Follow me:

Wi-Fi Apps for Windows

Screenshot from Metageek Eye P.A.

We couldn’t do our work without the valuable apps used in the Windows operating system. That’s what we’ll discuss in this episode. Wi-Fi apps for Windows.

This episode is brought to you by

Sponsored by Metageek

Here are the Wi-Fi apps for Windows that Rowell and I use regularly when we are working at client sites or for any other Wi-Fi project. We certainly have our favorite apps and there are some we use on special cases but take a look at the list below and let us know what you think in the comments.

Metageek Chanalyzer

  • Spectrum Analysis software (For more, listen to CTS066, CTS039, CTS073)
    • Required a piece of hardware to feed spectrum information to the software
      • Wi-Fi Spy dBx
      • Cisco CleanAir AP (much better resolution)
  • Simple and user friendly interface
    • Different views
      • Waterfall view
      • Current spectrum view
  • Ability to record spectrum analysis
  • Can scan both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands at the same time (if proper adapter is used)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi network scanner
  • Present channel utilization
  • Link to Chanalyzer

Screenshot from Metageek Chanalyzer

Metageek Eye P.A.

  • A different way to analyze a Wi-Fi network
    • Very visual
  • Ability to capture packets (if proper Wi-Fi adapter is used – Airpcap Nx) and display different valuable statistics
    • How much the airtime is used? By who? You will see how much your neighbours affect you!
    • Compare size of packets with amount of data transfered. Helps to visualize that Wi-Fi generate tons of management traffic
  • Ability to import packet capture taken from other programs (Wireshark, AirTool, CommView…)
  • Ability to see the packets
    • With filter capabilities
  • Great to visualize issue and present to customers
  • Geat to gather statistics on how a Wi-Fi network is performing
  • Side note: Great tool to use to learn more about Wi-Fi
  • Link to Metageek Eye P.A.

Screenshot from Metageek Eye P.A.

Ekahau Site Survey

  • Swiss Army knife of Wi-Fi (for more listen to CTS069, CTS009)
    • Site Survey tool (Design, validation, troubleshooting)
    • Wi-Fi scanner
    • Spectrum Analyzer
    • Complete solution meeting the needs of Wi-Fi Engineers
    • Updated on a regular basis
    • Take advantage of the Wi-Fi community to improve the tool (#ESSRequest)
    • Reference in terms of Wi-Fi design and site survey tool today
  • Looks way way way better than AirMagnet
  • Complete set of features
    • 3D Wi-Fi design
    • Reporting and Reporting customization
    • Spectrum Analyzer
    • macOS version (beta)
  • Link to Ekahau Site Survey

Viewing channel overlap in Ekahau Site Survey

Metageek InSSIDer Office

Screenshot of Metageek InSSIDer

Savvius Omnipeek

  • Heavy Duty Network Analyzer
    • Use to troubleshoot Wi-Fi networks
  • Capture packets and provide insight on the quality of the network (more than just Wi-Fi)
  • Ability to drill down into the packets
  • Ability to use multiple adapters to captures on multiple channels to analyzer things like roaming behaviours
  • Can be overwhelming at first but very powerful
  • Link to website
  • Video from WLPC2016

Screenshot of Omnipeek

Netsh Tool

Screenshot of Netsh

Some other programs worth talking about

What apps are you using in Windows? Did we miss any?

Wireless Network Engineer and Owner at SemFio Networks. CWNE #180. Living in London ON Canada, born and raised in Dijon, France.

Join the discussion

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 comments
  • Choice information you have discussed within the post. Readers should locate related info at a site such as http://www.madbeetech.com. This type of site can be useful for individuals that needs to create their own site to sell downloadable files. The whole thing is automated so customers buy a file and the file gets auto-emailed to them. Built-in shopping cart, the buyer’s money goes direct to your PayPal account, and hosting is just a few dollars a month.

More from this show

Episode 81