Handheld Wi-Fi testing tool from Fluke
Networks detects rogue Wi-Fi networks
Fluke Networks has released a new handheld tool called
AirCheck Wi-Fi Tester for quickly and easily troubleshooting
wireless local area networks (WLAN). Fluke says the new
Wi-Fi tester can be learned and used in minutes by frontline
IT professionals, even if they have little previous wireless
network experience, and is an affordable option for every
enterprise, large or small.
The AirCheck tester features intuitive interface to verify
and troubleshoot 802.11 a/b/g/n network availability, connectivity,
channel utilization and security settings. The AirCheck
tester allows users to identify coverage and connectivity
problems, find unauthorized or rogue access points (APs),
see overloaded networks and channels, detect interference
and validate security settings.
"Companies are increasingly reliant on Wi-Fi networks
but many continue to see them as less reliable than wired
alternatives," said Arif Kareem, President, Fluke Networks.
"This is partly because time- and resource-pressured
IT personnel do not necessarily have the training or the
tools they need to monitor and troubleshoot network issues.
AirCheck addresses the requirement to arm frontline IT personnel
with an affordable, easy-to-use, portable tool that provides
comprehensive WLAN visibility across all Wi-Fi standards."
The new AirCheck tester can boot up in less than three
seconds, AirCheck automatically starts discovering networks,
access points and channel activity immediately. The tester,
which has a five-hour battery life, is suitable for one-handed
use and most operations require only one or two key presses.
Testing sessions can be saved with the press of a single
key, and then downloaded via the USB port to a PC for report
generation or archiving with AirCheck Manager software.
These features are particularly valuable for trouble ticket
resolution or escalation, enabling broad access to all the
session data captured by the AirCheck Wi-Fi Tester - saving
time and resources.
"Solving Wi-Fi issues can be a challenging, frustrating,
and sometimes bordering on impossible task," said Peter
Rysavy, Wi-Fi Consultant, Rysavy Research. "AirCheck
takes the mystery out of the Wi-Fi environment, enabling
practically any network professional, regardless of their
Wi-Fi knowledge, to quickly diagnose and solve the most
common problems. I highly recommend this product."
On time saving, "We could easily save one or two full
workweeks over the course of the year," said Brad Pritchett,
IT Director of Eastside High School (Sammamish, Washington).
It has 2.8-inch full color LCD screen interface and a simple
menu-based system that can be navigated using just five
buttons. The tester measures 3.5 in x 7.8 in x 1.9 in (8.9
cm x 19.8 cm x 4.8 cm) and weighs only 14 oz (0.4 kg). AirCheck
Manager software, which is supplied with the unit and runs
on a host PC, manages all AirCheck profiles and the information
collected from multiple AirCheck testers.
Available: 2nd quarter 2010
Price: $1995
For details visit www.flukenetworks.com/AirCheckResources
