wifi scanning

[xero01uk]

Im wondering if there isn any kind of program out there that will be able to tell me which channels are being used by other wifi users in my block, as i want to make sure i pick a channel that isnt being used..


thanks

[southwell]

Netstumbler might do the job for you, i can't remember if it shows channels though.

The best channels are: 1, 6 and 11.

[Raistlin]

Moved to 'Networking'.

Netstumbler will do what you're wanting to do, and it does show the channel numbers.

[xero01uk]

thanks guys

---------- Post added at 10:58 ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 ----------

ohh well that didnt work, my wifi adapter isnt supported..

[Raistlin]

Not good.

Options:

1. Borrow a laptop/machine with a supported adaptor;
2. Get yourself a copy of Linux and Kismet;
3. Use the wireless tools built into a security distribution like Back|Track.

Note that 1 would be the easiest, 2 would be reasonably simple, and 3's probably going to give you a headache.

[xero01uk]

ohh balls to it then lol i'll just leave it on channel 1 and be done lol

[southwell]

do a ping test and see if you get any high pings.

Will be something like: ping 192.168.1.1 /t (ip is your gateway)

This is loop a ping to your router. You should see constant low pings <1ms roughly.
If you get fluctuating pings the channel could have other different routers on it. Then you can change until it gets consistently low.

[altis]

Ah, what you need is a Wi-Spy!

http://www.wi-spy.co.uk/

http://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/72-...ser/dp/IN05456

Every wi-fi card I've used has some sort of configuration utility that lets you look at what channels are available. Here's a screen grab from one I use:



Crowded round here init! I've actually seen one more than that too. So there's no way I'd just fit and forget.

[v0id]

You're publishing your neighbours mac addresses on a public forum? Not cool

[altis]

Yer, but those are wifi addresses and little to do with their internet connection. All this info is freely available to anyone who stands outside with a scanner.

Anyway, for your comfort, I've blurred the MAC addresses.

[Matth]

Dimwitted channel planning, wrong equipment & settings or what.
http://paradigma.pt/ja/slog/index.ph...s-overlap.html
Bigger - http://paradigma.pt/ja/slog/wp-conte...hannel-map.JPG
For a start, the UK/ETSI allocation is 1-13, not 1-11, but there are too many only implementing / set to 1-11 to gain much from the 1-13 allocation.

A spacing of 5 is required for no overlap, giving the ever popular 1-6-11 layout.
A spacing of 4 has minimal overlap, giving the optimum 1-5-9-13 layout for the 13 channel allocation, though 9 tends to be the centre of microwave oven interference.
A spacing of 3 (some overlap) gives the compromise 1-4-7-11 4 channel lineup.

At a spacing of 2, one sideband fully overlaps another, so those using channel 3 in that setup are not doing anyone any favours, as they will be going badly over CH1 and moderately over CH6.

If not close to a CH11 user, then using CH13 may be better.

[altis]

Ah but, the actual power on each channel will follow the usual sin(x)/x hump so that the situation is not as bad as it seems.

That said, the licence-free ISM band was never intended to carry as much traffic as it does. No wonder we are having probs.