Design 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WLAN networks before rolling out any APs physically
Optimize AP count and layout for maximized coverage and performance by modeling building construction materials/obstructions and APs Generate installer-ready Bill of Materials Reports
Plan your migration strategies as new users or technologies are introduced
Available in a standalone version & is also built into AirMagnet Survey PRO to help validate the WLAN model with real-world site survey data
NetScout AirMagnet Planner Software
AirMagnet Planner is a wireless network planning tool that accounts for building materials, obstructions, access point configurations, antenna patterns and a host of other variables to provide a reliable predictive map of Wi-Fi signal and performance, before the network is built or even the physical building is constructed. The solution without rolling out any APs physically, offers superior predictive modeling to determine ideal quantity, placement and configuration of APs for optimal security, performance and compliance.
As network engineers plan new technology rollouts, they must resist an easy temptation of performing a simple 1-to-1 replacement of the existing network with newer technologies like 802.11n and 11ac. Even though these 1-to-1 replacements are the fastest way for rollouts, they are not the best and often lead to poor network performance and finally costly rework. The use of professional tools like AirMagnet Planner helps define a migration strategy (rip and replace vs slow rollout) from existing 802.11a/b/g networks to 802.11n as well as 802.11ac networks. AirMagnet Planner also helps to estimate budgets and make “go/no-go” decisions before AP roll outs, so there are no more embarrassing or career-impacting decisions made blindly.
AirMagnet Planner can be purchased as a separate product or as a fully integrated feature of AirMagnet Survey. When integrated with AirMagnet Survey, users have a powerful solution that combines state-of-the-art predictive modeling with real-world performance data.
Sophisticated WLAN Modeling
AirMagnet Planner makes it easy to build a detailed model of any wireless environment, even before the network is deployed or the building is constructed. Simply load in a map of the location, and use the built-in library of walls, doors and windows to precisely match the building’s characteristics. The environment can also be customized to account for cubicles, offices, elevators and a variety of warehouse obstructions. All environmental settings are fully customizable and custom materials can be created from scratch to meet the user specifications.
AirMagnet Planner provides full control of the proposed wireless infrastructure to the users. They can add APs to any location and experiment to find the ideal AP placement for the environment based on their requirements. AirMagnet Planner also provides full control over all AP settings with independent settings for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios. Users can set the AP channel, IP address, transmit power, antenna type, orientation, height and 802.11n specifications. When the planning session is complete, users can generate a professional Bill of Materials report with all the information that is needed to properly install the network, and includes a complete list of required APs, their ideal placement and configuration settings. Along with RF coverage information, users are also powered with performance metrics such as data rates and throughput.
AirMagnet Planner also includes an “advisor feature” to automatically place APs on site floor plans. Users can specify the minimum signal coverage expected, the transmit power, media type of the AP, etc. and mark Wi-Fi coverage areas and areas where APs cannot be placed.
802.11ac and 802.11n Modeling
AirMagnet Planner is the WLAN industry’s only planning solution that covers all aspects of a successful 802.11ac and 802.11n deployment: migration, performance prediction and validation. Users can design new 802.11ac and 11n networks, as well as, plan their migration strategies for existing legacy networks, including one-to-one replacements or the phased introduction of 802.11ac or 11n devices into their legacy network.
Users can plan their 802.11ac and 802.11n deployments for maximized performance without any physical AP rollout and are powered with unique coverage maps for WLAN throughput and other technology specific heat maps such as signal coverage maps, Operating Modes, MCS Transmit Rate, Channel Width and Channel Overlap, to predict the WLAN performance at every location on the floor, and provide the best design that minimizes any rework once the network is deployed.
Since AirMagnet Planner is part of a single, seamless application with AirMagnet Survey PRO, users can validate “modeled” 802.11ac and 11n results against “real-world active” post-deployment surveys.
Multi-Floor Modeling
As users plan and design wireless access in multi- floor buildings, it makes economic sense to reuse services of APs to lower equipment deployment costs. With AirMagnet Planner’s new multi- floor planning capability, users can visualize coverage and performance heat maps in 2D and 3D across floors providing powerful insight into bleed over to adjacent floors.
Users are powered with visualizations of signal strength, data rates, 802.11ac and 11n coverage maps such as Operating Mode, MCS Transmit Rate, Channel Width and Channel Overlap between floors and more.
Custom Antenna Design
AirMagnet Planner includes over 300 of the most popular antenna patterns on the market for customizing APs including Cisco, Aruba, Ruckus Wireless, Meru Networks, HP, Symbol, 3Com, Bluesocket, Motorola, D-Link Systems, Samsung, Meraki, Juniper, Xirrus, etc.
AirMagnet Planner also includes a built-in tool to create customized antenna patterns, allowing users to replicate the characteristics of literally any available antenna.
Integration with WLAN Infrastructure Vendors
Users can create and export planner projects directly to Cisco WCS. This saves users time and resources needed in setting up of maps, AP placement locations and other WLAN deployment modeling activities by eliminating the need to repeat these tasks within Cisco WCS. This integration dramatically increases operational efficiencies for both AirMagnet and Cisco WCS users by eliminating the need to repeat wireless planning and site survey tasks commonly associated with deployment and ongoing management of a WLAN network.