Ctrl+Z
Redo Reverses the ‘Undo’ command and re-
performs the action Ctrl+Y
Cut Removes the selected object from the layout
to be pasted elsewhere Ctrl+X
Copy Creates a copy of the selected object from the
layout; selected objects remain on the layout Ctrl+C
Paste Pastes the last cut or copied object at the
designated location on the layout Ctrl+V
Delete Removes the selected object from the layout
permanently Del
Select All Selects all the objects on the layout map Ctrl+A
Delete All Deletes all the objects on the layout map
Rotate Rotates an object using the mouse by
selecting any of the control points of the
object Ctrl+R
ViewMenu
Figure 27. View Menu
MenuandToolbarOptions
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Menu Item Name Description Keyboard Shortcut Toolbar Button
Zoom Mode Activates the zoom mode enabling you to
zoom-in or zoom-out using the mouse scroll F10
Zoom In Zooms in by 10% at each step F11
Zoom Out Zooms out by 10% at each step F12
Reset Zoom Resets the zoom and displays the layout in
the actual size (100%) Ctrl+0
Apply Pan Functions as a snap tool to move around in
the layout Shift+F2
Reset Pan Resets the snap tool Ctrl+P
Show Grid Shows the grid in the layout F7
View Layout Model Shows all the objects in the layout model F8
Show RF Signal Shows the RF signal on the layout F9
View Signal
Strength
Shows the signal strength of all the APs
placed on the layout at a particular location
on the layout
Toolbars Select to view the Toolbar
Location Tree Select to view the Location Tree
Control Pane Select to view the Control Pane
DrawMenu
Figure 28. Draw Menu
MenuandToolbarOptions
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Menu Item Name Description Toolbar Button
Area Polygon Selects disjoint areas in a layout for showing RF maps; this
is helpful in showing statistics of selected regions only
Hollow Rectangle Draws a hollow rectangle
Solid Rectangle Draws a solid rectangle
Hollow Angular Line Draws a hollow angular line
Solid Angular Line Draws a solid angular line
Arc Draws an arc
Semi Oval Draws a semi oval
Hollow Oval Draws a hollow oval
Solid Oval Draws a solid oval
Polygon Draws a hollow curved polygon
Solid Curved Polygon Draws a solid curved polygon
DrawingaPolygon
Figure 29. Drawing a Polygon
1 Leftclickthestartingpoint(#1)
2 Leftclickthenextpointthroughallpointsuntilyouareatthelastpoint(#6)
3 Leftclickthelastpoint(#6)
4 Rightclicktocompletethepolygon
DrawingaCurvedPolygon
Figure 30. Drawing a Curved Polygon
1 Leftclickthestartingpoint(#1)
2 Leftclickthenextpointthroughallpointsuntilyouareatapointwhereyouneedtodrawthecurve(#5a)
3 Todrawacurve(between#4and#5a)inthecurvedpolygon,press<Ctrl+U>toenterthe‘curve’mode(#5b).Movethe
mousetogetthedesiredcurve(#6)
4 Leftclickthelastpoint(#7)
5 Rightclicktocompletethecurvedpolygon
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ToolsMenu
Figure 31. Tools Menu
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Menu Item Name Description Keyboard Shortcut Toolbar Button
Lock Layout Model Locks all the objects on the layout model to
avoid accidental movement of layout objects F6
AP Repository Helps Add/View/Modify/Delete AP models
Sensor Repository Helps Add/View/Modify/Delete Sensor models
Antenna Repository Helps Add/View/Modify/Delete antenna
models
Radiation Pattern
Repository Helps Add/View/Modify/Delete radiation
patterns
Global Material
Repository
Helps Add/View/Modify/Delete materials in
the repository; helps import a material from
the Local Repository to the Global Repository
Application
Environment
Repository
Helps Add/View/Modify/Delete application
environments
Water Fall Curve
Repository Helps Add/View/Modify/Delete water fall
curves
Statistics Provides statistical data on the RF maps such
as % coverage for network, Sensor ranges,
and redundancy Shift+F11
Import Planner
Settings Imports the preferences and settings from a
specific file
Export Planner
Settings
Exports the preferences and settings to 3Com
® AirProtect Enterprise or any other system
running the Planner application.
Settings Sets the Preferences, AP defaults, and Sensor
defaults
Location Properties Changes location dimensions and calculations
Renumber Devices Helps sequential numbering of devices
WLAN Planning
Wizard Launches the WLAN planning wizard
HelpMenu
Figure 32. Help Menu
Menu Name Description Keyboard Shortcut
Update License Updates the License
3Com ® AirProtect Planner
Help Displays the Planner Help file F1
User Guide Displays the Planner User Guide in .PDF format
About 3Com ® AirProtect
Planner Displays information about Planner
5.1.2 UpdatingtheLicense
GotoHelpÆUpdateLicensetoupdatethelicensekey.
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Figure 33. Planner: Activating/Updating License
Usethefollowingstepstoactivate/updatethelicense:
1 EnteryourFirstName,LastName,andEmailId.
2 Click<Browse>tonavigatetolocationofthelicensekeyprovidedby3ComCorporation.
3 Click<ConfirmKey>toconfirmthelicensekey.Alternately,click<Cancel>todiscardtheconfirmationofthelicensekey
andclosethedialogbox.
5.2 Layout:Icons
ThefollowingiconsavailabletoyoufromthePlannerToolbar.SomeofthesearenotcoveredintheMenuList.
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Figure 34. Indoor Objects
Thefollowinglistdescribesthelayouttypeandmaterialsavailable.
Layout Type Materials
Brick
Dry
Concrete
Marble
Sheet Rock
Concrete Column
Wooden
Glass
Indoor
Metal
Building
Tree
Hill
Outdoor
Water Body
Afterselectingthelayouttype,usethefollowingstepstodrawobjectsonthelayout:
1 SelectanObjectTypeandmaterialtypefromthedropdownlistfromtheToolbar.
2 Thecursorchangestothecrosshairicon.Now,clickthelocationwhereyouwanttodrawtheobjectandwithout
releasingthebutton,dragthemouseonthelayouttowhereyouwanttheobjectplaced.Youwillseetheoutlineofthe
objectyouaredrawing.
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3 Repeattheabovetwostepstoplaceanynumberofobjectsonthelayout.
Recommended:PlacetheobjectsinsuchawaythatthephysicallayoutiswellrepresentedintheLayoutwithminimumnumberof
objects.
5.3 ManagingObjectswithintheLayout
YoucanmanageobjectsandtheirpropertiesonthelayoutinPlanner.
5.3.1 SelectingObjects
Toselectanobject,click ontheToolbar.
Toselectmorethanoneobject,dooneofthefollowing:
UsetheControlkey.
Dragthemouseoverthetargetareatoenclosetheobjectswithinadottedoutline.Thisselectsalltheobjectswithinor
touchingthedottedoutline.
5.3.2 MovinganObject
Tomoveanobject,selectanddragittothedesiredposition.
5.3.3 ChangingthePropertiesofanObject
Plannerprovidesobjectsofdifferentshapesandthickness.
Figure 35. Layout Object Properties
Tochangethepropertiesofanobject,doubleclickorrightclicktheobjectandselectProperties.
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Figure 36. Viewing Layout object properties
Youcanchangethefollowingparameters:
Material:Selectthematerialtypefromthedropdownlist.
a:Specifythelengthoftheobject.
b:Specifythewidthoftheobject.
Angle:Specifytheangleatwhichyouwanttheobjecttobeinclined.
ApplyRotation:Specifytherotationoftheobject.Click<Apply>toapplytherotationincrementallytotheobject.
5.4 ManagingMaterialRepositories
Plannerprovidesasetofmaterialsintherepositoryusingwhichyoumodelthelayout.Youcanperformseveralfunctionslike
viewingpropertiesofadefaultmaterial,addinganewmaterial,modifying,anddeletingtheuserdefinedmaterials.Theseare
storedintwotypesofrepositories:GlobalMaterialRepositoryandLocalMaterialRepository.Planneralsoallowsyouto
importorexportmaterialtypesfromonerepositorytotheother.
Note:Alltheuserdefinedmaterialsareavailableintheindoorlayoutonly.
Whilemodelingthelayout,youcanalsoselectthematerialtypefromthedropdownlistontheToolbar.Theiconofthe
materialinuseappearsadjacenttothisdropdownlist,representedbythecolorandpatternassignedtothematerial.
5.4.1 GlobalMaterialRepository
GlobalMaterialRepositoryisamaterialobjectlibraryofPlannerwhichlistsandprovidesmaterialobjectsglobally,acrossall
Plannerprojects.ItisagloballyavailablefilesavedasObjectproperties.xml.
ToviewtheGlobalMaterialRepository,gotoToolsÆGlobalMaterialRepository.
Figure 37. Global Material Repository
YoucanperformthefollowingfunctionsfromtheGlobalMaterialRepositorydialogbox:
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Add:ClicktoaddanewmaterialtothelistofmaterialsintheGlobalRepository.TheMaterialPropertiesdialogbox
appears.RefertosectionAddingaMaterialformoreinformation.
View:Clicktoviewmaterialpropertiesofamaterialinthefactorydefaultlist.TheMaterialPropertiesdialogbox
appears.However,thefieldsinthisdialogboxaredisabled,andreadonly.
Modify:Clicktomodifymaterialpropertiesofamaterialthatyouhavedefined.TheMaterialPropertiesdialogbox
appearswhereyoucanmakethedesiredchanges.
Note:<View>isreplacedby<Modify>whenyouselectauserdefinedmaterial.
Delete:Clicktodeleteauserdefinedmaterial.Aconfirmationmessageappearsaskingifyouwanttodeletethe
material.
RestoreToDefault:Clicktorestorethelisttofactorydefaults.Thisactionremovesalltheuserdefinedmaterialsand
retainsonlythedefaultmaterials.
ImportfromLocalRepository:ClicktoimportmaterialsfromtheLocalMaterialRepository.
Close:Clicktoclosethisdialogbox.
5.4.2 LocalMaterialRepository
TheLocalMaterialRepositoryisamaterialobjectlibraryofPlanner,whichgivesalistofAvailableMaterialsintheLocal
Repositoryofthat.spmfile.Allthelocalmaterialsarestoredinthe.spmfileandvisibleonlyinthat.spmfile.
TheLocalMaterialRepositoryfeatureisavailableonlyforanIndoorlayoutandnotforanoutdoorlayout.
ToviewtheLocalMaterialRepository,gotoToolsÆLocationPropertiesÆLocalMaterialRepository.
Figure 38. Local Material Repository Tab
YoucanperformthefollowingfunctionsfromtheLocalMaterialRepositorydialogbox:
Add:ClicktoaddanewmaterialtothelistofmaterialsintheLocalRepository.TheMaterialPropertiesdialogbox
appears.RefertosectionAddingaMaterialformoreinformation.
View:Clicktoviewmaterialpropertiesofamaterialinthefactorydefaultlist.TheMaterialPropertiesdialogbox
appears.However,thefieldsinthisdialogboxaredisabled,andreadonly.
Modify:Clicktomodifymaterialpropertiesofamaterialthatyouhavedefined.TheMaterialPropertiesdialogbox
appearswhereyoucanmakethedesiredchanges.
Note:<View>isreplacedby<Modify>whenyouselectauserdefinedmaterial.
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Delete:Clicktodeleteauserdefinedmaterial.Plannerchecksifyouhaveusedthematerialonthecurrentlayout.If
youhaveusedthematerial,Plannerpromptsyoutodeletethoseobjectsfromthelayoutandthencontinuewiththe
deletionofthematerialfromtherepository.Aconfirmationmessageappearsaskingifyouwanttodeletethe
material.
ImportfromGlobalRepository:ClicktoimportmaterialsfromtheGlobalMaterialRepository.
Click<OK>tosaveandclosethedialogbox.Alternatelyclick<Cancel>;thiswillclosethedialogboxwithoutapplying
changesmade.
5.4.3 AddingaMaterial
YoucanaddanewmaterialtotheexistinglistofmaterialsintheLocalandGlobalMaterialRepositories.Click<Add>onthe
respectiverepositorydialogboxes.TheMaterialPropertiesdialogboxappears.
Figure 39. Global Material Repository: Adding a New Material
Figure 40. Local Material Repository: Adding a New Material
CommonProperties:
Name:Nameofthenewmaterial.
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BackColor:Backgroundcolorforthenewmaterial.ClickthecolortochoosethedesiredcolorfromtheColordialog
box.
FillColor:Fillcolorforthematerial.ClickthecolortochoosethedesiredcolorfromtheColordialogbox.
BorderColor:Bordercolorforthematerial.ClickthecolortochoosethedesiredcolorfromtheColordialogbox.
FillStyle:Selectthefilltypepatternfromthedropdownlist.
BorderStyle:Selectthepatternfortheborderfromthedropdownlist.
Thepreviewwindowontherightreflectsthepropertiesyouselectforthematerial.
AttenuationProperties(ThroughCoefficient):
802.11a/n:Specifytheattenuationfactorforthe802.11a/nprotocol.Thisvalueisapplicabletoboth802.11aand
802.11a/n.
802.11b/g/n:Specifytheattenuationfactorforthe802.11b/g/nprotocol.Thisvalueisapplicabletoboth802.11b/gand
802.11b/g/n.
AddthenewMaterialtotheotherrepository:
¾ IfyouaddanewmaterialfromtheGlobalMaterialRepositorydialogbox,selecttheAddthismaterialtolocal
materialrepositorycheckboxtoincludethismaterialintheLocalMaterialRepository.Thismaterialwillthenbe
availableintheMaterialdropdownlistontheToolbar.
¾ IfyouaddanewmaterialfromtheLocalMaterialRepositorydialogbox,selecttheAddthismaterialtoglobal
materialrepositorycheckboxtoincludethismaterialintheGlobalMaterialRepository.
Note:IfyouaddamaterialintotheLocalMaterialRepositoryandyoulatercreateanew.spmfile,thismaterialdoesnotappearinthe
materiallist.ThisisbecausethematerialwasaddedlocallyandnottotheGlobalMaterialRepository.Similarly,ifyouaddamaterialonly
totheGlobalMaterialRepositorybutdonotcopyittotheLocalRepository,youwillnotfindthematerialinthelistofthecurrentlyloaded
.spmfile.However,whenyoucreateanew.spmfile,youwillseethenewmaterialinthemateriallist.
Click<Save>tosaveandaddthenewmaterialtotherepository.
Click<Close>toclosethewindow.
