Program for determining wifi channels. What to do if your WiFi connection frequently drops due to other networks in your home

Sometimes in everyday life, when using Wi-Fi networks, the most stable access point, which shows the best coverage, does not provide the most stable Internet. To easily identify Wi-Fi access points that provide stable Internet, without any interference, you need a Wi-Fi analyzer, which will be discussed in this article.

What is a wifi analyzer

wifi analyzer- a program or device that scans and analyzes the network; as Captain Obvious tells us. The goals and implementation of such analysis may differ greatly from searching for a cleaner channel to Aircrack-ng methods, which is highly advisable to take into account when looking for a wifi scanner. However, when talking about an analyzer, they mean a tool for constructing a coverage map, analyzing channel distribution, analyzing interference and signal level, excluding traffic analysis tools like Wireshark, Aircrack, tcpdump; after all, they are in a slightly different direction, although they can also analyze interference if ask.

To put it very simply, a wifi analyzer is a program to see why Wi-Fi doesn’t work.

This class of tools is needed to observe the mutual influence of centimeter range radio devices, which is any equipment capable of wi-fi, or in simple terms, in order to see in real time not only who is to blame, but also what to do to restore a stable connection in the sense of where and how to bring down, yeah, a kind of tractor for Peter the Pig.

Wi-Fi analysis is a common and necessary task when setting up, diagnosing, restoring and hacking a network. Naturally, depending on the task, aspects of the analysis are different; if during setup and diagnostics the physical properties of the channel (frequency, influence of fields, channel occupancy) are more interesting, then when hacking more attention is paid to logic (protection, encryption, etc.).

The task is so important that for devices like the Ubiquiti NanoStation, the release of such analysis is not a feature, but a necessity.

Yes, and endure one megabit rushing on your favorite tablet, when you can take a couple of steps across the room to five stripes... in order to know where to step, analysis is exactly what is needed.
The stability of the connection depends on many difficult-to-calculate factors: the relative position of the devices, the influence of close frequencies, and even the condition of the surface. All this is practically impossible to calculate, but you can look at it in real time and select the frequency and position in which the negative impact is minimal. Because the speed of the connection depends on the stability of the connection.

Wifi analyzer programs

There are countless software implementations of analyzers. Both well-known software writers and specialized companies were noted here, some of which are, in general, hardware manufacturers like the above-mentioned Ubiquiti with their AirView. All programs differ slightly in interface and visualization method, they do approximately the same thing and even in the same way.

Some differences are dictated by the purpose of scanning, for example, TamoGraph Site Survey is focused on placing WiFi devices over an area; InSSIDer - to analyze the connection of available networks in the allowed ranges; and AirView exists to make life easier for the Ubiquiti customizer on and off range. Nevertheless, the most popular of the entire family is the Wi-Fi analyzer, presented with utilities for Android and Windows devices, because “I’m an Android, I need the Internet and a power outlet.” The program allows you to find a place where no one and nothing interferes; you can simply master and use it, while being sufficient for home use.

Example of Wi-Fi network analysis

Any Analysis is meaningless without a goal. This is such an abstract thought. The goal of the first example will be to restore the channel width between Vasya and Petya. The channel is configured on Ubiquiti equipment and has only two antennas for simplicity. Having discovered a drop in speed, Vasya goes to 192.168.1.20 and sees there, say, “transmit ccq 50%”. Cursing at the slow connection, Vasya downloads JAWA and finally he presses the big blue Launch AirView button. From this moment the analysis actually begins, which, by the way, needs to be allowed to run for about 10 minutes to accumulate statistics.

Most analyzers display information in the form of graphs; there are many of them, but usually they duplicate each other to one degree or another. Vasya has three of them - short-term (power) displays changes in the last minutes of work, long-term (power) displays the scale from the moment the scan was started, and long-term (energy).

Having recalculated the peaks on the “Waveform View” graph (a long-term graph of power changes), Vasya not only sees that some device has appeared nearby in frequency, but also detects by the depth of blue color to which frequencies the channel can be changed.
The second task for the example will be to find a wider channel for Android. We launch the Wi-Fi analyzer, look at the channel rating for the point on the “channel rating” tab, and get the numbers of free channels. Somehow the example didn't come out. Let's take for example the task of finding a more powerful point signal. We launch the Wi-Fi analyzer, turn on the meter and see how the readings change when we walk around the room; by the way, if the device data is linked to coordinates, we will get a coverage map in the process.

