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Troubleshooting wireless net problems

By Ron Nutter
Network World, 08/19/02

More and more wireless networks are popping up around my company. I'm concerned about having the right tools to be able to troubleshoot problems when they arrise and finding access points that have been put on the network that I don't know about. Any suggestions?
--Via the Internet

There are several suggestions that you can go with. The cost ranges from free to whatever your budget can tolerate; I know of three PC-based analyzers for wireless networks. Ethereal is a free analyzer that recently started supporting Wi-Fi. Airpeek NX from the folks at WildPackets.com and Sniffer Wireless from Sniffer.com are two commercial options worth looking into. While not considered an analyzer, you can go to www.netstumbler.com for a basic tool that will show you what access points are found on what channels and whether they have encryption turned on.

If you have access to a Compaq IPAQ, there are several possibilities. The first is a smaller version of NetStumbler. Called MiniStumbler, it is a PDA-based version of what you found on the PC version of NetStumbler. Sniffer also has a PDA-based version of Sniffer Wireless. Another tool worth looking at is AirMagnet. This tool comes bundled with a special network card made specifically for this product. You have the choice of a Compact Flash or PC card to work with.

For PDA tools, it may be possible to use something other than a Compaq IPAQ, check the supported equipment list on the sites of the tools that you are interested in. Before deciding on which tool is the best, see if you can get a demo of the ones you are really interested in. Depending on the environment you are working in, some of the products may have better decoding capability for your needs.

RELATED LINKS

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Ron Nutter, a Master Certified Novell Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer in the Lexington, Ky., area, tracks down the answers to your questions. Send your questions to helpdesk@networkref.com.


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