Note:PlannerdisplaysanalertmessageanddoesnotallowyoutosavethematerialunlessyoufillallthefieldsintheMaterial
Propertiesdialogbox.
5.5 Layout:UsingtheToolsoptions
ThefollowingoperationscanbeperformedusingtheToolsmenu.
5.5.1 APRepository
SelectAPRepositoryfromtheToolsmenu.
Figure 41. Tool Menu – AP Repository
TheAccessPointRepositorydialogboxdisplaysalistofavailableAPs,theirmanufacturer,model,andnumberofradios.
Youcandothefollowing:
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AddanAP
ModifyanAP
DeleteanAP
AddAP
Click<Add>toaddanAPandspecifytheAPproperties.TheAddAccessPointdialogboxallowsyoutoselectanddefine
radioproperties.
Figure 42. AP Repository – Adding an AP
Add AP Properties Description
Manufacturer Enter the name of the manufacturer.
Model Enter the AP model.
Available Radio Select the radio from the drop-down list of available radios.
Add Radio Click to add a new radio to the AP. This takes you to the Radio Properties
section in the dialog box.
Delete Radio Click to delete a radio.
Antenna Select the antenna type from the drop-down list.
More Click to select or add a new antenna. For details, refer to the Antenna
Repository section.
Antenna Detachable Select the checkbox, depending upon the type of antenna required.
Protocols Select any or all the protocols (802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a/n,
802.11b/g/n).
Waterfall Curve Select the waterfall curve for the protocols from the drop-down list. For
details, refer to the Waterfall Curve Repository section.
Power Specify the desired power range for each protocol. Enter a comma-separated
list with values in the range (1 to 100 mW).
Advanced Parameters Click to define advanced 802.11n parameters. The IEEE 802.11n advance
parameters dialog box appears.
IEEE802.11nAdvanceParameters
Youcandescribeadvanceparametersfor802.11n.
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Figure 43. Adding an AP – 802.11n Advance Parameters
Definethedesired802.11nadvanceparameters.
MIMOconfiguration:SelecttheMIMOconfigurationfromthedropdownlist
Channelwidth(MHz):SelecttheChannelwidthfromthedropdownlist
Guardinterval(ns):SelecttheGuardintervalfromthedropdownlist
FrameAggregation:SelecteitherAMSDUorAMPDU,orbothcheckboxesforframeaggregation.
Formoredetailsontheadvanceparameters,refertoAppendixD:GlossaryofTerms.
ModifyAP
Click<Modify>ontheAccessPointRepositorydialogboxtomodifyanexistingAP.TheModifyAccessPointdialogbox
appears.
Figure 44. AP Repository – Modifying an AP
TheModifyAccessPointdialogboxissimilartotheAddAccessPointdialogbox.
DeleteAP
Click<Delete>andconfirmthedeletionofanAP.
5.5.2 SensorRepository
SelectSensorRepositoryfromtheToolsmenu.
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Figure 45. Tool Menu – Sensor Repository
TheSensorRepositorydialogboxdisplaysalistofavailableSensors,theirmanufacturer,model,andnumberofradios.
Youcandothefollowing:
AddaSensor
ModifyaSensor
DeleteaSensor
AddSensor
Click<Add>toaddaSensorandspecifytheSensorproperties.
Figure 46. Sensor Repository – Adding a Sensor
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Add Sensor Properties Description
Manufacturer Enter the name of the manufacturer.
Model Enter the Sensor model.
Available Radio Select the radio from the drop-down list of available radios.
Add Radio Click to add a new radio to the Sensor. This takes you to the Radio
Properties section.
Delete Radio Click to delete a radio.
Antenna Select the antenna type from the drop-down list.
More Click to select or add a new antenna. For details, refer to the Antenna
Repository section.
Antenna Detachable Select the checkbox, depending upon the type of antenna required.
Protocols Select any or all the protocols (802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a/n,
802.11b/g/n).
Waterfall Curve Select the waterfall curve for the protocols from the drop-down list. For
details, refer to the Waterfall Curve Repository section.
Power Specify the desired power range for each protocol. Enter a comma-separated
list with values in the range (1 to 100 mW).
Advanced Parameters Click to define advanced 802.11n parameters. Refer to the IEEE 802.11n
Advance Parameters for more details.
ModifySensorModel
Click<Modify>ontheSensorRepositorydialogboxtomodifyanexistingSensormodel.TheModifySensorModeldialog
boxappears.
Figure 47. Sensor Repository – Modifying a Sensor
TheModifySensorModeldialogboxissimilartotheAddSensorModeldialogbox.
DeleteSensor
Click<Delete>andconfirmthedeletionofaSensor.
5.5.3 AntennaRepository
AntennaRepositorycontainsalistofpredefinedantennae.Youcanaddanewantenna,deleteanantenna,ordefinenew
radiationpatternsforanantenna.
SelectAntennaRepositoryfromtheToolsmenu.
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Figure 48. Tools Menu – Antenna Repository
TheAntennaRepositorydialogboxdisplaysalistofavailableantennae,theirmanufacturer,model,radiationpatternand
gain.
Youcandothefollowing:
Addanantenna
Modifyanantenna
Deleteanantenna
AddAntenna
Click<Add>toaddanantennaandspecifytheantennaproperties.
Figure 49. Antenna Repository – Adding an Antenna
Add Antenna Properties Description
Manufacturer Enter the name of the manufacturer.
Model No. Enter the antenna model.
Radiation Pattern Select the radiation pattern from the drop-down list.
Add New Click to add a new radiation pattern. For details, please refer to the Radiation
Pattern Repository section.
Gain Enter the Gain (1 to 99 dBi).
ModifyAntenna
Click<Modify>ontheAntennaRepositorydialogboxtomodifyanexistingantenna.TheModifyAntennadialogbox
appears.
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Figure 50. Antenna Repository – Modifying an Antenna
TheModifyAntennadialogboxissimilartotheAddAntennadialogbox.
DeleteAntenna
Click<Delete>andconfirmthedeletionoftheantenna.
5.5.4 RadiationPatternRepository
Youcancreatecustomdefinedradiationpatternswhereyoucandefinethegainateachanglestartingfromto359°.
SelectRadiationPatternRepositoryfromtheToolsmenu.
Figure 51. Tools Menu – Radiation Pattern Repository
TheRadiationPatternRepositorydialogboxdisplaysalistofavailableradiationpatterns,theirtype,maxgain,andtypeof
definition.
Youcandothefollowing:
IncaseofaCustomRadiationPatterns:
¾ AddaRadiationPattern
¾ Modify/ViewaRadiationPattern
¾ DeleteaRadiationPattern
IncaseofaStandardRadiationPattern:
¾ AddaRadiationPattern
¾ ViewaRadiationPattern
Note:TheDeleteoptionisdisabledincaseofStandardRadiationPatterns.
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AddRadiationPattern
Click<Add>toaddaRadiationPatternandspecifytheantennaproperties.
Figure 52. Radiation Pattern Repository – Adding a Radiation Pattern
Add Radiation Pattern
Properties Description
Name Enter the name of the radiation pattern.
Start with Select the type of antenna to start with from the drop-
down list. You can choose from None, Dipole, Yagi, Patch,
or Parabolic.
Max Gain
The maximum gain controls pattern behavior. The Max
Gain value will be the maximum value of the gain values at
each angle or higher. Positive gain adds power to the
transmitting power while negative gain reduces the
transmitting power.
ThetableintheDefineRadiationPatterndialogboxshowsgainvaluesateachanglerangingfromto359°.Thesevaluesin
thetablechangedependingontheantennatypeselectedinStartWith.Tocreatecustomradiationpatterns,youcanmodify
thegainvaluestogettherequiredradiationpattern.Thegainvalueshouldbebetween‐99and99dBi.
Forexample,tomodifyastandarddipolepattern,startwithdipoleandmodifythegainvaluesfortheangleswhereyouwant
customization.
Click<Interpolate>ifyouhavedefinedthegainattwodifferentangles,andwantPlannertoautomaticallyinterpolatethe
gainfortheintermediateangles.Foreffectiveinterpolation,ensurethatthegainvalueforalltheanglesbetweenthetwo
anglesis0°.
ModifyRadiationPattern
Click<Modify>ontheRadiationPatternRepositorydialogboxtomodifyacustomradiationpattern.TheModifyRadiation
Patterndialogboxappears.
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Figure 53. Radiation Pattern Repository – Modifying a Radiation Pattern
TheModifyRadiationPatterndialogboxissimilartotheAddRadiationPatterndialogbox.
DeleteRadiationPattern
Click<Delete>andconfirmthedeletionofaRadiationPattern.
5.5.5 ApplicationEnvironmentRepository
Plannerprovidesalistofapplicationenvironments,whichlistsenvironmentsettings.Youcanusetheseenvironmentsto
designthelayout.Youcanalsocreatecustomdefinedapplicationenvironments.
SelectApplicationEnvironmentRepositoryfromtheToolsmenu.
Figure 54. Tools Menu – Application Environment Repository
TheApplicationEnvironmentRepositorydialogboxdisplaysalistofapplicationenvironments,theplantype,their
protocols,minimumandmaximumattenuationfactors.
Youcandothefollowing:
IncaseofaDefaultApplicationEnvironment:
¾ AddanApplicationEnvironment
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¾ ViewanApplicationEnvironment
Note:TheModifyandDeleteoptionsaredisabledincaseoftheDefaultApplicationEnvironment.
Incaseofasystemoruserdefinedapplicationenvironment:
¾ AddanApplicationEnvironment
¾ ModifyanApplicationEnvironment
¾ DeleteanApplicationEnvironment
WhenyouusetheDefaultapplicationenvironment,youhavetomodelthelayoutbydrawingobjectsonthelayout.However,
whenyouusesomeotherapplicationenvironment,youmustnotmodelthelayoutasPlannerderivestheattenuationvalues
forthoseenvironmentsettingsassumingasifthereareobjectsplacedonthefloormap.Despitethis,ifyoustillmodelthe
layoutthentheBoMoftheDeviceswillincreasesubstantially.
Recommended:Usetheapplicationenvironmentsasisanddonotmodifythevaluesunlessyouaresureofthosevalues.
AddinganApplicationEnvironment
Click<Add>toaddanapplicationenvironmentandspecifytheenvironmentproperties.TheAddApplicationEnvironment
dialogboxappears.
Figure 55. Application Environment Repository – Adding an Application Environment
Add Application Environment Description
Environment Name Enter the name of the application environment.
Plan Type Select between indoor and outdoor plan types.
Min Attenuation Factor Refers to the minimum loss of signal when passing through a
material, depending on object type and density in the layout. Enter
the minimum attenuation values for 802.11a/n and 802.11b/g/n.
Max Attenuation Factor Refers to the maximum loss of signal when passing through a
material, depending on object type and density in the layout. Enter
the maximum attenuation values for 802.11a/n and 802.11b/g/n.
Attenuationvaluesfor802.11a/naregreaterthan802.11b/g/n.
ModifyinganApplicationEnvironment
Click<Modify>ontheApplicationEnvironmentRepositorydialogboxtomodifyanexistingapplicationenvironment.The
ModifyApplicationEnvironmentdialogboxappears.
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Figure 56. Application Environment Repository – Modifying an Application Environment
TheModifyApplicationEnvironmentdialogboxissimilartotheAddApplicationEnvironmentdialogbox.
DeletinganApplicationEnvironment
Click<Delete>andconfirmthedeletionoftheapplicationenvironment.
5.5.6 WaterfallCurveRepository
Plannerprovidesalistofwaterfallcurves.Youcanusethemtodesignthelayout.Youcanalsocreatecustomdefined
waterfallcurves.
SelectWaterfallCurveRepositoryfromtheToolsmenu.
Figure 57. Tools Menu – Waterfall Curve Repository
TheWaterfallCurveRepositorydialogboxdisplaysalistofWaterfallCurves.
Youcandothefollowing:
IncaseofaDefaultWaterfallCurve:
¾ AddaWaterfallCurve
¾ ViewaWaterfallCurve
Note:TheModifyandDeleteoptionsaredisabledforDefaultWaterfallCurve.
Incaseofasystemoruserdefinedwaterfallcurve:
¾ AddaWaterfallCurve
¾ ModifyaWaterfallCurve
¾ DeleteaWaterfallCurve
AddingaWaterfallCurve
Click<Add>toaddawaterfallcurveandspecifythewaterfallcurvesettings.TheAddWaterfallCurvedialogboxappears.
ThedialogboxprovidesalistofthelinkspeedofanAPmappedtothesignalstrengthintheascendingorder.TheAdd
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WaterfallCurvedialogboxfor802.11a,802.11b,and802.11gprotocolsisdifferentfromthe802.11a/nand802.11b/g/n
protocols.
802.11(a,b,g):
Figure 58. Waterfall Curve Repository – Adding a Waterfall Curve: 802.11 (a, b, g)
Name:Enterthenameofthewaterfallcurve.
Select802.11aprotocolintheWaterfallCurve:Selectthecheckboxtoselectandenableeditaccesstovaluesinthe
listforthe802.11a,802.11b,or802.11gprotocols(fromtherespectivetabs)intheWaterfallCurve.
Thedialogboxliststhelinkspeedmappedtothesignalstrengthfor802.11a,802.11b,or802.11gprotocolsintheascending
orderbasedonwhichtabyouare.
LinkSpeed:ListsthelinkspeedoftheAPfortherespectiveprotocol.
SignalStrength:Liststhesignalstrengthcorrespondingtothelinkspeed.Selectavalueandclicktoeditthevalue.
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802.11(a/n,b/g/n):
Figure 59. Waterfall Curve Repository Adding a Waterfall Curve: 802.11 (a/n, b/g/n)
Name:Enterthenameofthewaterfallcurve.
Select802.11a/nprotocolintheWaterfallCurve:Selectthecheckboxtoselectandenableeditaccesstovaluesinthe
listforthe802.11a/nor802.11b/g/nprotocols(fromtherespectivetabs)intheWaterfallCurve.
ChannelWidth(MHz):Selectthechannelwidthfromthedropdownlist.Thelinkspeedvaluesdependonthe
channelwidth.Thepossiblevaluesare20MHzor20/40MHz.
Thedialogboxliststhelinkspeedmappedtothesignalstrengthfor802.11a/nor802.11b/g/nprotocolsintheascendingorder
basedonselectedchannelwidth.
MCS:Specifiesthedataratesupportedby802.11n.
LinkSpeed(GuardInterval=800):ListsthelinkspeedoftheAPfortherespectiveprotocolataguardintervalof800.
