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Spectrum XT User Guide
5 Commonwealth Ave
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone 781-665-1400
Toll
Free 1-800-517-8431
Visit us at www.TestEquipmentDepot.com
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Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1
Spectrogram Navigation ........................................................................................... 1
Adding Notes to Captured Data ................................................................................. 2
Copyright ............................................................................................................... 5
General Terms and Conditions................................................................................... 5
Main Features ....................................................................................................... 12
Product Overview .................................................................................................. 18
Product Registration .............................................................................................. 18
System Requirements ............................................................................................ 19
Laptop /Tablet PC ............................................................................................... 19
Apple® MacBook® Pro ........................................................................................ 19
Supported Wi-Fi Adapters ....................................................................................... 19
Technical Support .................................................................................................. 20
AllyCare Product Support ..................................................................................... 20
Contact Us ......................................................................................................... 20
Troubleshooting AirMagnet Spectrum XT .................................................................. 20
Getting Started ........................................................................................................ 22
Major Screen Options ............................................................................................. 22
About the Spectrum-WiFi Summary Screen .............................................................. 22
Toolbar ................................................................................................................ 23
Toolbar - Live Capture Mode ................................................................................ 23
Toolbar Playback Mode ........................................................................................ 23
Channel Scan Indicator .......................................................................................... 27
Channel Summary ................................................................................................. 28
Channel Devices .................................................................................................... 29
Graph Options ....................................................................................................... 29
Add View ........................................................................................................... 29
Spectrum Grap h s ................................................................................................ 30
WiFi Graphs ....................................................................................................... 31
Graphs Window ..................................................................................................... 31
nterferers and De v i ce s Li st .................................................................................... 32
I
Enabling Wi-Fi Capability ........................................................................................ 33
AutoHide Button .................................................................................................... 33
Capturing Data as Report Sections........................................................................... 34
Configuration a nd Management .................................................................................. 36
Viewing the Current Device Driver ........................................................................... 36
Configuring Gener al Settings .................................................................................. 37
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Copying and Pasting Screen Images ........................................................................ 39
Instantly Playing Back Captured Data ...................................................................... 40
Exiting ................................................................................................................. 41
Modifying Display Options ....................................................................................... 41
Opening a Capture Data File ................................................................................... 42
Pausing and Resuming Live Capture......................................................................... 43
Recording Capture Data ......................................................................................... 43
Region Specific Scanning Control ............................................................................. 44
Remote Spectrum Analysis ..................................................................................... 45
Saving Screen Data as Image Files .......................................................................... 46
Selecting an 802.11 Radio Band .............................................................................. 47
SNMP Integration .................................................................................................. 47
Specifying Record Settings ..................................................................................... 50
Using Easy View .................................................................................................... 52
Changing View Options ........................................................................................ 52
Creating a Custom View Option ............................................................................ 53
Deleting a Custom View Option ............................................................................ 53
Resetting Collected Data ........................................................................................ 54
Virtual AP Grouping ............................................................................................... 54
Assigning an AP Alias Name .................................................................................... 57
Spectrum XT Report .............................................................................................. 57
Configuring FFT Window Types ................................................................................ 59
Rectangular Window .............................................................................................. 60
Hann Window ........................................................................................................ 60
Hamming Window ................................................................................................. 61
Blackman–Harris window ........................................................................................ 62
Channel Duty Cycle Power Threshold ....................................................................... 62
Analyzing Spectrum Data .......................................................................................... 64
Spectrum Grap h s .................................................................................................. 64
Real Time FFT ....................................................................................................... 64
Channel Duty Cycle Overlay on FFT Graph ............................................................. 66
Setting FFT Graph Parameters .............................................................................. 67
Spectrum Densi ty .
Viewing AP Signal Strengths Across Frequency Range ............................................. 71
Setting or Changing Spectrum Density Plot Parameters ........................................... 72
Spectrogram ......................................................................................................... 73
Setting or Changing Spectrogram Parameters ........................................................ 74
Channel Power ...................................................................................................... 76
................................................................................................. 70
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Setting or Changing Channel Power Parameters ..................................................... 77
Channel Duty Cycle ............................................................................................... 79
Setting or Changing Channel Duty Cycle Graph Parameters ..................................... 80
Non-Wi-Fi Interference ........................................................................................... 81
Event Spectrogram ................................................................................................ 82
Configuring Event Spectrogram ............................................................................ 83
Interference Power ................................................................................................ 84
Configuring the Interference Power Display ............................................................ 85
Channel Duty Cycle vs Time.................................................................................... 86
Configuring Channel Duty Cycle vs Time ................................................................ 87
Interference Power vs. Time ................................................................................... 89
Configuring the Interference Power vs Time Graph ................................................. 89
BlueSweep Integration ........................................................................................... 91
Additional Bluetooth Analysis ............................................................................... 91
Analyzing WiFi Data .................................................................................................. 93
WiFi Graphs .......................................................................................................... 93
WiFi Devices ......................................................................................................... 93
AP Signal Strength ................................................................................................ 95
Channel Occupancy ............................................................................................... 96
Channels by Speed ................................................................................................ 97
Channels by Media................................................................................................. 97
Channels by Address .............................................................................................. 98
Channel Utilization ................................................................................................. 99
Top 10 APs by Speed ........................................................................................... 100
Top 10 Active APs' Retry/CRC ............................................................................... 101
Channel Signal/Noise Ratio ................................................................................... 102
Channels by Retry/CRC ........................................................................................ 102
Auto Pattern Detection and Custom Device Classification............................................. 103
Summary of Auto Pattern Detection ....................................................................... 103
Auto Pattern Detection ......................................................................................... 103
Best Practices .................................................................................................. 105
Custom Device Classification Manager .................................................................... 106
Verification ......................................................................................................... 109
E
xport/Import Custom Signatures ...................................................................... 110
Custom Signature During File Playback ................................................................ 111
Finding Devices ...................................................................................................... 112
Using Find Device Tool ......................................................................................... 112
Device Details ..................................................................................................... 113
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Device Pattern .................................................................................................... 114
Device Descri p ti on ............................................................................................... 114
Event Log ........................................................................................................... 115
Finding a Device Tool ........................................................................................... 116
Best Practices ..................................................................................................... 117
With an Omni-Directional Antenna ...................................................................... 117
With a Directional Antenna ................................................................................ 117
Radar Detection Tool .............................................................................................. 119
Radar Detection Tool Overview ............................................................................. 119
AirMagnet Spectrum XT Radar Detection Tool ....................................................... 119
Radar Detection Tool UI Components ..................................................................... 120
Radar Detection Tool User Interface .................................................................... 120
Using the Radar Detection Tool ............................................................................. 122
Spectrum XT in Action ............................................................................................ 124
Detecting and Identifying Devices on the Network ................................................... 124
Non-Wi-Fi Devices ............................................................................................ 124
Wi-Fi Devices ................................................................................................... 124
Bluetooth Devices ................................................................................................ 124
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 125
Impact on 802.11b/g/n/ax WLAN ....................................................................... 125
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 126
WiFi Devices ....................................................................................................... 126
802.11a/g/n/ac/ax APs ........................................................................................ 126
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 128
Impact on Wi-Fi Networks .................................................................................. 129
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 129
802.11b APs ....................................................................................................... 130
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 131
Impact on Wi-Fi Networks .................................................................................. 132
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 132
Analog Cordless Phones ....................................................................................... 132
Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 133
RF
Impact on 802.11 WLAN .................................................................................... 133
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 133
Baby Monitors ..................................................................................................... 134
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 134
Impact on Wi-Fi Networks .................................................................................. 134
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 135
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Digital Cordless Phones ........................................................................................ 135
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 135
Impact on 802.11 WLAN .................................................................................... 137
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 137
Digital Video Monitor ............................................................................................ 137
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 138
Impact on 802.11b/g/n/ax WLAN ....................................................................... 138
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 138
Wireless Game Controllers .................................................................................... 138
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 139
Impact on 802.11b/g/n/ax WLAN ....................................................................... 139
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 140
Microwave Ov en s ................................................................................................ 140
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 140
Impact on 802.11b/g/n/ax WLAN ....................................................................... 140
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 141
Motion Detector .................................................................................................. 141
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 141
Impact on 802.11b/g/n/ax WLAN ....................................................................... 142
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 142
Non-Bluetooth Wireless Mouse .............................................................................. 142
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 143
Impact on 802.11 WLAN .................................................................................... 144
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 145
Possible Interferer ............................................................................................... 145
Impact on 802.11a/n/ac/ax WLAN ...................................................................... 145
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 145
Radar ................................................................................................................. 145
Impact on 802.11a/n/ac/ax WLAN ...................................................................... 146
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 146
RF and Narrowband Jammers ................................................................................ 147
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 147
Impact on Wi-Fi on Wi-Fi Networks ..................................................................... 148
R
ecommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 148
RF Signal Generator ............................................................................................. 149
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 149
Impact on 802.11 WLAN .................................................................................... 149
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 150
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Wireless Cameras ................................................................................................ 150
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 150
Impact on 802.11b/g/n/ax WLAN ....................................................................... 151
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 151
ZigBee Devices ................................................................................................... 151
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 152
Impact on Wi-Fi Networks .................................................................................. 152
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 152
Canopy Devices ................................................................................................... 153
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 153
Impact on 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax WLAN ................................................................ 154
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 154
Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum devices ......................................................... 154
RF Spectrum Pattern ......................................................................................... 155
Impact on 802.11 WLAN .................................................................................... 155
Recommended Courses of Action ........................................................................ 156
Spectrum WiFi Reports ........................................................................................... 157
Opening the Reports Page .................................................................................... 157
Tools on Reports Page .......................................................................................... 158
Default Report vs. Custom Report.......................................................................... 159
Creating a Cover Page.......................................................................................... 159
Generating a Default Report ................................................................................. 160
Creating a Custom Report .................................................................................... 161
Modifying a Report Section ................................................................................... 161
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Introduction
Spectrogram Navigation
During Playback you can select what portion of the reco rding to analyze. After making a
selection, the recording will move to that exact spot and update all the visible charts.
Use this feature as follows:
1. Check the Capture Spectrogram Navigation data check box on the tab
Configure>Record Options.
2. During Playback, click the Spectrogram Navigation icon (
toolbar. The Spectrum Navigation window appears.
) on the
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3. The left-hand portion of the Spectrogram Navigation window provides an
overview of the cu rrent recordi n g . It allows you to select a portion of the
recording to review in more detail, which when selected, appears on the righthand side of the window.
4. Use the slider at the top left to increase or decrease the amount of time (in
minutes) for which data is displayed in the Overview window on the left. If
the recording is shorter than 30 minutes, the slider is not available.
5. Click an item on the Non-WiFi Interferers portion on the bottom left to display
a purple line in the left side overview to indicate the selected interferer which
will also display a white horizontal line (shown in the example above).
Alternatively, you can select an area of interest in the right-side window with
the white line and start playback from there.
6. When done, click Playback from Selected Time to playback the time you
have selected.
Note: You can change the Frequency B a nd (from the drop-down on the top) to display a
different set of Spectrogram data, if available.
The list of interferers is dependent upon on the current overview area and the current
frequency band selection. When the spectrogram overview is changed, the list of interferers
is updated to reflect the current overview area.
Adding Notes to Captur ed Data
During the recording and playback of a session, you can add annotation (Notes) at specific points.
Do this as follows:
1. During a recording session, click the Add Note button (
menu bar.
2. When you select this button, a text box, as shown below, appears .
) from the top
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3. Enter text in the Description field with a maximum of 512 characters.
4. Select OK, and the note gets added to the recording at the timestamp. Notes
get saved with the recording to the bundled .amt file.
During playback of a recording, you can access the note(s) you made previously as follows:
When playing back a recording, the list of notes displa ys under the Notes tab in the "Play
from Selected Time" window as shown below:
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Introduction
• Double-click a note and the playback will go to that spot in the recording.
• You can edit a Note by clicking the (
note, click Close.
• Delete a Note by selecting it and clicking the (
• When the timestamp of a note is reached in a recording, the note appears in
a popup window. Close the window by clicking Close.
The pop-up note appears as follows:
) Edit icon. After you have edited t h e
) Delete icon.
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
Copyright
© 2009-2020 NetAlly.
AirMagnet
This User Guide is furnished under license and may be used or copied only in accordance
with the terms specified in the license. The content of this document is for information only
and should not be construed as a commitment on the part of NetAlly.
No part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrievable system, or
translated into any language in any form or by any means without the prior written consent
of NetAlly. Further, NetAlly reserves the right to modify the content of this document
without notice.
NETALLY SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN;
NOR FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS
CONTENT.
AirMagnet
All the other product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.
NetAlly
2075 Research Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
®
Spectrum XT User Guide.
®
and AirWISE® are registered trademarks, of NetAlly.
Spectrum XT ve rsion v3.10
Compiled in the United States of America. 04/2020.
General Terms and Conditions
(v01-Oct-19)
These General Terms and Conditions ("General T&Cs") are by and between the legal entity
set forth in the applicable Order (“Company”), as further defined below, and sets forth the
terms, conditions, rights and restrictions for which LinkRunner, LLC d/b/a NetAlly, and any
of its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively or individually referred to as "NetAlly" ) is willing
to sell devices ("Hardware") and license NetAlly’s proprietary software, as well as any
firmware residing on such Hardware, ("Software") (The Hardware and Software may be
collectively referred to as the "Product(s)"), and provide maintenance and technical support
services ("Maintenance"), to Company. Unless otherwise governed by a signed contract
between Company and NetAlly, only these General T&Cs will apply to any Orders made for
NetAlly’s Products. NetAlly’s provisioning of Products, Maintenance or any other services to
Company is expressly contingent upon Company’s acceptance of these General T&Cs, “AS
IS”.
