Geolocation Explained: From Mapping to Asset Tracking

 Geolocation

Geolocation is the process of identifying the location of a device, person, or object using technology. It can determine a device's or individual's latitude and longitude.

Geolocation can be used for many purposes, including:

Mapping and navigation

Geolocation data is used in mapping and navigation applications.

Targeted advertising

Geolocation data can target ads to users based on their location.

Personalized content

Geolocation data can provide personalized content to users based on their location.

Payment card theft detection

Financial institutions can use geolocation to detect possible payment card theft by matching the location of a customer's phone with the area where their payment card is being used.

Insurance claims processing

Insurance claims adjusting apps can use geolocation to substantiate a policyholder's location.

Asset tracking

Businesses can use geolocation to manage their assets more efficiently by knowing their location and usage.

Geolocation can be determined using various methods, including GPS (Global Positioning System), Cellular network signals, Wi-Fi triangulation, IP address tracking, and Bluetooth signals.

The accuracy of geolocation depends on the method used. For example, IP geolocation is highly accurate at the country level but only moderately precise at the city level.

GPS tagging: Adding Location Data to Media and Beyond

 GPS Tagging 

GPS tagging, or geotagging, adds geographic information to digital media, such as photos, videos, or websites. This information can include latitude and longitude coordinates, place names, and other positional data.

GPS tagging can be helpful for a variety of purposes, including:

• Sharing photos: Sharing the location where a photo was taken
• Keeping track of shooting spots: Keeping track of favorite shooting spots
• Creating location-based media: Combining geotagged media with an application like Google Maps to create location-based news and media feeds

GPS tagging can also be used for other purposes, such as:

Monitoring offenders

Using GPS tags to monitor the location of offenders on release from prison, such as those serving time for domestic abuse or knife crime.

Monitoring animals

Using GPS tags to monitor the location of animals, such as cattle, to help with pasture feed intake, biosecurity, and theft detection

Wireless Site Surveys: Key to Effective Network Planning and Design

 Wireless Site Survey

A wireless site survey is crucial in planning and designing a wireless network. It involves thoroughly evaluating a location to determine the optimal placement and configuration of wireless network components, such as access points. Here are the key aspects:

Purpose

• Coverage: Ensure the wireless network provides adequate coverage throughout the desired area.
• Capacity: Assess the network’s ability to handle the expected number of devices and data traffic.
• Performance: Optimize the network for the best possible performance, including data rates and quality of service (QoS).
• Interference: Identify and mitigate sources of interference that could affect the network’s reliability.

Types of Wireless Site Surveys

1. Passive Survey:

• Method: Collects data by listening to existing wireless traffic without connecting to the network.
• Use Case: Ideal for understanding the current wireless environment and identifying sources of interference.

2. Active Survey:

• Method: Involves connecting to the network and measuring performance metrics like throughput and packet loss.
• Use Case: Useful for validating network performance and ensuring it meets the required standards.

3. Predictive Survey:

• Method: Uses software to simulate the wireless environment based on floor plans and building materials.
• Use Case: Helpful in the initial planning stages to predict coverage and performance before physical deployment.

Process

• Site Inspection: Physically inspect the location to understand the layout and potential obstacles.
• Data Collection: Use tools like Ekahau, AirMagnet, or NetSpot to gather data on signal strength, interference, and network performance.
• Analysis: Analyze the collected data to identify optimal access point locations and configurations.
• Reporting: Generate a detailed report with recommendations for network design and deployment.

Benefits

• Optimized Coverage: Ensures that all areas have adequate wireless coverage.
• Improved Performance: Enhances network performance by minimizing interference and optimizing access point placement.
• Cost Efficiency: Helps avoid over-provisioning or under-provisioning network resources, saving costs in the long run.

Understanding Wireless Heat Maps: Key to Optimal Network Planning

 Wireless Heat Map

A wireless heat map is a visual tool used to represent a wireless network's signal strength and coverage within a specific area. Here are the key aspects:

What It Shows

• Signal Strength: Heat maps use color gradients to show areas with strong and weak signals. Typically, warmer colors (red and orange) indicate stronger signals, while more excellent colors (blue and green) indicate weaker signals.
• Coverage: They help visualize the coverage area of wireless access points, showing where the signal is strong and where it might be weak or non-existent.
• Interference and Noise: Some heat maps also display areas with high interference or noise, which can affect the quality of the wireless connection.