LinkSpeed(GuardInterval=400):ListsthelinkspeedoftheAPfortherespectiveprotocolataguardintervalof400.
SignalStrength:Liststhesignalstrengthcorrespondingtothelinkspeed.Selectavalueandclicktoeditthevalue.
ModifyingaWaterfallCurve
Click<Modify>ontheWaterfallCurveRepositorydialogboxtomodifyanexistingwaterfallcurve.TheModifyWaterfall
Curvedialogboxappears.
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Figure 60. Waterfall Curve Repository – Modifying a Waterfall Curve
TheModifyWaterfallCurvedialogboxissimilartotheAddWaterfallCurvedialogbox.
DeletingaWaterfallCurve
Click<Delete>andconfirmthedeletionofthewaterfallcurve.
5.5.7 ImportPlannerSettings
TheImportoptionallowsyoutoimportsettingsandpreferencessothatallworkstationshavethesamesetofenvironments
andalltheplanningteammemberscanworkinsynchronization.Youcanchoosetoimportanyoftheparameters.
SelectImportPlannerSettingsfromtheToolsmenu.TheImportPlannerSettingsdialogboxappears.
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Figure 61. Tools Menu – Import Planner Settings
YoucandothefollowingontheImportPlannerSettingsscreen:
Click<Browse>tonavigatetothefileyouwanttoimport.Followingisthebasiclistofparametersthatyoucan
import.Selecttheappropriatefields.
¾ Settings
Preferences:LayoutDesigner,APViews,SensorViews,andColorPalettes
APDefaults
SensorDefaults
¾ APRepository
¾ SensorRepository
¾ AntennaRepository
¾ RadiationPatternRepository
¾ WaterfallCurveRepository
¾ ApplicationEnvironmentRepository
Click<Import>toimportselectedoptions.
Note:Importingasectionoverridestheexistingsettings.You cannotundothisaction.
5.5.8 ExportPlannerSettings
TheExportoptionallowsyoutoexportalltheapplicationlevelconfigurationsinafile.Thisexportedfilecanbeimportedby
Plannerrunningonadifferentcomputer.Thiswayalltheteammemberscanworkinsynchronizationwithallthe
configurations.
SelectExportPlannerSettingsfromtheToolsmenu.TheExportPlannerSettingsdialogboxappears.
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Figure 62. Tools Menu – Export Planner Settings
Followingisthebasiclistofparametersthatyoucanexport.Selecttheappropriatefields.
Settings
¾ Preferences:LayoutDesigner,APViews,SensorViews,andColorPalettes
¾ APDefaults
¾ SensorDefaults
APRepository
SensorRepository
AntennaRepository
RadiationPatternRepository
WaterfallCurveRepository
ApplicationEnvironmentRepository
Click<Export>toexportselectedoptions.
5.5.9 LocationProperties
YoucanchangetheLocationPropertiesfromtheToolsmenu.
LocationProperties:DimensionsTab
TheDimensionstaballowsyoutochangethedimensionsofthelayout.
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Figure 63. Changing Location Properties – Dimensions Tab
Specifythefollowingdimensionsandproperties:
Unit:Selecttheunitofmeasurementfromthedropdownlist.
Lengthin‘a’direction:Specifythelengthtobeusedforalllayoutsintheplan.
Lengthin‘b’direction:Specifythewidthtobeusedforalllayoutsintheplan.
LockAspectRatio:SelecttheLockAspectRatiocheckbox,ifyouwanttomaintaintheratioofthedimensionsofthe
layouttothatofthelayoutimage.
RFCalculationCellSize:SpecifytheRFcalculationcellsizetodeterminethesizeofthesmallestunitonthelayout.
Plannerperformscalculationsforeachcellonthelayout.
ResetCellSize:Clicktogetoptimalcellsizenumberforthelayoutdimensionsentered.
CeilingLoss:Specifythelossoccurringforthecrossfloorradiationduetotheceiling.Therangeis‐50to0.
Region:Selecttheregionfromthedropdownlist.
Note:Changingthelengthandwidthoftheplanresizestheentiresetofobjectsinthelayoutmodel.Plannerresizestheobjectsinthesame
proportioninwhichthesizeoftheplanischanged.Changingtheseunitswillaffectthedimensionvaluesandcoverage.
Duringresize,ifthereareanyobjectslikePolygonsorAreaPolygonsplacedonthefloormap,Plannerdeletestheseobjects,asitcannot
resizethem.
Thesechangesaffectallthelayoutsintheplan.Incaseyouwanttoplanmultiplefloorswithdifferentdimensions,enterthelargestfloor
dimensionsandthenplanforsmallerareasforeachfloor.
LocationProperties:CalculationsTab
TheCalculationstaballowsyoucanspecifythecalculations’settingsandpathlossmodelsettings.Youcanalsoinvokethis
screenbyclickingfromtheToolbar.
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Figure 64. Changing Location Properties – Calculations Tab
CalculationSettings:
SpillageFactor:SpecifiesthesizeoftheareaasamultiplieroftheactuallayoutareaoverwhichPlannerwillassess
theWLANsignalspillage.Forexample,ifyousetthespillagefactorto2,thesystemwillassessthesignalstrength
over2timesalongeachdimensionofthelayout.Thesystemmaintainsthecenterofthelayoutsothatyoucan
observethespillagesymmetricallyinalldirections.
RSSICalibration:PlannercalculatestheReceivedSignalStrengthIndicator(RSSI)ateachcellinthelayoutbasedon
idealconditions.ItappliesthisRSSIcalibrationfactortoaccountforunmodeledobjectslikefurniture,humansand
soon,antenna/feederlosses,RFpropertiesofClientcards,andlayoutinaccuracies.PlannerappliestheCalibration
factorsymmetricallytoallthecells.TherangeforRSSICalibrationis‐40dBto40dB.ThedefaultforRSSIcalibration
factoris‐10dB.
PathLossModelSettings:
ApplicationEnvironment:Selecttheapplicationenvironmentfromthedropdownlist.
MinAttenuationFactor:Displaystheminimumattenuationfactorsfor802.11a/nand802.11b/g/ndependingonthe
applicationenvironmentselected.
MaxAttenuationFactor:Displaysthemaximumattenuationfactorsfor802.11a/nand802.11b/g/ndependingonthe
applicationenvironmentselected.
ALPHAandBETA:Displaystheadvancedcalculationparameters.
LocationProperties:LocalMaterialRepositoryTab
TheLocalMaterialRepositorytabgivesalistofavailablematerialsintheLocalRepositoryofthat.spmfile.RefertotheLocal
MaterialRepositorysectiontoseethevariousfunctionsyoucanperformfromthistab.
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Figure 65. Changing Location Properties – Local Material Repository Tab
5.5.10 RenumberDevices
Plannercreatesadefaultnumberinglabel,namely01,02…forthedevices.Forexample,APsasAP01,AP02…,whileSensors
asSensor01,Sensor02….IfyoudeleteaparticularAPorSensor,itcancreateadiscontinuity.Youcanrestoresequential
numberingusingtheRenumberDevicesoption.
SelectRenumberDevicesfromtheToolsmenu.
Figure 66. Tools Menu – Renumber Devices
Youcandothefollowing:
SelectPrefixtorenameobjectswithaprefixasdefinedintheSettingsÆAPDefaultssection.
SelectLayoutName,orselectUserDefinedtoenterauserdefinednameintheUserDefinedfieldtorename
devicesaccordingly.
Click<Renumber>torenumberthedevices.
Forexample,ifyouchoosetheoptionBuildingName,andthebuildingnameis‘MyBuilding’,thenPlannerwillnumberthe
APsasMyBuildingA01,MyBuildingA02,andSensorswillbenumberedasMyBuildingS01,MyBuildingS02,andsoon.
ThesystemwillbehavesimilarlywithLayoutNameandUserdefinednames.
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Chapter6 WLANPlanningWizard
WLANPlanningWizardisafeatureinPlannerthathelpsyouplanthelayoutasperyourrequirements.Thewizardhelps
youdefineobjectivesbyseekingyourinputsonWiFinetworkparameters.Plannerusesthesegivenparameterstomake
availablenumberofAPsrequiredonafloor,assigningchannelstothem,andplacingthesameonthefloormap.Goto
ToolsÆWLANPlanning,orclickontheToolbartoopenthewizard.Plannerverifiesandvalidatesdetailslikedeviceson
thefloormapanddefinedareapolygonsbeforelaunchingthewizard.
Ifthelayouthasmanuallyplaceddevices,thenPlannerasksifyouwishtodeletethedevicesfromthelayout.Ifyouselect
<No>,Plannerdoesnotdeletethedevices.However,theWLANPlanningWizarddoesnotconsiderthesedevicesforany
calculation.Italsopromptsyoutodefineareapolygonsbeforecontinuingwiththewizard.Thisisnotamandatorystep.
Planneralsodisplaysaninformationpopupaboutthesignificanceofdefiningareapolygons.Thepopupasksifyouwishto
drawtheareapolygon.
Figure 67. Defining Area Polygon: I-Pop-up
Definingtheareapolygonhelpsconfirmthatyouplaceallthedeviceswithintheareapolygonandnotoutsideit.Click<Yes>
todrawtheareapolygon.Alternately,click<No>todiscardtheaction.
Recommended:Defineareapolygonsifyouhaveanirregularlyshapedlayout,asAPplacementsinsuchlayoutsmightnotbeasexpected.
Then,thewelcomescreenappears.
6.1 StepsinWLANPlanning
1 TheWelcometoWLANPlanningWorkflowscreenshowsthestepsintheWLANPlanningworkflow.
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Figure 68. WLAN Planning – Welcome Screen
Clickeachstepintheworkflowtoviewtheinformationpopupforthatstep.Forexample,ifyouclickSelectAPModel
andconfiguration,aninformationpopupforselectingAPmodelsandtheirconfigurationappears.
Figure 69. Select AP Model and Configuration – I-Pop-up
OntheWLANPlanningWizardscreens:
Click toviewmoreinformationaboutthecurrentstepofthewizard.
Click<RestoreToDefaults>torestorethewizardparameterstofactorydefaults.
Click<Cancel>tocanceltheactionandclosethewizard.
Click<Back>toreverttothepreviousstepinthewizard.
Click<Next>togotothenextstepinthewizard.
Click<Finish>tofinalizeandsaveinformationenteredinthewizard,andenablePlannertoexecutePlanningasper
yourspecifications.
2 TheWLANPlanningWizard:DeviceSelectionscreenhelpsyouselectthedesiredAPmodelandsetAPpropertiesvital
toWLANperformance.
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Figure 70. WLAN Planning – Device Selection
ChooseAPModel:SelecttheAPmodelfromthedropdownlist.IfthedesiredAPmodeldoesnotexistinthedevice
repository,click<Cancel>toexitthewizardandaddthecustomAPtothedevicerepositorybyfollowingstepsinthe
AddAPsection.
Recommended:Chooseadevicewithomnidirectionalantenna,inordertogetresultsthataremoreaccurateforcapacitycalculations.
Capacitycalculationresultsmaybeincorrectwhenyouusedirectionalantennae.
Ifthepowervaluesfortheradiosareinvalidintheregionforwhichyouareplanning,theplanningwizardpromptsyoutoselectanother
radioordevice.
TheAPPropertiestabledisplayspredefinedAPdetailslikeRadio(s),ActiveProtocol,TransmitPower(mW)and
AntennaGain(dBi).Enterthefollowingdetails:
¾ Radio:Selectthedesiredactiveprotocol(s)oftheAPyouwanttouseonthecurrentfloor.
¾ 802.11nProperties:Click<View/Edit>.TheIEEE802.11nAdvanceParametersdialogboxappears.Youcould
eithervieworchangetheadvanced802.11nparametersforthatradio.
Note:Ifyoudonotselectthe802.11nprotocolintheRadiofield,the802.11nPropertiesfieldisnotapplicable.
Figure 71. 802.11n Advance Parameters
SettheIEEE802.11nAdvanceparameters:
MIMOconfiguration:DisplaystheMIMOconfigurationyouspecifiedwhileaddinganAP.Thisfieldis
disabledandcannotbemodified.YoumustgototheAPpropertiesscreentomodifythesame.
ChannelWidth(MHz):Specifythedesiredchannelwidth.
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GuardInterval(ns):Specifythedesiredguardinterval.
FrameAggregation:SelecteitherAMSDUorAMPDU,orbothcheckboxesforthedesiredframe
aggregation.
Formoredetailsontheadvanceparameters,refertoAppendixD:GlossaryofTerms.
ChannelAllocationStrategy:Duetolimitedavailablefrequencyspectrumfor802.11WLANs,denseAPdeployment
oftenrequiresspatialreuseoffrequencies.Thestrategyyouchosedeterminesthesetofavailablechannels.Planner
assignschannelstominimizeinterference.Duringonsiteplanning,interferencefromtheexistingAPsisconsidered.
Selecteitheroftheoptionsforchannelallocationstrategy.
¾ Onlynonoverlappingchannels:Thesearechannelsthatdonotinterferewitheachother.Forexample,inthe
US,2.4GHzbandoffersthreenonoverlappingchannels1,6,and11.
¾ Allavailablechannels:Allchannelsareconsidered.Forexample,intheUS2.4GHzbandoffers11channels.
Usingpartiallyoverlappingchannels(say1,4,7,11)canimproveoverallWLANcapacity.
3 TheWLANPlanningWizard:PlanningObjectivescreenhelpsyouspecifytheplanningobjectiveforthe802.11WLAN,
whilealsoguidingyouinplanning.
Figure 72. WLAN Planning – Planning Objective
PlannerallowsyoutochoosethefocusofWLANplanning.Basedonthefocus,Plannerconsidersdifferentfactorsfor
populatingthenumberofAPsrequiredandtheirplacement.
Selectoneofthefollowingoptions:
CoveragePlanning:SelecttoplantheWLANtoenableusersatmostlocationsonthefloortoconnectwitha
specifiedminimumdatarate.
CapacityPlanning:SelecttoplantheWLANtoensureconnectivitywithfocusonuserandapplicationrequirements.
4 Dependingontheplanningfocusthatyouchoseinthepreviousstep,PlannerdisplaystheCoveragePlanningor
CapacityPlanningscreenofthewizard.
5 OnceyouaredonewiththeWLANplanning,theWLANPlanningWizard:Summaryscreenappearsdependingonthe
typeoffocus.