Wifi analyzer for android

A portable device used in a difficult radio environment must have the means to analyze the surrounding mayhem, it simply must. By typing Wifi analyzer, we get a list of 10 positions, similar functionality and implementation, well, I told you - the place is good.

Having chosen a program that is convenient for you personally, sometimes you don’t understand how you lived before installing it. Assess the network, find the optimal location, and due to the size of the wifi wave, the connection depends on the position and orientation of the device. Yes, in the end, choosing a connection point from among the possible ones is also an analysis hardwired into the phone’s carrier.

Wifi analyzer for Windows

All the thoughts about a portable device are valid, but the store has a smaller selection and higher prices, although there is a Wi-Fi analyzer and it’s even free. On the Internet you can find InSSIDer and many, many others. The TamoGraph Site Survey mentioned above is also from this sandbox.

Having Wi-Fi on board, you should also have a Wi-Fi analyzer. Elders say that even if they remove it for the sake of free space, they still have to install it again and again.

Don’t get your hopes up, this is just a utility for “looking with your eyes”; by seeing and correcting the channel frequency, the position of the device and the antenna, you can have a more stable contact at a higher torrent speed, especially if you move the welder away from the antenna.

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A modern router is capable of scanning, checking whether the channel is free, or detecting excess signal. You can easily find a free window. Often the router firmware needs to be updated. Be careful! A power loss will interrupt the update process - instead of a Wi-Fi channel scanner, you will get a pile of scrap metal. The wireless access point can only be restored by an official service center or a technically savvy Kulibin.

Reasons for use

External interference reduces the speed of information flow. The bitrate drops noticeably. Try placing the router next to a working microwave oven - miracles will begin immediately. Interference is created by telephones, the sun, industrial and military facilities. Even the USB 3 interface is a little foul.

The channel scanner shows a list of available SSIDs, ignoring extraneous factors. Therefore, even a visually free niche sometimes works poorly. Consider software features when building a home network.

If you notice a significant decrease in speed, use shielding and install directional antennas. Avoid crossing the beam line with your body. Microwave radiation is extremely harmful and is perfectly absorbed by the aqueous media of the body. Memory, intelligence, blood counts deteriorate, and sleep is disturbed. Immunity declines.

Router admin panel

Even the TP-Link 300 series can recognize network congestion. The updated firmware works wonders. The hardware itself begins to look for free channels, selecting (even automatically) free bands. The screen will show amazing things: neighbors literally occupied the same rooms. The smart device will monitor and show the status of networks for the user to check.

The screen clearly demonstrates the above. If the neighbors had bothered to regularly update the firmware, a check with an analyzer would have shown a fundamentally different picture.

Updating the router firmware

TP-Link firmware update option is the best. You immediately receive a ready-made tool for monitoring frequencies. Of course, the router is only capable of testing its own operating range (2.4; 5; 60 GHz).

1. Always take the firmware from the official website.
2. Make sure the following settings match:
   • Version.
   • Model.

The range of information varies greatly. Select a file by carefully studying the label. If the latter is missing, don't despair. Hardware and firmware versions are often indicated by the admin panel. Avoid being arbitrary: an experimental test can kill your equipment.

The software update procedure will require access. We believe that setting up the router itself is as simple as possible. As a last resort, perform a hard reset of the equipment by pressing the appropriate button.

1. Download the firmware file.
2. Record to PC.
3. Update the software via the cable by selecting the appropriate item in the router's admin panel.
4. The program requires a cable connection. Otherwise, a fatal crash is possible. Also take the trouble to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

inSSIDer

Software that can determine the load density of Wi-Fi channels is widely known. The strange name inSSIDer implies the device’s ability to catch SSIDs traveling on the air. The replacement for the aging NetStumbler will please mainly Windows users.

1. Visit the official project website metageek.com/products/.
2. Find the product you need.
3. Get ready to pay for the license.

The utility will provide the user with:

• Workload.
• Achievable speed.
• Writes available SSIDs (access point names).
• Will display specific parameters, such as RSSI, allowing you to analyze the signal.
• The program can catch MAC addresses.

Attention! The utility is powerless to track interference from household appliances, radio broadcasts, mobile phones, and Bluetooth.

Free option

Considering what was said, Android users breathed a sigh of relief: they will have to definitely go through the channel numbers manually. However, there is another option. Yes! Acrylic WiFi (acrylicwifi.com/). The new product is free for now, please download it.

