How we tested the WLAN spectrum analyzers

Our test procedures included the installation/configuration and feature comparison of all products, and well as evaluation of the capabilities of each product when exposed to both Wi-Fi (a competing connection on the same channel) and non-Wi-Fi (microwave ovens and cordless phones) interference. As is typically the case, products were rated on installation, ease-of-use, features, and documentation.

Our test procedures included the installation/configuration and feature comparison of all products, as well as evaluation of the capabilities of each product when exposed to both Wi-Fi (a competing connection on the same channel) and non-Wi-Fi (microwave ovens and cordless phones) interference. As is typically the case, products were rated on installation, ease-of-use, features, and documentation.

As the AirMagnet, Fluke and Cisco products are all based on the same technology (the Cognio software Cisco picked up its 2007 acquisition), we decided not to tempt fate and risk software conflicts, installing each of these on separate notebooks, all running XP Pro SP2. The AirSleuth and Metageek products were installed on the same notebook as the Cisco product, and the Berkeley Varitronics products, both based on handheld devices, were used as-is, right out of the box. We did not attempt to calibrate the products, and we assumed specific measurements in dB might not be precise. That's OK for enterprise use; what's important in products in this class is the ability to identify Wi-Fi and other signals and to evaluate channel behavior relative to signal strength and interference.

We usually disabled the internal radios (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) in our test PCs, as these can interfere with measurements, but occasionally enabled them to gather Wi-Fi-specific data reported by some of these tools. No other applications were running on any of the PCs during testing.

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