6 Ifyouwishtochangethesettings,click<Back>.Click<Finish>toexitthewizard.PlannerwillautoplacetheAPsonthe
floormap,andassignchannelstothem.
CoveragePlanning
IfyouhaveselectedCoveragePlanninginthepreviousstepofthewizard,theWLANPlanningWizard:CoveragePlanning
screenappears.ThemaximumdataratesupportedbyanAPdependsonthequalityofthesignalreceivedfromthatAP.Due
toRFpathloss,thesignalqualitydegradesasyoumoveawayfromanAP,inturnleadingtoconnectivityatlowerdatarates.
Inacoveragefocusedplan,youdefineaminimumdatarateforthefloor.YouplanaWLANsuchthatusersatmostlocations
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onthefloorcanconnectwithatleastthespecifieddatarate.
Figure 73. WLAN Planning – Coverage Planning
APModel:DisplaystheAPModel.
TheAPPropertiestabledisplaystheActiveProtocol.Enterthefollowingdetails:
¾ MinimumDataRate(Mbps):Selecttheminimumdatarateforthecurrentactiveprotocolsfromthedropdown
list.ThelistcontainsavailableandapplicabledataratesfortheactiveprotocolsetforeachradiointheDevice
Selectionstep.
Note:IfyouhaveselectedthesameactiveprotocolformorethanoneradiointheDeviceSelectionscreen,Plannerdisplaysonlyone
commonrowinthetableintheabovescreen.
Plannerderivesthedataratefor802.11ndevicesfromthechannelwidthandguardintervalvalues.
TheWLANPlanningWizard:CoveragePlanningSummaryscreenappears.
Figure 74. Coverage Planning Summary
TheCoveragePlanningSummaryscreengivesyouasummaryofthecoveragefocusedplanasperyourrequirementsand
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specifications.ItalsogivesyouthenumberofAPs,asestimatedbyPlannertosuityourrequirementsofcoverage.
CapacityPlanning
IfyouhaveselectedCapacityPlanninginthepreviousstepofthewizard,theWLANPlanningWizard:CapacityPlanning
Parametersscreenappears.CapacityofanAPreferstothemaximumachievablethroughputofthatAP.Severalfactorssuchas
numberofactiveusers,typeofapplications,RFinterferenceandsoonaffectthecapacityofanAP.Toprovideenough
bandwidthperuser,youmustplanaWLANbyconsideringthesefactorsinadditiontocoverage.
Figure 75. WLAN Planning – Capacity Planning
SpecifytheparametersforCapacityPlanning:
Numberofactiveusersonthelayout:TheexpectednumberofuserssimultaneouslyaccessingtheWLANonthe
currentfloor.
Typicalexpectedthroughputperuser:Specifythebandwidthtypicallyrequiredperuser.ThetotalexpectedWLAN
capacityisaproductofthenumberofactiveusersandbandwidthrequiredperuser.Click<HelpMe>toviewthe
typicalperuserthroughputforvariousapplicationtypes.
Percentageuplinktraffic:Specifythepercentageflowofuplinktraffic.Uplinktrafficreferstotheflowoftraffictoan
APinaWLAN.Theamountofuplinktrafficindicatestheconflictamongusersformediumaccess.
Note:AhighpercentageofuplinktrafficwithalargenumberofactiveuserswilldegradeanAP’sbandwidthduetohighcontention.
ProvisionforVoIP :SelecttoenablePlannertoprovideforVoIP.VoIPhasamajorimpactoncapacityplanningandis
determinedby:
¾ Voic ecodectype:Selectthevoicecodectypefromthedropdownlist.
¾ Voic etraffic:Specifythepercentagevoicetraffic.
¾ NumberofvoicecallsperAP:SpecifythemaximumnumberofVoIPcallsthatanAPcansimultaneously
support.
TheWLANPlanningWizard:CapacityPlanningAdvanceParametersscreenappears.
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Figure 76. Capacity Planning – Advance Parameters
SpecifythefactorsyouwouldliketoconsiderforWLANcapacityplanning.Theseare‘WhatIfscenarios.
SelecttheeffectsonAPcapacity:
¾ 802.11mediumaccessanomaly:Selecttoconsidertheproportionofactiveusersatvariousdatarates.
¾ 802.11mediumaccesscontention:Selecttoconsiderbandwidthcontentiondeterminedbythetotalnumberof
activeusersperAPandtheamountofuplinktraffic.
¾ 802.11bandwidthefficiency:Selecttoconsidertheimpactofoverheadonbandwidthefficiency.
SelecteitherofthetypeofperAPcapacityestimate(basedontheselectedfactors)toplantheWLAN:
¾ Conservative:UsestheworstcaseperAPcapacitytoestimatethenumberofAPsrequired.Thisoptionusually
estimatesmorenumberofAPs.
¾ Optimistic:MightoverestimateperAPcapacitythanobservedinpractice.Thisusuallyrequireslessnumberof
APscomparedtotheConservativeestimate.
¾ Average:ModeratelyestimatesperAPcapacityandisabalancebetweentheConservativeandOptimistic
options.Thisisthedefaultselected.
AccountingfortheeffectofWiFiinterferencegivesamoreaccurateestimateofcapacity.Forinstance,inascenario
withdenselypackedAPs,theinterAPinterferencemayconsiderablydegradethecapacity.Insomecases,the
capacityrequirementmaynotbefeasibleduetohighinterference.SpecifyifyouwanttoconsidertheeffectofWiFi
Interference.
¾ Yes
¾ No
TheWLANPlanningWizard:CapacityPlanningSummaryscreenappears.
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Figure 77. Capacity Planning Summary
TheCapacityPlanningSummaryscreengivesyouasummaryofthecapacityfocusedplanasperyourrequirementsand
specifications,resultsoftheWhatIfScenarioAnalysis’,andthenumberofAPs,asestimatedbyPlannertosuittheuserand
applicationrequirementsofcapacity.PlanneralsogivesyouitsanalysisoffeasibilityofcapacityplanningasPassed!or
Failed!’,withthegivensettings.Itestimatesiftheplannedcapacityisachievablewiththecurrentconfiguration;andifitis
not,thenitgivesthepotentialreasonforfailure.
IftheCapacityFeasibilityCheckisPassed!(Green),itimpliesthattheplannedcapacityisachieved.
Figure 78. Capacity Planning Summary – Passed! (Green)
IftheCapacityFeasibilityCheckisPassed?(Orange),itimpliesthattheplannedcapacityisachieved.However,
therearesomeextraAPs,whichPlannercannotplaceusingAutoAPplacementonthelayout.Thisscreenalso
displaysa?linkforEstimatedmaxcapacity(withWiFiinterference)intheWhatIfScenarioAnalysissection.
ThisimpliesthatPlannerisunabletocalculatetheestimatedmaximumcapacitywithWiFiinterferenceasallthe
estimateddevicesarenotplacedonthelayout.Clicking<Passed?>or<?>tellsyouthattheautoAPplacementisnot
abletoplacealltheAPsfortheselectedlayout.Hence,youmustmanuallyplacetheremainingAPsatthedesired
locationsafteryouexitthewizard.ItalsoasksyoutouseAutoChannelAllocationtominimizeinterference.
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Figure 79. Capacity Planning Summary – Passed? (Orange)
IftheCapacityFeasibilityCheckisFailed!’,Planneralsogivesthepotentialreasonforthefailure.
Figure 80. Capacity Planning Summary – Failed!
Click<Failed>toviewthereasonforfailure.TheWhatIfScenarioAnalysisisusefultounderstandthereasonfor
failure.
Conditionsforfailure:
¾ IftheexpectedcapacityyouspecifiedisgreaterthantheestimatedcapacitywithoutWiFiinterference,the
plannedcapacityisnotfeasible.
¾ IftheexpectedcapacityyouspecifiedisgreaterthantheestimatedcapacitywithWiFiinterference,theplanned
capacityisnotfeasible.
Onceyouclick<Finish>ineitheroftheabovesummaryscreens,PlannerstartsAutoDevicePlacementexplainedindetailin
thenextsection.
6.2 AutoDevicePlacement
PlannerconsidersthefollowingfactorsduringAutoDevicePlacement.
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WhetherthereareanyAreaPolygonsdefined.
¾ IfanAreaPolygonisdefined,PlannertriestoplacethecalculatednumberofdeviceswithintheAreaPolygon.
¾ IftherearenoAreaPolygonsdefined,Plannerplacesthedevicesonthelayoutatthecalculatedlocations.
Aftereitheroftheabovesteps,ifstillmoredevicesareleft,thenPlannerdisplaysamessagethattheremaining
devicescannotbeplacedautomaticallyandhenceyoucanmanuallyplacethesameatanydesiredlocationonthe
floormap.PlannershowsalistofthesedevicesintheDevicesLibrarydialogboxunderAutoAPsection.Youcan
draganddropthesedevicesonthefloormap.ThedeviceisofthesametypeaswasselectedduringDeviceSelection
intheWLANplanningwizard.
6.3 AutoChannelAllocation
Duetolimitedavailablefrequencyspectrumfor802.11WLANs,denseAPdeploymentoftenrequiresspatialreuseof
frequencies.Thestrategyyouchosedeterminesthesetofavailablechannels.Channelsareassignedtominimizeinterference.
Ifyouhadplacedsomedevicesmanually,orhadselectedcrossfloordevicesusingtheFilteroption;Plannerconsiders
interferencefromthesedevicesduringAutoChannelallocationtodeterminethebestavailablechannelforadevice.
Selecteitheroftheoptionsforchannelallocationstrategy.PlannerenablesyoutoautomaticallyallocatechannelsoncetheAPs
areplacedonthefloormap.
ClickfromtheToolbartoinvokechannelallocationstrategy.TheChannelAllocationStrategydialogboxappears.
Figure 81. Channel Allocation Strategy
Specifythechannelsyouwanttoassigntothedevices.
Nonoverlappingchannels:Thesearechannelsthatdonotinterferewitheachother.Forexample,intheUS,2.4GHz
bandoffersthreenonoverlappingchannels1,6,and11.
Allavailablechannels:Allchannelsareconsidered.Forexample,intheUS2.4GHzbandoffers11channels.Using
partiallyoverlappingchannels(forexample,1,4,7,11)canimproveoverallWLANcapacity.
6.4 EstimatingtheCapacity
Atanygivenpoint,ifyouwanttoestimatethecapacity,click ontheToolbar.Plannerdisplaysadialogboxmentioningthe
estimatedcapacityforthelayout.
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Chapter7 DevicePlacementontheLayoutModel
Deviceplacementenablesyouto:
PlanthelocationofSensorsandAPsonthelayoutmodel
Create‘WhatIfscenarios
GenerateRFviewstogetvisibilityintothesecurityexposureandRFcoverage
Usevariousfilterstogetmostrelevantviews
7.1 PlanningDevicePlacement
PlanningDevicePlacementisdividedinto:
RFViewArea
StatusandControlPane
7.1.1 RFViewArea
TheRFViewAreahelpsplandeviceplacementforbetternetworkandcoverageforthelayout.Plannerallowsyoutoviewthe
RFViewAreainthe‘FullScreen’mode.Todoso,clickCtrl+F11.IntheFullscreenmode,theToolbar,StatusandControl
Pane,andtheLocationstreearerenderedinvisible,thusallowingyoutousethecompletescreentoviewtheRFmaps.Usethe
samecommandtoreturntothenormalmodeagain.
Figure 82. Planning Device Placement: RF View Area
RFviews(alsocalledRFmaps)areclassifiedintothreegroupsasshowninthefollowingtable.
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Coverage View
Channel View
Link Speed View
Interference View
Redundancy View
Access Point Views
SINR View
Coverage View
Threat View
Sensor Views Redundancy View
Calibration View Calibration
Note:WheneveryoushiftfromonetaboftheRFviewtoanother,PlannerdisplaysanInformationmessagedescribingthattab.
7.1.2 StatusandControlPane
TheStatusandControlpaneisdividedintotwo.OnepartappearsonetheToolbaratthetopofthescreen,whilethesecond
partappearsonthelowerpaneatthebottomofthescreen.ThesearedescribedindetailinthesectionPlanningDevice
Placement:StatusandControl.
7.2 PlanningDevicePlacement:ViewsforIndoorandOutdoorLayout
PlacementofdeviceslikeAPsandSensorsresultinIndoorandOutdoorviews.YoucandisableanAPbyrightclickingthe
APandselectingDisableAP.Similarly,youcanenableanAPbyrightclickingandselectingEnableAP.AnenabledAPis
representedaswhileadisabledAPisrepresentedas.Likewise,youcanenable/disableaSensortoo.AnenabledSensor
isrepresentedaswhileadisabledSensorisrepresentedas.Thisisjustaviewingoptionfor‘WhatIf’scenarios.
YoucanalsoviewthecoverageofadeviceondifferentfloorsusingtheFilteroptioninalltheviewsexcepttheCalibration
View.Incaseofcrossfloor,ifanAPorSensorisvisibleonalayoutbutbelongstoaflooraboveorbelow,thenthatAPor
SensorisrepresentedwithanUParrow orDOWNarrow.
7.2.1 APCoverageView
ThisviewdisplayscolorcodedRSSIdistributionoverthecurrentlayout.Ithelpsyouplanforavailablesignalstrengthata
specificlocationandchecktheavailabilityofRFsignalatdifferentlocationsontheplan.Thishelpsyouensurethatallthe
regionsintheplanhavecoveragefromatleastoneAP.IncasethereismorethanoneAPcoveringanareaonthelayout,you
canseethestrongestsignalstrengthinthisview.
ClickingatapointonthelayoutdisplaysthepredictedRSSIatthatpointintheStatusbar.
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Figure 83. AP Coverage View: Indoor Layout
Figure 84. AP Coverage View: Outdoor Layout
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ColorPaletteCustomization:DoubleclicktheColorIndexintheStatusbar.ThisopenstheColordialogboxwhereyoucan
customizethecolors.
Note:You cancustomizetheColorPaletteinalltheotherviewstoo.
Figure 85. Planning Device Placement: Customize Color Dialog Box
7.2.2 APChannelView
Thisviewdisplaysthechanneldistributionoverthecurrentlayout.TheoperatingchanneloftheAPthatprovidesmaximum
linkspeedatalocationdecidesthechannelvalueatthatlocation.Thisviewhelpsyoudecidethechannelthatshouldbeused
atalocationforthebestperformance.
ThisviewdisplaysthecolorcodedchanneloftheAPshowingthemaximumdownlinkdatarateateachpointonthelayout.
