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Monitor Wi-Fi Signal and Map It With NetSpot

NetSpot makes it easy to monitor and manage your wireless network. It provides multiple tools to map your WiFi coverage and identify your network's strengths and weaknesses.
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  • NetSpot
  • Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting
  • 4.8
  • 969 User reviews

How To Monitor Your Wireless Network

NetSpot can monitor your Wi-Fi network's signal level, signal-to-noise ratio, channel interference, network security and more.

Step 1: Load a floorplan

Load a floorplan of the area you wish to scan, or use NetSpot's drawing feature to draw a map (macOS version only), and then click Continue.

Load a floorplan

Step 2: Non Broadcasting SSID

Next, don't forget to include your network into the scan list if it has a hidden SSID (if it doesn't broadcast its name). You will need to do it even if you are currently connected to your network, but it's still a hidden one. This feature is only available in NetSpot PRO and Enterprise editions.

If you are running NetSpot Free, you can temporarily make the Wi-Fi network you would like to monitor visible to others. Hiding a SSID is a very weak security option any way. Then click Continue.

WLAN Monitoring

Step 3: Active Scanning

To analyze actual Internet connection speed in your network you might wish to enable Active scanning on the screen. Do it or proceed by clicking Continue.

Active Scanning

Step 4: Monitor Wireless Network

Now you are ready to monitor your wireless network. Walk to one corner of the area you wish to monitor. Click the point on the map that corresponds to where you are standing. NetSpot will then take its first measurement (or data sample). Hold still until the scan is complete.

Step 5: Finish Scanning

Walk to the next spot and click the map again to take your next measurement. Once you have taken at least three scans, the option to Stop the scan is activated, as you have reached the minimum samples required to build a report.

NetSpot Stop Scan

Step 6: Continue Moving and Scanning

Continue moving and scanning until you have covered the whole area, then click the Stop Scan button.

Step 7: Find your WLAN from the List of Networks

Find your WLAN from the list of networks on the left side of the window. Uncheck the boxes next to the other wireless networks, leaving only your network checked.

Wireless Network Monitor

Step 8: Study the Heatmaps

Study WiFi heatmaps shown for your wireless network. Use the drop-down menu in the lower toolbar to choose between Signal Level, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (macOS version only) and other Wi-Fi monitoring visualizations. You can export and save the heatmaps.

Wi-Fi Monitoring & Visualization

By taking multiple scans over time and saving them as zone's snapshots (available only in NetSpot PRO and Enterprise), you will be able to steadily monitor your WiFi network coverage. You can detect changes to the network signal and identify new sources of interference. The status of all wireless access points can also be monitored and you can keep an eye on their security settings as well.

NetSpot Wi-Fi Monitor Will

  • Monitor a wireless network
  • Monitor WiFi network of any size
  • Monitor your WLAN network
  • Visualize and monitor WLAN site
  • Scan Wi-Fi and monitor its coverage
  • Act as your WiFi monitor of choice
SO, WE RECOMMEND
NetSpot
Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting runs on a MacBook (macOS 10.12+) or any laptop (Windows 7/8/10/11) with a standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless network adapter.
  • 4.8
  • 969 User reviews
  • #1
  • Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting

  • 500K
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  • 10
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  • Cross-platform
  • Mac/Windows

FAQ

How To Monitor Your Wireless Network?

To monitor your network with NetSpot you'll need to do the following:

  1. Load the floor plan of your area.
  2. In case this network has a hidden SSID, include it into the scan.
  3. Use Active scanning to see the actual connection speed.
  4. Now monitor your network by taking measurements at different points.
  5. Take as many measurements as you can, but at least three, to build a heatmap of your area.
  6. In the list of networks to the left, leave only currently scanned one checked.
  7. Study the heatmaps, compare the measurements to see changes in your network connection.

Why use NetSpot to monitor WiFi network?

Monitoring a wireless network with NetSpot is easy with lots of tools it offers for mapping WiFi coverage and helping you identify your network's strengths and weaknesses. You'll get info on signal level, signal-to-noise ratio, channel interference, network security, etc.

How to perform a WiFi Site Survey with NetSpot?

With your map loaded, start in one corner of the monitored area. Click the corresponding point on the map to take the first measurement. Let NetSpot record all data and then move on to the next spot to perform the same action. You will need at least three scans to get the report, but more scans will yield a more detailed report.

Why do I need to map out my WiFi coverage?

Creating a map of your WiFi network helps you visualize the coverage area and clearly see the signal strength and whether there are any critically weak spots.

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Read next in All about Wi-Fi

If you want to dive deeper into this Wi-Fi thing, check out the following articles about Wi-Fi security, the best apps for wireless networking, inflight WiFi, etc.
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Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting runs on a MacBook (macOS 10.12+) or any laptop (Windows 7/8/10/11) with a standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless network adapter.
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