to the operation and support of the WLAN. Initial user training, day-to- day help desk support and hardware maintenance will need to be planned and provided, depending on the size of the user group. Two key tasks to assure that the installation continues to meet user requirements are network performance monitoring and the control of future changes in the network installation or configuration. Network Performance Monitoring For medium to large-scale WLAN implementations, the network manager will need to keep an overview of network performance in order to identify and diagnose the nature and location of any problems, and quickly determine a solution. A variety of WLAN management tools are available to ease this performance monitoring task. Typically a graphical interface, based on building blueprints or other plans of the operating area, allows the network manager to view performance data collected from access points and interface cards. This real time performance data, collected using SNMP queries to access points and stations, as well as from system software, will be able to identify; Active access points and client stations Average data rates, retry rates and overall network utilisation Noise levels and interference by area Network areas or individual access points experiencing significant error rates. Aruba Network's RF LiveTM is an example of this type of WLAN management software. A view of the real time management dashboard is shown in Figure 7-6. Network Change Control Having set-up the WLAN based on a well thought out physical layout and configuration plan, future changes must be given the same degree of Chapter Seven AirMagnet Demo 2 2.7% File View Tools V All MAC Address Preomble PCF/DCF First 00:03:2f:03:18:02 weec30wendriver 15:36:16 15:36 Agere 50.91 INTERMEC 15:36:16 15:3E 00:01:F4:ED:70:CC woec30enteracys 15:36:16 15:36 00:50 DA:00 8C 67 netops 15:36:15 15:36 SymbolA1:D1:C4 awsec30symbol 15:36:15 15:36 Akonet:55:10:c9 wsec30cis.co Short 15:36:15 15:36 vernier 15:36:15 15:36 Agere 0F:50:04 weec? Inone