PlannerhelpspredicttheAPtowhichaClientshouldassociateforbettersignalstrengthandlinkspeed.Visualdisplayof
channeldistributionalsohelpsyouresolvechanneloverlapconditions.IfyousettheAPtoaparticularchannel,youcansee
thecolorofthecoverageareachangedtothecorrespondingchannelcolor.Youcanselectoneoranycombinationorallthree
protocolstoviewthechannelcoverageforthoseprotocolsonthelayout.
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Figure 86. AP Channel View: Indoor Layout
Figure 87. AP Channel View: Outdoor Layout
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7.2.3 APLinkSpeedView
ThisviewhelpsyouplanforavailabledownlinkconnectivityspeedsandthechoiceofwirelessClientsthatshouldbeusedat
variouslocationsonthelayout.ItdisplaysthemaximumdownlinkdataratethatawirelessClientcanexpectfroma
connection.Itshowsthe802.11downlinkconnectionspeedavailableateachpointonthelayout.Thisviewalsohelpsyou
planforminimumlinkspeedatalllocationsonthecurrentlayout.
Figure 88. AP Link Speed View: Indoor Layout
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Figure 89. AP Link Speed View: Outdoor Layout
7.2.4 APInterferenceView
Thisviewdisplaysthelevelof802.11channelinterferenceatvariouslocationsontheplan.Theinterferenceisbasedonthe
signalstrengthofdifferentAPs,operatingonthesamechannel,atthatlocation.Thisviewhelpsyouplanforminimum
interferencetoprovidebetternetworkconnectivityandbetterthroughputforhigherendusersatisfaction.
ThereareInterferenceViewcheckboxesatthebottomoftheAPInterferenceViewscreen.
CoChannel:Selecttoshowinterferenceduetochannelswiththesamefrequency
AdjacentChannel:Selecttoshowinterferenceduetoadjacentchannels
SelectboththecheckboxestoviewthetotalchannelinterferenceduetobothCoChannelandAdjacentChannel
channels.
Thecolorpalettedisplayssixlevelsofinterference:Negligible,Very Low,Low,Moderate,High,andVery High.
TheNetworkUtilizationdropdownlistatthebottomrightcornerofthescreenallowsyoutochooseLow,Medium,orHigh
levelofnetworkutilizationwithwhichchannelinterferenceistobecomputed.NetworkUtilizationisameasureofthe
amountof802.11activitythatisthetrafficgeneratedduetocommunicationbetween802.11devicesinthenetwork.Italso
dependsuponthechannelofthecommunicatingdevices.Communicationonachanneladdsloadtoitselfandtoadjacent
channels(incaseof802.11band802.11g)duetooverlapinfrequencyspectrumofadjacentchannels.
Click<SelectChannels>atthebottomrightcornertoviewthepanelofchannelsoperatingonvariousprotocols.Youcan
selectthechannelsinthispanel.Allthechannelsthatarenotselected,donotcontributetotheinterference.Forexample,if
youdonotselectchannel6andthereisadeviceonthelayoutoperatingonchannel6,Plannerdoesnotconsiderthisdevice
forcalculatinginterference.
YoucanalsoviewthechannelinterferenceforcertainchannelsbygoingtoToolsÆSettingsÆPreferencesÆAPViews.
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Figure 90. Interference View: Selecting Channels
Figure 91. AP Interference View: Indoor Layout
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Figure 92. AP Interference View: Outdoor Layout
7.2.5 APRedundancyView
ThisviewdisplaystheareaonthelayoutcoveredbyasetofAPradios.Itisusefulinplanningforimprovednetwork
availabilityincaseofdevicebreakdown,APmalfunction,capacityplanning,andplannedoutages.EachAPRedundancy
valueismappedtoacolorcode.YoucansetthevaluesusingthecolorpalettegivenatthebottomoftheAPRedundancy
View.
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Figure 93. AP Redundancy View: Indoor Layout
Figure 94. AP Redundancy View: Outdoor Layout
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7.2.6 APSINRView
Thisviewdisplaysthesignaltointerferenceandnoiseratio(SINR)valuesatdifferentareasonthelayout.SINRistheratioof
thereceivedsignaltotheamountofinterferenceandambientnoiseatagivenlocationonthelayout.SINRdeterminesthe
maximumdaterateorthelinkspeedfeasibleatagivenpointonthelayout.IfSINRispoor,seetheAPInterferenceViewto
determineiftheamountofinterferenceisthelimitingfactor.
TheSINRlevelsarecolorcoded.ThecolorpaletteshowsfivelevelsofSINRvalues:Ver y Poor,Poor,Moderate,Good,and
Excellent.
Figure 95. AP SINR View: Indoor Layout
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Figure 96. AP SINR View: Outdoor Layout
7.2.7 SensorCoverageView
ThisviewhelpsplantheplacementofSensors.ItdisplaysthezoneofvisibilityforeachSensor.Sensorscancover802.11a,
802.11b,802.11g,802.11a/n,and802.11b/g/nprotocols.SensorsareplacedonthelayoutsuchthattheycandetectWLAN
activityateachpointonthelayoutanditsperimeterandcanpreventunauthorizedactivity.
Recommended:PlanSensorplacementsuchthateachpointonthelayoutanditsperimeterisvisibletotwoorthreeSensors.Youcando
thisusingtheSensorRedundancyView.
TherearetworangesforSensors’RFvisibility:DetectionandPrevention.YoucanvieweitherthePreventionrange,orthe
Detectionrange,orbothusingthetwocheckboxes:ShowPreventionandShowDetectionprovidedatthebottomofthe
screen.
DetectionRange:AreafromwhichSensorscanreliablydetectanywirelessactivity.Detectionisbasedondatarate
(linkspeed)ofprotocols.SpecifythedatarateorusetheDeviceTransmitPower(dBm)slidertocontrolthedatarate
forwhichyouwanttoseedetection.Sensorscandetectallthedevices(withtransmitpowersetgreaterthanthatin
thesliderbar)locatedwithinitsdetectionrange.Forfurtherspecificresults,selectcertainprotocolsandthenspecify
thedataratesforeach.
Note:Ifyoudisableaprotocol,theviewwillchangeaccordinglyandshowpreventionanddetectiononlyfortheactiveprotocols.
PreventionRange:AreaoverwhichSensorscanreliablypreventanyunauthorizedwirelessactivityandblock
unwantedWLANdevices.YoucanalsousethePreventionReliabilityslidertocontrolthepreventionrange.Asthe
preventionreliabilityincreases,thepreventionrangereduces.
¾ LowPreventionReliabilityindicatestheoptimisticestimatesofthepreventionrangeofSensors.Theactual
preventionrangeislikelytobelessthanthepredictedpreventionrange.
¾ MediumPreventionReliabilityindicatesthemostlikelypreventionrangeofSensors.Theactualprevention
rangeislikelytobecomparablewiththepredictedpreventionrange.
¾ HighPreventionReliabilityindicatesconservativeestimatesofthepreventionrangeofSensors.Theactual
preventionrangeislikelytobegreaterthanthepredictedpreventionrange.
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Figure 97. Sensor Coverage View: Indoor Layout
Figure 98. Sensor Coverage View: Outdoor Layout
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7.2.8 SensorThreatView
ThisviewdisplaystheareabeyondthedetectionandpreventionrangesoftheSensors.Itshowstheareaswithsecuritylapses,
whichmaybesubjectedtodifferentkindsofthreatsandattacks.Thisviewenablesyoutoidentifythetypeofthreat
dependingonthetypeofdevice:AP,Sensor,andClient.Therisk/safetylevelsarecolorcoded.Ithelpsyouidentifythe
numberofSensorsneededtoadequatelycoverthelayoutagainstthreats.
Plannersupportsthefollowingtypesofthreats:
RogueAP
HoneypotAP
Adhocconnection
DoSAttack
MACSpoofing
ClientMisassociation
MisconfiguredAP
UnauthorizedAssociation
Figure 99. Sensor Threat View: Indoor Layout
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Figure 100. Sensor Threat View: Outdoor Layout
7.2.9 SensorRedundancyView
ThisviewdisplaystheareacoveredbyasetofSensors.ItisusefulinplanningforimprovedsecuritycoverincaseofSensor
breakdown,malfunction,plannedoutages,andforlocationtrackingby3Com®AirProtectEnterprise.Youcansetthe
Redundancyvalueusingthesliderbaratthebottomofthescreen.
Recommended:UseaSensorredundancyofthreeforlocationtracking.
Allthelocationsonthelayoutshouldappeartobecolored;anyregionwhichiswhiteindicatesthattheregionisnotsecured
duetoabsenceofsignalfromaSensor.
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Figure 101. Sensor Redundancy View: Indoor Layout
Figure 102. Sensor Redundancy View: Outdoor Layout
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7.2.10 CalibrationView
Thisviewdisplaysapredefinedsetofpointswhereyouneedtocollectsignalstrength.Thesepredefinedsetofpointsare
calledsystemgeneratedpointsandtheplacementofthesepointsdependsonvariousfactorslikelocationoffloorobjects,their
materialtype,andsoon.Thisviewhelpsyoufinetunethecurrentpredictionsclosertoreallifevalues.Forthis,Plannerneeds
tocollectsignalstrengthvaluesatvariousplaces.
Note:CalibrationViewisnotavailableforoutdoorplanning.
Figure 103. Calibration View: Indoor Layout
Totakereadings,movetoalocationontheflooranddoubleclickthelocationpoint.Plannerwillautomaticallycollectthe
signalstrengthandaverageitoveraperiodforstablereadings.Youcanalsotakereadingsatanylocationbyrightclicking
thatpointandselecting<TakeReading>.
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Figure 104. Visible AP Info List
SelectthedesiredAP’ssignalstrengthandclick<OK>.Thiscreatesauserdefinedpoint.
Aftertakingreadingsatallpoints,click<Calibrate>.Plannerwillcalculatethesignallossduetoobjectsandotherfactors
basedonthemeasuredsignalstrength.
ThisprocesscompletestheloopofstartingwithRFpredictionandusingtheactualmeasuredsignalstrengthtofinetunethe
RFprediction.
ThefollowingoptionsaredisabledinCalibrationView:
Layouteditoptionslikedrawing,rotate,cut,copy,paste,andsoon
SpillageView
GenerateReport
Statistics
7.3 PlanningDevicePlacement:StatusandControl
Plannerprovidesseveraloptionsforsettingthestatusandcontrols,andgeneratingRFviews.Youcandefinesettingsfromthe
Toolbaratthetopofthescreenandthelowerpaneatthebottomofthescreendisplayingthecolorpalette.
Figure 105. Status and Control Pane – Toolbar
Figure 106. Status and Control Pane – Lower Pane
7.3.1 SignalCertaintyLevel
TheSignalCertaintyLeveltabontheToolbarenablesyoutochoosethereliabilitylevelofthepredictedRFsignalvalues.
ChoosefromLow,Medium,orHighsignalcertaintyvaluesfromthedropdownlist.
ClickingtheSignalCertaintyLeveltabdisplaysaninformationpopup.
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Figure 107. Status and Control Pane: Signal Certainty Level I-Pop-up
7.3.2 Accuracy
TheAccuracytabontheToolbarallowsyoutosetfourlevelsofaccuracyforRFcomputationswith1beingthelowest
(default)and4beingthehighest.ComputationtimeforcreatingRFmapsincreaseswiththeaccuracylevel.
7.3.3 Opacity
TheOpacityoptionhelpsyouviewthefloormodelandcoveragetogether.SelecttheOpacityvaluefromthedropdownlist.
Opacityvalueof0%makesthecoveragecolorstransparentwhileavalueof100%makesthecoveragecolorsopaque.
7.3.4 ShowGrid
Click fromtheToolbartoviewthegridonthelayout.Thishelpsviewthecelldistance.
7.3.5 ViewLayoutModel
Click fromtheToolbartoviewthelayoutmodel.Thishelpsyouverifythelocationsofthedevicesplacedonthelayout
alongwiththeoriginal.gifor.jpgimage.
7.3.6 ShowRFSignal
Click.fromtheToolbartoviewtheRFsignalsofthelayout.Thishelpsyouviewthecolorcodedsignalcoverageofthe
devicesonthelayout,acrossdifferentviews.
7.3.7 ShowSpillageView
Click fromtheToolbartoinvoketheSpillageView.ThisviewdisplayscolorcodedRSSIdistributionoverandaroundthe
perimeterofthecurrentlayout.Ithelpsyouanalyzethesecurityexposureduetospillageofthesignalsoutsidetheperimeter
ofthecurrentlayout.Youcanminimizethesecuritythreatsfromwardriversandeavesdroppersbasedontheresultsofthe
SpillageView.PlannerassumestheareaoutsidethelayouttobefreespaceforRFprediction.
HigherSensorcoverageoutsidetheperimeterofthelayoutindicatesabettercoverageforsecurityexposure.Withlarger
coverage,adevicethatisfarawayfromthelayoutperimetercanalsobedetectedbytheSensorandthetransmissioncanbe
prevented,iffoundmalicious.
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Figure 108. Spillage View
Note:TheSpillageViewoptionisavailableonlyintheAPCoverageView,SensorCoverageView,andSensorThreatView.
7.3.8 SelectingProtocols
Plannerallowsyoutoselectprotocols.Youcantryvarious‘WhatIfscenariosusingcombinationsofprotocolsandWLAN
devices.Youcanselectthefollowing:
802.11a,802.11b,802.11g,802.11a/n,or802.11b/g/nprotocols
AnisolatedviewoftheselectedWLANdevices
Theviewchangesaccordingtotheselectedprotocol.Ifyouselectmorethanoneprotocol,Plannershowsallthoseprotocols
simultaneously.Selectingmorethanoneprotocolcansometimesleadtomissingdetailsforaspecificprotocolbecauseof
overlap.
UsingtheFilterdialogbox,youcanviewthecoverageofadeviceaboveandbelowthecurrentfloor.Thedialogboxalso
displaysdetailslikethenameofthedevice,thenameofthelayoutwherethedeviceislocated,andthelevel.
Usethefollowingstepstoselecttheprotocols.