How It's Used

• Network Planning: Helps strategically place access points to ensure optimal coverage and performance.
• Troubleshooting: Identifies dead zones and areas with poor signal strength, helping to diagnose and fix connectivity issues.
• Optimization: Optimizes the network by adjusting access point placement and settings to improve overall performance.

Creating a Heat Map

• Software Tools: Specialized software like NetSpot, Ekahau, and AirMagnet Survey are commonly used to create wireless heat maps. These tools collect data on signal strength and other metrics and visually represent the network.

Understanding RSSI: What it Means for Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength

 RSSI

RSSI stands for Received Signal Strength Indicator. It measures the wireless signal strength and Wi-Fi signal quality and indicates how well a device can receive a signal from a router or access point.

RSSI is useful for determining whether a device has enough signal to maintain an excellent wireless connection. It's usually not visible to the receiving device's user, but IEEE 802.11 devices often make the measurement available.

Factors that can affect RSSI include:

• Obstructions between the router and the device, such as walls or doors
• Signal interference from other electronic devices
• Distance between the router and the device
• Multiple devices streaming to the router
• An outdated router

RSSI is not the same as transmitting power from a router or access point because it pulls power from the client device's Wi-Fi card.

Cable Certifiers vs. Cable Testers: Understanding the Differences

 Cable Tester vs Cable Certifier

The terms “cable certifier” and “cable tester” often get used interchangeably, but they refer to different tools with distinct purposes in network cabling.

Cable Tester

A cable tester is a general term that includes various tools used to check the basic functionality of network cables. These tools can be divided into two main categories:

Verification Testers:

• Purpose: Check basic connectivity and wiring.
• Functions: Verify if the cable is connected correctly, check for continuity, and identify wiring issues like crossed wires.
• Use Case: Ideal for quick troubleshooting and ensuring that cables are correctly connected.

Qualification Testers:

• Purpose: Determine if the cable can support specific network speeds and technologies.
• Functions: Test if the cable can handle data rates like 100BASE-TX, Gigabit Ethernet, or VoIP.
• Use Case: Useful for assessing whether existing cabling can support new network requirements.

Cable Certifier

A cable certifier is a more advanced tool used primarily by professional installers and network technicians to ensure that cabling meets industry standards.

• Purpose: Certify that the cable installation complies with specific standards (e.g., TIA/EIA or ISO).
• Functions: Perform detailed tests such as insertion loss, return loss, near-end crosstalk (NEXT), and more. Based on these standards, it provides a “Pass” or “Fail” result.
• Use Case: Required for installations where compliance with standards is necessary, often for warranty purposes or to meet contractual obligations.

Key Differences

• Detail and Accuracy: Certifiers provide more detailed and accurate measurements than testers.
• Standards Compliance: Certifiers are necessary for proving compliance with industry standards, while testers are generally used for basic troubleshooting and verification.
• Cost: Certifiers are typically more expensive due to their advanced capabilities and the detailed reports they generate.

In summary, a cable certifier is the way to go if you must ensure that your cabling meets specific standards and can support high-performance networks. A cable tester will suffice for basic troubleshooting and verifying connections.

Mastering Cable Tracing: The Role of Toner and Probe Devices

 Toner and Probe

A toner and probe are handheld devices that trace and identify electrical systems, telecommunications, and networking cables. The two devices are:

Tone generator

A portable device that emits a signal or audible tone onto a specific wire or cable

Probe

A portable device that detects the signal or tone produced by the tone generator

A toner and probe is used to:

• Trace the cable from the wall plate to the port on the patch panel.
• Trace and identify wires or cables in a bundle or group without damaging cable insulation

A toner and probe effectively trace electrical cables hidden in building walls, floors, and ceilings. The tester sends an electrical pulse that bounces back when it reaches a cable. The device then picks up these pulses and displays them on its screen.

Applications

• Telecommunications: Identifying and tracing individual wires within a cable.
• Networking: Tracing Ethernet cables in a LAN setup.
• Cable TV and Audio Systems: Identifying and tracing coaxial cables.