The utility collects:

1. SSID
2. BSSID.
3. Channel congestion.
4. Security type and much more.

1. Free Wi-Fi Scanner.
2. WirelessNetView.

Android

Download the appropriate software:

1. WiFiAnalyzer
2. Wi-Fi Visualizer.
3. iMapper Wi-Fi Pro.
4. Wi-Fi Analyzer and Surveyor.
5. WiTuners Mobile.

Note! In December 2017, Kaspersky released a number of applications (official stores) that pose a threat. Therefore, it is better to use router firmware.

Linux

1. LinSSID.
2. iwScanner.

Mac

1. iStumbler.
2. AirRadar.
3. WiFi Explorer.
4. WiFi Scanner.

iOS

Use Fing – Network Scanner. iOS owners just need to visit the AppStore.

Yes, the operating system will allow you to find nearby networks and connect to them, but what about add-ons? What if you need to have detailed information on all the Wi-Fi networks around you, troubleshoot your network, turn your laptop into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, or stay safe on public hotspots? Windows won't help you with all this.

That's why we've found six apps for you. They do everything Windows can't do and more. Five of the six applications are free, while the sixth is not expensive at all.

From MetaGeek is an excellent tool for searching and collecting information on Wi-Fi networks in the area where your computer is located. The program is also useful in solving problems with your own Wi-Fi network.

For all found Wi-Fi networks, InSSIDer shows the MAC address of the router, the router manufacturer (if the program can determine it - usually it can), the channel in use, the SSID or public name of the network, security type, network speed, and the like. In addition, the program shows the current network signal strength.

How would you use a program to solve problems with your wireless network? If you saw that a nearby network with a strong signal was on the same channel as you, you would change the channel of your network (most routers allow this), thereby avoiding potential conflicts.

The program also allows you to identify “dead zones” in your area where there is no sufficiently reliable Wi-Fi signal. To do this, just walk around your home or office with InSSIDer turned on. In the future, you can either avoid these places or try to move your router.

Whether you need to solve problems with your network or find Wi-Fi hotspots to connect to, InSSIDer is the program you'll want to download and try.

Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows XP, Vista and 7 (32- and 64-bit)
Download InSSIDer

Here's another great program for finding Wi-Fi networks and providing information on them, such as how far away they are from you. The radar-like screen shows all nearby hotspots. A separate panel offers detailed information on all found hotspots, including signal strength, network type (for example, 802.11n), router manufacturer, transmission channel, etc.

Next to the radar, the panel provides even more detailed information about the network you are currently connected to, including your personal IP address, public IP address, DNS, gateway information, and more.

Why use Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector over MetaGeek InSSIDer? For example, because the simpler and clearer layout of Wi-Fi Inspector makes it easier to present information on hotspots. The program also shows your relative physical distance from the hotspot. And probably no one will deny the usefulness of the radar itself.

However, InSSIDer is better than Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector in terms of obtaining more detailed information on surrounding Wi-Fi networks.

Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows XP SP2+, Vista and 7
Download Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector

is an excellent, free program that allows you to turn a computer with Windows 7 (the program only works with Windows 7) into a Wi-Fi hotspot, which can then be used by nearby devices - such as a smartphone or tablets of colleagues.

Of course, the computer itself that you would like to convert into a Wi-Fi hotspot must be connected to the Internet and support Wi-Fi. At the same time, the connection to the Internet does not necessarily have to be wired (although it does not hurt), because a Wi-Fi card on a computer can perform a dual function - on the one hand, it can act as a Wi-Fi receiver, and on the other, it can act as a transmitter.

Setting up a hotspot is simple: Once you're connected to the Internet, launch Connectify, give your hotspot a name and set a password. After this, your computer's Wi-Fi card will begin broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal to which other devices can connect. It is worth noting that your computer will work using the Wi-Fi protocol for which it was created. In addition, it will also support older protocols. For example, an 802.11n signal will allow you to connect devices with 802.11b/g/n.

Setting a password will allow you to restrict unauthorized access to the Internet. The hotspot signal itself is protected by WPA2-PSK encryption.

You can even use Connectify to set up a local network without an external Internet connection. Launch the program as a hotspot and nearby devices will be able to connect to its network, even if you do not have Internet access. This can be used, for example, to transfer files within a workgroup or for multiplayer games.

It's worth noting that connecting my Mac to a hotspot based on a Windows 7 computer and Connectify caused me problems. However, other computers and devices connected without problems.

