Security is the most frequent culprit in a WLAN configuration headache, but WLAN-specific network problems such as RF (radio frequency) interference, vendor interoperability, and traffic vs. signal distribution all add to the pain. It’s enough to make you look back at copper with a certain fondness.

Getting a handle on all these issues requires a WLAN-specific network toolkit. Network Instruments let me take a look at its WLAN network analyzer product, Observer 8.3, created to fill that need. Many will be familiar with Observer and Observer Suite, a mature product that has been managing wired networks for more than 10 years. Observer 8.3 has those features, but also includes wireless-specific tools.

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