This lab will introduce you to wireless spectrum analysis and supports this week’s TCO.
TCO 7: Given a situation requiring a wireless network solution, propose an appropriate design for a wireless network using radio frequency based methods.
Background
Wireless signals are invisible to the human eye. To see these signals, a tool such as a spectrum analyzer is required. In this lab, you will learn how to use a common spectrum analyzer, as you would in your career, to locate potential interference while designing a wireless local area network.
iLab Instructions
1. Review the Tutorial: Using a Spectrum Analyzer located in Appendix A.
2. Download NETW360W5iLabFiles.zip from Doc Sharing to a working directory on your computer. Once the file is downloaded, unzip (expand) the contents of the zip file. A directory, NETW360W5iLab, will be created and contain the following files:
1. Chanalyzer_Installer.3.4.msi: Installation program that installs Chanalyzer on your computer
2. Capture1.wsr: First, capture file for analysis
3. Capture2.wsr: Second, capture file for analysis
4. Capture3.wsr: Third, wireless capture file for analysis
5. Capture4.wsr: Fourth, wireless capture file for analysis
3. Install the Chanalyzer spectrum analysis program by double-clicking on the Chanalyzer_Installer.3.4.msi file.
4. Start the Chanalyzer. Once the Chanalyzer is running, open the first capture file, Capture1.wsr, and let the recording run for a few minutes. Using this capture, answer the following questions in your lab report.
Question 1: Are any channels being used that overlap other channels?
Question 2: If you had to install a new wireless LAN, what channel would you use?
5. Close Capture1.wsr and open the file Capture2.wsr. Let the recording run for a few minutes. Using this capture, answer the following questions in your lab report.
Question 3: What channels are being used?
Question 4: What channel is being used the most?
6. Close Capture2.wsr and