Should You Survey Before Doing a Full Network Upgrade?

Written by Matthew Rog

December 3, 2024

“If I’m going to change all the gear, why would I waste my time doing a survey?” 

This common question seems like basic logic and time savings on the surface. However, it can be anything but that. Skipping a survey of your existing wireless network can lead to overlooked issues and mistakes. 

The Misconception of Skipping Surveys 

While your network might seem to be functioning well, in reality, it could be barely usable—held together with duct tape, zip ties (literally), and chewing gum. A survey can provide a clear picture of your network’s performance, uncovering hidden issues that cannot be resolved simply by installing new equipment. 

What to Look for During a Network Survey 

When conducting a survey, the key areas I assess include: 

  • Coverage Areas: Identify dead zones and areas with weak signals. 
  • Bands Used: Determine which frequency bands and channels are  being used 
  • Accuracy of Floor Plans: Believe it or not, in my experience, about 60% of the time, the plans are incorrect in some way. Usually, it’s minor—a room got divided, a wall was removed, or something similar. These discrepancies aren’t too difficult to deal with, but they need to be noted. 

I digitally mark up the floor plans with notes and freehand drawings to adjust them later. If there are coverage issues, I note them. I also make general notes about data rates and observations about where users are grouped. 

The Impact of Data Rates on Network Performance 

As I mentioned earlier, a network may appear to be functioning well when, in reality, it is barely working. Data rates are one of the secrets to this. The coverage of a radio’s cell is just when the signal can be detected. It does not need to be interpreted to cause interference for non-Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi devices. 

It’s essential to check which data rates are enabled or disabled. I’ve seen some “modern networks” that leave 6, 12, and 18 Mbps enabled for the 5 GHz band. While there may be reasons for this, I generally prefer to start any network refresh with higher data rates. The trade-off is that clients near the edge of the coverage cells may experience more retries and sometimes may not connect at all. 

Some management frames, such as beacon frames, are transmitted at the lowest data rate. This means that regardless of your primary and extended rate settings, these management frames will still be broadcast at the lowest data rates defined by the standard. Enabling these lower data rates may appear to improve coverage, but it forces more capable clients to wait longer to transmit, leading to network congestion. 

Benefits of Pre-Upgrade Surveys 

The main point of surveying before swapping out gear is that it allows you to audit how things were before the company invested time and money into new gear. If there are mounting or coverage issues, you can address them proactively. Additionally, if a one-to-one swap is done, every access point (AP) will cover areas differently. It doesn’t matter if it’s the same vendor, type, direct replacement, or generation/family of AP—each AP’s radio pattern is different. 

Having the ability to refer back to the previous deployment helps with planning and post-installation troubleshooting. This may not seem significant at first, but it will aid in analyzing the upgrade and can reduce pain points afterward. 

Conclusion 

Before investing in new equipment, thoroughly survey your existing network. This proactive step can save time and resources and prevent future headaches. By understanding the current state of your network—including coverage areas, data rates, and infrastructure inaccuracies—you’ll be better equipped to implement upgrades that truly enhance performance. 

Before investing in new equipment, it’s essential to conduct a thorough survey of your current setup. This process isn’t just about replacing hardware; it’s about creating a stronger and more efficient network. Don’t let the excitement of new gear distract you from the importance of

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