WiFi Spectrum Analysis: Insights from Lab 1 Experiment

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum Lab 1: Analysis of WiFi Spectrum Prepared by: Dr. Sattar Hussain, @ Centennial College, 2022 Name Student ID Signature* Shivani Bajaj 301312712 SB Saad 301284248 S Alka A Lokesh L 1 School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science (SETAS) Information and Computing Engineering Technology (ICET) CNET324 - Wireless Networks Course Lead: Dr. Sattar Hussain Section No. Obtained Mark (out of 20) Due Date

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum *By signing above, you attest that you have contributed to this submission and confirm that all work you have contributed to this submission is your work. Any suspicion of copying or plagiarism in this work will result in an investigation of Academic Misconduct and may result in a “0” on the work, Overview Determining minimum signal strength requirements in the coverage area is the most important part of the network requirements list. Desired signal strength for optimal performance varies based on many factors, such as background noise in the environment, the number of clients on the network, the desired data rates, and what applications will be used. An open channel will always be best when deploying a wireless network, but if you have to share a channel between two or more networks, adjacent channel congestion is the one you’ll want to avoid if at all possible. When deploying a WiFi network, make sure there is at least 20 dB between the RSSI level of your network and other neighbor’s networks, as illustrated below: Chanalyzer software is a tool that helps plan, deploy, manage, test, and troubleshoot Wi-Fi and other RF systems. It detects frequency spectrums and the strength of RF signals in the air and passes that information to Chanalyzer software for recording and visual analysis of your wireless environment. Chanalyzer turns RF spectrum data collected from Wi-Spy into highly interactive charts and graphs, allowing you to visualize your wireless landscape. It displays wireless access points and other transmitters as they appear in the spectrum, giving quick insight into whether interference is WiFi or non-WiFi related. Wi-Spy devices cover different frequency bands used by WiFi and many other non-WiFi devices (900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz ISM bands). This lab is designed to help you observe, analyze, and understand WiFi and non-WiFi spectrum signatures, identifying 802.11channels and patterns, bandwidth utilization, and signal strength. It helps to collect all the necessary data to test WiFi network performance and track down nearby interferers and transmitters. The software also offers tools to prepare a professional report to summarize channel traffic, network performance, and bandwidth utilization at a given interval of time. 2

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum Objective Upon completion of this lab, students will be able to:  Identify WiFi and non-Wi Fi signature patterns  Identify detectable networks  Tracking down transmitters and interference  Examine the spectrum footprint of common sources of interference  Identify bandwidth utilization for different WiFi channels  Build a professional report from the collected data  Determine the best channels to deploy WLAN Hardware/Software Requirements:  3 Lenovo laptops with Windows 7 or 10  One Wi-Spy DBx USB-connected spectrum analysis hardware adapter  Wi Spy Chanalyzer visualization software Important Notes: read the following notes before starting your lab  Handle lab equipment with extra care. Dropping or misusing equipment may damage them. Ask your professor if you are not sure about any step of the lab procedure  Return all equipment and accessories to the cabinet in a neat and organize way otherwise 5 marks will deducted from your lab mark. Tied up all cables, adapter and return them to their storage box. Procedure a. All screenshots must show the time stamp at the right-bottom corner. b. Note: You are required to print your name and your lab partner's name on every single screenshot submitted within this lab. c. Throughout this lab, student groups will be assigned different numerical values for some of the analyzed parameters. The lab instructions use the letter x to refer to a certain parameter value. Whenever you see an x, replace this x with the group number. Task 1: Standalone Network Setup with Open Authentication 1. Disable all security and firewall capabilities on the laptops. Make sure to disconnect from Centennial WiFi networks. 2. Set up a wireless network using a single WAP321 access point and two PCs. Refer to CNET304 lab review for the detailed procedure on how to set up a single access point network. 3. Enable wireless radio and Single Access Point Setup. Change the wireless channel from auto mode and select a channel number as follow: Group # Channel # 1 and 2 2 3

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Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 3 and 4 4 5 and 6 7 7 and 8 9 4. Establish WiFi connection between two laptops. 5. Change the SSID Name to XXYYZZGRx, where x is your group number. 6. Ping the two laptops to test the network’s connectivity. Wi-Spy DBx Set Up 1. Attach the Omnidirectional antenna to the Wi-Spy DBx adapter. Connect the Wi-Spy DBx to a USB hub on the 3rd laptop. 2. Locate the Chanalyzer shortcut on the desktop or at the start menu and run the program. Wi-Spy should immediately begin to capture signal patterns. 3. If the Chanalyzer does not detect the wireless card in your computer automatically, click “Wi-Fi” in the menu bar at the top, and select the wireless card you’d like to use. NOTE: Wi-Spy is a spectrum analyzer. It is not capable of reading at the WiFi packet layer. Therefore, Wi-Spy will not appear in the WiFi card drop-down list. 4. In the menu bar, select “ View >> Wi-Fi Channels ”. This will change the x-axis to display the WiFi channels instead of the specific frequency range. Make sure the 2.4 GHz band is selected. Getting Familiar with Chanlyzer 1. In the top left corner, you can see the frequency range the Wi-Spy is currently examining – this is the session that is being recorded. Chanalyzer, by default, displays the 2.4 GHz range. Rename the session by clicking on the pencil icon to CNET324Gx, where x is your group number. 2. The top graph is the OVERVIEW Pane. This displays actual real-time radio capture data. In the toolbar above the pane, you will find different display options for WiFi network overlays and interferers. The Density View displays the data in a range of colors from the 4

