Multiple device support added in to the latest updates of Chanalyzer 4 and Chanalyzer Pro make it possible to run two or more Wi-Spy DBx or 2.4x at the same time. This allows for viewing multiple swaths of spectrum at the same time from two or more Wi-Spys, be it zoomed-in or full-band in either 2.4 or 5 GHz. Plus, spectrum data from each Wi-Spy unit is collected and saved into one recording.




Just plug the Wi-Spys in, and choose which view you wish to see from the Device Navigator in the upper left corner. Chanalyzer will save the spectrum data from each unit. So keep it running and recording... it will catch RF interference on all the frequency configurations you set and everything will be there for you when you go back to analyze it. And, since it's all in one recording, making sense of the different spectrum swaths is uncomplicated and eliminates the aggravation of keeping and viewing multiple files.

Multi-device support done simply and effectively. Check it out!

Laura Chappell and Wireshark University will host four free webinars to inform people about the Wireshark Certification Program Aug 17-19. If interested, please register at www.wiresharktraining.com/certification.

Free Webinars: About the Wireshark Certification Program
Instructor: Laura Chappell

These free events cover the process of preparing and registering for the Wireshark Certified Network Analyst Exam. What should you study? How should you study? What are the hot areas on the Exam? What are the Exam question formats? What should you watch for? What if you need to reschedule the Exam? What can you bring with you?

A live question and answer session will follow each 20-minute presentation.

Use Your Waterfall View to Answer "Why?"

While I was tinkering with a Java-based Graphical frontend to Iperf called "JPerf" and I thought it would be cool to visually show how data being pushed through the physical 2.4GHz band looks like in Chanalyzer Pro.

I was primarily interested in seeing how a microwave oven will affect data throughput. When running the throughput test I turned the microwave oven on.

Wi-Spy with my little ..er.. Wi-Spy, microwave interference!

Too bad these views tell you little about the cause of the problem.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could zoom into this point in time to see what happened? With Chanalyzer Pro you can!

Narrow in on the Waterfall View for those Details, Details, Details!

Finding the source of your troubles is just a click away. Notice how the first highlighted box on the left still represents the Iperf graph above.

Time Segment A

Before I started the throughput test there were some APs broadcasting beacons in HR-DSSS modulation. These are represented in Chanalyzer Pro's Density View as curved shapes hovering over a Wi-Fi Channel.

Time Segment B

This is a time segment where throughput was at its highest. We can see that the AP on channel 1 jumped to 802.11n 40MHz-wide channel bonded transmission. In the density view high activity is represented by brightness. The colors are very bright for the 802.11n broadcast. We can still see the curvature of the AP on Channel 11.

Time Segment C

We no longer see the curvature of the access point on channel 11. A hill of activity ranging from channel 6 to channel 13 appears where we once saw the AP. The Wi-Fi on Channel 1 appears less bright and the shape is less defined indicating something changed.

Tell them Why!

Building a deliverable to visually explain the complexities of interference. See a sample report.

MetaGeek's new software companion to Wi-Spy, Chanalyzer Pro, includes a Wi-Fi Report Builder, Device Finder and Device Identification. Available now, Chanalyzer Pro is compatible with Wi-Spy 2.4x and the dual-band Wi-Spy DBx.

Boise, ID July 28, 2010

MetaGeek, developer of wireless network diagnostic tools, has released Chanalyzer Pro for the Wi-Spy line of USB Spectrum Analyzers. New features include Wi-Fi report generation that gives network administrators a detailed snapshot of the current interference situation-useful in both pre-deployment WLAN planning and post-deployment RF spectrum management. Chanalyzer Pro not only identifies what types of devices are interfering with your Wi-Fi networks, it also helps users track down the offending devices with its new Device Finder mode.

"Chanalyzer Pro takes your Wi-Spy and knocks it up a notch", says Ryan Woodings, Chief Geek at MetaGeek. "We took the feedback from previous Chanalyzer versions and developed Chanalyzer Pro from the ground up into a professional, powerful and robust tool that's just as easy to use as our other software."

Highlighted Features

• Report Builder: easily generates powerful reports for documenting interference problems and explaining them to non-technical decision makers. Exportable to HTML, RTF and PDF file formats.
• Device Finder: enables the user to track down an RF transmitting device by graphing signal strength over time. This is further aided by MetaGeek's new purpose-built Directional Antenna (available in September for $69).
• Device Identification: identifies RF signals by device type, giving the user an idea of what kind of devices are causing interference in the vicinity.
• Updated User Interface: new waterfall time frame playback controls allows the user to graphically navigate through collected spectrum data.

Price and Availability
Chanalyzer Pro is available now as an upgrade ($499) for current Wi-Spy 2.4x and DBx owners. It can also be purchased as part of a bundle with Wi-Spy DBx ($999) or Wi-Spy 2.4x ($599).

About MetaGeek, LLC

Based in Boise, Idaho MetaGeek develops troubleshooting tools for wireless network administrators including the award-winning line of Wi-Spy spectrum analyzers. www.metageek.net