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Cisco AP Capture Adapter

Unleash Your Access Point’s Hidden Powers

Your wireless network is finally deployed, and management is singing its praises. Infrastructure changes were minimal, deployment costs were right on budget, and data is flowing from all corners of the campus. More users begin to access the network. New services, like wireless VoIP, are rolled out. And now the fun really begins. Throughput drops during peak usage. Users complain of connectivity problems. You’ve already worn through a pair of shoes tracking down these problems, and now you’re working on your second–in 3 months! Why not take advantage of what you already have–your existing WLAN–and troubleshoot problems from your desk rather than getting your exercise while on the job?

Leverage your existing assets

The WildPackets Cisco AP Capture Adapter allows existing Cisco managed APs to be temporarily converted to packet capture devices, forwarding all of their packets back to OmniPeek via TCP/IP over the wired network. Rapid access to packets anywhere in the sphere of wireless deployment is just a few clicks away with the WildPackets Cisco AP Capture Adapter.

Capture data at the source

Wireless networks are extremely sensitive to the surrounding environment. When troubleshooting, it’s best to capture wireless data at the source whenever possible. How much closer can you get to the source than the AP itself? Though the AP will not be able to act as a network device while in capture mode, it will continue to see all packets just as before, without altering the “topography” of the environment in any way.

Aggregate data from multiple collection points

The WildPackets Cisco AP Capture Adapter with OmniPeek is the only solution that allows for packet streams from multiple Cisco APs to be aggregated within a single OmniPeek capture, simplifying data collection and analysis, allowing you to view all wireless data including channels 1, 6 and 11 simultaneously.

Eliminate the need for "overlay" networks

Deploying "overlay" networks, a network of sensors designed to sit alongside your wireless network strictly for monitoring purposes, can be very costly. Not only is there the initial capital expense, but now you have a second wireless network to maintain. With the WildPackets Cisco AP Capture Adapter, the need for overlay networks is eliminated–the existing AP deployment can be used for both networking and troubleshooting.

Troubleshoot efficiently and effectively–in real time

With OmniPeek and the WildPackets Cisco AP Capture Adapter, packet captures can be started the instant a problem is reported, both at the wireless source and on the wired network segment, significantly increasing the chances of capturing the environment while the problem is occurring. OmniPeek is the only product that enables simultaneous packet captures from multiple network interfaces, a critical factor in successful wireless troubleshooting.

To learn more about WildPackets Cisco AP Capture Adapter, please call (800) 466-2447 or write sales@wildpackets.com.