1 ClickfromtheToolbar.
2 SelectthedesiredprotocolanddeviceintheFiltersdialogbox.
3 Click<Apply>.
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Figure 109. Filters
Intheabovefigure,ShowCoverageForDeviceshasthefollowingoptions:
OnCurrentLayout
1. Showsdevicesplacedonthecurrentlayout
2. Displayscoverageonlyforthosedevicesplacedonthecurrentlayout
OnLayoutAbove
1. Showsdevicesplacedonthelayoutabovethecurrentlayout
2. Displayscoverageonlyforthosedevicesplacedonthelayoutabovethecurrentlayout
OnLayoutBelow
1. Showsdevicesplacedonthelayoutbelowthecurrentlayout
2. Displayscoverageonlyforthosedevicesplacedonthelayoutbelowthecurrentlayout
7.3.9 Calculate/CalibrateButton
RFcomputationisrequiredwheneveryou:
Add,move,orchangethepropertiesofanAPoraSensor
Changealayoutoritsproperties
Changethespillagefactor,attenuationfactor,ortheaccuracylevel
Click<Calculate>toperformRFcomputations.IfRFcomputationispending,acommentinredRecalculationNeeded
appearsbelowtheCalculatebutton.
The<Calibrate>buttonreplacesthe<Calculate>buttonwhenyouareontheCalibrationtab.Click<Calibrate>totake
readingsandcollectsignalstrengthsatvariouspointsonthelayout.
7.3.10 ColorPalette
ThissectionshowsthecolorpaletteusedintheplanningofDevicePlacementviews.DoubleclicktheColorIndextoopenthe
Colordialogboxwhereyoucancustomizethecolors.
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Figure 110. Status and Control Pane: Color Palette
7.4 StatusBar
TheStatusBarappearsattheextremebottomofthescreen.TheStatusBarisdividedintofivesections.
CursorLocation
RSSIDisplay
LayoutDimensions
CurrentMode
Interference
SINR
7.4.1 CursorLocation(X,Y)
CursorLocationdisplaysthelocationcoordinateswithrespecttothetopleftcornerofthelayout.
Figure 111. Status and Control Pane: Cursor Location
7.4.2 RSSIDisplay
Plannerpredictsthesignalstrengthatthepointwherethecursorpoints.
Figure 112. Status and Control Pane: RSSI Display
7.4.3 LayoutDimensions
Thestatusbardisplaysthedimensionsofthelayout.
Figure 113. Status and Control Pane: Layout Dimensions
7.4.4 CurrentMode
Thestatusbardisplaysthenameoftheicononwhichthecursorpoints.
Figure 114. Status and Control Pane: Current Mode
7.4.5 Interference
Thestatusbardisplaysthechannelsthatexperiencehighinterference.
Figure 115. Status and Control Pane: Interference
7.4.6 SINR
ThestatusbardisplaystheSINRlevelataparticularlocationonthelayout.
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Figure 116. Status and Control Pane: SINR
7.5 DeviceLibrary
Click ontheToolbartoinvoketheDeviceLibrarydialogbox.
TheDeviceLibrarydialogboxdisplaystheavailableAPsandSensors.Ithastwotabs:AccessPointsandSensors.Youcan
directlydraganddropthedevicesfromthislistatanappropriateplaceonthefloormap.
Figure 117. Device Library
TheAccessPointstreeontheAccessPointstabconsistsof:
AutoAP:ListsdevicesthatwerecalculatedduringWLANPlanning,butcouldnotbeplacedonthelayout.
NewAP:DisplaysthedefaultAPsetinthePlannerapplication.ClicktheAP,anddraganddropitonthefloormap.
PlannercreatesaninstanceofthatAP.TochangethedefaultAPproperties,rightclicktheAPandselectProperties.
TheDefaultAPPropertiesdialogboxappearsasexplainedintheSettings:APDefaultssection.
VisibleAPs:ListsallthevisibleAPsseenbytheClientintheair.Thesedevicesarepreconfiguredwiththe
propertiesthattheClientseesintheair.
TheSensorstreeontheSensorstabconsistsof:
NewSensor:DisplaysthedefaultSensorsetinthePlannerapplication.ClicktheSensor,anddraganddropitonthe
floormap.PlannercreatesaninstanceofthatSensor.TochangethedefaultSensorproperties,rightclicktheSensor
andselectProperties.TheDefaultSensorPropertiesdialogboxappearsasexplainedintheSettings:SensorDefaults
section.
Note:Plannershowsthefreespacereachofadeviceintheformofconcentricsphereswhenyoudragadeviceontothelayout.These
spheresserveasusefulguidelineswhiledecidingtheplacementofdevices.
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Figure 118. Device Library: Display Coverage Area of the Device
Onceyouplacethedevicesonthelayout,theydonotappearinthelist.ThesedevicesappearintheDevicesTreeontheleft
paneofthescreen.Youcanchangethelocationofadevicebydraggingthedevicetothenewlocation.
7.6 DeviceProperties
YoucanchangethedevicepropertiesofAPsandSensorsusedtoplanthelayout.
7.6.1 AccessPointProperties
TomodifythepropertiesofanAPplacedonthelayout,doeitherofthefollowing:
RightclicktheAPandselectProperties
RightclickordoubleclicktheAPintheDeviceListandselectProperties
DoubleclicktheAP
TheAccessPointPropertiesdialogboxappears.
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Figure 119. Access Point Properties
YoucansetthefollowingAPparameters.
Name:EnterauniquenamebywhichtheAPisidentified.
Model:SelectanAPModelfromthedropdownlistofcommerciallyavailableAPmodels.Plannerenables,disables,
orchangestheotherpropertiesinthisdialogboxbasedontheselectedAPmodel.
EthernetMAC:EntertheEthernetMACAddressoftheAP.
SelectRadio:Selecttheradiofromthedropdownlist.
RadioProperties
¾ MACAddress:EntertheMACAddressoftheradio.
¾ SSID:EntertheSSIDoftheAPsradio.
Click<Add>toaddtheSSIDtotheListofSSIDs.
¾ ListofSSIDs:DisplaysthelistofSSIDsoftheAP’sradio.
Click<Delete>todeleteanSSIDselectedfromtheListofSSIDs.
¾ Antenna:Selectanantennafromthedropdownlist.
Click<More>toviewadditionaldetailsoftheantenna.TheSelectAntennadialogboxappearswhichhelps
youaddorselecttheantennainabettermanner,fromthelistofavailableantennae.
¾ Orientation:Selectadirectioninwhichtheantennawouldradiateitspower.
Thepreviewreflectstheantennaradiationbasedontheantennaselected.
¾ ActiveProtocol:Selectanactiveprotocolfromthedropdownlist.Eachradiocanoperateonanyoneofthe
protocols.
¾ Channel:Selectanoperatingchannelfortheselectedprotocol.Selectprimaryandsecondarychannelsfromthe
dropdownlist.Thedifferencebetweentheprimaryandsecondarychannelvaluesisfourunits.
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¾ WaterfallCurve:Selectawaterfallcurvefromthedropdownlistofavailablewaterfallcurvesfortheselected
protocol.
¾ Power(mW):SelectapowerlevelfromthesupportedpowervaluesatwhichtheAPwilloperateforeach
selectedprotocol.Youmustkeepthedefaultvalues,whicharebasedonthemaximumtransmitpowerforthe
protocolaspermittedbytheregulatoryagenciesinthecountriesforwhichyouaredoingtheWLANplanning.
RefertoAppendixD:GlossaryofTermsformoredetailsonregulatorydomaincompliance.
¾ Click<AdvancedParameters>tosetadvance802.11nparameters.
Note:Thereisonlyonechannelincaseof802.11a,802.11b,and802.11gprotocols.AdvancedParametersisavailableonlyforthe
802.11nprotocol.
Click<Save>tosavethechanges.Alternately,click<Cancel>todiscardthechanges.
7.6.2 SensorProperties
TomodifythepropertiesofaSensorplacedonthelayout,doeitherofthefollowing:
RightclicktheSensorandselectProperties
RightclickordoubleclicktheSensorintheDeviceListandselectProperties
DoubleclicktheSensor
TheSensorPropertiesdialogboxappears.
Figure 120. Sensor Properties
Youcansetthefollowing:
Name:EnterauniquenamebywhichtheSensorisidentified.
Model:SelectaSensorModelfromthedropdownlistofcommerciallyavailableSensormodels.Plannerenables,
disables,orchangestheotherpropertiesinthisdialogboxbasedontheselectedSensormodel.
EthernetMAC:EntertheEthernetMACAddressoftheSensor.
SelectRadio:Selecttheradiofromthedropdownlist.
RadioProperties
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¾ MACAddress:EntertheMACAddressoftheRadio.
¾ Antenna:Selectanantennafromthedropdownlist.
Click<More>toviewadditionaldetailsoftheantenna.TheSelectAntennadialogboxappearswhichhelps
youaddorselecttheantennainabettermanner,fromthelistofavailableantennae.Itisagoodpracticeto
keeptheSensorantennaetobedipoleoromnidirectional,whichenablestheSensortodetectandprevent
attacksfromanydirection.
¾ Orientation:Selectadirectionfromwheretheantennawouldreceiveitspower.
Thepreviewreflectstheantennaradiationbasedontheselectedantenna.
¾ ActiveProtocol:Selectanactiveprotocolfromthedropdownlist.Eachradiocanoperateonanyoneofthe
protocols.
¾ Power(mW):SelectapowerlevelfromthesupportedpowervaluesatwhichtheSensoroperatesforeach
selectedprotocol.Youmustkeepthedefaultvalues,whicharebasedonthemaximumtransmitpowerforthe
protocolaspermittedbytheregulatoryagenciesinthecountriesforwhichyouaredoingtheWLANplanning.
(Example:FCCintheUnitedStates).RefertoAppendixD:GlossaryofTermsformoredetailsonregulatory
domaincompliance.
¾ WaterfallCurve:Selectawaterfallcurvefromthedropdownlistofavailablewaterfallcurvesfortheselected
protocol.
¾ AdvancedParameters:Clicktosettheadvance802.11nparameters.Thisisavailableonlyifyouhaveselected
the802.11nprotocol.
Click<Save>tosavethechanges.Alternately,click<Cancel>todiscardthechanges.
7.7 ViewingSignalStrength
Plannerenablesyoutoviewthesignalstrengthofallthedevicesplacedonthefloormapacrossalayout.Useeitherofthe
followingtoviewthesignalstrength:
ClickfromtheToolbar
RightclickanywhereonthefloormapandselectViewsignalStrength
TheViewSignalStrengthscreenappears.
Figure 121. Viewing Signal Strength
ThescreendisplaysthesignalstrengthvaluesanddevicedetailssuchastheDeviceName,RadioID,ActiveProtocol,SSID,
SignalStrength,andLinkSpeedofthedevicesonthefloormap.TheSignalStrengthandLinkSpeedvalueschangeasyou
movethecursoracrossthefloormap.
7.8 Statistics
Statisticsgivesthepercentage(%)areaunderspecificRFcoverageascomparedtothetotallayoutarea.Click onthe
ToolbartoinvokeStatistics.
RFcoverageforstatisticalanalysisincludes:
AccessPointViews:Coverage,LinkSpeed,andChannelInterference
SensorViews:SensorDetectionOnly,SensorPreventionOnly,andSensorRedundancy
Note:ToviewtheStatisticsfortheSensorViews,switchtotheSensorViewgroupandclicktheStatisticsicon.
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IfyouchooseaspecificareawiththeAreaPolygonoption,youcanviewstatisticsfordifferentregionssuchas:
AllDefinedArea
OnlySelectedArea
AreaNotCoveredByDefinedArea
CompleteLayout
Figure 122. Statistics: Area – Signal Distribution
Figure 123. Statistics: Area - Link Speed Distribution
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Figure 124. Statistics: Area – Channel Interference Distribution
Figure 125. Statistics: Area - Sensor Detection
Note:ToviewtheStatisticsforSensorPrevention,ensurethatyouhaveselectedtheShowPreventioncheckboxintheSensorCoverage
View.
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Figure 126. Statistics: Area - Sensor Prevention
Figure 127. Statistics: Area - Sensor Redundancy
7.9 SavingtheFile
Afteryouhaveplannedtheentirenetwork,youmustsavethefile.Ifyouhavenotsavedthefile,Plannerpromptsyoutosave
thefile,underthefollowingcircumstances:
Openanotherfile.
Createanewfile.
Saveasadifferentfile.
GenerateaReport.
ExitPlanner.
7.10 SavingtheProjectFile
Afteryouhaveplannedallthelayoutsunderaproject,youmustsavetheproject.Ifyouhavenotsavedtheproject,Planner
promptsyoutosavetheproject,underthefollowingcircumstances:
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Openanotherproject.
Createanewproject.
Saveasadifferentproject.
Exportthewholeprojectforimportinto3Com®AirProtectEnterpriseoranyothersystemrunningPlanner.
ExitPlanner.
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Chapter8 Settings
8.1 Settings:InvokingfromToolsMenu
Figure 128. Settings: Invoking from Tools Menu
TheSettingswindowcontainsthefollowing:
Preferences
APDefaults
SensorDefaults
8.2 Settings:Preferences
GotoSettingsÆPreferences,thePreferencesscreenopensintheLayoutDesignertab.
Figure 129. Preferences – Layout Designer
8.2.1 Preferences:LayoutDesigner
TheLayoutDesignerallowsyoutoperformthefollowingfunctionsontheLayoutDesigner.
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Tolerance:Specifythetoleranceintherangeof1to20.Forexample,ifyouclickthemouse20pixelsawayfromthe
declaredtolerancevalue,thecursorwillselectthedevice.
AngularLineSettings:DefaultWidth:Specifythedesiredwidthtodrawallangularlines.
HollowObjectSettings:DefaultThickness:Specifythedesiredthicknesstodrawallhollowobjects.
8.2.2 Preferences:APViews
GotoSettingsÆPreferencesÆAPViews,theAPViewstabappears.
Figure 130. Preferences – AP Views
ThescreenallowsyoutodefineAPandChannelviewssettings:
APViewSettings
¾ AmbientNoise:SpecifyavaluetocalculatetheSINRvaluewithrespecttothetotalchannelinterferenceacross
thelayout.
Recommended:DonotchangetheAmbientNoisevaluesunlessyouareverysureoftheenvironmentproperties.
¾ CoverageEstimationThresholds:SpecifythethresholdforthecoverageoutlinesshownforAPswhiledragging
thoseonthelayout.Enterthevaluesintherange‐100to‐10dBm.Plannershowstheareascoveredintheformof
concentricspheres,dependinguponthevaluesspecifiedfortheregions.Youcanhaveamaximumoffour
separateregions.PlannerassumesanOmnidirectionalantennainthiscase.
ChannelViewSettings
¾ AvailabilityThreshold:DefineathresholdvaluefortheChannelView.Plannerdoesnotconsiderasignalbelow
thisvalue,whilecalculatingthechannelatalocation.Thevalueshouldbeintherange‐150to‐20.
