Fluke AIRCHECK User manual

PN 3434814 12/2009 Rev. 4, 8/13
©2009-2013 Fluke Corporation. Printed in USA.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
Wi-Fi®is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
AirCheck™
Wi-Fi Tester
Getting Started Guide
Erste Schritte
Guia de Introdução
Руководство по началу работы сустройством
Guía de funcionamiento básico
スタート･ガイド
入门指南
사용 시작 안내서
Guide d’introduction

PN 3434814 12/2009 Rev. 4, 8/13
©2009-2013 Fluke Corporation. Printed in USA.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
Wi-Fi®is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
AirCheck™
Wi-Fi Tester
Getting Started Guide

LIMITED WARRANTY AND
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Fluke Networks guarantees this product to be free
from defects in material and workmanship for one
year from the date of purchase. Parts, accessories,
product repairs and services are warranted for 90 days,
unless otherwise stated. Ni-Cad, Ni-MH and Li-Ion
batteries, cables or other peripherals are all considered
parts or accessories.
This warranty does not cover damage from accident,
neglect, misuse, alteration, contamination, or
abnormal conditions of operation or handling.
Resellers are not authorized to extend any other
warranty on Fluke Networks’ behalf.
To obtain service during the warranty period, contact
your nearest Fluke Networks authorized service center
to obtain return authorization information, then send
your defective product to that Service Center with a
description of the problem.
THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY. NO OTHER
WARRANTIES, SUCH AS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. FLUKE
NETWORKS IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL,
INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES OR LOSSES, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR
THEORY.
Since some states or countries do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of an implied warranty or of
incidental or consequential damages, this limitation of
liability may not apply to you.
4/04
Fluke Networks
PO Box 777
Everett, WA 98206-0777
USA

i
Contents
Accessing the Users Manual................................... 1
Warning Information.............................................. 2
General Specifications........................................ 5
Maintenance, Service, and Equipment
Protection Impairment....................................... 6
Contact Fluke Networks ......................................... 7
Battery Charging and Life...................................... 8
Home Screen ............................................................ 9
Minimum Configuration for the Best
Performance............................................................. 12
What You Can Learn About Your Wireless
Network?.................................................................. 13
What is the Health of My Network?................ 13
What is in the Wireless LAN? ............................ 16
Can Devices Connect to the Wireless
Network? ............................................................. 18
What Causes Slow Network Performance or
Dropped Connections? ...................................... 19
Are There Security Risks in the Network? ....... 20
How Can I Locate an Access Point?.................. 22
How Can I Document My Network and
My Test Session? ................................................. 23
How Can I Erase Everything on my
AirCheck?............................................................. 23
Discover Channels, Networks, APs, or Clients...... 24

ii
AirCheck Getting Started Guide

1
Accessing the Users Manual
This guide provides basic information to help you get
started using the AirCheckTM Wi-Fi Tester. For additional
information, see the users manual on the Product CD.
The CD also contains the AirCheck Manager application
to assist you with getting the most out of your tester.

2
AirCheck Getting Started Guide
Warning Information
The AirCheck TM Wi-Fi Tester is a dedicated, handheld
tool for quickly verifying and troubleshooting Wi-Fi
networks.
Warning
Read all safety information before you use
the Product.
Use the Product only as specified, or the
protection supplied by the Product can be
compromised.
Carefully read all instructions.
Use only Fluke approved power adapters to
charge the battery.
Do not use the Product around explosive
gas, vapor, or in damp or wet environments.
Examine the case before you use the
Product. Look for cracks or missing plastic.
Carefully look at the insulation around the
terminals.
Batteries contain hazardous chemicals that
can cause burns or explode. If exposure to
chemicals occurs, clean with water and get
medical aid.

3
Warning Information
Remove the batteries if the Product is not
used for an extended period of time, or if
stored in temperatures above 50 °C. If the
batteries are not removed, battery leakage
can damage the Product.
Do not short the battery terminals together.
Do not disassemble or crush battery cells
and battery packs.
Do not put battery cells and battery packs
near heat or fire. Do not put in sunlight.
Do not continuously charge battery packs
when not in use.
Do not expose battery pack to mechanical
shock.
Do not open the battery pack. There are no
user serviceable parts inside.
Refer to the Product manual for proper
instructions on charging the battery pack
To prevent possible fire, electric shock,
personal injury, damage to equipment, or
inaccurate test results, read the safety
information in the AirCheck Users Manual
before using the tester.
Warning or Caution: risk of damage to
or destruction of equipment or
software. See explanations in manual.
Warning: Risk of electrical shock.

