Wireless Site Survey
For E.G. Consulting
This wireless site survey is designed to provide information about the client’s
current network needs and all associated costs. While every attempt was made to
accurately describe the environment, all final costs are estimates and should not
solely be used to make any final decisions.
Eric Gibson Jr
ACSG 525
12/7/2011
Background
EG Consulting will be a small home-based computer repair business. The EG Consulting base of
operation will be located on 1213 E. 54th Street in Chicago, IL. There will be a need for wireless
connectivity throughout the home due to the large number of PCs in the unit. EG consulting will be
servicing a large number of mobile devices and will need a setup that allows for such demand. The
community has reliable internet service providers such as AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon.
The goal of this project is to establish a wireless system to connect the two person team to the
internet and to each other via wireless and optional wired setup throughout the home. There is a
need for two networks within the EG Consulting office. One network will serve as a private network
for all ‘business private’ resources. The other network will be setup as a public network and this is
where all client PCs and/or devices will be connected for repair. Both networks will need access to
the internet.
This site survey covers the following main activities:
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Visiting and assessing the location, topology, and distances
Inspecting and assessing existing computers and equipment
Assessing the services to be delivered, their viability and interdependency
Analyzing and recommending connectivity solutions
Observations
Existing Internet
The current location does not have internet access. There are a number of reliable internet service
providers in the area. AT&T DSL will limit the internet download speed to 24Mbps. Comcast will
provide cable modem internet access up to 105Mbps in download bandwidth. After careful
observation and review of both providers, Comcast offers a better and more reliable internet
service.
There will be at least 5-8 devices utilizing the network at any one time. The EG Consulting
community expects 2 laptops and 1 desktop will be accessing the internet at all times. The other
devices will connect at random times throughout the day/week as client servicing increases. The
new network should be designed to handle a load of at least 5-8 devices at a time.
Existing Technology Setup
The current location has 1 desktop PC and 2 Laptops. All PCs have Wi-Fi capabilities. The hardware
and software make up is as follows:
Number of Clients
Types of Clients
Number of Servers
Type of Network
Type of media being used
Types of devices connected to a network
3
3 – Microsoft Windows 7
0
Ethernet 100BASE-TX / 802.11ng (Wireless)
CAT5
1 -Laser Printer, 3 –PCs, 2 –Tablets, 2 Smartphones
There is also a printer onsite that has Wi-Fi capabilities as well. Each employee has an iPad and also
a smartphone that will access the network and Internet.
Workplace Layout
The EG Consulting Community will be based in an apartment unit that measures out at 1,103sqft.
The main office will be a room that measures out at 155sqft. The bedroom which will need access
to the network for business purposes is 196sqft. The second bedroom, which will also need access
to the network for business purposes, is 187sqft. The client has expressed interest in the office
having a wireless printer, VOIP phone, and will contain a workbench for all client PCs being serviced.
The storage room measures at 96sqft. This room appears to be the closest room to the demarcation
point.
All rooms are within 10 feet of the storage room. The interior walls separating each room are all
constructed of material that will allow wireless waves to pass easily from one room to the next. If
CAT5 cable will be needed in the main work area, the cables will need to be run within the unit
since there is no basement or attic for the cable run.
Network Interference
A network detection test was performed using the Windows Wireless Connection utility. A total of
11 other networks were found in the surrounding area of the client’s home/office. 6 of the detected
networks had a poor signal and the other 5 had a fair to good signal. A Wi-Viz wireless survey was
also conducted in the area and it found 7 access points and 14 other network devices in the area.
Wi-Viz Wireless Area Survey
Workplace Layout (with recommendations)
Recommendations
Internet Upgrade
Internet service will need to be ordered for the home/office. After reviewing all service provider
options, Comcast will be utilized for providing Internet access to the location. The selected service
plan of 50Mbps will provide the necessary bandwidth needed for the business. This bandwidth is
necessary because of the possibility of there being multiple devices utilizing the Internet at the
same time.
Technology Setup
The service provider will provide a cable modem for the Internet service; however a wireless router
will be needed in order to integrate wireless connectivity into the home/office. The Linksys E4200
small home/office router is a suitable choice for the business. It offers 6 internal antennas that
would provide optimal range throughout the home/office. It operates on the 2.4 or 5 GHz band,
which allows more options when attempting to minimize interference.
The router has a built in feature called ‘Guest Networking’. This a great solution when there is a
need to share the Internet with other PCs but want to keep them from accessing the business
resources, such as files or printers. This feature is ideal for keeping customer PCs separate from the
business PCs. The wireless router contains 4 gigabit ports and this router can also reach speeds of
450Mbps in the 5 GHz band. If additional ports are needed, an optional switch can be installed at a
later date.
The point of service will be located in the storage closet on the east wall. This location is ideal
because the storage closet is in the center of the home/office. This will make it easy to run physical
a wire to the wireless AP which will also be installed in the same location. This room will contain the
cable modem and also the wireless access point. This room will also contain the central main PC.
The current setup allows all devices to connect to any wireless access point installed in the
home/office. Additional wireless USB adapters will be provided for all non Wi-Fi ready customer PCs
utilizing the network via wireless communication.
Network Security
Each business PC will need anti-virus and anti-spyware protection. 1 Norton 3PC license kit will
provide enough protection for all PCs in the home/office. All PCs on the network will need file and
print sharing enabled. The main PC, which will be the central unit for all business operations, will
need all file permissions set and share folders identified.
Due to the large number of surrounding networks in the area, WPA2 enterprise encryption will be
utilized in securing the network. Once the network is established, the network will be monitored
using Wireshark for any possible intrusions or security holes within the network.
Network Layout
Cost and Benefit
Investments
Router
USB Wireless Adapters
Norton 3PC License
CAT5 Cable
Labor
One-time investmet
total
Cost
$99.99
$80
$69.99
$30
$300
$580
The total cost including hardware, software, and setup is estimated at $600. This would be a onetime investment; however, this investment will yield more in benefits.
A wireless setup in the home/office will allow more client PCs a connection to the network; An
increase in the number of simultaneous connections at one-time will yield higher turnaround times
for the business. The business will also be able to service more PCs daily and this will generate more
revenue. Not only does this addition to the business generate more revenue, but it will also provide
flexibility where business is conducted throughout the home/office.
The monthly cost of internet service is $80 a month; however, the projected increase to monthly
sales is $9,300. The breakdown is as follows:
Additional PCs serviced a day = 2
Average sales Per PC = $150
Projected sales increase = $300 x 31 (days in a month) = $9300
Given the above figures, a wireless setup within the home/office would benefit the EG Consulting
business.
References
“Docstoc Wireless Site Survey Example”
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/34749043/Wireless-Site-Survey---Example-Report
“How to: Conduct a Wireless Site Survey”
http://www.wireless-nets.com/resources/tutorials/conduct_wireless_site_survey.html
“Learn to do a wireless LAN site survey with this tutorial”
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/learn-to-do-a-wireless-lan-site-survey-with-thistutorial/6067403
“Wireless Site Survey Best Practices”
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/servlet/JiveServlet/previewBody/3757-102-110505/WirelessSiteSurveyBestPractices.pdf
“Siemens Site Survey Guide”
http://wiki.siemens-enterprise.com/images/e/ec/HiPath_Wireless_site_survey_guide.pdf