¾ SeeChannelInterferencefor:Allowsyoutoviewchannelinterferencefortheselectedchannels.
8.2.3 Preferences:SensorViews
GotoSettingsÆPreferencesÆSensorViews,theSensorViewstabappears.
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Figure 131. Preferences – Sensor Views
Thepreventionanddetectionthresholdsaredifferentfordifferentprotocols.Theabovescreenenablesyoutosetthe
preventionanddetectionthresholdvaluesfortheseprotocols.
SensorViewSettings
¾ Protocol:Selectaprotocolfromthedropdownlist.
¾ Therightpaneofthescreendisplaysthedetectionandpreventionfieldsfortheselectedprotocol.
DetectionThreshold:SpecifythelowestsignalstrengthbelowwhichtheSensormustnotconsiderany
signalforcomputingthedetectionrangeinthe802.11(a,b/g,a/n,b/g/n)protocol.Ifyouaredoinga
conservativeSensorplacement,specifyahighercutoffvalue.
PreventionThreshold:SpecifythevaluesforLowReliability,MedReliability,andHighReliability.The
ReliabilityslidertakesfromthesevaluesinthePreventionViewfortherespectiveprotocol.Forexample,if
yousettheReliabilityslidertoLow,Plannerusesthelowreliabilitythresholdvalue.
(Minimum:‐90dBm;Maximum:0dBm;Default:‐85dBm)
8.2.4 Preferences:ColorPalettes
GotoSettingsÆPreferencesÆColorPalettes,theColorPalettestabappears.
Figure 132. Preferences – Color Palettes
SelectColorPalettefor:SelectanRFviewfromthedropdownlist,forwhichyouwanttosetthecolorpalette.
ColorIndex(dBm):Doubleclickthecolorindextochangethecolorpalettesettings.
8.2.5 Preferences:Calibration
GotoSettingsÆPreferencesÆCalibration,theCalibrationtabappears.
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Figure 133. Preferences – Calibration
CreateSystemDefinedCalibrationPoints:Selectthecheckboxtocreatesystemdefinedcalibrationpoints.This
enablesyoutospecifythepairsofpointsforcalibration.Plannercreatesthesepointsaroundamaterialwhenyouare
intheCalibrationView.Thesepointsarerepresentedbytheicon.
SpecifyNumberofPairs:Specifythenumberofpairsofcalibrationpoints.Thedefaultvalueis4pairs.
8.3 Settings:APDefaults
YoucaninvoketheSettingsdialogboxintwoways:
SelectSettingsfromtheToolsmenu.
RightclicktheAPintheAPtreeintheDeviceLibrarywindowandselectProperties.
TheDefaultAPPropertiesdialogboxappears.
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Figure 134. Settings – AP Defaults
DefinesettingsforthefollowingAPparameters.
APPrefix:SpecifythetexttoprefixtoanAPwhenAPsarenumbered.
Model:SelectanAPmodelfromthedropdownlistofcommerciallyavailableAPmodels.Plannerenables,disables,
orchangestheotherpropertiesinthisdialogboxbasedontheselectedAPmodel.
SelectRadio:Selecttheradiofromthedropdownlist.
RadioProperties
¾ SSID:EntertheSSIDoftheAPsradio.
Click<Add>toaddanSSIDintheListofSSIDs.
¾ ListofSSIDs:DisplaysthelistofSSIDsoftheAP’sradio.
Click<Delete>todeleteanSSIDselectedfromtheListofSSIDs.
¾ Antenna:Selectanantennafromthedropdownlist.
Click<More>toviewadditionaldetailsoftheantenna.TheSelectAntennadialogboxappearswhichhelps
youaddorselecttheantennainabettermanner,fromthelistofavailableantennae.
¾ Orientation:Selectadirectioninwhichtheantennawouldradiateitspower.
Thepreviewreflectstheantennaradiationbasedontheantennaselected.
¾ ActiveProtocol:Selectanactiveprotocolfromthedropdownlist.Eachradiocanoperateonanyoneofthe
protocols.
¾ Channel:Selectanoperatingchannelfortheselectedprotocol.Selecttheprimaryandsecondarychannelsfrom
thedropdownlist.Thedifferencebetweentheprimaryandsecondarychannelvaluesisfourunits.
¾ WaterfallCurve:Selectawaterfallcurvefromthedropdownlistofavailablewaterfallcurvesfortheselected
protocol.
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¾ Power(mW):SelectapowerlevelfromthesupportedpowervaluesatwhichtheAPwilloperateforeach
selectedprotocol.Youmustkeepthedefaultvalues,whicharebasedonthemaximumtransmitpowerforthe
protocolaspermittedbytheregulatoryagenciesinthecountriesforwhichyouaredoingtheWLANplanning.
RefertoAppendixD:GlossaryofTermsformoredetailsonregulatorydomaincompliance.
¾ Click<AdvancedParameters>tosetadvance802.11nparameters.
Note:Thereisonlyonechannelincaseof802.11a,802.11b,and802.11gprotocols.AdvancedParametersisavailableonlyforthe
802.11nprotocol.
Click<Save>tosavethechanges.Alternately,click<Cancel>todiscardthechanges.
8.4 Settings:SensorDefaults
YoucaninvokeSettingsforSensorDefaultsintwoways:
SelectSettingsfromtheToolsmenu.
RightclicktheSensorintheSensortreeintheDeviceLibrarywindowandselectProperties.
TheDefaultAPPropertiesdialogboxappears.
Figure 135. Settings – Sensor Defaults
DefinesettingsforthefollowingSensorproperties:
SensorPrefix:SpecifythetexttoprefixtoaSensorwhenSensorsarenumbered.
Model:SelectaSensormodelfromthedropdownlistofcommerciallyavailableSensormodels.Plannerenables,
disables,orchangestheotherpropertiesinthisdialogboxbasedontheselectedSensormodel.
SelectRadio:Selecttheradiofromthedropdownlist.
RadioProperties
¾ Antenna:Selectanantennafromthedropdownlist.
Click<More>toviewadditionaldetailsoftheantenna.TheSelectAntennadialogboxappearswhichhelps
youaddorselecttheantennainabettermanner,fromthelistofavailableantennae.Itisagoodpracticeto
keepSensorantennaetobedipoleoromnidirectional,whichenablestheSensortodetectandprevent
attacksfromanydirection.
¾ Orientation:Selectadirectionfromwheretheantennawouldreceiveitspower.
Thepreviewreflectstheantennaradiationbasedontheantennaselected.
¾ ActiveProtocol:Selectanactiveprotocolfromthedropdownlist.Eachradiocanoperateonanyoneofthe
protocols.
Settings
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103
¾ Power(mW):SelectapowerlevelfromthesupportedpowervaluesatwhichtheSensoroperatesforeach
selectedprotocol.Youmustkeepthedefaultvalues,whicharebasedonthemaximumtransmitpowerforthe
protocolaspermittedbytheregulatoryagenciesinthecountriesforwhichyouaredoingtheWLANplanning
(Example:FCCintheUnitedStates).RefertoAppendixD:GlossaryofTermsformoredetailsonregulatory
domaincompliance.
¾ WaterfallCurve:Selectawaterfallcurvefromthedropdownlistofavailablewaterfallcurvesfortheselected
protocol.
¾ AdvancedParameters:Clicktosetadvance802.11nparameters.Thisisavailableonlyifyouhaveselected
802.11nprotocol.
Click<Save>tosavethechanges.Alternately,click<Cancel>todiscardthechanges.
GeneratingOutputfromPlanner
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Chapter9 GeneratingOutputfromPlanner
Plannergeneratesacomprehensivereportgivingthearchitect’sdrawings,BoMforWLANdevices,informationaboutAPs’
andSensors’configuration,originallayouts,andallthesecurityexposureandnetworkcoverageRFviewsgeneratedduring
planning.Italsoreplayscustomerinputasareadyreference.Thereportisconfigurablewherebyyoucanselectanyofthe
aboveforinclusioninthereport.Forexample,youmaywanttorestrictthereporttoonlyBoMorsecurityanalysis(leaving
outnetworkdetails).ThereportisgeneratedinMSWORD.ThecompliancereportisgeneratedintheXMLformat.
Contentsofthegeneratedreportsare:
BoM(BillofMaterial):ContainsatabulatedlistofAPsandSensorsplacedonthelayoutalongwiththelocationon
thefloormap.Thisreportisusefultounderstandtheequipmentrequirementandplacement.
IntroductionReport:Explainstheentireprocessfromthecustomerinputtothe3ComCorporationoutput.Italso
describesthePlanningMethodologyandObjectives,thegeneralassumptionsmadeformodelingaWLAN,andthe
observationsthatyoucanmakebasedontheRFplan.
ComplianceReport:ContainstheconfigurationdetailsofAPsandSensorsplacedonthelayout.Youcanimportthis
reportintoaWLANController,sothatyoudonothavetoreconfigurethecontrollersforAPsandSensors.Thereis
nospecificindustryformatforthiskindofreportandhence3ComCorporationhasdecidedthisformat.
LayoutReport:ContainsdetailsoftheWorkOrder,WLANCoverageMap,SecurityExposureMap,APCoverage
RedundancyMap,LinkSpeedMap,ChannelAllocationMap,SensorCoverageMap,SensorExternalMap,and
SensorRedundancyMap.
Note:You cannotgenerateanyreportwithoutcompletingthecalculationsforalltheRFviews.
9.1 WLANPlanningReport
YoucangenerateaWLANplanningreportintwoways:
1 GotoFileÆGenerateReport.
2 ClickontheToolbar.
Figure 136. Generate Report: Invoking from File Menu
Note:Ifyouhavenotsavedtheprojectfileforwhichyouaretogenerateareport,Plannerpromptsyoutodoso.
ThisdisplaystheGenerateReportdialogbox.
GeneratingOutputfromPlanner
3Com®AirProtectPlannerUserGuide
105
Figure 137. Generating a Report
Enterthedetailstogeneratethereport.
WorkOrderNumber:Entertheworkordernumber.
CustomerName:Enterthenameofthecustomerforwhomyouaregeneratingthereport.
Click<ChangeReportGenerationDetails>tochangethereportdetails.TheReportDetailsdialogboxappears.
Figure 138. Report Details
GeneratingOutputfromPlanner
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106
YoucannotedittheWorkOrderNumberandCustomerNamefieldsfromthisscreen.However,youcaneditthe
followingdetailsofthereport:
¾ LocationName:Specifythedesirednameofthebuilding
¾ Address1,Address2:Specifythedesiredaddressofthelayout
¾ City:Specifythecitywherethelayoutislocated
¾ State:Specifythestatewherethelayoutislocated
¾ PostalCode:Specifythepostalcodeoftheplacewherethelayoutislocated
¾ Country:Specifythecountrywherethelayoutislocated
Click<OK>tosavethechanges.Alternately,click<Cancel>todiscardthechanges.
ReportOptions:SelecttheoptionsthatyouwantPlannertoincludeintheReport.
¾ BoM:SelecttoincludetheBillofMaterial.
¾ Introduction:SelecttoaddanintroductiononWLANtotheoverallreport.
¾ ComplianceReport:Selecttogenerateacompliancereportfordevices,mentioningdevices’configuration.
¾ WLANPlanningReports:SelecttoincludeacompletesetofRFmaps.Thisenablesyoutoselectthefollowing
WLANPlanningoptionsinthereport.
RFMaps:Youcanselectoneormoreoftheavailableviewsforthefollowing:
APViews
SensorViews
Protocols
LayoutOptions:Plannergeneratesareportforoneofthebelowspecifiedlayouts:
CurrentLayout
AllLayouts
SelectedLayout(s):Selectthecheckboxofthedesiredlayout.
StatisticsOption:Selecttoviewthestatisticsforthefollowingoptions:
AllDefinedArea
OnlySelectedArea
AreanotCoveredbyDefinedArea
CompleteLayout
ChooseReportFolder:Specifythepathtothefolder,orclick<Browse>tonavigatetothefolderwhereyouwantto
placethereportoutput.TheBrowseforFolderdialogboxappearswhereyoucannavigatetothedesiredfolder.
Figure 139. Browsing for Folder
Click<GenerateReport>togeneratethereport.Alternately,click<Cancel>todiscardtheaction.
AppendixA:PlanningSensors
3Com®AirProtectPlannerUserGuide
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7
AppendixA:PlanningSensors
InadditiontoPlanner,3ComCorporationalsohasacomplementaryproductcalled3Com®AirProtectEnterprise.3Com®
AirProtectEnterprisemonitorsandprotectsthecorporatenetworkthatincludesbothwiredandwirelessdevices.3Com®
AirProtectEnterpriseconsistsoftwomaincomponents—3Com®AirProtectEnterpriseServerand3Com®AirProtect
EnterpriseSensors(Sensors).The3Com®AirProtectEnterpriseServeractsasadatabaseandthecoordinationcenterfor
variousSensors.SensorsareRFsniffingdevicesconnectedthroughoutthecorporatenetwork.3Com®AirProtectEnterprise
collectsinformationfrommultipleSensors.Ithastheintelligencetoaggregate,correlate,andanalyzeinformationfromthe
SensorsbeforepresentingitonaWebbrowser.
Inordertoobtaincompletemonitoringandprotectioncoveragethroughoutthecorporatenetwork,theentireairspacemustbe
coveredbySensors.PlannerprovidestheabilitytoplantheplacementofSensorsandimportthesecurityplansinto3Com®
AirProtectEnterprise.
PlacementofSensors
YoucanplaceSensorsontheLayoutwhenyouareinanyofthefollowingviews:
APViews:CoverageView,ChannelView,LinkSpeedView,InterferenceView,RedundancyView,SINRView
SensorViews:CoverageView,ThreatView,RedundancyView
CalibrationView
UsethefollowingstepstoplaceaSensoronthelayout:
1 GotoDeviceLibraryÆSensors.
2 DragaSensorfromtheSensornodeandplaceitonthelayout.
3 RecalculatethecoverageafteryouhaveplacedtheSensoronthelayout.
Note:IfyouhaveplacedonlySensorsonthelayout,youcanperformthecalculationsonlyintheSensorviewsandnotintheAPviews.
HoweverifyouhaveplacedbothAPsandSensors,thenyoucanperformthecalculationsinanyoftheviews,andviewtherespective
devicecoverageintherespectiveview.
