NETSCOUT AIRCHECK-G2 Wireless Tester, Wi-Fi Tester

Touchscreen Display

The AirCheck G2 Wireless Tester has a responsive 5” touchscreen display. The home screen offers easy navigation to drill down into:

-Networks.

-Access Points.

-Channels.

-Clients.

-AutoTest.

-Ethernet Test.

AutoTest

AutoTest — Performs the following five essential Wi-Fi tests and a pass/fail indication of the wireless environment as well as identifies common problems — for any level of expertise:

- 802.11 Utilization – Reports the top three channels in each band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with the highest 802.11 Wi-Fi traffic airtime utilization.

- Non-802.11 Utilization – Reports the top three channels in each band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with the highest non-802.11 airtime utilization. This indicates the presence of interference sources and high noise levels.

- Co-Channel Interference – Reports the top three channels in each band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with the most APs on the same channel that exceed the minimum signal level threshold. It accounts for 40-MHz and 80-MHz channels in the 5-GHz band by counting an AP on its primary and each secondary channel. Then view a list of the APs counted for co-channel interference.

- Adjacent Channel Interference – Reports the top three channels in the 2.4 GHz band in which APs may experience Adjacent Channel Interference. For each channel on which at least one AP is found, the Tester counts how many APs are operating on other channels that overlap with that channel. It accounts for 20-MHz and 40-MHz channels in the 2.4-GHz band. Then view a list of the APs counted for adjacent channel interference.

- Network Quality – Verifies coverage, interference, security and ability to connect to specified networks, along with the availability of critical network services such as DHCP and connectivity to specified network targets.

Networks

Quickly view all the networks present in the environment, and see critical parameters for each one including signal level, signal/noise ratio, security type, and number of access points. Find common issues such as mixed security types, poor signal coverage or lack of secondary AP coverage.

Sort or filter on any parameter. Then drill into more details for any network, including 802.11 types supported, number of connected clients, channels and more. From the network details page, drill into a list of APs or clients on the network.

Access Points

Quickly view all the APs present in the environment, and see critical parameters for each one including signal level, signal/noise ratio, security type, and channel. Find common issues such as incorrect security type, poor signal coverage or incorrect channel.

Sort or filter on any parameter. Then drill into more details for any AP, including number of connected clients, supported rates, 802.11n and 802.11ac capabilities and more. From the AP details page, drill into a list of connected clients or the channel on which the AP operates to verify any channel utilization or co-channel interference problems.

Network Connection Tests

Verify network availability and access to critical services by connecting to a network (SSID) or AP with a single touch of the Connect button. Key test steps include:

(1) Associate with AP.

(2) Request and receive an IP address from a DHCP server.

(3) Ping the default gateway and DNS servers for availability.

(4) Perform a ping or TCP port test to up to ten network targets.

(5) Ongoing signal level, signal/noise ratio, and retry rate measurements.

Once connected to a network, perform a roaming test to validate that roaming is enabled on the network.

Channel Utilization and Interference

Quickly determine if channels are over-utilized with 802.11 Wi-Fi traffic and/or with non-Wi-Fi interference and noise. Devices that can cause interference include microwave ovens, wireless game controllers, Bluetooth devices, Zigbee devices and wireless video cameras. You can also drill in to see the level of Wi-Fi traffic and interference over the last 60 seconds on a selected channel, as well as the access points and clients using this channel.

Wired Ethernet Tests

Access points must have a working connection to the network, and the AirCheck G2’s built-in Ethernet test validates that.

(1) Diagnose and test Power over Ethernet (PoE), Link to the switch, DHCP, Gateway, and Internet connection.

(2) Get VLAN, switch name, and port information via CDP/LLDP/EDP for your managed switches.

(3) Automated reporting to Link-Live Cloud Service.

(4) Get detailed test results sent directly to your email.

Client Details

Track down rogue APs and unauthorized clients by following the real-time signal level meter and graph over time. Audible indication is provided, and the use of a USB headset for private audio is supported.