Setting up a WiFi network that serves an extended region with a strong signal is no easy task. Due to Interferences caused by different WiFi networks and the existence of significant obstacles such as furniture and walls, various connections are plagued by sequential latencies, low speeds and presence of dead zone signals. Nevertheless, a user can follow some steps that need to be followed to optimize virtually every WiFi network by establishing a WiFi heat map using a WiFi heat mapping software tool.
Use of a WiFi heat map
The map comprises of wireless signal strength and coverage. It shows a real plan of a floor, a room, a house or a city overlaid by a graphical real-time connection and quality of a wireless signal. Professional network administrators and standards home users similarly utilize the maps to discover dead signals zones and formulate changes to accomplish the necessary coverage. Without the WiFi heat mapping software, wireless connection enhancement involves more guesswork whereby various individuals who are uninformed of the presence of such tools barely succeed to attain the WiFi coverage they aspire.
The software completely computerizes the procedure of plotting WiFi network on a drawing consenting anybody to develop a WiFi map in a short period by moving from one point to the next until the whole location is mapped. The WiFi coverage map uses an algorithm to explain the wireless network, which is typically presented using colour codes. The heat colouring is built on projected signal coverage joined with outcomes of every access point, viewing the signal of the close-range access points.
Interpreting a WiFi heat map
With a well-defined map, there are various ways one can leverage the information that is shown from it. Interpreting and understanding the map allows the user to identify the areas where WiFi connection is secure and weak. In such a case, the weakest areas need an optimization plan. The first option is to change the location of the access point. For instance, if a user discovers that the east side of the access point has a weaker connection, the structured of the building around it should be examined further. This will involve finding out if there are large cabinets or appliances such as refrigerator sandwiched between the access point and the wireless dead zone. At times, moving the access point to a different corner of the area can make a difference.
When picking a physical space for the AP, a user can try to raise it off the floor and place the antenna vertically to allow more available broadcasting of the signal outwards and hence cover a more significant part of the office space.
In other cases, if the direct map one to acquire decent networking but the transmission speed and ubiquitous connectivity stink, a WiFi heat map mapper, can be used to evaluate the status of the access point and the access point’s interfering within the same space. One can use the application to identify the access points list located within the area. For example, if the access point is using channel five on the WiFi spectrum and this is similar to six of the access points leaking into the user space, a lesser crowded channel like ten can be selected for better signals.
Best WiFi heat mapping software
Useful heat mapping software’s are rare to find; NetSpot is one of the best tool designed to satisfy the needs of home and professional users. NetSpot can be used on MacBook or Windows laptops with 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac wireless net connector standards. Generating a heatmap using NetSpot requires a user to enter the survey mode and work as dictated by the guidelines. NetSpot queries the user to upload a map of the location they would prefer. NetSpot is the best software for professional WiFi site survey, network troubleshooting and planning for Windows, Android, and macOS users.
To use NetSpot, a user needs to walk from one place to another to gather wireless site survey information and wait for the tool to generate a WiFi coverage map automatically. The vital goal of a WiFi site survey is discovering the feasibility of executing a wireless network in a particular region and identifying the best spots for cables, antennas and access points. Therefore, a user can know the type of equipment’s required and where to install it. The coverage map informs on the precise location where the wireless signal is most concentrated and the regions that need improvisation.
Moreover, NetSpot also has exceptional WiFi analyzer abilities. A user can use the discover mode and allow NetSpot to assemble data concerning nearby wireless connections inclusive of those that do not broadcast their network names (SSID), displaying the type of security setting the network use, the strength of the signals, and the channels on which these networks broadcast on.
NetSpot is user friendly because it never allows its users to get confusions on where to click when they need to access any service. The software is easy to use and does not complicate language for smooth interaction with the users. The software also offers professional features such as WiFi channel scanners, and network analyzers. Moreover, the price of purchasing the software is pocket friendly. The home package goes for $49, allowing personal use only, two zones and two snapshots, 50 data points per region, three significant visualization and no additional licenses. The pro package is $149 for a single user and has commercial and one free technician license, more than 12 displays, 50 data points per region and 50 zones and 50 snapshots. The enterprise package is $499, which is eligible for ten users, commercial and ten free technician license, more than 12 visualizations. Unlike other packages, the enterprise package has unlimited zones, snapshots and data points.
The software offers reliable customer support in case of any issues with SNR, high level of noise, low signal level and overlapping channels. NetSpot has grown into the leading WiFi heat map mapper and WiFi analyzer earning the top spot in the ranking tables thus being utilized by some of the best companies in the world including, Google, Huawei, Cisco and Tesla.