AVS pi.net^tm Family of WLAN Products

AirScope^tm

AirScope^tm Remote Wireless LAN Monitoring System

For network administrators who need to remotely view the traffic on a wireless LAN, the Airscope^tm is a wireless network traffic capture, analysis, and reporting system that provides remote traffic capture for one or more remote locations. Unlike PC or laptop-based tools, the AirScope^tm can capture from multiple remote locations and does not require the user or the user's PC to be located at the wireless network site.

Introduction

Through many years of WLAN software and system development, plus active participation in the IEEE802.11 standards committee, AbsoluteValue Systems has developed considerable in-depth knowledge of the wireless LAN protocol. At the same time, AVS has developed software which accesses and controls WLAN NIC cards at a very low level. This has resulted in the ability to perform wireless network monitoring. What was needed was the ability to deploy the network monitoring capability in a small, manageable form factor. AVS has successfully integrated wireless LAN network monitoring capability into a small package.

The AirScope^tm is a natural extension of AVS' extensive expertise in the IEEE802.11 protocol along with years of experience developing low-level software which controls and accesses the WLAN network interface card (NIC).

Wireless LAN testing is difficult because there is no wire to tap into for monitoring purposes. The AirScope^tm performs this function, "listening" to all the RF signals and capturing all data transmissions within its range. The AirScope^tm Remote unit sends the captured data through any Internet Protocol (IP) network to a PC where the user can view, store, and analyze the captured transmissions.

Product Features

• Small hardware unit (approx. 4" x 4" x 1.5"), unobtrusive

• Remote management, never need to physically access the unit

• Airscope^tm Remote captures all IEEE802.11 frame types:

  • data frames

  • management frames

  • control frames

• Flexible options for processing of results:

  • Viewing in different modes:

    • Raw packet view

    • Protocol decoding

  • Many filtering options

  • Save captured data for later analysis

  • Print raw results or various reports and statistics

• Standards-based product

  • Wireless interface adheres to IEEE802.11 WLAN standard

  • Link between remote unit and user PC is IP-based

  • End-user software decodes all standards-based protocols

• Complete product, no extras needed

  • Includes power supply, cables, software, and documentation

Product Applications

• Quick resolution of wireless network user complaints

• Testing new WLAN installations

• Network traffic surveys to determine new infrastructure needs

• Comparative testing of various vendors' WLAN equipment

• Network performance optimization

• Searching for "rogue" Access Points

• WLAN security audits

• Interference tracking

AirScope^tm Functional Description

The standard configuration consists of at least one AirScope^tm Remote (ASR) unit and a user PC with network connectivity to the vicinity of the WLAN to be monitored. Typically the ASR will be initially configured using its serial port. The IP address information for the ASR must be established so that the user console PC can establish a connection to the ASR once it has been placed in its remote location. The ASR can have a fixed IP address, or it can be configured to be a DHCP client.

Once the ASR is configured, placed within range of a WLAN, and connected to the network, then the user running the AirScope^tm Console software can direct the ASR to start capturing packets, either on a particular channel, or scanning through all channels. The ASR will stream that capture data to the user's PC where it can be viewed in real time using the AirScope packet display and analysis software, Ethereal. Alternatively the data can be stored for later viewing and analysis.

The ASR consists of a small unit which is easily mounted near the WLAN to be monitored. It only needs to be near an AC power plug and an Ethernet jack. When commanded by the user at the AirScope^tm console, the ASR begins to capture WLAN transmissions and streams the captured data through the network for viewing and analysis at the console.

AirScope^tm Remote Block Diagram:

Post-capture Viewing and Analysis Options

Once the capture has begun, then the viewing and analysis software, Ethereal, can arrange the data in any way the user desires. By observation as the data streams in, the user can determine when to stop the capture. As the screen shot below shows, the packets are displayed in a summary list form as well as in a detail window for examining packet contents.

Advanced Filtering Capabilities

In addition to friendly viewing options, Ethereal provides powerful filtering options which aid in pinpointing sources of network problems. As this screenshot shows, even filtering based on IEEE802.11 frame type is supported.

Hardware Specifications

AirScope^tm Remote - WLAN Radio Receiver Specifications

AirScope^tm Remote - System Hardware Specification

Support

AbsoluteValue Systems is committed to providing excellent products which are highly valued by our customers. Should you be dissatisfied in any way with your AVS product, please contact us immediately and we will strive to correct the problem as quickly as possible.

Installation

With each AirScope sale, AVS will provide free installation support via telephone and e-mail for up to 30 days after the sale.

Post Installation

Additional technical support can be acquired via one of our fee based support options. Contact AbsoluteValue Systems for details and pricing.

Product Defects

AbsoluteValue Systems places high importance on our product quality. We are committed to assuring that our product meets all stated specifications. Inquiries reporting product flaws or manufacturing defects will be given the highest priority.

Pricing

Contact AbsoluteValue Systems at:

715 North Drive, Suite D
Melbourne, FL 32934-9244
Phone: 321.259.0737
Fax: 321.259.0286
e-mail: bruce@linux-wlan.com