How To Create a Wireless Network Map with NetSpot

Creating a map of your wireless network is an effective way of evaluating your network's performance and troubleshooting weak spots. A good wireless network mapper will allow you to visualize your WiFi coverage, your signal strength, noise and interference across your entire network area.
Get NetSpot

NetSpot is a Wi-Fi mapper app for Mac and Windows. It allows you to take a complete site survey of your network and view the following WiFi heatmap visualizations:

  • Signal-to-noise ratio: this wireless network map highlights your signal level as compared to your noise level
  • Signal level: this map highlights your signal level
  • Quantity of access points: this map highlights the number of access points (or routers) detected at each measurement point
  • Noise level: this wireless network map highlights your noise levels
  • Signal-to-interference ratio: this map highlights co-channel interference from other radio transmitters


Visualize Wireless Network Map

The PRO version of NetSpot offers additional active scanning and troubleshooting features. It provides 3 additional Active Scanning visualizations and 6 additional Troubleshooting visualizations:

  • Download speed: this Wi-Fi map highlights Internet download speeds recorded during an active scan
  • Upload speed: this map highlights Internet upload speeds recorded during an active scan
  • Wireless transmit rate: this map highlights the Internet wireless transmit rate recorded during an active scan
  • Troubleshooting issues with SNR: this Wi-Fi map makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot weak areas of signal-to-noise ratio coverage (for macOS only)
  • Troubleshooting low signal level: this map makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of weak signal level
  • Troubleshooting high noise level: this map makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of high noise level (for macOS only)
  • Troubleshooting overlapping channels (SIR): this Wi-Fi map makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of high co-channel interference
  • Troubleshooting low download rate: this map makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of low download speeds
  • Troubleshooting low upload rate: this map makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot areas of low upload speeds.


Wireless Network Mapper

How to Use a WLAN Mapper

It is easy to get started using NetSpot as a WLAN mapper. Simply download, install and launch the application. If you have not used NetSpot before, please read "How Do I Start My Survey?" before starting your survey.

The NetSpot survey process involves uploading a map of your network area (or drawing a map of the area using NetSpot's tools). Then you carry your MacBook or laptop to various spots in your network area and take a data sample at each spot. Once you are done with your WLAN map, you can view the visualizations and start troubleshooting any issues. You can make adjustments to your wireless network map and then take a new survey to determine the results of your efforts and get a better WiFi coverage.

NetSpot Wi-Fi signal booster empowers you to

  • Boost wireless network signal
  • Troubleshoot poor wifi signal
  • Increase wifi signal
  • Act as wifi signal strength tester
  • Boost laptop wifi signal
  • Make wifi signal stronger

FAQ

Why do I need to map out my WiFi coverage?

Mapping out your wireless coverage will help you evaluate the network's performance and see the weaker spots in the coverage. A good WiFi analyzer will help you visualize the signal strength, noise and interference throughout the surveyed area.

What WiFi heatmap visualizations does NetSpot offer?

NetSpot for macOS offers signal-to-noise ratio, noise level, signal level, quantity of access points, and signal-to-interference ratio visualizations. NetSpot for Windows offers signal level, quantity of access points, and signal-to-interference ratio visualizations.

Also NetSpot offers other active scanning and troubleshooting features. There are 3 additional Active Scanning visualizations and 6 additional Troubleshooting visualizations.

How to Use a WLAN Mapper?

NetSpot is an excellent WLAN mapper that allows you to upload a map of your network area (or draw it if needed with NetSpot's handy tools). As you are carrying your laptop around your area you are filling up your map with precise measurements. As a result, you are getting a visual heatmap of your network for efficient analysis and troubleshooting.

What platforms does NetSpot work on?

NetSpot is available for macOS, Windows, and Android. The iOS version is coming shortly.
Have more questions? Submit a request.
WiFi mapper for Windows

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