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Introduction
Receipt without return of any Products from NetAlly by Company shall be deemed as
acceptance of this Order and shall also constitutes Comp a ny's confirmation that the
Products descriptions, quantities, term, and prices set forth in the Order accurately
represent Company's intended purchase. All additional and conflicting terms and conditions
presented with or in any communication, including but not limited to those set forth in any
P.O., except with respect to price, quantity, and loc a t ion are hereby rejected, and shall be
deemed null and void.
1. Definitions.
“API(s)” means the software application interfaces and workflow methods made generally
available by NetAlly in certain Products to enable integration, implementation, and
interoperability with third party hardware and software.
“Company” means a valid legal entity, in good standing, which has entered into a
commercial agreement with NetAlly, allowing for the licensing or re-licensing of Software or
distribution, sale, or resale of Products and Service.
“Company Data” means information that Company uploads or uses in conjunction with
Company’s use of the Products.
“Data Protection Act” means the Health Informatio n Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA) (29 U.S. Code § 1181, et seq.), Gramm Leach Bliley Act (GLBA) (15 U.S Code §
1681), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU 2016/679 ), and other applicable
regulations which seek to protect the processing and storage of personal information.
“Documentation” means any installation guides, reference guides, o peration manuals and
release notes provided with the Product in printed, electronic, or online form.
“Evaluation Product” means software that contains a license key, whi ch disables the
Software after 30 days, or other term as agreed to by the parties, and which will render the
Product unusable.
“Order" means the combination of Company’s P.O., a Quote issued by NetAlly or a NetAlly
Company, and these General T&C s.
“Personal Data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural
person (hereafter a “Data Subject”); an identifiable person is one who can be identified,
directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identification number or to one or more
factors specific to his physical, physiological, mental, economic, cultural or social identity.
“P.O.” means a purchaser order or document, in tangible or intangible form (e.g. .rtf, .pdf,
formats, etc.), issued by Company indicating Company’s acceptance of the Quote and these
General T&Cs, without regards to any conflicting terms and conditions presented therein,
except with respect to price, quantity, and location of Products or Services.
“Quote” means the document under which NetAlly offers for sale and licenses its Products,
Maintenance, and o t h er services.
“Services” means Maintenance as well as any other services offered by NetAlly to Company
from time to time.
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
2. Shipment & Delivery Terms. NetAlly ships all Products hereunder FOB Origin. Unless
otherwise agreed to by the parties, all shipments will be made using the carrier designated
by Company. If Company does not designate a carrier, NetAlly reserves the right to choose
a carrier at Company's expense. For Software available for electronic download, delivery will
be deemed to have occurred once NetAlly has made the Software available for download by
Company or Company’s designate agent or representative. Unless otherwise stated
conspicuously on the face of the applicable Order, NetAlly reserves the right to fulfill Orders
via multiple shipments. For all Products shipped internationally, Company will be the
importer of record. Company agrees that it will not remove any NetAlly General T&Cs or
other agreement from the NetAlly Product(s), and/or a ss ociated packaging.
3. License Grant and Restrictions. Subject to payment of the applicable license fee and the
terms set forth in an applicable Order, NetAlly grants Company a limited, non-exclusive,
non-transferable, revocable license to use the Software and the Documentation for
Company’s own internal business purposes.
(a) Evaluation License: NetAlly hereby grants Company a temporary, non-exclusive, nontransferable, revocable license to use the Evaluation Product set forth in the applicable
NetAlly Evaluation Request Form solely for internal testing, evaluation, or demonstration
purposes. If Company chooses no t to p urchase a license for the Ev aluation Product, t he
Evaluation Product must be removed from Company’s sys tem(s) and all permitted copies of
such Evaluation Pro duct immediately destroyed. A Return Materials Authorization number
(“RMA #”) for any Hardware Evaluation Product must be obtained prior to return of such
Product.
(b) Pre-Released Products. If the Product Company has received with this license is not yet
commercially available ("Pre-Released Product"), then NetAlly grants Company a temporary,
non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the Pre-Released Product and the
associated Documentation, if any, as provided to Company by NetAlly solely for internal
evaluation purposes. NetAlly may terminate Company’s right to use the Pre-Released
Product at any time at NetAlly’s discretion. Company’s use of the Pre-Released Product is
limited to thirty (30) days unless otherwise agreed to in writing by NetAlly. Company
acknowledges and agrees that (i) NetAlly has not promised or g uara nteed to Company that
the Pre-Released Product will be announced or made available to anyone in the future; (ii)
NetAlly has no express or implied obligation to Company to announce or introduce the PreReleased Product; (iii) NetAlly may not introduce a product similar to or compa tib le with the
Pre-Released Product; and (iv) any use of the Pre-Released Product or any product
associated with the Pre-Released Product is entirely at Company’s own risk. During the term
of these General T&Cs, if requested by NetAlly, Company will provide feedback to NetAlly
regarding use of the Pre-Released Product. Company will not disclose any features or
functions of any Pre-Released Product until NetAlly makes the Pre-Released Product publicly
available.
(c) API License. NetAlly grants Company a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable
revocable license to use the API, together with applicable documentation, any sample code,
and any sample applications provided with the API, solely in connection with the Products
for Company’s internal business purposes; provided that Company may not use the API in
connection with developing a product or service that competes with Products.
(d) License Restrictions. Except as required by law, Company will not, and will not cause or
permit others to, derive the source code of the Software, or reverse engineer, disassemble,
or de-compile the Products. Company may not (i) create derivative works of the Software,
7
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Introduction
(ii) lend, rent, lease, assign, sublicense, and/or make available through timesharing or
service bureau the Software, or (iii) transfer the Software or provide third party access to
the Software.
(e) Third-party Technology. The Products may conta in embedded third-party technology
(“Third-party Materials”). Such Third-party Materials are licensed for use solely with the
Product. Third-party Materials are provided subject to the applicable third-party ter m s of
use (“TOU”). Company agrees to abide by the TOU and/or to obtain any a ddi tional licenses
that may be required to use the Third-party Materials.
(f) Ownership. NetAlly and its third-party licensors retain all right, title, and interest in and
to the Products, Third party Technology and/or APIs. Company retain all right, title and
interest in and to the Company Data.
4. Acceptable Use. Company specifically agrees to limit the use of the Products and/or
Services to those specifically granted in these General T&Cs. Without limiting the foregoing,
Company specifically agrees not to (i) attempt to reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble,
or attempt to derive the source code of the Software or any portion thereof; (ii) modify,
port, translate, localize or create derivative works of the Software; (iii) remove any of
NetAlly’s, or its vendors, copyright notices and proprietary legends; (iv) use the Products to
(a) infringe on the intellectual property r i ghts of any third party or any rights of publicity or
privacy; (b) violate any law, statute, ordi nance, or regulation (including but not limited to
the laws and regulations governing export/import control, unf air competition, antidiscrimination and/or false advertising); or (c) propagate any virus, worms, Trojan horses
or other programming routine intended to damage a ny system or data; and/or (v) file
copyright or patent applications that include the Product or any portion thereof.
5. Company & Personal Data. During the Term, Company may provide to NetAlly Company
Data. NetAlly may use Company Data in connection with the performance of its obligations
under these General T&Cs. Company hereby agrees to strictly comply with any and all
applicable Data Protection Acts with regards to the transfer, handling storage and
processing of Personal Data. Company acknowledges and agrees that should Company
transfer such Personal Data to NetAlly, or other third-parties, Company will serve as such
Personal Data’s “Controller”, as set forth in the applicable Data Protection Acts. Further, in
the event of a breach of Personal Data, attributed to Company’s actions or inactions i n
furtherance of these General T&Cs, in violation of the Data Protection Acts, Company shall
promptly (i) take all necessary steps to curtail such breach; (ii) undertake all necessary
actions to mitigate damages; (iii) provi de the necessary notification and remediation, as set
forth in the applicable Data Protection Act; a nd (iv) aid a nd a ssist in NetAlly’s efforts to do
the same, at Company’s sole cost and expense.
6. Term and Termination. These General T&Cs shall continue unless terminated pursuant to
this Section; provided, that the applicable subscription term for any licenses purchased
hereunder shall cont i nue for the period of time specified in the applicable Quotation. Either
party may terminate these General T&Cs immediately upon providing written notice of
breach to the other party, if such other party materially breaches any of its obligations
hereunder but fails to cure such breach within a period of thirty (30) days following receipt
of such written noti ce. Upon any termination of these General T&Cs (i) all licenses granted
hereunder shall immediately terminate, (ii) Company will either return the Software,
Documentation, and Copies or, with NetAlly's prior co nse nt, destroy the Software,
Documentation, and Copies.
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7. Confidentiality. “Confidential Information” shall mean any and all non-public technical,
financial, commercial or other confidential or proprietary information, Services, Product
roadmaps, pricing, software code, Docu me nt ation, techniques and systems, and any and al l
results of benchmark testing run on the Products. Neither party will disclose Confidential
Information to any third party except to the extent such disclosure is necessary for
performance of thes e General T&Cs, or it can be d ocumented that any such Confidential
Information is in the public domain and generally available to the general public without any
restriction. Each party will use the same degree of care to protect Confidential Information
as Company uses to protect Company’s own confidential information but in no event less
than reasonable care.
8. Warranties. NetAlly warrants, for Company’s benefit alone, (i) that the Hardware will be
free from material defects for a perio d of twelve (12) months following the date of shipment
of the Hardware ("Hardware Warranty Period"); and (ii) the Software, will conform
materially and substantially to the Documentation for a period of ninety (90) days
following the date when first made available to Company for download (“Software Warranty
Period”). The warranties set forth herein do not apply to any failure of the Software or
Hardware caused by (a) Company’s failure to follow NetAlly's installation, operation, or
maintenance instructions, procedures, or Documentation; (b) Company’s mishandling,
misuse, negligence, or improper installation, de-installation, storage, servicing, or operation
of the Product; (c) modifications or repairs not author i zed by NetAlly; (d) use of the
Products in combination with equipment or software not supplied by NetAlly or authorized in
the Documentation; and/or (e) power failures or surges, fire, flood, accident, actions of
third parties, or other events outside NetAlly's reasonable control. NetAlly cannot and does
not warrant the performance or results that may be obtained by using the Products, nor
does NetAlly warrant that the Products are appropriate for Company’s purposes or errorfree. If during the Software Warranty Period or Hardware Warranty Period, a nonconformity
is reported to NetAlly, NetAlly, at its option, will use commercially reasonable efforts to
repair or replace the non-conforming Software or Hardware. THIS REMEDY IS CUSTOMER’S
SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, AND NETALLY’S SOLE LIABILITY FOR A BREACH OF
WARRANTY. EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES STATED IN THIS SECTION 8,
“WARRANTIES” NETALLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES ON MERCHANDISE SUPPLIED
UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. NETALLY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE
UNLESS SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE IS DUE TO NETALLY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND/OR
WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. IF NETALLY IS FOUND LIA BLE , THE AM OUNT OF NETALLY’S
MAXIMUM LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL LOSSES AND/OR DAMAGES (IN CONTRACT, TORT,
OR OTHERWISE) SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ALL LICENSE FEES ACTUALLY
PAID TO NETALLY FOR THE RELEVANT NETALLY PRODUCT(S) OR SERVICE(S) WITHIN THE
PRIOR SIX (6) MONTHS FROM WHICH SUCH CLAIM ARISES.
10. EXCLUSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE
LIABLE TO THE OTHER OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT,
SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, AND/OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, WHATSOEVER, INCLUDI NG BU T NO T
LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS OR LOSS OF DATA, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED
OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH POTENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE.
11. ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN
DAMAGES STATED HEREIN SHALL APPLY REGARDLESS OF THE FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL
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PURPOSE OF ANY REMEDY. BO TH PARTIES HEREUNDER SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT THESE LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY ARE REFLECTED IN THE PRICING.
12. Indemnification. For any claims based on Company’s breach of Section 3, “License Grant
and Restrictions”, 4. “Acceptable Use”, 5 “Company & Personal Data”, 7 “Confidentiality”, 8
“Warranties”, 14.4 “Compliance & Export Controls”, 14.6 “Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery”
and/or Company use of Product(s), Company hereby agree s to indemnify, defend, and hold
NetAlly harmless against such claim(s) at Company’s expense and pay all damages that a
court of competent jurisdiction finally awards, provided that NetAlly (i) promptly notifies
Company in writing of the claim(s); (ii) allows Company to control the defense or any
related settlement negotiations; and (iii) cooperates with Company in the defense of any
such claim(s); provided, that, Company will not affect any settlement unless such
settlement provides NetAlly with a full release.
13. Relationship with Third parties. The rel a tionship between the parties established by
these General T&Cs is that of independent contractors, and nothing contained in these
General T&Cs shall be construed to: (i) give either party the power to direct or control the
day-to-day activities of the other; (ii) constitute the parties as partners, joint ventures, coowners or otherwise as participants in a joint or common undertaking or fr anchise; (iii)
allow Company to create or assume any obligation on behalf of NetAlly for any purpose
whatsoever; or (iv) allow any customer, End-User, or other person or entity not a party to
these General T&Cs to be considered a third-party benefici ar y of these General T& C s.
14. General Provisions.
14.1 Entire Agreement T&Cs & Integration. These General T&Cs and all Exhibits refere ncing
these General T&Cs represent the entire agreement between the parties on the subject
matter hereof and supersede all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of every
kind and nature between the parties. Neither party shall be deemed the drafter of these
General T&Cs. No modification of these General T&Cs sha ll be effe ct ive unless in writing and
signed by both parties. All additional and conflicting terms and conditions presented with or
in any communication, including but not limited to Company’s P.O., except with respect to
price, quantity, and location specifie d in a P.O., are hereby rejected, and shall be deemed
null and void.
14.2 Severability & Survival. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of these
General T&Cs shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any legal and enforceable
provisions hereof. Should any provision of these General T&Cs be deemed unenforceable by
a court of competent jurisdiction t hen such clause shall be re-construed to provide the
maximum protection afforded by law in accordance with the intent of the applicable
provision. Any provision contained herein, which by its nature should survive the
termination of these General T&Cs shall survive, including, but not limited to, Section 7
“Confidentiality”, 9 “Limitation of Liability & Exclusion of Consequential Damages”, 12
“Indemnification”, and 14 “General Provisions”.