Now on the Internet you can find many references to such a program as Wifi Analyzer. Many people have it on their phone.

But for those around you, Wifi Analyzer is just a set of some incomprehensible symbols and graphs.

Therefore, it would be useful to understand what kind of program it is, what it does, and whether there is a version for Windows.

Without going into details, the existence of Wifi Analyzer is due to the fact that even if there are free and public (password-free) Wifi networks, they very rarely provide sufficient speed.

And the reason for this phenomenon is that each channel is too heavily loaded, that is, too many people are connected to one Wifi network at the same time.

Therefore, it cannot give everyone who connects enough speed.

Then Wifi Analyzer comes to the rescue, which analyzes all available networks to see which one is the freest, that is, which Wifi network has the least number of people connected to it.

This, accordingly, will give the most speed.

Where can I download?

First of all, Wifi Analyzer exists for phones on the Android platform and can be easily downloaded on Google Play.

On the page, a screenshot of which is presented below, there is a single “Install” button.

Accordingly, to download such a program for yourself, you just need to click on it.

Wifi Analyzer is also available for PC. True, such a program is installed only on Windows 10, but it is completely free.

As you can see in Figure 2 in the green frame, to install this program, you must have an operating system up to Windows 10.

After that, the “Get application” button will be available in the same place. Thus, it is simply impossible to install Wifi Analyzer for Windows 7 and earlier versions.

But for them there are equally good alternative programs that have similar functionality and perform the same functions.

One of the most popular among them is called inSSIDer. True, Acrylic WiFi Professional is more advanced in search engines.

Most users prefer to use the second, although many of them simply do not know about the existence of the first.

The huge advantage of alternative programs is that Wifi Analyzer for Windows is not distributed in Russian.

On the Microsoft page it is written that there are only 8 languages ​​in which their program is available, but Russian is not among them.

How to use

As for Wifi Analyzer for phones, its interface looks very simple and clear. To use, you just need to launch the application.

After launching, it will automatically scan all available Wifi networks and display the graph shown in Figure 3.

On a computer everything is very similar.

As you can see, all Wifi networks are shown here in the form of inverted parabolas. The y-axis in these graphs is the signal strength.

Accordingly, whichever parabola from those shown in Figures No. 3 and No. 4 above is the better signal. The program is extremely easy to understand.

Another huge advantage is that Wifi Analyzer will also be very easy to download.

Analogs of the program

inSSIDer

As for alternative programs, inSSIDer will not be so easy to figure out.

There you can find a free version of the program for Android. True, it only works for 30 days. After this, you will have to buy a license, the minimum cost of which is currently $20.

The program interface looks as shown in Figure 5. Here the main column is called “Signal”, which is highlighted with a red frame in the figure above.

The lower the signal value there, the better.

In addition, there are a huge number of different settings available here, some of them are used by advanced users, while others are available to ordinary users.

Acrylic WiFi Home

To work with large wireless networks, there are a sufficient number of good multifunctional software solutions on the market that allow for comprehensive testing of WiFi networks. However, you will often find it easier to use simpler, free tools to get a quick look at the airwaves during design, deployment, or troubleshooting. We present to your attention an overview of the most interesting free programs for diagnosing WiFi networks.

In this article, we'll introduce you to nine free software tools—most of them running on Windows operating systems, others on macOS or Android—that will give you basic information about existing WiFi signals in range: SSIDs, signal strength , channels used, MAC addresses and types of protection of a particular network. Some can detect hidden SSIDs, determine noise levels, or provide statistics about the successful and unsuccessful packets sent and received on your wireless connection. One of the solutions includes a WiFi password cracking toolkit, which will be extremely useful for finding vulnerabilities and security assessments when testing the hacking resistance of your wireless network.

Note also that most of the tools described below are free versions of commercial solutions distributed by the same vendor, but with reduced functionality.

The Acrylic WiFi Home wireless LAN scanner is a stripped-down version of the commercial solution from Tarlogic Security. Version 3.1, reviewed in this review article, attracts attention, primarily due to the detail of the wireless environment and advanced graphical capabilities for displaying collected information. The functionality of this solution includes: overview of found WiFi networks supporting 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac standards; detecting unauthorized access points and displaying connected clients; scanning and analysis of WiFi channels used by wireless networks at frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; plotting graphs of the received signal level and its power for WiFi access points.

