Motorola SiteScanner: Tuned for analytical measurement

Company: Motorola
Product: SiteScanner
Verdict: Analytical analog to LANPlanner

SiteScanner is a cousin of Motorola's LANPlanner, with a very similar layout and user interface, but designed just for analytical measurement and visualization. Like LANPlanner, however, work begins with importing a drawing of the building in question, and the manually placing access points in the model.

The user then proceeds to gather data by walking around, and it's possible to both grab packets from all access points within range, or to test performance with a single specific access point. Samples correspond to markers set by the user (or automatically over continuous linear runs), with resulting data (SSID, RSSI, channel, SNR, and more) displayed tabularly.

Rogue access points can be identified easily, and overall performance (including IP-layer data) evaluated via active scanning and even automatically recorded on a server via a "Sitespy" feature. Gathered data can be visualized in numerous ways, including by channel and SSID, with detailed color heatmaps to evaluate coverage, SNR, cell overlap and more. Expected (anticipated under sampled operating conditions, based on RSSI) connection rates along with measured data rates can also be displayed.

To continue reading, register here to become an Insider. You'll get free access to premium content from CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World. See more Insider content or sign in.

Company: Motorola
Product: SiteScanner
Verdict: Analytical analog to LANPlanner

SiteScanner is a cousin of Motorola's LANPlanner, with a very similar layout and user interface, but designed just for analytical measurement and visualization. Like LANPlanner, however, work begins with importing a drawing of the building in question, and the manually placing access points in the model.

The user then proceeds to gather data by walking around, and it's possible to both grab packets from all access points within range, or to test performance with a single specific access point. Samples correspond to markers set by the user (or automatically over continuous linear runs), with resulting data (SSID, RSSI, channel, SNR, and more) displayed tabularly.

Rogue access points can be identified easily, and overall performance (including IP-layer data) evaluated via active scanning and even automatically recorded on a server via a "Sitespy" feature. Gathered data can be visualized in numerous ways, including by channel and SSID, with detailed color heatmaps to evaluate coverage, SNR, cell overlap and more. Expected (anticipated under sampled operating conditions, based on RSSI) connection rates along with measured data rates can also be displayed.

Return to test

Read more about wireless & mobile in Network World's Wireless & Mobile section.