14.3 Assignment. Neither party may assign any rights or delegate any obligations
hereunder, whether by operation of law or otherwise, except in the case of a sale of either
party’s business whether by merger, sale of assets, sale of stock or otherwise, or excep t
with the prior written consent of the other party, whic h consent will not be unrea sonably
withheld. These General T&Cs binds the parties, their respective participating subsidiaries,
affiliates, successors, and permitted assigns.
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
14.4 Compliance & Export Controls. Company shall comply fully with all applicable laws,
rules, and regulations including those of the United States, and any and all other
jurisdictions globally, which apply to Company’s business activities in connection with these
General T&Cs. Company acknowledges that the NetAlly Products and/or NetAlly Services are
subject to United States Government export control laws. Company shall comply with all
applicable export control laws, obtain all applicable export licenses, and will not export or
re-export any part of the Products and/or Services to any country in violation of such
restrictions or any country that may be subject to an embargo by the United States
Government or to End-Users owned by, or with affiliation to, such countries embargoed by
the United States Government.
14.5. U.S. Government Use Notice. The NetAlly Software is a “Commercial Item”, as that
term is defined at 48 C.F.R. § 2.101, consisting of “Commercial Computer Software” and
“Commercial Computer Software Documentation,” as such terms are used in 48 C.F.R. §
12.212 and 48 C.F.R. § 227.7202, as applicable. Consistent with 48 C.F.R. § 12.212 and 48
C.F.R. § 227.7202-1 through 227.7202-4, the Commercial Computer Software and
Commercial Computer Software Documentation are being licensed to U.S. Government EndUsers (a) only as Commercial Items and (b) with only those rights as are granted to all
other End-Users pursu ant to the terms and conditions herein. For some components of the
Software as specified in the Exhibit, Attachment, and/or Schedule, this Software and
Documentation are provided on a RESTRICTED basis. Use, duplication, or disc losure by the
United States Government is subject to restrictions set forth in Subparagraphs (c) (1) and
(2) of the Commercial Computer Software Restricted Rights at 48 CFR 52.227-19, as
applicable.
14.6 Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery. Company will not make or permit to be made any
improper payments and will comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK
Bribery Act, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”)
Convention on Anti-Bribery, and other applicable local a nti-bribery laws and international
anti- bribery stand ards. Company represents and warrants that it will not pay any
commission, finder's fee, or referral fee, or make any political contribution, to any person in
connection with activities on behalf of NetAlly.
14.7 Applicable Law & Disputes. The parties specifically agree that the U.N. Convention on
the International Sale of Goods, the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act
(“UCITA”), and the International Commercial Terms issued by the International Chamber of
Commerce (“Incoterms”) shall not apply to any and all actions performed by either party
hereunder in furtherance of these Genera l T&Cs. These General T&Cs and all resulting
claims and/or counterclaims shall be governed, construed, enforced and performed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, United States of America, without
reference and/or regard to its conflicts of laws principles. The parties hereto specifically
agree that the exclusive jurisdiction for any and all resulting claims and/or counterclaims
arising out of these General T&Cs shall be the federal and local courts of Denver, Colorado.
14.8 Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing
Services or any other obligation under these General T&Cs, nor for any damages suffered by
the other or an End-User by reason of such failure or delay, which is, indirectly or directly,
caused by an event beyond such party’s foreseeable control including but not limited to
strikes, riots, natural catastrophes, terrorist acts, governmental intervention, or other acts
of God, or any other causes beyond such party’s reasonable control.
11
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Introduction
14.9 Waiver. Each party agrees that the failure of the othe r party at any time to require
performance by such party of any of the provisions herein shall not operate as a waiver of
the rights of such party to request strict performance of the same or like provisions, or any
other provisions hereof, at a later time.
15. Notices. All notices under these General T&Cs shall be in English and shall be in writing
and given to the address indicated upon the cover page and may be sent either by (i)
registered airmail; (ii) overnight delivery through a reputable third-party courier; or (iii) via
electronic mail (email) sent “read receipt” and “delivery receipt”. With respect to NetAlly’s
receipt of elect r on ic notice set forth in (iii) above such notice shall only been deemed
received once Company receives a confirmation of “read receipt” and “delivery receipt” and
such notice shall only be valid if sent to legal@netally.com
.
See also https://www.netally.com/web-legal/
.
Main Features
AirMagnet Spectrum XT has the following main features:
Ability to scan all available 802.11 radio bands
AirMagnet Spectrum XT has the capability to capture live spectrum and Wi-Fi
data in the wireless network and display them in real time on the screen,
assuming you have an AirM agnet-supported wireless network adapter
installed and enabled at the same time. To make it easier for you to focus on
a certain part of the 802.11 radio spectrum, AirMagnet Spectrum XT offers six
band options: 2.4 GHz, 4.9 GHz, 5.0 GHz Lower, 5.0 GHz Middle, 5.0 GHz
Upper, and Mixed which includes all options other than 4.9 GHz. You can
choose any of these band options from the Band menu in the toolbar.
Real Time FFT
The Real Time FFT graph displays in real time the current, average, and
maximum FFT readings. The X-axis represents channel/frequency and the Yaxis shows power readings in dBm.
Spectrum Density
The Spectrum Density graph shows the "popularity" of a particular
frequency/power reading over time. The X-axis shows the frequency/channel
for the selected 802.11 radio band; the Y-axis show s the power readings in
dBm. You can also display the signal strength of selected APs across the
Spectrum Density graph by selecting APs of interest from the AP List by
SSID/Channel section on the left. Click here
Spectrogram
for more information.
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
The Spectrogram graph shows the distribution (sweep) of energy across the
radio band over time and changes in frequency use and the duration of such
changes. Click here
Channel Power
The Channel Power graph shows the current and maximum (aggregated)
channel energy readings. The graph can display either Envelope Power or
Integrated Power. The former refers to the highest power reading at a
particular frequency; the latter shows the total summation of power readings
over a specific bandwidth. Click here
Channel Duty Cycle
The Channel Duty Cycle graph shows the percentage of time the RF energy
(both 802.11 and non-802.11) is present on the channel. Click here
information.
Non-Wi-Fi Devices
This table lists all non-Wi-Fi devices whose spectrum information has been
detected by the application, along with some key data about each device. The
devices are organized by category which includes Bluetooth devices,
microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, wireless cameras, and RF
Jammers. Click here
for more information.
for more information.
for more
for more information.
Event Spectrogram
The Event Spectrogram provides a visual presentation of real-time
information about events (device detecti ons) that the application has made in
the network. Each detecti on is an event which is re p resented by a color band.
The color of the band indicates the signal strength of the device being
detected (refer to the signal scale on top of the graph). If more detections are
made of the same device as the application sweeps the s pectrum, the band
will become thicker (taller). The height of the color band indicates the (length
of time in seconds the device has been detected. It stops increasing when the
device becomes inactive (meaning that the device has not been detected for a
minute). The width of the line/band indicates the channels or frequencies
being affected by the device. If the device is a frequency-hopping device,
then the line/band may extend sideways as the device hops from one channel
to another. Click here
WiFi Device
The WiFi Devices graph (table) displays comprehensive information about all
Wi-Fi devices, such as APs, stations, and phones, detected on the Wi-Fi
network. Click here
Note: To view this graph, you must have a n AirMagnet-supported wireless
network adapter installed and enabled when running AirMa gnet Spectrum XT.
for more information.
for more information.
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AP Signal Strength
The AP Signal Strength graph identifies the three APs with the strongest
signal strengths on each available channel in the selected radio band. Click
here
for more information.
Note: To view this graph, you must have an AirMagnet-supported wireless
network adapter installed and enabled when running AirMagnet Spectrum XT.
Channel Occupancy
The Channel Occupancy graph shows AP deployment on all available channe ls
in the selected radio band. It identifies all APs deploye d on e ach channel. It
also shows their overall signal strength (strong or weak) and the channels
that are being affected. Click here
Note: To view this graph, you must have an AirMagnet-supported wireless
network adapter installed and enabled when running AirMagnet Spectrum XT.
Channels by Speed
for more information.
Introduction
The Channels by Speed graph displays the relative amount of data (in
kilobytes) that has been transmitted at each data rate on each available
channel in the selected radio band. The X-axis lists all the available channels
and the data rates used on each channel, whereas the Y-axis shows the
number of Kilobytes of data transmitted at certain spee ds on each channel.
Click here
Note: To view this graph, you must have a n AirMagnet-supported wireless
network adapter installed and enabled when running AirMa gnet Spectrum XT.
Channels by Media
The Channels by Media gr aph shows that volume of Wi-Fi transmissions in
kilobytes reco rded on each channel in the selected radio band. It also
provides a rough breakdown by 802.11 media type of the transmission on
each channel. Click here
Note: To view this graph, you must have an AirMagnet-supported wireless
network adapter installed and enabled when running AirMagnet Spectrum XT.
Channels by Address
The Channels by Address graph shows the volume of data transmission in
kilobytes that has been recorded on each cha n nel in the selected radi o b a n d.
It also provides a rough breakdown of the transmission by the type of address
(that is, broadcast, multicast, and unicast) that was used for the
transmission. Click here
for more information.
for more information.
for more information.
Note: To view this graph, you must have an AirMagnet-supported wireless
network adapter installed and enabled when running AirMa gnet Spectrum XT.
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
Channel Utiliz at ion
The Channel Utilization graph shows the percentage of bandwidth being used
on each channel and the b reakdown of the utilization by transmission rate.
Click here
Note: To view this graph, you must have an AirMagnet-supported wireless
network adapter installed and enabled when running AirMagnet Spectrum XT.
Top 10 APs by Speed
The Top 10 APs by Speed graph shows the 10 APs that have transmitted the
most amount of data (in kilobytes) as well as the breakdown of the
for more information.
transmissions by data rate on each AP. Click here
Note: To view this graph, you must have a n AirMagnet-supported wireless
network adapter installed and enabled when running AirMagnet Spectrum XT.
Top 10 Active APs' Re t ry/CRC
The Top 10 Active APs’ Retry/CRC graph shows the percentage o f packets
that are either Retry or CRC packets for the top 10 APs that are transmitting
the most data. Click here
Note: To view this graph, you must have a n AirMagnet-supported wireless
network adapter installed and enabled when running AirMa gnet Spectrum XT.
Interference Power
The Interference Power graph displays the average power readings of
interfering devices on the selected channel or channels.
Channel Duty Cycle vs Time
The Channel Cycle vs. Time graph is a trending char t which shows the
average power in the channel is above the noise floor over a specific period of
time.
for more information.
for more information.
Interference Power vs Time
The Interference Power vs. Time graph is a trending chart which shows the
maximum average power readings of interfering devices operating on the
selected channel over a specific period of time.
Channel Signal/Noise Ratio
The Channel SNR graph shows the signal-to-noise ratio on all available
channels in the selected radio band.
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Channels by Retry/CRC
The Channels by Retry/CRC graph allows the user to quickly assess which
channels are experiencing high levels of Retry or CRC packets.
Finding Devices
The Find Device tool enables the user to find any device (Wi-Fi or non-Wi-Fi)
that the application has detecte d . You can launch the Find Device screen by
Introduction
clicking
Device screen, you can select the device of interest and click Find. The
screen will show you in real time the signal strength (if the device in question
is a non-Wi-Fi device) or signal strength and noise level (if it is a Wi-Fi
device). You can also turn on the audio feature to assist in locating the
device: the closer you approach the device the louder the sound.
Note: You can also open the Find Device screen by double-clicking a device of
interest from the Device List in the Spectrum screen. In this case, the device
of interest will be automatically selected and all you need to do is to click
Find.
Instant Playback of Live Capture Data
The instant playback feature allows you to revisi t something they have
noticed on the live screen. It is very useful when you want to take a closer
look at what has caught your attention at the first glance. You can switch to
instant playback mode by clicking
toolbar. You can also save the data that has just bee n pl ayed back into a file
for record or further analysis.
Note: The amount of data that is replayed may last for one or two minutes,
depending on the speed of the PC the user is using.
(Find Device) at the bottom of the screen. Once on the Find
(Switch to Instant Playback) on the
Recording Live Data
This feature allows you to record live data the application captures to the hard
drive of the PC, by clicking
interrupt the recording at any time by clicking
Save Capture), which will then prompt the user to save the recorded da ta
to a .amm file.
Note: The length of the recording depends on the Max Live Capture
Streaming File Size [MB] you have configured (Settings>Configure). The
application will stop recording once the limit has been reached. Upon
completion of the recording, you will be prompted to save the recorded data.
Also, if the available hard drive space is less than the size of the Max Live
Capture Streaming File, a message will pop up to remind you of the deficiency
so that proper actions can be taken to rectify the problem from the start.
(Start Recording) on the toolbar. You can
(Stop Recording and
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
Saving Capture Data
This feature allows you to save to an .amt file the live data they have
recorded.
Note: To save recorded data, you must first stop recording by clicking Stop
Recordi ng and Save Ca pture (on th you clicks Start Recording. Also, the
application will automatically stop recording and prompt you to save the
recorded data once the Max Live Capture Streaming File Size [MB] is reached.
Replaying Capture Data
This feature allows the user to replay recorded data saved to an .amt file.
To replay recorded capture data, click
toolbar. Then select and open the .amm file of interest. The application will
start replaying the recorded data. During the course of the replay, the user
can pause or stop the replay using the buttons on t he tool bar. When the
replay completes, the user can play it again using the replay button.
Right-click to copy graph
The feature allows you to easily copy any graph or chart displayed on the
screen and paste it into any software document that supports the copy-andpaste.
Right-click to save graph
The application allows you to save any chart or graph shown in the Graph
Window as an image file in any of the following four image formats:
.PNG
.BMP
.JPG
.GIF
Custom Device Classification
(Open Capture File) on the
Due to the ever changing nature of wireless device technology, there are ever
more devices that transmit in the 2.4 and 5GHz regulatory frequency bands.
