What Is a Passive WiFi Survey?
A passive survey listens to the radio frequency (RF) environment without actively connecting to the network. Using tools such as Ekahau Sidekick, engineers capture signal strength, noise levels, channel overlap, and other RF characteristics while walking through the site.
Key Data Collected:
- Signal strength (RSSI)
- Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
- Channel usage and interference
- AP coverage areas
Use Cases:
- Baseline measurements of RF environment
- Identifying interference from non-WiFi devices
- Mapping coverage for initial design or validation
What Is an Active WiFi Survey?
An active survey involves connecting a client device (laptop, phone, or survey tool) to the WiFi network and measuring actual performance while roaming around the site. This provides real-world insight into how users experience the network.
Key Data Collected:
- Throughput (upload/download speeds)
- Latency and jitter
- Packet loss
- Roaming behavior between Aps
Use Cases:
- Validating end-user performance
- Troubleshooting specific connectivity issues
- Measuring quality for voice/video applications
When to Use Each Survey?
- Passive Survey: Best for understanding the RF environment and planning network design.
- Active Survey: Best for testing real-world user experience and validating network performance.
In many professional projects, both methods are combined. A passive survey highlights coverage gaps and interference sources, while an active survey confirms that users can actually connect and achieve the required performance.
APoS (Access Point on a Stick) – A Hybrid Approach
In addition to passive and active surveys, an APoS survey can be used during the design phase. Temporary access points are mounted on tripods in test locations to simulate coverage and validate placement before full deployment.
Why It Matters for Businesses?
Understanding the difference between passive and active surveys helps organizations make better decisions about WiFi investments. A warehouse may need strong roaming support for handheld scanners, while an office may require high throughput for video conferencing. Matching the survey type to the business need ensures a more reliable wireless experience.
Conclusion!
WiFi networks are critical for productivity, but they can only perform as well as they are designed and validated. Passive surveys reveal how RF signals behave in the environment, while active surveys confirm how users experience the network. By combining both approaches, businesses can achieve optimized wireless performance that supports current operations and future growth.