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum blue for infrequent transmissions to red for constant utilization (and high risk of interference). The left graph is the Waterfall View – it is a historical picture of the radio capture. You can adjust the size of the graphs by grabbing and dragging the bottom of the graphs. Enlarge both graphs a little. 5

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 3. The DETAILS pane contains several tabs with more in-depth information about WiFi networks and their channels. 4. At any time hover the mouse over the Overview Pane . This creates a hovering box above the cursor that displays specific numbers regarding a particular frequency amplitude point as shown below. 5. Select the Density view from the menu at the top of the Overview Pane 6. In the DETAILS Pane , select Networks Table, identify your network SSID, and check the box at the left to the network name. Uncheck all other networks. In the Overview Pane, 6

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Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum Chanalyzer will draw an overlay in the Density view labeled with your network name similar to the screenshot shown below: [1 mark] Take a screenshot and paste it below 7. [1 mark] For your network parameters, fill out the following table. Note that to calculate the channel bandwidth, switch to frequency view. Channel # Number of APs Associated with your SSID (BSSID Count) Signal Strength (dBm) Max. Rate (Mbps) 802.11 Standard(s) Channel Bandwidth (MHz) Interferers (Other SSID Utilizing Same Channel) 7

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 7 1 -34 144.4 b.g.n 22 ALSBKNKGR6 8. In the DETAILS Pane, select Channels Table. Your display should look like the one below: 9. [1 mark] Take a screenshot and paste it below 8

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 10. [1 mark] Find and list below the channel with the maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Channel # 7 Max. SNR Answer the following question: 9

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Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 11. In the 10 Q1: [2 mark] Would you prefer to relocate your AP to this channel? Why and why not? Consider here, non-overlapping channels, SNR, bandwidth utilization, and load balance. After a thorough assessment of the wireless environment, it has been determined that relocating the access point to a different channel is warranted. The decision is based on the following considerations: Interference on Current Channel: The current channel is experiencing significant interference from neighboring networks, leading to degraded signal quality and potential performance issues. Low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): The Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) on the current channel has dropped below acceptable levels, indicating a decrease in the quality of the wireless connection. Non-overlapping Channels: Available non-overlapping channels (1, 6, and 11 in the 2.4 GHz band) are already occupied by neighboring networks, making it necessary to relocate to a less congested channel. Bandwidth Requirements: The current channel's bandwidth is insufficient to meet the growing demands of the network, necessitating a move to a channel with wider bandwidth. Load Balancing: There is an uneven distribution of network load, with the current channel experiencing congestion. Relocating to a less congested channel will help balance the network. Monitoring and Adaptation: Regular monitoring has identified persistent issues on the current channel, and a dynamic approach to channel management is required to adapt to changes in the wireless environment.

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum DETAILS Pane, select the Network Graph tab. Your DETAILS Pane display should look like the one below 1. [1 mark] Move with the laptop that has the Chanalyzer 15 meters away from your AP. Observe how the signal Amplitude in dBm is changing with the distance from the AP. Take a screenshot and past it below 2. In the DETAILS Pane, select %Utilization Graph. Your DETAILS Pane display should look like the one below 11

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 3. [1 mark] Use ping –n 20 to ping one of the PCs from the other PC . Once the pinging process completed, record the maximum percentage of bandwidth utilization for the channel your network is currently using: Channel Utilization (%) 55% 4. At the cisco WAP321 porta1, select Wireless and change the Mode from 802.11 b/g/n to 802.11a . This will force the network to work at the 5-GHz band. Scroll down and click save. You will be disconnected due to this change. Reconnect both laptops to your network. 5. Repeat the pinging process, then from the menu on the top, select Wi-Spy and switch to the 5 GHz band. In the DETAILS Pane, select %Utilization Graph. Your display should look like the following 12 Q2: [2 mark] Compare the channel width and Utilization Percentage of the 5 GHz channel with those of the 2.4 GHz channel. 5GHz – 31 % 2.4GHz- 55%

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Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 6. Switch back to the 2.4 GHz band (802.11b/g/n) and reconnect. 7. Select one of the two laptops connected to your network. Remotely browse the files and folders of the other network laptop. Refer to Appendix A on how to share and remotely browse folders and files. 8. Remotely, stream a video and keep it running for about 30 seconds. 9. [1 mark] Observe the %Utilization Graph on the DETAILS Pane. Take a screenshot showing the %Utilization and best it below. You may need to remotely stream more than one video if the difference in channel utilization is not clear. 13