4
AirCheck Getting Started Guide
Do not put products that contain circuit
boards into waste containers. Refer to
local regulations for disposal
procedures.
This equipment contains a Class 2 radio.
Conforms to relevant European Union
directives.
Conforms to FCC Rules, Parts 15.107,
15.109.
Listed by the Canadian Standards
Association.
Conforms to relevant Australian
standards
Conforms to relevant South Korean
EMC Standards.

5
Warning Information
Additional South Korean EMC Standard Information:
General Specifications
Battery Type: Removable, rechargeable lithium-ion
battery pack (18.5 Watt-hrs)
Operating temperature and relative humidity:
32ºF to 113ºF (0ºC to +45ºC)
Operating relative humidity: (% RH without
condensation) 90% (50ºF to 95ºF; 10ºC to 35ºC)75%
(95ºF to 113ºF; 35ºC to 45ºC)
A급기기
(업무용
방송통신기자재 )
이기기는 업무용 (A
급) 전자파 적합기기
로서 판매자 또는 사용
자는 이점을 주의하시
기바라며 , 가정 외의
지역에서 사용하는 것
을목적으로 합니다 .
Electromagnetic
Compatibility. Applies
to use in Korea only.
Class A Equipment
(Industrial
Broadcasting &
Communications
Equipment) [1]
[1] This product meets
requirements for
industrial (Class A)
electromagnetic wave
equipment and the
seller or user should
take notice of it. This
equipment is
intended for use in
business
environments and is
not to be used in
homes.

6
AirCheck Getting Started Guide
Storage: -4ºF to 140ºF (-20ºC to +60ºC)
Shock and vibration: Random, 2 g, 5 Hz-500 Hz (Class
2) 1 m drop test
Altitude: 4,000 m; Storage: 12,000 m
Safety: IEC/EN 61010-1: Cat none, Pollution degree
2
Maintenance, Service, and Equipment Protection
Impairment
· The battery is the only user serviceable
component. Do not open the case except to replace
the battery.
· Use only replacement parts that are approved by
Fluke Networks.
· If this equipment is used in a manner not specified
by the manufacturer, the protection provided by
the equipment can possibly be impaired.
· To clean the case, use a soft cloth that is moist
with water or water and a mild detergent.

7
Contact Fluke Networks
Contact Fluke Networks
www.flukenetworks.com
[email protected]
[phone]
 Australia: 61 (2) 8850-3333 or 61 (3) 9329 0244
 Beijing: 86 (10) 6512-3435
 Brazil: 11 3759 7600
 Canada: 1-800-363-5853
 Europe: [phone]
 Hong Kong: 852 2721-3228
 Japan: 03-6714-3117
 Korea: 82 2 539-6311
 Singapore: [phone]
 Taiwan: (886) 2-227-83199
 USA: 1-800-283-5853
Visit our website for a complete list of phone numbers.

8
AirCheck Getting Started Guide
Battery Charging and Life
Charge the battery for 4 hours before you use it for the
first time. To charge the battery, connect the ac adapter
to the battery connector on the AirCheck tester.
The battery life is approximately 5.5 hours during
typical operation.
Shows the battery status. When the battery
charge is low, the icon blinks.
Shows that the ac adapter is connected.