WiFi scanner for Windows Acrylic WiFi Home will allow you to scan and view available wireless networks in real time, provide information about detected WiFi networks (SSID and BSSID), their type of protection and wireless devices currently connected to the network, and will also allow you to get a list of WiFi passwords (set by default by manufacturers) thanks to the built-in plugin system.

As a free product, Acrylic WiFi Home 3.1 has a simple but attractive graphical interface. A detailed list of SSIDs is located at the top of the application. Here, in particular, you can find: negative dBm values ​​for the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), supported 802.11 standard (including 802.11ac) by access points or WiFi routers, manufacturer name, model and MAC addresses network devices. The solution recognizes the bandwidth being used and displays all channels involved. It doesn't look for hidden SSIDs, but may show them if it detects network data indicating the presence of hidden networks. The application also has functionality for inventorying the operation of WiFi networks, allowing you to assign and save the names of detected SSIDs and / or clients (for the free version, this feature has quantitative restrictions on use).

At the bottom of the application screen, by default, visual rating information is displayed on the network characteristics of the selected SSID. There is also a graph of the signal level and power of all detected access points. When you switch to the advanced mode for displaying the status of wireless networks, you will receive two additional graphs - for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands - which simultaneously display information about the channels in use, including those combined into one “wide” channel, and signal level data.

Exporting or saving captured data is extremely inconvenient, as the software company decided to cut down this functionality excessively in the free solution: you can copy at most one line of data to the clipboard and then paste the text into a word processing document or spreadsheet. There is also a function for publishing a screenshot on Twitter.

Overall, Acrylic WiFi Home is a good software WLAN scanner, especially considering that it doesn't cost anything. It collects all the basic information about your wireless space and clearly demonstrates the obtained data, both in text and graphical form, which is perfect for simple WiFi network diagnostic tasks. The main disadvantage of this solution can be considered big problems with data export, or rather, the virtual absence of such an opportunity due to the functionality in the free solution that was limited by the manufacturer itself.

AirScout Live (Android)

Greenlee's AirScout Live app turns your Android smartphone into a convenient and portable WiFi network analyzer. AirScout Live has seven operating modes, four of which are completely free to use without any restrictions for Android devices. The commercial version, unlike the free version, is compatible with most desktop computers (Windows) and mobile devices (Android and iOS). With the help of basic functionality, you can quickly, mobilely and, most importantly, solve problems related to insufficient WiFi signal levels in some places in your office or home for free.

AirScout live will show all the characteristics of access points detected within range: from signal strength and security protocols to equipment capabilities. It will allow you to determine the least loaded channel, measure the signal strength at each point of the WiFi network and identify places with insufficient signal strength. Helps identify sources of interference by analyzing channel usage parameters in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Using the program, you can select the optimal location for access points to ensure the highest quality WiFi network coverage of your premises and configure it for maximum performance without purchasing additional equipment. Additionally, the AirScout app allows you to take pictures of your WiFi network and save them locally or upload them to the cloud.

AirScout Live is very easy to use and requires no additional training. The user interface looks attractive and intuitive. The first two menu items - “AP Graph” and “AP Table” - will provide you with visual and comprehensive information about all the characteristics of access points located in the visibility area. Access point coverage graphs will visually demonstrate to you the dependence of the signal level of each of them and the congestion of channels in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Extended information in tabular form about each access point (SSID, Mac address, equipment vendor, channel used, channel width, received signal level in dBm and security settings) is available in the second menu item.

The “Time Graph” item will allow you to see all the access points that your Android device has detected in the observed location, and their graph of signal level changes in dBm with a time reference. So, for example, if you are examining a network that consists of several access points, this information will help you understand what signal strength each of them will have at a given location, and how the client device will switch between them. In addition, selecting a specific access point highlights its signal strength, which helps visual perception of information.

The “Signal Strength” item will allow you to visually test the signal level for each access point over time. You can select a specific SSID and see the current, as well as the minimum and maximum signal level recorded by the device for this access point. The original interpretation of the results obtained in the form of a red-yellow-green speedometer will make it possible to clearly see whether a particular function will work in this particular place or not. For example, a stable signal level in the green zone will tell you that here you will not have problems with resource-intensive technologies such as voice over IP or streaming video in Full HD format. Being in the yellow zone will indicate that only web surfing is available. Well, the red zone will mean big problems with receiving a signal from this access point in a given location.