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum Task 2: Recognizing 802.11 Standard(s) Patterns You can recognize 802.11 standards and interferers using the patterns they make in the Overview Pane. To assist with recognizing signatures, there is a library of identifier patterns that can be found under the Interferers tab. 14 Before streaming Video After streaming Video Q3: [2 mark] Compare the channel Utilization Percentage of your network channel with the one obtained before streaming the video. Before streaming the video: 28% After streaming the video: 32%

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 1. In the DETAILS Pane, select the Interferers tab. Scroll down to browse the Chalalyzer library of the most common identifier patterns . Click on one of the 802.11 standards classifier boxes in the Interferers tab and then hover the mouse over the Density View. Line up the selected signature with the shape in the Density View, and check if it best fits your network Density View. Hint: AP transmits at different rates with different 802.11 standards. Check if you have more than one signature on the same channel. 2. [1 mark] Take a screenshot and paste it below. Turn off the silhouette by clicking the box again in the Interferers tab. Locating Interferers 3. [1 mark] Your instructor will generate continuous interference to jam part of the 2.4 GHz spectrum. In the Overview Pane, locate the interference pattern. Select %Utilization Graph on the DETAILS Pane. Take a screenshot and paste it below 15

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Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 16 [2 mark] Based on your observations, answer the following questions: a) The range in MHz of the interference band: b) The interference band is observed in the frequency range of 5.725 MHz to 5.850 MHz c) Utilization Percentage in this band: d) The utilization percentage in this band is currently measured at 80%, indicating a high level of activity or interference. e) Number(s) of channel(s) that jammed by this interferer: 5,6,7,8 f) Action to be done if your access point is configured to work within this band: Relocate the Access Point: Move the access point to a different channel within the same frequency band that is not affected by the interference. This can be done manually or by using automatic channel selection features. Adjust Channel Width: If possible, adjust the channel width to minimize the impact of interference. This might involve using narrower channels to reduce the overlap with the interfering signals. Implement Frequency Hopping: If the equipment supports frequency hopping, enable this feature to dynamically switch between frequencies and avoid interference on a particular channel. Identify and Remove the Interferer: If feasible, identify the source of interference and take measures to remove or mitigate it. This could involve coordinating with other network administrators or investigating non-Wi-Fi devices causing interference.

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum Interfere Device Finder (Optional Not to be Credited) Device Finder will enable you to actively seek out the source of interference so you can know exactly what is happening in your networks. Directional Antenna, an accessory that allows you to track down offending devices quicker than with a Wi-Spy alone. 4. Remove the Omnidirectional antenna and attach the directional antenna to your Wi-Spy DBx. 5. Click and drag across the Overview pane to highlight the continuous interferer. A contextual menu will appear. Select Device Finder as shown Chanalyzer will now track the amplitude levels over time of the frequency selection made in the Overview pane. As the user gets closer to the interference source, the line graph will trend upwards as shown below: Task 3: Report Builder With the Report Builder, users can highlight and visually explain how network performance was in an easy, professional manner. 17

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 1. Click Report Builder from the top menu and select Add All Blocks. In the Report Builder window, Click on the Pencil at the right upper corner. Fill out the Title, Prepared By, and Date fields as shown (use your name and partner name and the current date) 2. [3 marks] In the Report Builder window, Click on the Setting icon shown in the right upper corner. Select Export, use your SSID (network name) for File Name, save the file as a PDF and submit it separately along with your lab report. Appendix A In Windows 10, you can broadcast your WiFi, Ethernet, or cellular data connection as a Wi-Fi hotspot. This allows other devices to connect to it. 1. Click the Start Menu >> Settings. 2. Select Network & Internet >> Select Mobile & hotspot . Now you should see something like this screenshot: 18

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Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 3. To configure the Wi-Fi Hotspot’s Name and Password, click the Edit button and fill in the Network name and the password fields. Click Save when done. Note that "Turn on remotely" automatically turns to ON if both devices (PC and that device) are Bluetooth-enabled. 4. Now switch the Share my internet connection with other devices option to ON . Other devices will now see your hotspot and connect to it provided the correct password is entered. 5. Make sure to save the videos to be streamed in a shared folder. 6. From one of the PCs, remotely browse the shared folder and start streaming the videos. 7. To create a shared folder, right-click on the folder >>Properties>>Sharing. Click Share. 19

Lab 1 –Analysis of WiFi Spectrum 8. From the File Sharing window, click the drop-down menu and select Everyone. Click Add and then Share. 9. Click Done when you get this window. 10. Click Advance Sharing then in the new window, check the box next to Share the folder. Click Ok. Click Close when done. 20

CNET324 Lab 1 - Analysis of WiFi Spectrum (1)[1]

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