9
Home Screen
Home Screen
Home.eps
Figure 1. Home Screen Components

Shows the battery status. When the
battery charge is low, the icon blinks.
Connect the ac adapter to charge
the battery and to make sure the
tester continues to operate.
Shows that the ac adapter is
connected.
Shows that the external antenna is
connected.
5
11
2
3
4
6
7
8
1
99
10

10
AirCheck Getting Started Guide
Note
AirCheck will not transmit or connect to an
access point when the external antenna is
connected.
 Networks: Discovers wireless LANs.
 Access Points: Discovers access points.
 Channels: Shows usage of WLAN channels.
 The name of the profile the tester is currently
using. The profile is Default if you have not
loaded a different profile. The name shows an
asterisk if you have changed a setting on the
tester since you loaded or saved the profile.
 AutoTest: Automatically checks the health of
your network by looking at air quality (channel
usage and interference), network quality
(network coverage and connectivity), and the
presence of ad hoc networks. Rogue access
point detection is optional and requires ACL
configuration.
 Clients: Discovers clients using your networks.
 Tools: Lets you manage files and settings.
 Profile: Shows a list of available profiles.

11
Home Screen
 Left: The channel the tester is currently
monitoring. The color of the bars shows the
status of the country code for the regulatory
domain. A red icon can indicate the operation
of an illegal channel for the current country
setting and/or the receipt of a different country
code.
Right: The number of physical access
points heard by the tester.
Up to 500 access points can be stored in the
access point database on the tester. When the
access point icon turns yellow, it indicates that
greater than or equal to 400 access points have
been discovered.
When the icon turns red, it indicates that 500 or
more access points have been discovered and
the access point database is full. Any new
discovered access points will not be included in
the list.

12
AirCheck Getting Started Guide
Minimum Configuration for the Best
Performance
To change the language and country settings
1 Select Tools.
2 To change the language for the screens, select Set
language. Highlight a language, then press 
Save.
3 To change the country, select Set country, select
the country where you will use the tester, then press
Save.
To get the best performance from your tester, use
AirCheck™Manager software to configure a profile and
upload it to the tester. A profile can also be configured
on the AirCheck tester and contains data that lets the
tester do these tasks:
 Connect to networks that require security
credentials.
 Show the correct authorization status for each
access point. This lets you quickly see which access
points are authorized parts of the network.
 Ping key network devices.
 Run a TCP Port Connect Test, using a hostname or
an IP address and a designated port number.

13
What You Can Learn About Your Wireless Network?
What You Can Learn About Your
Wireless Network?
What is the Health of My Network?
 How is my Wi-Fi Air Quality?
Are my channels overloaded with access
points and Wi-Fi traffic?
Are any of my channels too noisy?
Select AutoTest.After the AutoTest has run, select
Air Quality to view the results of 802.11 Channel
Utilization, Non-802.11 Channel Utilization, and Co-
Channel Interference health assessment.
The 802.11 Channel Utilization results include the
top three busiest channels having the most Wi-Fi
traffic. The channel utilization value along with the
rating of Pass, Warning, or Fail, is
displayed. The test grade is based on a comparison
of the actual value to user settable thresholds.
These thresholds are configured in the Tools >
Thresholds / AutoTest Settings.
The Non-802.11 Channel Utilization results include
the top three channels with the most non- 802.11
interference and noise. The channel utilization
value along with the rating of Pass,
Warning, or Fail, is displayed.
The Co-Channel Interference results include the
top three channels with the most APs with a
minimum signal strength and signal quality. The
AP count along with the rating at or above of
Pass, Warning, or Fail, is displayed.

14
AirCheck Getting Started Guide
 How is my Wi-Fi Network Quality?
Can I hear any access points that support my
networks?
Are there coverage holes in this area?
Are there too many close APs using the same
channel making my network slow?
Can I connect?
Select AutoTest - After the AutoTest has run, select
Network Quality to view the results of Coverage,
Co-Channel Interference, Security, and Connection
health assessment.
The Coverage results include the number of APs
with good signal quality including both good
signal strength and a good Signal to Noise Ratio
supporting a network (SSID) along with the rating
of Pass, Warning, or Fail, is displayed. The
test grade is based on a comparison of the actual
values to user settable thresholds. The AP count and
signal quality thresholds of signal level and signal-
to-noise are set in the Tools > Thresholds /
AutoTest Settings > AP Coverage, Signal level
and Signal-to-noise Threshold screens.
The Co-Channel Interference results include the
number of overlapping APs for a network along
with the rating of Pass, Warning, or Fail,
based on a single network comparison to
thresholds. Thresholds for this test are set in the
Tools > Thresholds / AutoTest Settings >
Network Quality co-channel thresholds screen.