To use additional functions that are not available in the free version of the software without additional equipment (identifying the most common problems: suboptimal signal coverage or incorrect channel selection; identifying sources of interference, including from “non-WiFi” devices; optimizing WiFi network configurations adjacent to 802.15.4 networks; adjusting WiFi performance by comparing signal strength and usage parameters; Ookla speed test and much more) you will need an AirScout controller or a kit that includes a controller and remote clients.

AirScout Live is an excellent application that, above all, attracts with its portability. Agree, having a tool that will always be at hand is worth a lot. The free version of the product provides you with all the necessary information you may need to quickly analyze the health of small office or home WiFi networks and identify underlying performance problems. An intuitive interface and competent graphic design of the obtained measurement results not only leave a good impression, but also help speed up the work with the application.

Cain & Abel is a multi-purpose application for Windows operating systems for recovering and cracking passwords, which is also equipped with tools for intercepting and analyzing network traffic, including WiFi networks. Like its predecessor (Acrylic WiFi Home), Cain & Abel is a powerful network analyzer capable of capturing and processing most wireless network traffic.

Its graphical interface has a relatively ancient, simplified look. The toolbar (old style with icons at the top of the screen) is used to launch various utilities. Access to the main functional parts of the application is provided through window tabs.

Through the “Wireless” tab we get access to functional tools for analyzing the network traffic of WiFi networks. In addition to the usual information about SSIDs and various signal information, a list and detailed information about connected clients can also be found here. For access points and clients, Cain & Abel provides information about the number of packets detected: all packets, WEP Initialization Vector (WEP IV) and ARP requests. Any hidden SSIDs discovered from the captured packets will be displayed in the GUI. Most of the intercepted statuses and data can be exported to a simple text file.

Despite the enormous functional potential of this solution, shortcomings such as the lack of visual graphs, as well as the inability to recognize 802.11ac access points and determine wider channels, do not allow Cain & Abel to be called the best choice for monitoring and analyzing WiFi networks. This solution is worth paying attention to if your tasks go far beyond simple traffic analysis. With it, you can recover Windows passwords, perform attacks to obtain lost credentials, examine VoIP data on the network, analyze packet routing, and much more. This is a truly powerful toolkit for a system administrator with broad powers.

Ekahau HeatMapper is a mapping software tool for deploying small home-level wireless networks and determining the optimal location for access point installation. This is a simplified free version of professional solutions from Ekahau. This software product provides the same network information as a WiFi wireless network scanner, but also generates a WiFi heat map so you can visualize signal levels. For the purposes of this review, we will focus on version 1.1.4.

The software offers the ability to create a plan or layout of the site being studied, as well as design a wireless network topology using a grid for rough orientation.

The left side of the main UI screen displays a list of wireless networks and their details, sorted by signal, channel, SSID, MAC address, and security type. This list includes basic information, but does not contain signal strength in dBm or percentage. In addition, the application does not recognize networks that support the 802.11ac standard, identifying them as 802.11n.

Using Ekahau HeatMapper, as with other mapping tools, you plot your current location on a map while you walk around a building to generate a heat map of WiFi coverage. Ekahau HeatMapper will automatically calculate the location of access points and place them on the map. Once all the data has been collected, an interactive heat map of WiFi coverage will be generated. So, for example, when you hover the cursor over the access point icon, its coverage will be separately highlighted; and when you hover your cursor over a heatmap area, a tooltip window will appear for the received signal strength indicator with a negative dBm value for that point.

According to reviews, the Ekahau HeatMapper software solution is an overly simplified WiFi mapping scanner: the manufacturers removed almost all additional functionality from the free version, making this solution a truly home version. Additionally, the only option available for exporting or saving is to simply take a screenshot of the map.

However, the Ekahau HeatMapper solution can be used for small networks or to get a basic understanding of how more professional map-based tools work.

Homedale Software Utility is a relatively simple and portable (no installation required) wireless network scanner for Windows (currently version 1.75 available) and macOS (currently available version 1.03) operating systems with an optional command line interface. In addition to displaying basic information about wireless networks and signals, this utility also supports location determination using GPS and other positioning technologies.

This utility has a simple graphical interface that resembles more of a dialog box with several tabs than a full-fledged application. The first tab, Adapters, displays a list of all network adapters, along with their IP gateways and MAC addresses.

