Last week was really busy, with numerous interruptions of both the self-generated variety (watching the inauguration), and numerous calls from the press and clients on a wide range of topics. A few of these were in response to my post on Cisco’s new beamforming technology, ClientLink, around which a degree of controversy has arisen. I spoke with Cisco management last week in depth and I’m still researching that one, but I will have more for you later this week (I think). But my focus for today is on the latest in the series of tests I’ve been doing for Network World, this one on Wi-Fi packet capture and analysis tools. The article came out last week (again, my apologies), but I hope you’ll take a look and add your comments on the Web.
I must confess that I don’t spend a lot of time with Wi-Fi packet traces on a day-to-day basis. But when a particularly vexing authentication or connection-related problem appears, there are a good number of tools on the market to turn to. I’m very fond of both AirMagnet and OmniPeek, and both of these Wi-Fi assurance suites have excellent packet-capture and analysis capabilities. Both also, however, involve significant financial investment, and that’s why I was glad to see that CACE’s AirPcap, based on Wireshark and conveniently packaged with a radio receiver (different version supporting various technologies) at a very reasonable price, was so useful, and, indeed, powerful. There are several other products worth noting, and most of those reviewed scored quite high. A product in the class belongs in your wireless tool box if you’re running a large network, or if you service WLAN systems on a regular basis. When you need this capability, there’s no substitute.
Anyway, take a look at the review and let me know what you think. I’m now working on the final two articles in this (rather long) series, one on spectrum analyzers and the other on site survey tools. These should be out in February and March, respectively.
