If the computer operating system is Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT,
Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows XP, or Linux, the Link
Status Meter (LSM) graphically monitors the signal quality and signal strength
between the client adapter and an associated Access Point. The LSM utility is
used to determine the performance of the RF link between the client adapter and
its associated Access Point.
The Link Status Meter screen provides a
graphical display of the following:
Signal strength – the strength of the client adapter radio signal at
the time packets are being received. It is displayed as a percentage along the
vertical axis.
Signal quality – the quality of the client adapter radio signal at
the time packets are being received. It is displayed as a percentage along the
horizontal axis.
To open LSM in Windows, double-click the LSM icon on the ACU main
screen.
A diagonal line represents the combined result of the signal
strength and signal quality. Where the location of the line falls on the
graphical display determines whether the RF link between the client adapter and
its associated AP is poor, fair, good, or excellent.
This information
can be used to help determine the optimum number and placement of APs in the RF
network. By using LSM to assess the RF link at various locations, it is
possible to avoid areas where performance is weak and eliminate the risk of
losing the connection between the client adapter and the AP.
The AP that
is associated to the client adapter and its MAC address are indicated at the
bottom of the display.
Students will use the ACU utilities to assess the
performance of the Radio Frequency (RF) link. The ACU utilities will also be
used to view the status, statistics, and link status of the wireless
network.
Students will use the ADU to assess the performance of the Radio Frequency
(RF) link. The ADU will also be used to view the general and advanced
transmit/receive statistics, adapter information, and run and analyze
troubleshooting reports.
Interactive Activity: Link Status Meter and Free
Space Loss Simulator
This activity is a simulator of the Cisco Aironet
Link Status Meter (LSM) showing how signal strength is dependent on the
distance between the two laptops and signal quality.