The Access Points tab contains a lot of important information. It doesn't list the 802.11 standard for each SSID, but you will find all supported data rates, as well as all channel numbers used by each SSID at a given time, including those with larger channel widths. It also doesn't list hidden networks, but does show other network data that indicates the presence of hidden SSIDs. Also a very useful feature is the ability to save notes for individual SSIDs, which can then be included in any data export.

In the Access Point Signal Graph tab, you will find the change in negative dBm values ​​for the received signal strength metric over time for all selected SSIDs. The implementation of access to this functionality cannot be called very convenient and intuitive - the selection of wireless networks for monitoring and comparison is made by double-clicking on the desired SSID from the list of the previous “Access Points” tab.

The “Frequency of Use” tab illustrates in real time a graphical dependence of the frequencies used by each SSID (for convenience, divided into channels) and signal level values. Channel usage visualizations are displayed for the 2.4 GHz band and each subset of the 5 GHz band. The utility performs its task - visually demonstrates the occupancy of each channel - but it would be more convenient if we had the opportunity to have a single view of the 5 GHz frequency, instead of dividing it into four separate graphs.

In addition, Homedale offers excellent capabilities, as a free app, to export the collected data. Thus, it supports saving the network list in a table form in CSV format, logging the results of each scan (useful if you move while scanning), and also saving an image of each graph.

Despite its very simple graphical user interface, Homedale provides more advanced functionality than you might expect. In addition, I would like to note that, for a free program, the capabilities of recording and exporting data, as well as determining location, are quite impressive.

LizardSystems offers a free version of their WiFi Scanner software for non-commercial use that has the same features and functionality as their paid product. Currently version 3.4 of the solution is available. In addition to the WiFi scanner, this solution also offers excellent analytics and reporting functionality.

The application has a modern graphical interface, intuitive and easy to use. The Scanner tab provides a list of detected SSIDs. In addition to the standard detailed information, you will also find signal strength values ​​in both negative dBm and percentage values. It even shows the number of clients that are connected to each SSID. Also, along with the 802.11 standards specification, the solution can detect and report multiple channels used by any SSID with a larger channel width.

You can use the list of visible SSIDs to filter input based on the following parameters: signal strength, supported 802.11 standard, security types, and used frequency bands. At the bottom of the Scanner tab are graphs that you can switch between. In addition to typical graphs showing signal strength and channels used, visualizations of data rates, channel load and number of clients are also available. The bottom of the screen displays information about your current connection. In the "Advanced Information" tab you will find various data about network activity, up to the number of unprocessed packets.

The Current Connection tab displays more detailed information about the current wireless connection. Here you will access and manage the list of wireless network profiles stored in Windows 10, which may be useful since this latest version of the Windows operating system no longer provides native access and management of this list. The Wireless Statistics tab provides graphs and statistics for various types of packets, both the physical (PHY) layer and the data link (MAC) layer, which will be useful for conducting advanced network analysis.

LizardSystems WiFi Scanner software solution offers advanced exporting and reporting capabilities. Basic functionality allows you to save a list of networks in a text file. Additionally, you can generate reports summarizing the types of networks found in the scan, with all SSID data logged, any comments you added, and snapshots of the graphs. These are pretty impressive features for a freely available WiFi scanner.

In summary, LizardSystems WiFi Scanner really impresses with its functionality, including output filtering and reporting capabilities, as well as advanced information about the data packets being transmitted. It can be an important part of your go-to toolkit for maintaining and testing WiFi networks, but keep in mind that the free license is only available for personal use.

NetSpot (Windows and macOS)

NetSpot is a software solution for researching, analyzing and improving WiFi networks. The commercial version uses mapping tools for thermal visualization of coverage areas, but this is not available in the free version for home use. However, this solution is offered for both Windows and macOS operating networks. In this review article, we will look at NetSpot Free version 2.8 - a free, significantly stripped-down version of the company's paid products for home and corporate use.

The NetSpot Discover tab is a WiFi scanner. Although the GUI is simple, it has a modern look and feel, with the network details of each SSID displayed in bold and clearly visible. Signal levels are shown in negative dBm values ​​(current, minimum and maximum) as well as percentages. Hidden networks are not displayed in the free version, and the ability to export data is not supported (although there is such a button, it is not active).

When you click on the “Details” button at the bottom of the application window, combined graphs of signals and used channels for each WiFi range, generated for the SSID networks selected from the list, are shown. Additionally, each SSID's signal information is displayed in a table view so you can see the exact values ​​received by the application during each scan.

