Handheld WiFi Tester

Fluke Networks announced the AirCheck Wi-Fi Tester, a dedicated handheld tool that delivers quick and easy troubleshooting for wireless local area networks (WLAN). Designed for first line engineers and technicians with little wireless network training, the device discovers all the networks in the area and then can drill down to find the access points in each network. It can further drill down to measure network performance at each point and display and record other diagnostic and performance information.

Product Manager Mark Mullins told me this afternoon that Fluke is discovering some manufacturers are removing wires from certain types of workcells or areas due to such problems as interferences caused by ground loops or to enhance the flexibility to move machines around to realign work cells and lines as the product mix changes.

The Tester works on 802.11 a/b/g/n networks in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. It allows users to identify coverage and connectivity problems, find unauthorized or rogue access points (APs), see overloaded networks and channels, detect interference and validate security settings.

The device boots in fewer than three seconds, can be operated by one hand, has a five-hour battery life, saves sessions with a single keystroke and connects to a personal computer via USB for report generation or upgrading.

The AirCheck Wi-Fi Tester will be available in the second quarter and can be purchased from Fluke Networks channel partners worldwide for $1995.00.