In order to allow customers to identify more potential non-Wi-Fi interferers,
users have the ability to identify, classify, and analyze interferers beyond
those devices included in the software package.
Region-Specific Scanning Control
Users in regions with specific wireless range restrictions have the ability to
specify precisely which channels shall be scanned in AirMagnet Spectrum XT
by simply selecting the desired region from a drop-down provided in the
application’s configuration window . This streamlines the process of narrowing
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down the channels needed based on the area in which the network is located
to a simple one-click process.
Virtual AP Grouping
AirMagnet Spectrum XT’s Virtual AP Grouping feature allows you to set up
specific names for single devices that utilize multiple SSIDs under different
BSSIDs. These groups help you identify instances where separate BSSIDs
show up and appear to be several different devices, when they actually
belong to a single device.
BlueSweep Integration
BlueSweep software is designed to identify nearby devices with Bluetooth
wireless technology and alert users to potential Bluetooth security risks. It
identifies and tracks devices up to 300 feet away and lets users know what
their own Bluetooth devices are doing.
Remote Spectrum Analysis
AirMagnet Spectrum XT enables you to connect to remote systems to perform
remote troubleshooting capabilities.
Introduction
The Remote XT Connection option enables you to view remote, real-time data
in their local Spectrum UI. It does this by connec ting to a remote computer
running an AirMagnet Spectrum Analyzer card.
Product Overview
AirMagnet Spectrum XT is a Wi-Fi troubleshooting and optimization tool from NetAlly,
designed to provide W-Fi network professionals with a clear and concise view into their
wireless network environment. AirMagnet Spectrum XT’s power reaches far beyond its sleek
and intuitive design, because it includes the option to complement spectrum analysis with
Wi-Fi packets and traffic analysis, using an optional se cond Wi-Fi card. This allows you to
directly connect spectrum information to the real performance of your wireless APs and
channels. The software brings everything together in a single, clean interface that ensures
that you can easily see the information that you need without digging thr ough pages of
data.
Product Registration
Registering your AirMagnet Spectrum XT allows you expedient access to technical support,
product upgrades, and other benefits. It is for this re a son that we make product registration
an integral part of the installation process. The online product registration form
automatically pops up in your Web browser screen when you launch AirMagnet Spectrum XT
for the first time after it is installed.
You need to follow the inst ructions on the screen t o register your AirMagnet Spectrum XT
now if you do not yet have a AirMagnet Spectrum XT license file (on your laptop PC or
network), wh ic h is requ ired in order to operate the application. The product registration
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
process will enable you to download and install your software license file from AirMagnet
over the Internet.
However, if you already have a software license file at hand and do not want to register
right now, you may simply follow the prompt on the screen to upload the license file and
close the Product Registration Web page. You can always come back to register your
product at a later time using the following instructions.
To register your product at any time, open the following URL:
https://airmagnet.netally.com/support/register_product/
System Requirements
Laptop /Tablet PC
• Operating Systems: Microsoft® Windows 8.1 Pro/Enterprise 64-bit or
Microsoft
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo 2.00 GHz (Intel® Core™ i5 or higher recommended).
• 2 GB RAM required (4 GB recommended)
• 250 MB free hard disk space.
• Microsoft .NET framework 4.6.1.
Apple® MacBook® Pro
• Operating Systems: MAC OS X Version 10.9 or higher running a supported
Windows OS (as noted under Laptop/Notebook PC/Tablet PC section) using
Boot Camp
• Intel®-based 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo or higher.
• 2 GB RAM required (4 GB recommended)
• 250 MB free hard disk space.
• Microsoft .NET framework 4.6.1.
®
Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise 64-bit.
®
.
Supported Wi-Fi Adapters
AirMagnet Spectrum XT offers Wi-Fi analysis features in addition to the spectrum features
supported by the AirMagnet Spectrum USB adapter.
Note: However, keep in mind that an AirMagnet Spectrum USB adapter is required when
running AirMagnet Spectrum XT. The application will not w ork without a supported spectrum
USB adapter.
The wireless network adapters supported and tested by NetAlly are listed at:
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Introduction
https://www.netally.com/products/airmagnet-spectrum-xt/#SupportedAdapters
Technical Support
AllyCare Product Support
NetAlly's AllyCare is our comprehensive support and maintenance program that offers
expanded coverage for the products.
For more information, visit https://www.netally.com/support/
.
Contact Us
Call toll-free in North America: 1-844-TRU-ALLY (1-844-878-2559)
Visit https://www.netally.com/contact-us/
select your region to complete a web form and have a NetAlly representative contact you.
for additional phone numbers. Scroll down and
Troubleshooting AirMagnet Spectrum XT
This section explains some typical troubleshooting scenarios related to the use of AirMagnet
Spectrum XT.
I have both a spectrum adapter and a wireless network
adapter enabled, but why do no Wi-Fi devices show up on
the screen?
AirMagnet Spectrum XT has the capability to capture and display both Wi-Fi and spectrum
data simultaneously from a network environment. As a result, you should be able to see
both Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi devices the application has captured. The following steps will help
you solve this issue:
1. Make sure that your wireless network adapter is suppor ted by AirMagnet.
Refer to Supported Wireless Network Adapters
2. Turn off Network Threat Protection on Symantec Endpoint Protection if you
have the application installed on the PC. Refer to the illustration below.
.
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
If this still does not solve the problem, contact AirMagnet Support for assistance.
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Getting Started
Major Screen Options
AirMagnet Spectrum XT has three major screen options, represented by three buttons in the
lower-left part of the application's user interface:
Find Device - contains tools for locating devices (Wi-Fi or non-W-iFi) that
Reports - opens the Reports page where you can access the default report
By default, the Spectrum-WiFi Summary screen opens when the application is started. You
can toggle between these two screen options by clicking the buttons.
Spectrum-WiFi Summary - presents detailed RF spectrum information
about all Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi devices detected in the network. For more
information, click here
the application has detected. For more information, click here
or create custom reports of your own. For more information, click here
.
.
.
About the Spectrum-WiFi Summary Screen
The image above shows the Spectrum-WiFi Summary screen which contains the following
major component s:
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
Toolbar
Channel Summary
Device List
Channel Usage
Graphs Window
AutoHide Button
Note: The data shown on the screen vary, depending on whether you have a spectrum
adapter alone or both a spectrum adapter and an AirMagnet-supported wireless network
adapter running at the same time on the PC when the application is started. The data
content also vary with the radio band being selected. The image above shows the user
interface when the application is started with both a spectrum adapter and wireless network
adapter running using the 2.4 GHz radio band. In this case (tha t i s, the combined mode),
the screen shows both spectrum and Wi-Fi data. By design, an AirMagnet-supported
spectrum adapter is required to install and operate AirMagnet Spectrum XT, whereas an
supported wireless network adapter is required only if you want to view Wi-Fi data on the
screen. You will not see live data in the AP List by SSID/Channel, Channel Usage, and all
WiFi Graphs if you do not have a supported wireless network adapter running whe n
operating AirMagnet Spectrum XT.
Toolbar
The illustrations below show Spectrum XT's toolbar in live capture and playback mode,
respectively. They allow you easy access to the tools y ou need when working with the
application in either mode.
Toolbar - Live Capture Mode
Toolbar Playback Mode
Most of these tools are buttons or icons which come with a tip scree n that pops up when
you place the cursor over a button. The tip screen shows the name of the t ool you are
focusing on.
As shown in the image above, the toolbar contains the following tools or menu options:
Menu/Tool
Description
Options
File
Contains the following option:
Open Captured File... - Opens a AirMagnet Spectrum XT capture
(.amt) file and starts the playback mode.
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Getting Started
Save Capture As... - Saves to a file the data being played or
Opens the Settings list menu whic h contains the following options:
custom signatures of devices so they can be detected
having been played.
Start/Resume - Starts or resumes live capture after it has been
stopped or paused.
Pause - Pauses live data capture.
Stop - Stops file playback or data recording.
Instant Playback - Instantly starts playing back data captured in
the last two minutes.
Record - Records captured data to the system's hard drive.
Live Capt ure - Switches to live capture mode from playback
mode.
List of Recent Files - Shows all recently opened capture files.
Exit - Ends the operation of the application. Click here
information.
for more
Band
Settings
Contains the following options (which determine the 802.11 radio spectrum
the application focuses on):
2.4 GHz - Covers the radio frequency range from 2.402 GHz to
2.842 GHz, which is used by Channels 1 through 14.
5.0 GHz Lower - Covers the radio frequency range from 5.17
GHz to 5.33 GHz, which is used by Channels 44, 48, 52, 56, 60,
and 64.
5.0 GHz Middle - Covers the radio frequency range form 5.49
GHz to 5.71 GHz, which is used by Channels 108, 112, 116,
120,124, 128, 132, 136, and 140.
5.0 GHz Upper -Covers the radio frequency range from 5.735GHz
to 5.835 GHz, which is used by Channels 157, 161, and 165.
4.9 GHz - Covers bands used by many public safety
organizations, from 4.91 to 4.99 GHz.
Mixed - Covers all aforementioned radio frequencies (other than
4.9 GHz) and channels.
Note: The screen aut o m at i ca l ly refreshes when you switch from one band to
another, emptying out old data before loading new data. Click here for more
information.
Configure - Opens the Configure dialog box which has three
tabs:
General -Lets you
parameters in the application
Driver -Lets you choose a Wi-Fi driver of your choice if you
have more than one instal l ed on the PC.
SNMP Settings - Opens SNMP settings configuration dialog
Custom Device Classification Manager - Enables you to create
configure certain Wi-Fi and spectrum
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Spectrum XT Use r Gu i d e
automatically.
This button allows you to modify the labels used on the X-axis for the graph
X-Axis Label
Type
Add View
Open Capture
File
displays. You can specify viewing by band or by channel as desired. See
Modifying Display Options
Click the drop-down menu arrow next to the + button to provide the
following option s:
This button enables you to browse and load any previously saved capture
recordings (.amt) and starts the playback mode when the file is loaded.
Show Auto Detected Patterns - Displays persistent patterns
and enables you to create custom pattern signature s.
for more details.
• Add a new graph to a report. You can enable up to 9 graphs.
Right-click a view to display the close view option.
• Select to add all current views to the report.
Record/playback
controls
Switch to
Instant Playback
Save Capture
Switch to Live
Capture
Start
Recording
The following buttons are for recording and playing back data capture.
Starts playing back data captured in the last two minutes. Once the i nstant
playback is started, the button changes to Save Capture. Refer below.
Save to a file the data being played or having been played.
Note: This button/tool is available only when the application is in Instant
Playback mode.
Stops file or data playback and switch back to live capture mode.
Note: This option becomes available only when the application is in Instant
Playback mode or you are playing back a capture (.amt) file.
Enables the application to start recording captured data to the system's hard
drive.
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Stop
Double-click the Last Seen time to start play back from the
Recording and
Save Capture
Resume/Play
Pause
Getting Started
Stops recording data to the hard drive and prompts you to save the captured
data to a (.amt) file.
Note: All data that have been recorded to the hard drive will be discarded
unless you save them to a (.amt) file.
In live capture mode, this button is named Resume which allows you to
resume live capture after it is paused. In playback mode, it is named Play
which allows you to play back the data or file after the playback is stopped.
Pauses live data capture shown on the user interface.
Note: Even though live data capture appears suspended on the user
interface after you have clicked this button, the application is still capturing
live data. Clicking the Resume/Play button again (after live capture is
paused) will resume live data capture.
Stops live capture.
Stop
Reset Data
Play from
Selected Time
Resets all data in the application.
Note: The screen re fr es hes every time you click this button. Click here for
more information.
Opens the Play from Selected Time dialog where you can play back recorded
data of a device from a selected point in time:
Double-click the First Seen time to start play back from the
time when the device was first detected.
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time when the device was last detected.
To start the playback 30 seconds after the First Seen Time,
select 30 in the Time Offset from the Selected Time box and
then double-click the First See Time.
To start the playback 30 seconds before the First Seen Time,
enter a minus sign (-) and select 30 in the Time Offset from
the Selected Time box, and then double-click the First Seen
Time.
To start the playback 30 seconds after the Last Seen Time,
select 30 in the Time Offset from the Selected Time box, and
then double-click the Last See Time.
To start the playback 30 seconds before the Last Seen Time,
enter a minus sign (-) and se lect 30 in the Time Offset from
the Selected Time box and then double-click First See Time.
Timer
Easy View
Help
Shows the progress of a file playback or instant data playback.
Opens the Easy View list menu which contains the options for organizing data
displayed on the screen. Click here for more information.
Opens the Help list menu which contains the following ta b s:
Contents - Opens the application's online Help.
Search - opens the search page of the online Help, where you
do a text search.
About - Opens the About AirMagnet Spectrum XT dialog box
which contains the fo l lowing three tabs:
AirMagnet Spectrum XT - Displays basic information about
Licenses - Shows your product's license information,
Debug - Contains an option for the applic a ti on to
Tutorial Vid eos - Opens the Spectrum XT video tutorials.
the software, including its build and version number.
including its serial number and serial key and the MAC
address to which the license is tied.
automatically capture a sampling data need for
troubleshooting.
Channel Scan Indicator
The channel scan indicator, which appear s in t he lower left-hand cor ner of the screen, is
available only when AirMagnet Spectrum XT is operated with a supported external wireless
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Getting Started
network adapter simultaneously with the spectrum adapter. It shows in real time the
802.11 channels that the wireless network adapter has been scanning.
The channels that are scanned vary, depending on the 802.11 radio band
the Channel Summary.
Note: If no external wireless network adapter is used, AirMagnet Spectrum XT will still
gather limited amounts of Wi-Fi data from Windows Wireless Configurations. This status will
be indicated by a message in the bottom-left corner of the screen: “Dynamic Wi-Fi data
collected from Windows Wireless Configuration”.
in use. Refer to
Channel Summary
In the upper-left corner of the screen is the Channel Summary which highlights key
spectrum statistics the application has detected on all available channels covered by the
selected 802.11 radio band. Refer to the illustration below.
As shown in the image above, the columns, from left to right, shows the following data:
Column Description
Channel Shows all available channels for the selected radio band.
Current Shows the average of current FFT readings in dBm on each channel.
Avg Shows the average historical FFT readings in dBm on each channel.
Max Shows the maximum (Max-Hold) FFT reading in dBm on eac h cha nnel.
Duty
Cycle
Note: When you select a channel from the Channel Summary, that channel’s portion of the
wireless spectrum is highlighted in the charts displayed to the right. This makes it easy to
Shows the percentage of time the RF energy (both 802.11 and non-
802.11) is present on the channel.
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identify exactly where a device is appearing in charts like the Spread Spectrogram, among
others.
Channel Devices
In the lower-left corner of the screen is Channel Devices, which lists the number of APs,
stations, and/or VoFi phones that the ap plication has detecte d on each channel in the
selected 802.11 radio band.
An AirMagnet-supported Wi-Fi adapter is required in order for the application to capture and
display such data.
Note: Channels with no data will not be listed in the Channel Devices table.
The Channel Devices p ane only displays channels on which Wi-Fi devices are detected. If
you notice certain channels missing from this section, it means that no Wi-Fi devices have
been detected on those channels. Also, the channels shown here vary depending on the
option selected from the Band menu in the toolbar. You can click the Device Pattern tab to
view a sample image of the detected spectrum pattern of devices detected. Refer to
Pattern.
Device
Graph Options
Add View
Click the drop-down arrow next to the + button on the toolbar give you one of the following
options:
• Add an additional graph to the graphs view. This o p tion enables up to 9
graphs to be opened. Right-click a graph to display the close view option.
• Add all current views to a report.
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Getting Started
In the upper-left corner of each graph you will find the name of the graph. Clicking the
name of a graph will open a drop-down list menu which contains all the spectrum a nd Wi-Fi
graph options that the application can generate. You can open eithe rone or all of the list
menu simply by clicking the graph name, as shown in the illustrations below. If you need
help understanding data contained in a graph, click the
right corner of the graph. The relevant online Help page will open on the screen.
(Help) button In the upper-
Spectrum Graphs
This group contains multiple spectrum graph options, as shown below in expanded dropdown list menu.
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For more information about these Spectrum Graphs, click Spectrum Graphs
Note: There is a Configuration button in the upper-right corner of every graph in this group.
It allows you to set or change certain parameters used in the graphs. Refer to Spectrum
Graphs for more information.
.
WiFi Graphs
This group contains several WiFi graph options, as shown in the expanded drop-down list
menu below.
For more information about the WiFi Graphs, click WiFi Graphs
Note: If no external wireless network adapter is used, Spectrum XT is still able to gather
limited amount of Wi-Fi data using Windows Wireless Configuration. This will be indicated by
the message in the bottom-left corner of the screen: “Dynamic Wi-Fi data collected from
Windows Wireless Configuration”.
.
Graphs Window
The data graph window allows you to view and analyzer all spectrum data and Wi-Fi data (if
you have a supported Wi-Fi adapter running at the same time) that the application has
captured or is capturing in your network. The data are presented in the form of chart s or
graphs which are grouped into Spectrum Graphs and WiFi Graphs
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Getting Started
Data shown in this part of the screen vary, depending on whether a spectrum adapter is
used alone or alongside with a Wi-Fi adapter as well as the 802.11 radio band being
selected. The figure above shows the default screen when both a spectrum adapter and a
Wi-Fi adapter are being used to scan the 2.4 GHz band. The content of each char t or graph
can be changed using the drop-down list menu in the upper-left corner of each chart or
graph. Options in the list menus are the same. Click here
Note: All graph options in the WiFi Graphs category will be blank if you do not have a
supported Wi-Fi adapter running.
for more information.
Interferers and Devices List
Below the Channel Summary is the Interferers and Devices List. It shows all the Devices
(Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi) that the application has detected in the network. The Device List
contains two tabs that categorize devices based on their wireless characteristics; standard
802.11 Wi-Fi devices are displayed on their own tab, and non-802.11 devices on a second
one.
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When viewing the 802.11 devices portion,use the drop-down menu across the top of the
pane to change the manner in which the devices are displayed, either by SSID or by
Channel. Refer to the illustration below.
You can project signal strengths of any APs over the Spectrum Density graph by selecting
them (checking the corresponding check box es in the AP List). Signal strengths of the
corresponding APs will appear in the graph in the form of color-coded curves. Click here
more in formation.
for
Enabling Wi-Fi Capability
When launching AirMagnet Spectrum XT, you have the choice of allowing or disallo w ing the
laptop’s Wi-Fi adapter from being used by AirMagnet Spectrum XT. Allowing the adapter to
be used enables the capture of Wi-Fi data, but makes the adapter unavailable for browsing
the Web.
To allow an adapter to be used by AirMagnet Spectrum XT, select the adapter and click
Select. To disallow the adapter from being used, click Cancel.
AutoHide Button
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Getting Started
In the upper-right corner of the Spectrum-WiFi Summary section is a
button. It is used to hide the Spectrum-WiFi Summary so that you can have more screen
space to display the graphs.
When you click this but t on, the Spectrum-WiFi Summary will fold up and snap to the left
edge of the screen, leaving only its title in the form of a tab in the upper-left corner of the
screen. You can unfold the Spectrum-WiFi Summary by clicking the tab. You can also click
the pushpin to restore it to its default position.
(AutoHide)
Capturing Data as Report Sect ions
On the Spectrum - WiFi Summary page, you will see (the Add to Report button) in the
upper-right hand corner of every spectrum and Wi-Fi graph as well as the Channel
Summary panel. It allows you to capture the data shown in graphs (panel) with a single
click and add it to the Reports page as a report sections, which can be used to create
custom reports.
To capture the data in a graph as a report section:
1. Open the graph.
2. Wait until the graph is populated with enough data.
3. Click
. The Report Section dialog opens. Refer to the illustration below.
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4. In the Section Title field, type a unique section title over the default section
title.
5. In the Description field, enter a brief description of the report section.
6. Click Add.
Note: Each time you click (Add to Report), the application automatically generates a
report section with the name of the graph as its default title. We recommend that you
rename each report section with a unique name and enter a specific description about it
before clicking the Add button. This will help you distinguish the report sections and know
which report sections to choose when creating a custom report.
Refer to Creating a Custom Report
.
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Viewing the Current Device Driver
AirMagnet Spectrum XT is designed to work with a number of Wi-Fi adapters. You must
install and enable a driver compatible to an adapter in order to operate the application with
that adapter.
You can see the wireless network adapter driver Spectrum XT is using by clicking the Driver
tab in the Configure dialog, as illustrated be low.
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Note: To learn more about supported adapters, refer to Supported Wireless Network
Adapters.
Configuring General Se t tin gs
AirMagnet Spectrum XT allows you to set or change general parameters displayed on the
screen that relate to the Wi-Fi devices and/or spectrum data captured on your network.
To set or change the display of Wi-Fi or spectrum data:
1. From the Toolbar, click Settings>Configure.
2. Click the General tab, if not selected.
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• Show device
Spectrum
If Auto Reset Spectrum Data is checked (above), you
Falling
Factors such as noise in the spectrum or DC leak may
fall back, thus eliminating false MaxHold.
3. Make the selection and/or entry as described in the f ollowing table.
4. Click Apply and then OK.
Parameter Description
WiFi Devices These parameters apply to Wi-Fi devices only.
name
• Show with
vendor name
• Show MAC
address
always
• Notify DFS
Channel
Switch
Spectrum These parameter apply to spectrum data only.
Auto Reset
Spectrum
Data
Data Reset
Period
If selected, the names of Wi-Fi devices will show on the
screen wherever applicable.
If selected, vendor names will show as part of devices
names on the sc re en .
If selected, MAC addresses will always appear as part of
device identification.
If selected, you will receive a notification whenever an
AP operating on a Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)
Channel switches to a different channel. A Channel
Switch can occur when the re is any radar signal. This
feature is activated by default.
If checked, the application will automatically reset
spectrum data at the specified interval. (Refer below.)
need to specify the time period for the application to
reset spectrum data.
MaxHold
Detect Non-
WiFi
Interference
cause sudden one-time spurts in the FFT plot. These
spurts or "false" MaxHold, if left as, will remain on the
spectrum plot as MaxHold. This option, if select, enables
the application to automatically discount the "false"
MaxHold points by letting the "false" MaxHold gradually
When Device Detection is disabled, Spectrum will not
record devices detected during scanning. Thi s can
reduce the number of entries that appear in the capture
file, particularly when saved in .csv format.
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Details
Bluetooth
Device
FFT Max
Data
Sampling
Duration
Antenna
Settings
Auto Detect
FFT Pattern
Settings
Auto Save Custom View If checked, the application will automatically save the
This option is used with a Bluetooth adapter to detect
different Bluetooth devices in the area.
The FFT Data Sampling feature can effectively reduce
noise in order to produce a better distinguishable FFT
pattern. For example, adjusting the bar to 50% will
reduce sampling by half, thereby smoothing out spikes in
the FFT graph that may be caused by interference noise.
This option allows you to specify usage of the internal or
external antennas with the AirMagnet Spectrum adapter.
Check the Automatically use this setting at application
launch option to store this setting for every time the
application is loaded.
The Auto Detect feature processes both the “current” and
the “max” FFT data. As such these two parameters may
be tuned in order to affect the algorithm.
customized view options that the user has created in
Easy View.
Copying and Pasting Scre en Images
AirMagnet Spectrum XT allows you to easily copy any chart or graph in the graph window as
still images and paste them to other applications such as Paint, MS Word, and so on. This
makes it very convenient for saving and sharing data captured on the network.
To copy a graph or chart on the screen:
1. Right-click a chart or graph of interest.
2. From the pop-up menu, select Copy Image. Refer to the illustration below.
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3. Open an application that supports copy and paste, such a s MS Word.
4. Use the Paste command to paste the image to the document.
5. Save the document for archiving and/or sharing.
Instantly Playing Back Captured Data
AirMagnet XT allows you to replay captured data that has recently been displayed on the
screen so that you can revisit the data for a closer look.
To replay captured data that has rec ently passed through the screen:
1. Click (Switch to Instant Pl ayback) on the toolbar. The application will
switch to playback mode instantly.
Note: The application can instantly play back about 2 minutes of data at most. The
figure above shows that the application has re played 29 seconds of data captured for
the last 2 minutes. The replay stops when the slider reaches the end. You can use
the Play, Pause, or Stop buttons to play the data back and forth. You can also set
the starting point by dragging the slider to anywhere you want.
2. To save the data that was replayed, click (Save).
3. To switch back to live capture mode, click
During playlback, you can also view various portions of the spectrogram. For information
on doing this, refer to Spectrogram Navigation
.
(Switch to Live Capture).
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Exiting
For security reasons, you need to close AirMagnet Spectrum XT once you are done with it
and should never le ave it running unattended.
To exit the application:
From the application's user interface, click File>Exit.
Note: You can also close the application by clicking the x button in the upper-right corner
of the screen.
Modifying Display Option s
The Display Options tab allows you to alter various aspects of the application’s overall
appearance.
Refer to the table below for information regarding each of the options provided.
Option Description
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Alert
Settings
Channel
Shadow
Settings
When enabled, this option will highlight the Duty Cycle column in the Channel
Summary field when it exceeds the specified threshold. Channels on which the Duty
Cycle meets this criteria will be highlighted in red (channels with normal levels are
highlighted in green).
This feature applies to the 2.4-GHz band only. It allows you to choose whether or not
to plot the channel shadows on the Real Time FFT graph.
To use this feature, you must first enable it by checking the Show Channel Shadow
on Real FFT plot check box. Then you need to click the down arrow to select either of
the options from the list menu:
Non Overlapping Channels (1, 6, 11) (Click here for a sample Real Time
FFT graph with shadows on the three non-overlapping channels.)
All Channels
View XAxis
Label
By
This allows you to toggle between viewing charts by frequency range and channel
number. Although the default setting is Frequency, many users f i nd the Channel
selection easier to use and analyze.
Opening a Capture Data File
Captured data are saved to a file using the .amt file extension. You can replay those saved
capture data by opening the file containing the data.
To open a capture file:
1. Click (Open Capture File).
2. Locate the .amt file on your PC and click Open.
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3. Use the buttons (Start, Pause, and Stop) to play the file back and forth, if
you wish to.
4. To switch back to Live Capture mode, click
You can also add notes to a playback recording and later revie w these notes . To
do this, refer to Adding Notes to Captured Data
(Switch to Live Capture).
.
Pausing and Resuming Live Capture
Pausing live capture allows you to suspend the dynamic display of live data on the screen; it
does not stop the application from capturing live data a t a ll . In other words, the application
still keeps capturing live data and storing them in the memory even after you have clicked
the Pause Live Ca ptu re button.
To suspend the display of live data capture on the screen:
From the toolbar, click (Pause).
To resume the display of live data capture on the screen:
From the toolbar, click (Resume).
Recording Capture Data
Normally, the application automatically sends a ll data it has captured to the buffer. Due to
the buffer size, the application discards old data as new data come in. However, if you want
to retain data captured during a session, you can let the application send the data to the
system’s hard drive. This is the so-called “stream to file” feature.
To use this feature, you must set the Max Live Capture Streaming File Size (MB) which is
500 MB by default. You can set it to any value (up to 2 GB) as long as you have enough
hard drive space to accommodate it. This can be done using Configure>General>Max Live
Capture Streaming File Size (MB).
To record capture data:
1. Click (Start Recording).
2. When enough data has been col lected, click
Capture).
3. Save the file when prompted.
Note: All recorded data will be lost unless you save them to a file.
You can also add notes during a playback recording and later review these notes.
To do this, refer t o Adding Notes to Captured Data
(Stop Recording and Save
.
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Region Specific Scanning Control
If you are in regions with specific wireless range restrictions, you can specify precisely which
channels to be scanned in AirMagnet Spectrum XT by selecting the desired region from a
drop-down menu provided in the application’s configuration window. This streamlines the
process of narrowing down the channels needed, based on the area in which the network is
located to an easy one-click process.
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Remote Spectrum A nalysis
You can remotely log into the user interface and monitor ambient traffic patterns using a
separate computer. In order to connect to the Sp ect ru m X T remote interfa c e, you mu st
install AirMagnet Spectrum XT (including valid license) or a AirMagnet Spectrum XT ViewerOnly license (provided with the purchase of a valid AirMagnet Spectrum XT license) on the
second computer.
Note: Connecting to a remote system is not supported in a Network Address Translation
(NAT) environment.
To Connect to a Remote Host:
From the File menu, select Remote XT Connection> Connect to Remote Host.
Type the required remote connection information: Remote Host IP Address, Port Number
and (Security Password) Authentication key. Click Connect. Refer to "Setting up
Authentication Key on the Remote Host" below for information about the authentication ke y.
To Disconnect from Remote Host:
This connects the application from the remote Spectrum Analyzer mode. Live Capture will
be stopped.
From the File menu, select Remote XT Connection> Disconnect from Remote Host.
Setting up Authentication Key on the Remote Host:
Before connecting to a remote computer, you should have received an authentication key
from the remote user. The Remote user should set the authentication key with the Remote
Access Authentication menu which opens a dialog where the user can set t he authentication
key.
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From the File menu, select Remote XT Connection> Remote Access Authentication
Remote Access Authentication Screen
Saving Screen Data as Image Files
AirMagnet Spectrum X T allows you to save any chart or graph shown in the Graph Window
as an image file in any of the following four image formats:
.PNG
.BMP
.JPG
.GIF
To save a chart or graph as an image file:
1. From the graph window, right-click the chart or graph.
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2. From the pop-up menu, select Save Image As....
3. From the Save As dialog box, choose a location, name, and format for the file.
4. Click Save.
Selecting an 802.11 Radio Band
AirMagnet Spectrum XT can scan all available 802.11 radio bands. To enable you to conduct
more focused analysis of their spectrum and Wi-Fi environment. the application provides the
following five radio bands for easy selection:
Radio
Band
2.4
GHz
5 GHz
Lower
5 GHz
Middle
5 GHz
Upper
4.9
GHz
Mixed All radio frequencies
By default, the application scans the 2.4 GHz radio band when it is started. You can switch
to any of the other bands at any time using the Band drop-down list menu.
Frequency Range
(in GHz)
2.402 ~ 2.494 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
5.17 ~ 5.33 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64
5.49 ~ 5.71
5.735 ~ 5.835 149, 153, 157, 161, 165
4.91 ~ 4.99 184, 188,192, 196
listed above (except
4.9 GHz)
Applicable Channels (US/North
America only)
100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136,
140
All channels listed above (except 4.9 GHz)
To change to another radio band:
1. From the toolbar, click the Band button.
2. Select the desired band, as illustrated below.
SNMP Integration
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AirMagnet Spectrum XT p rovi des a MIB file (AirMagnetSpectrumInterferer.mib) that allows
AirMagnet Spectrum XT to send SNMP traps to multiple SNMP management stations when
an interferer is detected by AirMagnet Spectrum XT. When you receive a trap from the
AirMagnet Spectrum XT, it is possible to view detailed description of the trap in AirMagnet
Spectrum XT and thereby functioning of your wireless net wo rk.
To receive traps from the AirMagnet Spectrum XT on your SNMP management station, do the following:
• From the AirMagnet Spectrum XT launch the SNMP settings dialog box by clicking the
Settings>SNMP Settings menu. In the General tab specify the IP addresses of all your
SNMP management stations. You should select the check box Send SNMP Traps to send
the SNMP traps.
You can set various filters to control SNMP traps send by AirMagnet Spectrum XT as follows:
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1. Download the AirMagnetSpectrumInterferer.mib from the download page of
the AirMagnet Spectrum XT in your SNMP management station.
2. Compile the MIB file and enable your SNMP management station to receive
traps. Currently there is a trap that is generated by the AirMagnet Spectrum
XT for each detected device based on the Filter conditi ons set in the Filter
Tab.
The IANA assigned Private Enterprise Number for AirMagnet is 16603.
Trap Details generated by AirMagnet Spectrum XT:
Trap Number SNMP Trap-V2 Related Alarm Title of Dist AirMagnet
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1 amSpectrumTrap Interferer detected
The trap will have the following details:
Device Type
Device Identifier
Device Descri p ti on
First Seen Time
Last Seen Time
Channel
Max Power at the Channel
Average Power at the Channel
Center Frequency of the Channel
Specifying Record Sett ings
By default, AirMagnet Spectrum XT saves collected data in AirMagnet's .amt format.
However, the Record Options tab allows you to save information in .csv format for analysis
in other applications. It also allows you to activate the Capture Spectrogram Navigation
Data feature.
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Note: Files saved in .csv format cannot be played back using AirMagnet Spectrum XT.
To record .csv files:
1. From the Record Options tab, click the csv radio button.
2. Specify the folder in which the files should be saved, either by entering the
path manually or by clicking the Browse... button.
3. Enter a prefix for the files, if desired.
4. Specify the frequency with which t he files should be saved off.
5. Click OK to save the chan ges .
Using the Capture Spectrogram Navigation data checkbox:
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• When checked, recordings made afterwards will include Spectrogram data.
• When unchecked, recordings made afterwards will NOT include Spectrogram
data.
• This checkbox does not affect the access to Spectrogram Navigation feature,
but instead affects whether or not Spectro gram data is captured in
recordings. If a recording does NOT have spectrogram data, then you will not
be able to access the Spectrogram Navigation feature
greyed out) and vice-versa.
(icon will be
Using Easy View
The Easy View allows you to filter data to be displayed on the screen so that you can focus
more on data of interest. The Easy View button provides the following viewing options:
Spectrum View - (default) Displays the Real-Time FFT graph, along with the
Spectrum Density and AP Signal Strength graphs.
Density View - Displays the Spectrum Density graph, along with Channels
by Speed graph.
RF Usage View - Displays the Real-Time FFT, Spectrogram and Spectrum
Density graphs.
RF Channel View - Displays the Real-Time FFT, Channel Duty Cycle, and
Channel Power grap hs.
Device Occupancy View - Displays the Real-Time FFT and Channel
Occupancy graphs.
WiFi Device View - Displays the WiFi Devices table that list all Wi-Fi devices
(that is, APs, stations, and so on) detected on each channel.
Non-WiFi Device View - Displays the Non-WiFi Devices table that list all
non-Wi-Fi devices detected.
Add Current View... - Allows you to create a unique view option using w hat
is shown on the current sc reen and add it to the Easy Vie w menu.
Delete Custom Views... - Allows you to remove custom view options off the
Easy View menu.
Save Current View - Allows you to save any custom view you have created
and/or any configuration changes you have m ade in any graph currently
shown in the graph window.
Saved Custom View - Shows all custom view options the user has saved.
Changing View Options
By default, the application opens in the Spectrum View, but you can switch to any other
options in the Easy V iew menu.
To display data using Easy View:
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1. From the toolbar, click Easy View and select an option from the drop-down
menu. Refer to the illustration below.
Creating a Custom View Option
Since the application can display multiple graphs on one screen, you can display the graphs
of interest and save the current screen view as a custom view option and add it to the list of
option in the Easy View menu.
To create a custom view option:
1. Open the graphs of your choice on the screen.
2. Click Easy View and se l ect Add Current View... from the list menu. The
New Easy View window appears, as shown below.
3. Type a name for the n ew view and click OK.
Note: You can create more Easy View options by following the same steps outlined above.
All custom view options you create will be automatically appended to the end of the Easy
View list menu.
Deleting a Custom View Option
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Unlike those built-in Easy View options, the custom Easy View options can be deleted if
desired.
To delete a custom Easy View opt io n:
1. Click the Easy View button and se lect Delete Custom Views.... The Delete
Easy Views window appears.
2. Select the custom view option or options to be deleted and click Delete.
Resetting Collected Data
While the Pause/Resume Live Capture and Stop/Start Live Capture functions apply to
the entire application, the Reset Spectrum Data button applies only to the spectrum part
of the application. Clicking this button causes the applicatio n to discard all spectrum and WiFi data it has captured and then starts all over again. Although the effect is visible in all
parts of the user interface where spectrum data are shown, it has no effect on the Wi-Fi
data.
To reset data:
From the toolbar, click (Reset Data).
Virtual AP Grouping
AirMagnet Spectrum XT’s Virtual AP Grouping feature allows you to set up specific names for
single devices that use multiple SSIDs under different BSSIDs. These groups help you
identify instances where separate BSSIDs show up and appear to be several different
devices, when they actually belong to a single device.
Spectrum comes with several built-in “automatic” AP Group rules. If you enable them, they
will automatically group all devices meeting the criteria specified in the rule under a single
AP Group.
To configure AP Grouping settings:
1. From the Configure window, click the AP Grouping tab.
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2. This tab provides two different types of rules for gr ouping APs. See the
sections below for instructions on configuri ng each type.
Auto Group Rules
Configure different fields in the Auto AP Group Rules by clicking on the New button.
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Manual Group Rules
Manually add groups by clicking the New button for Manual Group and add a Group name
and AP Name.
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Assigning an AP Alias Name
You can assign an alias name to an Access Point (AP) to display that AP’s instance
throughout the user i nt erface with a user-friendly name.
To assign an AP Alias Name:
1. From the Toolbar, click Settings>Configure.
2. Click the AP Name tab, if not selected. Refer to the example below.
3. Type an Alias name in the Alias Name field.
4. Click the Show AP Alias Name check box.
5. Click Add.
6. Click OK.
Spectrum XT Report
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AirMagnet Spectrum XT Report will display a formatted report that summarizes RF spectrum
data such as any detected non-Wi-Fi interferers along with Wi-Fi data such as detected APs
(if a Wi-Fi adapter is active). The report may be printed and exported.
Export options: .pdf, .rtf, .doc, .xls, and .rpt.
To use the Report feature:
1. When installing AirMagnet Spectrum XT, accept the request to install the
report viewe r.
2. From the Navigation Bar, click Report.
3. Use the page forward and page back controls at the top of the report to
navigate from page to page.
4. The report menu bar also provides options to Print and Export.
The first time the report is opened, it takes a snapshot of the data at that time. To update
the data, click Refresh.
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Configuring FFT Window Types
You can choose the desired method to be used to process FFT data: Rectangular, Hamming,
Hann and Blackman Harris. Rectangular is the default.
1. From the Toolbar, click Settings>Configure.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Select the desired FFT Window Type from the drop-down menu.
When FFT is computed from a signal sample which is non-periodic, an effect known as
leakage, causes errors in amplitude and/or frequency. Windowing functions are used to
correct (or minimize) this problem. In the latest release, Spectrum XT offers user-selectable
FFT Windows. In previous versions of the Spectrum XT, a rectangular FFT Window was used
by default. Now, you have the choice between: Rectangular, Hamming, Hann and
Blackman-Harris FFT Window Types. You should choose the appropriate window function,
based on the input signal and/or specific application. FFT Windows do not eliminate leakage
entirely, but alters the shape of the leakage.
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The following FFT window types descriptions are excerpts from a Wikipedia article, Window
Function located at this Web address: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_function.
Rectangular Window
Rectangular window; B=1.00
The rectangular window (sometimes known as the boxcar or Dirichlet window) is the
simplest window, equivalent to replacing all but N values of a data sequence by zeros,
making it appear as though the waveform suddenly turns on and off. Other windows are
designed to moderate these sudden changes because discontinuities have undesirable
effects on the discrete-time Fourier transform (DTFT) and/or the algorithms that produce
samples of the DTFT.
Hann Window
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Hann window; B = 1.50
Note that:
The ends of the cosine just touch zero, so the side-lobes roll off at about 18 dB per octave.
The Hann and Hamming windo ws, both of which are in the family known as "raised cosine"
or "generalized Hamming" windows, are respectively named after Julius von Hann and
Richard Hamming. The erroneous term "Hanning window" is sometimes used to refer to the
Hann window.
Hamming Window
Hamming window; B=1.37
The "raised cosine" with these particular coefficients was proposed by Richard W. Hamming.
The window is optimized to minimize the maximum (nearest) side lobe, giving it a height of
about one-fifth that of the Hann window, a raised cosine with simpler coefficients.
Note that:
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Blackman–Harris window
Configuration a nd Management
Blackman–Harris window; B=2.01
A generalization of the Hamming family, produced by adding more s hifte d sinc functions,
meant to minimize side-lobe levels.
Channel Duty Cycle Power Thresh old
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Use this option to setup the integrated power threshold level that will count towards the
duty cycle calculation.
• All received integrated channel power in a 20MHz bandwidth above the
threshold level will be counted in the duty cycle calculation.
• All received integrated channel power in a 20MHz bandwidth below the
threshold level will not be counted in the duty cycle calculation.
• The default value for the channel utilization power threshold is -85 dBm.
• The default value for the channel ut i lization threshold is -85 dBm.
1. From the Toolbar, click Settings>Configure.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Adjust the threshold level value as desired.
4. Click OK.
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Spectrum Graphs
AirMagnet Spectrum XT has the capability to capture spectrum data from various radio
devices and display the data in the following graphs:
Real Time FFT
Spectrum Densi ty
Spectrogram
Channel Power
Channel Duty Cycle
Non-WiFi Devices
Event Spectrogram
Interference Power
Channel Duty Cycle vs Time
Interference Power vs Time
Real Time FFT
The Real-Time FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) graph displays in real time the value of RF
power as a function of radio frequency. The X-axis shows the frequency range of each
channel in the selected radio band; the Y-axis shows power reading s in d Bm .
Real Time FFT Graph
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The Real Time FFT graph can display four types of spectrum data that are color-coded. The
number of data types displayed depends on the configuration settings.
Real Time
FFT Graph
Parameters
Color
Yellow Max-hold The highest power readings that have been recorded since
Red Max The maximum power in the RF Spectrum of a single
Green Average The average historical power readings recorded since the
Spectrum
Data
Description
the session began.
channel sweep. Each FFT consists of 256 samples in 6.4
microseconds. A 100ms dwell on a channel results in
15,625 FFTs.
beginning of the session.
Blue Current
You can see a brief text description of the spectrum data such as the Maximum, Average,
and Current power readings as well as the radio f requency using the tool tip which, if
enabled, it will pop up where you place the causer in graph.
Using Tool Tip
The tool tip shows the following information about the point of interest in the Real-Time FFT
graph:
The last sampling power in the RF Spectrum of a single
channel sweep.
Note: The Current option is disabled by default; it can be
enabled by modifying the Graph Options.
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•
(RF) Frequency
Max-hold (power reading)
•
•
Maximum (power reading)
•
Average (power reading)
•
Current (power reading - if enabled)
Technically, the power range in the Real Time FFT graph can be set as low as -140 dBm
(Minimum Power) and/or as high as 0 dBm (Peak Power). When a narrower power range is
used, for example, -120 dBm ~ -30 dBm, you may notice some discrepancy between what
is shown in the Real Time FFT graph and what is displayed in the tool tip when the actual
power readings fall beyond either or both the Minimum Power and/or Peak Power limit. For
instance, if the power range is set between -120 dBm and -20 dBm, you will not be able to
see any power reading lower than -120 in the graph because it falls beyond the Minimum
Power. However, you will be able to see the actual power readings in the tool tip even when
they fall outside the specified power range because the tool tip is not affected by the power
range set for the Real Time FFT graph.
The power readings s hown in the tool tip are not updated in real time and may not match
what is shown in the Real Time FFT graph.
Channel Duty Cycle Overlay on FFT Graph
The FFT Graph can be configured to show an overlay of Channel Duty Cycle data. This
setting option is added to the FFT Chart Configuration settings as “Show Duty Cycle.”
With this option enabled, the duty cycle data will overlay the FFT graph as semi-transparent
bars. Both Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi data are displayed as indicated by the legend in the upper
right of the graph. The Duty Cycle percentage is shown on the far right Y-axis.
FFT Graph Showing Channel Duty Cycl e
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Note: This option can be fairly CPU-intensive; consequen t l y, you can
Setting FFT Graph Parameters
In the upper-right corner of the Real Time FFT graph comes with a Configuration button
which allows you to set or change a number of parameters in the Real Time FFT graph.
To configure Real-Time FFT graph parameters:
1) From the upper-right corner of the Real Time FFT graph, click (Chart
Configuration). The Real-Time FFT Configuration dialog box appears.
Configuring Real Time FFT Configuration Dialogue Box
2) Make the entries and/or selections as described in the following table.
3) Click Apply and then OK.
Setting Real
Time FFT
Graph
Parameters
Description
Parameter
Show Area
Fill
Enables or disables the graph’s ability to fill the area below the displayed
line.
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experience improved application performance if this is set to No.
Show
Average
Show
Current
Show DFS
Show Duty
Cycle
Allows you to show or hide the average power readings in the FFT graph.
Click in the field a nd use the down arrow to select either of the following:
•
Yes - Displays the average power readings.
No - Hides the average power readings.
•
Allows you to show or hide the current power readings in the FFT graph.
Click in the field a nd use the down arrow to select either of the following:
•
Yes - Displays the current power readings.
No - Hides the cu rr en t pow e r rea d in g s.
•
When you have selected a band including Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)
channels, the Show DFS option appears on the Real Time FFT Configuration
window. Select one of the following:
• Yes - Displays the DFS channel rang e.
•
No - Hides the DFS channel range.
The duty cycle data will overlay the FFT graph as semi -transparent bars
• Yes - Displays the duty cycle overlay.
No - Hides the duty cycle overlay.
•
Show Maxhold
Allows you to show or hide the max-hold power readings in the FFT
graph. Click in the field and use the down arrow to select either of the
following:
• Yes - Displays the max-hold power readings.
• No - Hides the max-hold power readings.
Show
Maximum
Allows you to show or hide the maximum power readings in the FFT
graph. Click in the field and use the down arrow to select either of the
following:
• Yes - Displays the maximum power readings.
• No - Hides the maximum power readings.
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Enable
Marker
Allows you to enable or disable the marker or markers (which is or are
tiny blue dots) on the FFT graph. The marker or markers help you to
highlight a specific point of interest in the FFT graph. Click in the field
and use the down arrow to select either of the following:
• Yes - Displays the marker. If selected, You then have to
specify a marker type which can be Single or Delta. See
below.
• No - Hides the marker.
Marker Type Used only when you select True in the Enable Marker field. It allows you
to choose between Single and Delta. The former only shows one marker,
as the name suggests. The latter shows two markers: one of them stays
at a fixed location on the FFT graph while the other can be dragged
around. To effe ct i vely use this feature, you should start with a Single
marker and drag it to a point of interest on the FFT graph. Then select
Delta to bring up the second marker. This will cause the first marker to
remain fixed at where you leave it. You can then drag the second marker
to compare the power readings between a fixed data point and any other
data point on the FFT graph.
Click in the field and use the down arrow to select either of the following:
Spectrum
Type
• Single - Displays a single maker which can dragged to any
point of interest on the FFT graph.
• Delta - Displays two markers: one fixed at a particular
location and the other can be dragged across the FFT plot for
comparison. See the above paragraph.
Note: When Marker is enabled, power readings of the data points marked
by the markers also appear in the upper-left corner of the FFT graph.
Allows you to decide where (which part of the FFT graph) the marker or
markers should fall. Click in the field and use the down arrow to select
one of the following:
•
Current - Places the marker or markers on the Current power
readings. (The marker may jumps up and down as the curve
line changes, because this curve reflects the real-time change
of power readings across the spectrum.)
• Average - Places the marker or markers on the Average
power reading s .
• Maximum - Places the marker or markers on the Maximum
power reading s .
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Enable Tool
Tip
Minimum
Power
Peak Power Allows you to set or change the maximum power level on the Y-axis. By
Start
Frequency
Allows you to show or hide the tool tip (on the FFT graph), which
provides the current, average, and maximum power readings as well as
the frequency at the point the cursor rests upon. Click in the field and
use the down arrow to select either of the following:
• Yes - Shows the tool tip.
• No - Hides the tool tip.
Allow syou to set or change the minimum power level on the Y-axis. By
default, it is set at -120 dBm, but it can be set to as low as -140 dBm.
Highlight the existing value and override it with a new value.
default, it is set at -20 dBm, but you can change it to any value le ss than
0 dBm. Highlight the existing value and override it with a new value.
Allows you to set or change the start point of a frequency range.
Highlight the existing value and override it with a new value.
Stop
Frequency
The text message at the bottom of the Real Time FFT Configuration dialog box changes with
the parameter you select. It provides a brief description of the parameter being selected.
Allows you to set or change the end point of a frequency range. Highlight
the existing value and override it with a new value.
Spectrum Density
The Spectrum Density graph shows the “popularity” of a particular frequency/power reading
over time. The X-axis shows the frequency or channel for the selected 802.11 radio band;
the Y-axis shows the minimum and maximum power readings in dBm. Refer to the
illustration below.
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Viewing AP Signal Strengths Across Frequency Range
You can also display the signal strengths of APs selected from the Device List on the left.
The signal strengths of the selected APs are projected over the Spectrum Density graph in
the form of curves across the corresponding frequency range used by the APs. Notice that
the selected APs and their signal strength readings are color-coded with matching colors for
easy identification. Refer to the illustration below.
Note: The AP signal strength curves are based on Wi-Fi data captured by the wireless
network adapter in use and may not completely match the data in the Spectrum Density
graph. As illustrated above, AP signal strengths as represented by the colored curves appear
higher than the maximum signal strength shown in the Spe ctrum Density graph. This is
because AP signal strengths (and the curve representing them) are based on RSSI data
captured by the external wireless network adapter. While RSSI is usually calculated over a
packet or averaged over multiple packets, RF power as measured by the spectrum analysis
engine includes packets and background no ise, plus RF silence in between the packets. For
this reason, it is no surprise that the RSSI value (the AP curve in this case) differs from the
peak of the spectrum graph for the same AP.
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Percentage) to red (Maximum Percentage). Click in the field and use
Setting or Changing Spectrum Density Plot Parameters
You can change the settings of the Spectrum Density plot using the (Chart
Configuration) button in the upper-right corner of the Spectrum Density plot.
To Change the settings of the Spectrum Density plot:
1. Click the Configure Plot button to open the Spectrum Density Configuration
dialog box, as illustrated below.
2. Make the desired changes as described in the table below.
3. Click Apply and then OK.
Parameter Description
Color Scale
Mode
This options allo w s you t o set or change the color scale modes of the
Spectrum Density plot. As indicated by the legend in the upper-right
corner of the plot, the color scale mode range from blue (Minimum
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the down arrow to select either of the following:
Auto - (Default) If selected, the application will
Manual - If selected, you can manual l y set or change the
Once the Minimum Percentage and Maximum Percentage values are
set, any values that fall outside the range will be ignored by the
Spectrum Density plot. Those that are below the Minimum Percentage
value will show as blue while those that are above the Maximum
Percentage value will show as red on the Spectrum Density plot.
automatically and dynamically change the color scale on
the Spectrum Density plot.
Maximum Percentage and/or Minimum Percentage
values. Highlight the existing Minimum Percentage and
Maximum Percentage values and override them with
new values.
Maximum
Percentage
Minimum
Percentage
Minimum
Power
Peak Power This option allows you to set or change the Peak Power value in dBm
Start
Frequency
Stop
Frequency
This option allows you to set or change the maximum percentage
value (shown on the right-hand side) of the color scale. It is 100 by
default, but you ca n cha nge this value to any v alue if you select
Manual in the Color Scale Mode. Simply highlight the existing value
and override it with a new value.
The minimum percentage ( shown on the left-hand side) of the color
scale. It is 0 by default, but you can change it to any value between 0
and 100, if you select Manual in the Color Scale Mode. Simply highlight
the existing value and override it with a new value.
This option allows you to set or change the Minimum Power value in
dBm in the Y-axis of the Spectrum Density plot. By default, the
Minimum Power value is -120, but you can change it to any value as
low as -140.
in the Y-axis of the Spectrum Density plot. By default, the Peak Power
value is -20, but you can change it t o any value less than 0 dBm.
Highlight the existing Peak Power value and override with a new value.
This option allows you to set or change the start point of a frequenc y
range. Highlight the existing value and override it with a new value.
This option allows you to set or change the end point of a frequency
range. Highlight the existing value and override it with a new value.
Note: You can get some rough idea about any parameter you highlight fro m t he b rief
description at the bottom of the screen.
Spectrogram
The Spectrogram graph provides another way to present the same data as shown in the
Real-Time FFT graph. It allows you to visualize the changes in the spectrum over a period of
time and to easily identify any shift in frequency use and the duration of such shifts. The Xaxis shows the frequency range covered by the selected radio band. The Y-axis shows in
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real time the number of sweeps the spectrum adapter scans the RF spectrum, which ranges
from 0 to 100. Refer to the illustration below.
Each time the adapter scans the RF spectrum makes one sweep cycle, which is represented
by a horizontal (colored) line across the spectrogram plot. The spectrogram scrolls
dynamically upward as the application scans the spectrum. New data a ppea r at the bottom
of the graph while old data are constantly pushed to the top.
The sweep cycle values are mapped to a rang e of colors which corr esponds to col or ran g e
shown in the color legend in the upper-right corner of the graph. Blue represents the
Minimum power values while red represents the Maximum power values.
Setting or Changing Spectrogram Parameters
You can change the settings of the Spectrogram using the (Chart Configuration)
button in the upper-right corner of the Spectrogram graph.
To Change the settings of the Spectrogram graph:
1. Click the Chart Configuration button to open the Spectrogram Configuration
window. Refer to the illustration below.
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Y-Axis Label
This setting allows you to choose the type of data to be displayed on
2. Make the selections and/or entries as described in the table below.
3. Click Apply and then OK.
Parameter Description
View Type This option allows you to decide which type of spectrum data to be
displayed on the Spectrogram. Click in the field and use the down
arrow to select one of the following:
Current - Plots Current power readings on the
Spectrogram.
Average - Plots the Average power readi n g s on t h e
Spectrogram.
Maximum - Plots the Maximum power readings on the
Spectrogram.
Duty Cycle - Plots Duty Cycle readings on the
Spectrogram.
Scroll Type This option allows you to set the direction in which the graph scrolls
(for example, up or down).
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Type
the Y-axis of the Spectrogram graph. There are three choices:
Sweep Cycle - Shows the number of scans of the
spectrogram.
Relative Time - Shows the time relative to the start of
either the Spectrum XT or a live capture session (which
is 00:00:00 by default). For example, a value of
00:00:05 means five seconds after the start of the
spectrogram, a value of 00:00:10 means 10 minutes
after the start of the spectrogram, and so on.
System Time - Shows the time of the system (that is,
your laptop PC) on which S p ectrum XT is running.
Maximum This option allows you to set or change the maximum power value in
dBm in the Spectrogram graph. By default, the Maximum Power value
is -20, but you can change it to any value less than 0 dBm. The
Maximum value appears on the right-hand end of the color scale. Any
value that exceeds the set maximum will appear in red. Highlight the
existing Maximum value and override with a new value.
Minimum This option allows you to set or change the Minimum Power value in
dBm in the Spectrogram graph. By default, the Minimum Power value
is -100 dBm, but you can change it to any value as low as -140. The
Minimum value Specify the minimum value of the color scale, which
can be equal to or greater than -140 dBm.
Starting
Frequency
Stop
Frequency
Note: You can get some rough idea about any parameter yo u highlight from the br ie f
description at the bottom of the screen.
This option allows you to set or change the start point of a frequency
range. Highlight the existing value and override it with a new value.
This option allows you to set or change the end point of a frequency
range. Highlight the existing value and override it with a new value.
Channel Power
The Channel Power graph shows the maximum and av erage power levels acro ss all channels
in the selected radio band. The X-axis shows all available channels for the selected radio
band and the y-axis shows the rough energy readings. Refer to the illustration below.
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The Channel Power can be defined either as Envelope or Integrated. Envelope power is
defined as the maximum, or peak, energy level in a channel’s frequency range. Integrated
power is similar, and is defined as the average power of all frequency power levels in a
channel’s frequency range. In the bar chart, the Max bar corresponds to the Max data line
on the FFT chart, while the Avg bar corresponds to the Average data line on the FFT graph.
With the chart set to the Envelope power type, the Max bar will show the dBm power of the
strongest received signal within the 20MHz channel frequency width as recorded by the Max
data line in the FFT chart, while the Avg bar will show the highest dB m value of the Average
data line for the same channel frequency width.
With the chart set to the Integrated power type, the application first samples the data from
the Max and Average data lines in the FFT graph, then calculates the average power of all
the sampled frequencies within the 20MHz channel frequency width. These values are then
represented by the Max and Avg bars in the chart.
Note: If you place the cursor over a channel, a tooltip will pop up showing the Maximum
and Average power readings on that channel.
Setting or Changing Channel Power Parameters
You can change the settings of the graph using the (Chart Configuration) button in
the upper-right corner of the Channel Power graph.
1. Click the Chart Configuration button in the upper-right corner of the grap h
to bring up the Channel Power Configuration dialog box. Refer to the
illustration below.
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an entire frequency ran g e. Refer to the description at
2. Make the selections and/or entries as described in the table below.
3. Click Apply and then OK.
Parameter Description
Show
Average
Show
Maximum
Channel
Power Type
This option allows the user to show or hide the average power (aqua)
readings in the graph. Click in the field and select one of the following:
True - Shows the average power in the graph (default).
False -Hides the average power in the graph.
This option allows the user to show or hide the maximum power (blue)
readings in the graph. Click in the field and select one of the following:
True - Shows the maximum power in the graph
(default).
False - Hides the maximum power in the graph.
Envelope - The highest energy reading that has been
reached at a particular frequency with a frequency
range. See the description at the top of the page.
Integrated - The total summation of energy reading of
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the top of the page.
Minimum
Power
Peak Power This option allows you to set or change the Peak Power value in dBm
Start
Channel
Stop
Channel
This option allows you to set or change the Minimum Po wer value in
dBm in the Y-axis of the Spectrum Density plot. By default, the
Minimum Power value is -120, but you can change it to any value as
low as -140.
in the Y-axis of the Spectrum Density plot. By default, the Peak Power
value is -20, but you can change it t o any value less than 0 dBm.
Highlight the existing Peak Power value and override with a new value.
This is the first channel in the range of channels to be selected.
Highlight the existing value and override it with a new value.
This is the last channel in the range of channels to selected. Highli ght
the existing value and override it with a new value.
Channel Duty Cycle
This screen shows the percentage of time that the RF energy is present in the channel
above the noise floor. The duty cycle calculation is done by summing up the duration of all
pulses that are detected within the bandwidth of a channel. There are actually two
accumulators, one for pulses that are determined to be 802.11 pulses and another for
pulses that are not 802.11 packets. The WLAN duty factor (or channel utilization as we
refer to it) is computed by dividing the accumulated 802.11 WLAN pulse time by the time
the radio was dwelling on tha t channel. The non-WLAN duty factor is computed by dividing
the accumulated time of non-WLAN pulses with the total channel dwell time. Refer to the
illustration below.
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by stacked column, the data for Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi data will be
Note: If you place the cursor over a channel, a tooltip will pop up showing the Maximum
and Current power re adings on that channel.
Setting or Changing Channel Duty Cycle Graph Parameters
You can change the settings of the graph using the (Configure) button in the upperright corner of the C hannel Power graph.
To set or change Channel Duty Cycle graph parameters:
1. From the upper-right corner of t he Channel Duty Cycle graph, click the
Configuration button to bring up the Channel Duty Cycle Configuration
dialog box.
2. Make the selections and/or entries as described in the table below.
3. Click Apply and then OK.
Parameter Description
Chart Type Toggles between column and stacked column displays. When viewing
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displayed in a single column, with Wi-Fi data stacked on top of the
non-Wi-Fi information.
Show Non-
Enables or disables display of non-W-iFi data.
WiFi
Show WiFi Enables or disables display of Wi-Fi data.
Maximum
Percentage
The highest percentag e va lue on the Y-axis. By default, the Maximum
Percentage is 100. The application will discard any value that exceeds
the Maximum Percentage. To change this value, highlight t h e existing
value and override it with a new value.
Minimum
Percentage
The lowest percentage value on the Y-axis. By default, it is 0, but you
can change it to any value greater than 0. Any value below the set
Minimum Percentage will be discarded. To change this value, highlight
the existing value and override it with a new value.
Start
Channel
Stop
Channel
This is the first channel in the range of channe ls to be selected.
Highlight the existing value and override it with a new value.
This is the last channel in the range of channels to selected. Highlight
the existing value and override it with a new value.
Non-Wi-Fi Interference
The Non-Wi-Fi Devices table displays all non-Wi-Fi devices that the application has detected
in the network environment. The devices are organized in the following categories:
•
Bluetooth Devices
Digital Cordless Phones
•
Analog Cordless Phones
•
Wireless Cameras
•
Microwave Ovens
•
Baby Monitors
•
Digital Video Monitors
•
Wireless Game Controllers
•
RF Jammers
•
Zigbee Devices
•
Non-Bluetooth Wireless Mouse
•
Motion Detector
•
Radar
•
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Non-WiFi Devices
The Non-WiFi Devices table shows the following information about each non-WiFi device
that are listed:
Name (Device Type) - The device category a device belongs to (refer to the bullet list
•
above).
•
Peak Power dBm - The highest energy reading in dBm ever recorded of device.
•
Avg Power dBm - The average energy reading in dBm of the device.
•
First Seen Time - The time when the device was detected for the first time.
•
Last Seen Time - The most recent time when the device was detected.
•
Event Count - The number of times the device was detected (refer to the Event
Spectrogram).
•
Last Seen Channel - The channel on which the device was last detected.
•
Affected Channels - Channels that are affected by the device.
•
Center Frequency GHz - The center frequency used by the device.
•
Duty Cycle - The percentage of time that the RF energy is present in the channel above
the noise floor.
•
Is Active - Indicates if the device is active or not. You’ll see a check mark if it is active,
or a cross mark if otherwise.
•
Is Hopping - Indicates if the device is a frequency-hopping device. You’ll see a check
mark if it is a frequency-hopping device, or a cross mark if it is otherwise.
Event Spectrogram
The Event Spectrogram provides a visual presentation of real-time information about events
(device detections) that the application has made in the network. Each detection is an event
which is represented by a color band. The color of the band indicates the signal strength of
the device being detected (refer to the signal scale on top of the graph). If more detections
are made of the same device as the application sweeps the spectrum, the band will become
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thicker (taller). The height of the color band indicates the (length of time in seconds the
device has been detected. It stops increasing when the device becomes inactive (meaning
that the device has not been detected for a minute). The width of the line/band indicates
the channels or frequencies being affected by the device. If the device is a frequencyhopping device, then the band may extend sideways as the device hops from one channel to
another.
Note: If you place the cursor over the line/band, a tooltip will pop up showing some basic
information about that device, such as the type of the device, its peak power, and the time
of it being detected.
Configuring Event Spectrogram
In the upper-right corner of the plot is a configuration but t on which allows you to confi g ure
and change a number of parameters in the Event Spectrogram plot.
To set or change parameters in the Event Spectrogram plot:
1. Click (Chart Configuration). The Event Spectrogram Configuration
dialog box opens. Refer to the illustration below.
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2. Make the desired changes to the following parameters:
Maximum - The maximum energy level to show in the Event
Spectrogram, which is on the red end of the color legend.
Minimum - The minimum energy level to show in the Event
Spectrogram, which is on the blue end of the color lege nd.
Start Frequency - The lowest frequency of the frequency range.
Stop Frequency - The highest frequency of the frequency range.
3. Click OK when done.
Inter ference Power
The Interference Power chart provides a quick display of all devices, both Wi-Fi and non-WiFi, that are causi ng po te nt i al interference i n t he wireless spectrum. Using t hi s function, you
can quickly identif y which channels are experiencing unusually high levels of network
interference and plan or adjust the deployment accordingly.
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As noted in the color legend above the main portion of the chart, the yellow points on the
graph represent the current signal strength of the strongest AP detect ed on each channel;
hovering over the point provides the device’s name and MAC address. The point’s location
on the chart indicates the level of interference that it is experiencing; as the interference
level climbs, the device’s performance can suffer as a result.
Non-Wi-Fi devices are color-coded to make it easy for users to quickly assess which devices
are present at any given time. Hovering over the color bar of a given interferer provides a
pop-up display that indicates the level of interference caused by the device as well as the
device’s type (if known).
Configuring the Interference Power Display
In the upper-right corner of the plot is a configuration button which allows you to configure
and change a number of parameters in the Interference Power plot.
To set or change parameters in the Interference Power plot:
1. Click the Chart Configuration button in the upper-righ t co rn e r. Th e
Interference Power Configuration dialog box opens.
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2. Make the desired changes to the following parameters:
Minimum Power—The minimum power level that will be displayed on the
graph.
Peak Power—The maximum power level that will be displayed on the graph.
Start Channel—The first channel that will be displayed.
Stop Channel—The last channel that will be displayed.
3. Click OK when done
Channel Duty Cycle vs Time
The Channel Duty Cycle vs Time graph shows the recorded duty cycle over the course of
time, allowing you to easily identify channels that are experiencing a high percentage of
traffic steadily over for an extended period. The X-axis shows the amount of time elapsed
and the Y-axis displays the duty cycle percentage.
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As shown above, the graph will display up to three channels at a time in color-coded lines.
The channels can be modified via the chart configuration, as explained below.
Configuring Channel Duty Cycle vs Time
You can set or change the pa rameters in the Channel D ut y Cycle vs Time graph using t he
Chart Configuration button.
To configure Channel Duty Cycle vs Time graph parameters:
1. From the upper-right corner of the graph, click Chart Configuration. The
Channel Duty Cycle vs Time Configuration dialog box appears.
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2. Make the desired selections and/or entries as described in the table below.
3. Click Apply and then OK.
Parameter Description
Trend Options Use these fields to specify the channels that should be
displayed in the graph. You can select up to three channels at
any single time.
Show
First/Second/Third
Trace
Maximum
Percentage
These fields activate or deactivate the trace options specified in
the first portion of the configuration. Select ‘Yes’ to activate
(for example., display) each trace as needed. Selecting ‘No’ will
remove the trace from the graph.
Allows you to specify the maximum percentage to be displayed
in the graph. Highlight the existing value and then over ride it
with a new value.
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Minimum
Percentage
Time Interval
(Secs)
Allows your to specify the minimum percentage to be displayed
in the graph. Highlight the existing value and then override it
with a new value.
The maximum number of seconds that will be displayed on the
chart at any given time.
Inter ference Power vs. Time
The Interference Power vs. Time graph provides a visual representation of the length of
time in which interferers are active. This graph displays non-Wi-Fi interference only , and can
help you identify non-802.11 interferers that are active consistently over time.
By default, the graph is set to display interferers separated into individual channels,
allowing you to troubleshoot problems on up to three channels at a time. This configurat i on
can be modified, however, to display lines for each interferer present instead, making it
significantly easier to identify multiple sources of interference as well as their impact on the
network. Hovering over the lines in the graph provides additional details regarding the
information displayed, including interference level and the type of interferer (if known).
Configuring the Interference Power vs Time Graph
As mentioned above, the configuration menu for the Interference Power vs Time graph
allows the user to alternate between displaying interference data by channel and by device
type. Refer to the table below for specific options that can be configured in the graph, as
shown below.
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Parameter Description
Trend Type
Trend Options
Show
First/Second/Third
Trace
Maximum Power
Select whether to display data by channe l or by device as
desired.
Depending on the selection made in the Trend Type field, these
fields allow you to select the channels or devices that should
be displayed.
These fields activate or deactivate the trace options specified in
the first portion of the configuratio n. Select ‘Yes’ to activate for
example, display) each trace as needed. Selecting ‘No’ will
remove the trace from the graph.
Allows you to specify the maximum power to be displayed in
the graph. Highlight the existing value and then override it
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with a new value.
Minimum Power Allows you to specify the minimum power to be displayed in
the graph. Highlight the existing value and then override it
with a new value.
Time Interval
(Secs)
The maximum number of seconds that will be displayed on the
chart at any given time.
BlueSweep Integration
BlueSweep is designed to identify nearby devices using Bluetooth wireless technology and
alert you to potential Bluetooth security risks. It identifies and tracks devices up to 300 feet
away and informs you of the activity of their own Bluetooth devices.
Additional Bluetooth Analysis
AirMagnet Spectrum XT offers enhanced Bluetooth interferer information using an optional
Windows-compatible Bluetooth adapter. The enhanced information includes details on the
name, ID, services, and so on. for Bluetooth devices.
You can either use the Bluetooth adapter that is built into their PC or you can use an
external adapter.
Note: We recommend that you always use the Microsoft driver for Bluetooth devices
instead of the vendor-supplied driver. Refer to the Microsoft's website to obtain drivers.
For effective customized signature detection and classification, we recommend that you not
insert the optional Bluetooth adapter at the same time.
BlueSweep Act ive
BlueSweep Inactive
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BlueSweep Integration Screen
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