Overall, the free version of NetSpot does a good job of detecting WiFi networks (although it does not support working with hidden networks). And yet, the free solution has very limited functionality, which is eloquently demonstrated by the broken links to a large number of additional features - the inaccessibility of visualizations, the inability to use a heat map, and the lack of export.

WirelessNetView (Windows)

WirelessNetView is a small utility from NirSoft that runs in the background and monitors the activity of wireless networks around you. It is offered free of charge for personal and commercial use. This is a fairly simple WiFi scanner, available in both portable and installable form. For the purposes of this article, version 1.75 is considered.

The WirelessNetView solution's graphical user interface is not very fancy - it's just a window with a list of wireless networks. For each detected network, the following information is available: SSID, signal quality at the current time, average signal quality over the entire observation period, detection counter, authentication algorithm, information encryption algorithm, MAC address, RSSI, channel frequency, channel number, etc. .

Thus, this utility provides signal level indicators in negative dBm values, as well as in percentage terms for the last received signal and the average for the entire observation time. But it would be even better if we also had access to the average values ​​for the RSSI of a particular access point over the entire observation period. Another unique piece of available analytics that WirelessNetView offers is a measure of how often each SSID is detected, which can be useful in certain situations.

Double-clicking on any of the detected wireless networks will open a dialog box with all the information about a particular network, which can be very convenient, since your screen width is clearly not enough to view all the details in the main list. Right-clicking any network in the list allows you to save data for that specific wireless network or all detected networks to text or HTML files. The Options toolbar menu displays some options and additional functionality, such as filtering, MAC address format, and other display preferences.

Please note that this utility lacks a number of advanced features that we expect to see in modern WiFi scanners. First of all, we are talking about a graphical presentation of information, full support for the 802.11ac standard and, accordingly, recognition of all channels occupied by an access point that can use a larger channel width. However, WirelessNetView can still be useful for simple monitoring of wireless networks or small WiFi spaces, especially if you find some of the utility's unique functionality valuable.

Wireless Diagnostics (macOS)

Beginning with OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.4 and later operating systems, Apple provides a Wireless Diagnostics tool. It is more than just a WiFi scanner; it can help detect and fix WiFi connection problems. But the best thing is that it is a native toolkit included in the operating system. For this review, we'll look at the Wireless Diagnostics software solution included with macOS High Sierra (version 10.13).

To get started, press the Option key and then click the Airport/WiFi icon at the top of MacOS. You'll have more detailed information about your current WiFi connection, as well as access to the "Wireless Diagnostics" shortcut.

Opening Wireless Diagnostics will launch a wizard called "Assistant" that may ask for additional information such as the router's make and model, as well as its location. Tests will then be run to detect problems. Once verified, a summary of the results will be shown, and clicking the icon for each result will show expanded details and suggestions.

Although it's not entirely obvious, you also have more tools available to you than just the aforementioned wizard. While the wizard dialog is open, clicking the Window button at the top of the toolbar will provide access to additional utilities.

The Scan utility is a simple WiFi scanner that shows the usual data about detected wireless networks, as well as a brief description of network types and the best channels. One of its main advantages is that it shows noise levels in WiFi channels, which most of the Windows scanners presented in this article do not show. However, it would be more convenient if all channels that use specific SSIDs with a larger channel width were listed, rather than just showing the channel width and the center channel.

The Info utility shows the current network connection and detailed information about the signal characteristics. The “Logs” utility allows you to configure WiFi, EAPOL and Bluetooth diagnostic protocols. The Performance utility shows line graphs of signal and noise, signal quality and data transfer speed of the current connection. The Sniffer utility allows you to capture raw wireless packets, which can then be exported to a third-party packet sniffer.

In summary, the utilities included in the Wireless Diagnostics toolkit of the MacOS family of operating systems are truly impressive, especially when compared to the native wireless toolkit for Windows operating systems. You always have a WiFi scanner at your fingertips (which even shows you noise levels) and packet capture capabilities (with subsequent export options), and their troubleshooting "Assistant" seems really smart. However, to visualize WiFi channels, in our opinion, the channel usage graph is not enough.

Apple also offers an excellent tour and guide to using Wireless Diagnostics for more information.

conclusions

Each of the programs we reviewed for diagnosing WiFi networks has its own advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, all these solutions, judging by user reviews, are worthy of downloading and evaluating in action. The choice of the optimal program for each specific case will be different. So try it!

See also: