HiPerWA: High Performance Wireless Analytics. A survey into the challenges of constructing, managing, debugging and optimizing an in-production large-scale enterprise network

Abstract

Enterprise wireless networks are becoming larger and larger, with more and more users and devices connecting to the networks. This requires the infrastructure to be closely monitored and adjusted to ensure an optimum experience for users and their devices. Existing proprietary solutions exist, but are either costly, resource demanding, rigid or may not be able to deliver the functionality that is required to operate a modern wireless infrastructure efficiently.

In this project, a closer look has been taken at some of the key metrics from a wireless infrastructure, and what they can tell about the health and state of the infrastructure. These metrics has been collected by a modular, customizable implementation designed to be extensible and capable of delivering customized metrics and analytics that helps in the day to day operation of the infrastructure.

As an example, information collected has been used to show how interference in high-density deployments of 2.4GHz 802.11 radios can be reduced by deactivating some of the radios to ensure a better 2.4GHz environment, and better client experience.