AirMagnet, a developer of equipment and software for wireless network assurance, has released Laptop Analyzer 7.0 PRO. It includes an interference analysis section (see figure) that provides an enhanced understanding of how interference on all layers of the network is affecting wireless traffic on all the Wi-Fi data channels. This approach accounts for both the RF and network level aspects of interference.

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To accomplish this, the tool examines all traffic to identify both co-channel and adjacent-channel interference. Then it calculates bandwidth and throughput loss caused by interfering Wi-Fi devices. It can also identify hidden nodes, which can cause network collisions. Additionally, the tool integrates with AirMagnet’s Spectrum Analyzer to identify interference from non-wireless-LAN (WLAN) sources.

This enables network administrators to add a physical (or Layer 1) perspective to all of their WLAN troubleshooting screens, making it possible to see when the network is facing a fundamental RF problem. Spectrum analysis pinpoints specific sources of non-Wi-Fi interference down to the device and identifies how spectrum energy affects wireless network traffic.

The AirWISE Engine used by the tool identifies problems with the network and suggests solutions. According to Wade Williamson, product manager, the tool supports the isolation and specification of faults falling within a set of 130 problem classes.

Laptop Analyzer 7.0 PRO’s overhauled user interface (UI) is designed to simplify troubleshooting. It also supports emerging wireless technologies and protocols, ranging from those in the 4.9 GHz public safety band to virtual access points (APs), or basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs).

Virtual APs are a recent development in wireless networking. Major wireless infrastructure vendors allow users to set up virtual APs within a conventional physical AP, making it possible to support multiple settings or configurations using the same AP unit. Businesses are deploying to support multiple access scenarios, such as a loosely secured AP for guest Internet access and a corporate access AP with full WPA security, both located within a single AP. The tool is able to automatically identify virtual APs and group them together for easier and more effective management.

Williamson states that multiple MAC address in a virtual AP can potentially confuse other Wi-Fi equipment. Requests from customers regarding this problem led to features that provide virtual AP troubleshooting support in Laptop Analyzer 7.0 PRO. The tool can also track the presence of hidden stations that can cause wireless traffic collisions.

AirMagnet Laptop Analyzer 7.0 also supports recent integrated Wi-Fi adapters, including Intel’s PRO 3945 Wireless Network Connector. Users can therefore leverage the Wi-Fi adapter that comes built into their laptop to run analysis with Laptop Analyzer, rather than requiring an external wireless card.

Pricing for Laptop Analyzer 7.0 PRO starts at $3995. A standard version of the product with a condensed feature set is available for $3495. Users can upgrade to these 7.0 versions at no additional cost for customers with current support contracts.

One significant feature of Laptop Analyzer 7.0 PRO is a dedicated page for listing individual sources of interference with all Wi-Fi channels.