AppendixB:Integrationof3Com®AirProtectPlannerand3Com®AirProtectEnterprise
3Com®AirProtectPlannerUserGuide
108
AppendixB:Integrationof3Com®AirProtectPlannerand3Com®
AirProtectEnterprise
3Com®AirProtectEnterprisemonitorsandprotectsthecorporatenetworkthatincludesbothwiredandwirelessdevicesona
24x7basis.Twokeyfeaturesof3Com®AirProtectEnterpriseare:
LiveRFViews:EnablesyoutotakeliveRSSIreadingsfromtheSensorstoshowliveRFcoveragemapsforany
layout.
Locationtrackingonalayout:Enablesyoutotrackthelocationofanydeviceonalayout.
Toenhanceaccuracyofthesefeaturesin3Com®AirProtectEnterprise,youcanoptionallyexportalayoutcreatedinPlanner.
ExportingtheProjectfromPlanner
TheExportProjectfeatureenablesyoutopackagethecurrentprojectintoa.zipfile.Youmightwanttoexportaprojectforthe
followingreasons:
Toimporttheprojectinto3Com®AirProtectEnterprise
ToimporttheprojectintosomeothersystemwherePlannerisrunning
Whileexportingtheprojectyouhaveanoptiontoexportthepreferencesofyoursystemaswell.Whenyouopentheexported
projectinanothersystemwithPlannerinstalled,thisoptionhelpsyoutooverridethepreferencesintheothersystemtoget
thesameenvironmentthatyouusedwhileplanningtheproject.
Whileexporting,thefollowingfiles:.spm,images,andpreferences(ifselected)arepackagedintoasinglefile.
Usethefollowingstepstoexporttheproject:
1 GototheLayoutDesignerscreenofPlanner.
2 GotoFileÆExportProject.
Note:You canonlyexportthecurrentlayout.YoucannotexportthelayoutfromtheAPSpillage,SensorSpillage,andCalibrationViews
intheNetworkPlanner.
Figure 140. Exporting the Planner Project
TheExportdialogboxappears.
AppendixB:Integrationof3Com®AirProtectPlannerand3Com®AirProtectEnterprise
3Com®AirProtectPlannerUserGuide
109
Figure 141. Export Options
TheExportdialogboxcontainstheExportOptions.Thisenablesyoutoselectthefilesandpreferencesyouwishtoexport.
Preferences:Selectthecheckboxtoexporttheprojectwithallthepreferences.
Selecteitheroftheexportoptions:
¾ ExportdevicesincurrentProject:ExportsdevicesinthecurrentProjectfile
¾ Exportalldevices:Exportsallthedevices
AutoCADFiles:SelectthecheckboxtoexporttheAutoCADfiles.
Click<Ok>toexportandsavetheproject.Alternately,click<Cancel>todiscardtheExportaction.
TheProjectZipExportSummaryViewerscreenappears.
AppendixC:FileLevelandApplicationLevelParameters
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110
AppendixC:FileLevelandApplicationLevelParameters
ThefollowingsectionpresentsanoverviewoftheFilelevelandtheApplicationlevelparameters.
Table 1 File Level Parameters
File Level Parameters Data Type Default Value Minimum Maximum
Accuracy Integer 1 1 4
RSSI Calibration Integer -10 dB -40 dB 40 dB
Spillage Factor Positive Integer 2 2 3
Min Attenuation Factor Real 2 1.6 4
Max Attenuation Factor Real 2 1.6 4
Alpha Real -4 Not applicable Not applicable
Beta Real 0.08 Not applicable Not applicable
Table 2 Application Level Parameters
Application Level
Parameters Data Type Default Value Minimum Maximum
Coverage Estimation
Thresholds Integer -40, -50, -55, -60
dBm -100 dBm -10 dBm
Sensor Detection
Threshold Integer -85 dBm -150 dBm -20 dBm
Sensor Redundancy Integer 1 1 10
Sensor Prevention
Thresholds Integer -65, -60, -55 dBm
(low<medium<high) -150 dBm -20 dBm
Device Transmit Power Integer 13 0 20
Channel View Threshold Integer -85 dBm -150 dBm -20 dBm
AP Redundancy Integer 1 1 10
Inadditiontotheseparameters,Planneralsohasthefollowingapplicationlevelparameters:
1 RegionSettingsinToolsÆSettingsÆPreferencesÆAPViews
2 DefaultAccessPointSettings
3 AutoChannelSelect
4 ‘Donotshowthiswindowagain’messages
5 ColorPalettes
6 ReportBaseFolder
Note:ThedefaultinstallationvaluesareselectedwhenyouinstallanewversionofPlanner.
AppendixD:GlossaryofTerms
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AppendixD:GlossaryofTerms
ThissectionprovidesaquickreferencetowirelessnetworkingandPlannerrelatedtermsandabbreviationsusedinthisguide.
Table 3 Glossary of Terms
Term Definition Description
802.11 802 Series LANs The IEEE 802.11 is a standard for WLANs. This
standard is continuously developed to provide
better and higher transmission rates.
AP Access Point An AP is an interface between wireless and wired
networks. It connects wireless Clients with an
Ethernet to extend their range.
BoM Bill of Material
Bill of Material is a detailed report that contains
network inventory along with the placement of
APs and Sensors throughout the site. It displays a
list of APs and Sensors on each layout, their
configuration, the Vendor/Model Number, the
protocol used and its distance from the North-
West corner.
Channel Interference
Channels are important to understand because
they affect the overall capacity of the Wireless
LAN. A channel represents a narrow band of radio
frequency. A radio frequency modulates within a
band of frequencies; as a result of which there is a
limited amount of bandwidth within any given
range to carry data. It is important that the
frequencies do not overlap or else the throughput
would be significantly lowered as the network
sorts and reassembles the data packets sent over
the air.
The 802.11b specification operates at radio
frequencies in the 2.4 to 2.497 GHz range and
supports overlapping channels of 22 MHz each.
The frequency ranges and channels vary based on
the regulatory standards adopted by a country.
For instance, in the US, the FCC standard allows
up to 11 channels whereas in Europe the ETSI
standard allows up to 13 channels.
When there are more than one source
transmitting on a radio frequency simultaneously,
the receiver sees more than its partner source.
The receiver will have difficulties distinguishing
one from the other and the data will be lost. This
is interference. Channels you chose for the Clients
and APs are susceptible to interference. Therefore,
it is important to ensure you are on the correct
frequency by selecting appropriate channels for
the APs.
Layout Model
The model of the
Layout with all the
object placements
defined
After you import the layout image into Planner,
the Layout Designer helps designing the Layout
Model. The Layout Model is a ready layout of the
entire layout for which you are performing WLAN
planning. The Layout Model contains all the
objects, locations of walls, windows, and doors
with the details of the materials used in it.
Layout Image A .jpg, .gif image file of
the Layout
In the context of Planner, a Layout Image serves
as the primary input to the entire planning
process.
RF Calculation Cell Size Granularity of the RF
computations of the
WLAN signal strength
When you create a new plan, Planner determines
the granularity of the RF computations of the
WLAN signal strength distribution throughout the
plan. It divides the plan into small units and then
calculates the RF characteristics for each unit. The
AppendixD:GlossaryofTerms
3Com®AirProtectPlannerUserGuide
112
size of a unit determines the granularity of the RF
computations and computational time. Smaller the
size of the unit, higher is the granularity.
However, this requires more time for WLAN signal
computations. Higher granularity also increases
the amount of data generated. The dimension of
each unit is called ‘Factor’. A Factor of four means
that the plan is divided into 4x4 feet or 4x4
meters as per the measurement unit in use.
Planner has an in-built intelligent algorithm to
decide the granularity based on the size of the
plan.
LAN Local Area Network A LAN usually resides in a single building or
campus, and links the computing resources
together, typically by a cable.
Network Planner A tool for planning the
WLAN in Planner
Network Planner helps you design the entire
layout with the specifications of the locations of
the objects on the layout. It also helps you plan
the entire network after the placement of objects
on the layout is fixed. It allows you to drag and
drop the devices such as APs and Sensors on the
layout model. This helps you try various ‘What-If’
scenarios. You can also generate various RF
views.
RF Radio Frequency This is a name given to invisible electromagnetic
waves.
RSSI Received Signal
Strength Indicator This is an indicator of the value of the signal
strength at a wireless receiver.
3Com ® AirProtect
Enterprise
A proprietary product of 3Com Corporation that
functions as a comprehensive Wi-Fi Intrusion
Prevention System and Performance Management
Solution.
3Com ® AirProtect
Enterprise Sensors Sensors are devices that work with the 3Com ®
AirProtect Enterprise Server to provide 802.11
Intrusion Detection and Prevention.
Spillage Propagation of signal
outside a stipulated
area
In Planner, spillage refers to the propagation of RF
signal outside the authorized area of deployment.
Such spillage exposes the authorized area to the
risk of attacks from hackers using Wi-Fi.
.spm file Planner File This is the proprietary Planner file format, which
holds information about RF signal values,
placement of devices, and device settings.
.prj file Planner Project File This is the propriety Planner project file, which
contains a bundle of .spm, image, and AutoCAD
files.
WAN Wide Area Network It is a public and private network serving a large
geographical area. For example, the Internet.
Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
Wi-Fi is a commonly used name to refer to
802.11. It is a trade term promulgated by the
Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA).
"Wi-Fi" is used in place of 802.11b in the same
way that "Ethernet" is used in place of IEEE
802.3. Products certified as Wi-Fi by WECA are
interoperable with each other even if they are
from different manufacturers. A user with a Wi-Fi
product can use any brand of AP with any other
brand of Client hardware that is built to the Wi-Fi
standard.
802.11a Wireless Protocol
When 802.11b was developed, IEEE created a
second extension to the original 802.11 standard
called 802.11a. 802.11a works in the ~5 GHz
frequency band and provides wireless connectivity
speeds of up to 54 Mbps.
802.11b Wireless Protocol IEEE expanded on the original 802.11 standard in
July 1999, creating the 802.11b specification.
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113
802.11b supports bandwidth up to 11 Mbps.
802.11b uses the same radio signaling frequency
– 2.4 GHz, as the original 802.11 standard. Being
an unregulated frequency, 802.11b gear can incur
interference from microwave ovens, cordless
phones, and other appliances using the same 2.4
GHz range. However, you can easily avoid
interference by installing 802.11b gear at a
reasonable distance from other appliances.
Vendors often prefer using unregulated
frequencies to lower their production costs.
802.11g Wireless Protocol
In 2002 and 2003, WLAN products supporting a
new standard called 802.11g began to appear on
the scene. 802.11g attempts to combine the best
of both 802.11a and 802.11b. 802.11g supports
bandwidth up to 54 Mbps, and it uses the 2.4 GHz
frequency for greater range. 802.11g is
backwards compatible with 802.11b, which means
that 802.11g APs will work with 802.11b Wireless
Network Adapters and vice versa.
802.11n Wireless Protocol
This is an emerging standard for wireless local
area networks that promises higher data rates and
longer range as compared to its predecessors
802.11a, b, and g. 802.11n brings many new
features at the medium access control and
physical layers (for example, multiple-input-
multiple-output (MIMO), wider 40 MHz channels,
frame aggregation).
MIMO configuration Multiple-Input-Multiple-
Output configuration
Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) stands for
multiple radio chains at the transmitter and
receiver, often depicted as n x m, where n is the
number of transmitting radios and m is the
number of receiving radios. MIMO can be
leveraged in many ways for increasing the range
of a WLAN using spatial diversity and for
increasing the data transmission rate using spatial
multiplexing. Spatial diversity is achieved by
transmitting or receiving copies of the same signal
over multiple radios. Spatial multiplexing is
achieved by transmitting and receiving unique
data streams over multiple radios. The maximum
number of spatial streams is limited by min (n,
m), that is, the minimum among the number of
radio chains at the transmitter and receiver. IEEE
802.11n draft 2.0 makes it mandatory for APs to
support a minimum of two spatial streams and
support for up to four streams optionally.
Channel width
Legacy 802.11 protocols operate on 20 MHz
channels. IEEE 802.11n allows bonding of two 20
MHz channels so that a net channel width of 40
MHz can be used. In 40 MHz mode, one channel is
assigned as the “primary” channel and the other is
assigned as the “secondary” channel. The
secondary channel is identified as “upper” or
“lower” with respect to the primary channel. For
example, in 2.4 GHz, if channel 6 is the primary
channel then channel 10 could be assigned as the
upper secondary and channel 2 as the lower
secondary channel.
Guard Interval (GI)
The guard interval is the spacing between
consecutive symbol transmissions. IEEE 802.11n
draft 2.0 prescribes a mandatory long Guard
Interval of 800 ns and an optional short Guard
Interval of 400 ns.
AppendixD:GlossaryofTerms
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114
MCS Modulation and Coding
Schemes
IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 defines 77 MCS based on
the modulation technique, coding rate, number of
spatial streams, channel width, and guard
interval. The mandatory settings of 20 MHz
channel width, 800 ns guard interval, and up to
two spatial streams gives a total of 16 mandatory
schemes (MCS 0 to 15).
Frame aggregation
Frame aggregation is introduced in IEEE 802.11n
for improving the protocol efficiency. Aggregation
is defined at two levels: Medium Access Control
(MAC) and physical (PHY) layers. At the MAC
layer, Multiple MAC Service Data Units (MSDUs) or
subframes are aggregated and an aggregated
MSDU (A-MSDU) is delivered to the PHY layer for
transmission. The maximum A-MSDU size can be
set to 4KB or 8KB; the maximum MSDU size
carried in each subframe is limited to 2304 bytes.
At the PHY layer, Multiple Protocol Data Units
(MPDUs) or subframes can be aggregated into an
aggregated MPDU (A-MPDU). The maximum size
of an A-MPDU is 64 KB or 64 subframes,
whichever limit is reached first. The maximum
MPDU size carried in each subframe of an A-MPDU
is limited to 4065 bytes.
Regulatory Domain
Compliance
Different countries have regulatory agencies
permitting a select number of channels for device
protocols. Hence, the power values of the devices
placed on the floor map will operate only on those
power values that match that of the respective
country where you are planning.
While specifying the desired power range for each
protocol, ensure that the values are complaint
with the regulatory domain for a particular
country for which you are performing planning.
If you create a .spm file in one location and forget
to send the device information along with the
.spm to another location, then the Client at the
second location will not be able to view the device
information of the previous location. In such a
case, Planner assigns the default device, as
defined by you, in the .spm. If this device has
power values conflicting with the regulatory
domain compliance of the region, then Planner
assigns the factory default device, which is
regulatory domain complaint for any region.

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