Multiple device support added in to the latest updates of Chanalyzer 4 and Chanalyzer Pro make it possible to run two or more Wi-Spy DBx or 2.4x at the same time. This allows for viewing multiple swaths of spectrum at the same time from two or more Wi-Spys, be it zoomed-in or full-band in either 2.4 or 5 GHz. Plus, spectrum data from each Wi-Spy unit is collected and saved into one recording.




Just plug the Wi-Spys in, and choose which view you wish to see from the Device Navigator in the upper left corner. Chanalyzer will save the spectrum data from each unit. So keep it running and recording... it will catch RF interference on all the frequency configurations you set and everything will be there for you when you go back to analyze it. And, since it's all in one recording, making sense of the different spectrum swaths is uncomplicated and eliminates the aggravation of keeping and viewing multiple files.

Multi-device support done simply and effectively. Check it out!

Laura Chappell and Wireshark University will host four free webinars to inform people about the Wireshark Certification Program Aug 17-19. If interested, please register at www.wiresharktraining.com/certification.

Free Webinars: About the Wireshark Certification Program
Instructor: Laura Chappell

These free events cover the process of preparing and registering for the Wireshark Certified Network Analyst Exam. What should you study? How should you study? What are the hot areas on the Exam? What are the Exam question formats? What should you watch for? What if you need to reschedule the Exam? What can you bring with you?

A live question and answer session will follow each 20-minute presentation.

MetaGeek's new software companion to Wi-Spy, Chanalyzer Pro, includes a Wi-Fi Report Builder, Device Finder and Device Identification. Available now, Chanalyzer Pro is compatible with Wi-Spy 2.4x and the dual-band Wi-Spy DBx.

Boise, ID July 28, 2010

MetaGeek, developer of wireless network diagnostic tools, has released Chanalyzer Pro for the Wi-Spy line of USB Spectrum Analyzers. New features include Wi-Fi report generation that gives network administrators a detailed snapshot of the current interference situation-useful in both pre-deployment WLAN planning and post-deployment RF spectrum management. Chanalyzer Pro not only identifies what types of devices are interfering with your Wi-Fi networks, it also helps users track down the offending devices with its new Device Finder mode.

"Chanalyzer Pro takes your Wi-Spy and knocks it up a notch", says Ryan Woodings, Chief Geek at MetaGeek. "We took the feedback from previous Chanalyzer versions and developed Chanalyzer Pro from the ground up into a professional, powerful and robust tool that's just as easy to use as our other software."

Highlighted Features

• Report Builder: easily generates powerful reports for documenting interference problems and explaining them to non-technical decision makers. Exportable to HTML, RTF and PDF file formats.
• Device Finder: enables the user to track down an RF transmitting device by graphing signal strength over time. This is further aided by MetaGeek's new purpose-built Directional Antenna (available in September for $69).
• Device Identification: identifies RF signals by device type, giving the user an idea of what kind of devices are causing interference in the vicinity.
• Updated User Interface: new waterfall time frame playback controls allows the user to graphically navigate through collected spectrum data.

Price and Availability
Chanalyzer Pro is available now as an upgrade ($499) for current Wi-Spy 2.4x and DBx owners. It can also be purchased as part of a bundle with Wi-Spy DBx ($999) or Wi-Spy 2.4x ($599).

About MetaGeek, LLC

Based in Boise, Idaho MetaGeek develops troubleshooting tools for wireless network administrators including the award-winning line of Wi-Spy spectrum analyzers. www.metageek.net

If you haven't heard or seen by now, Steve Jobs of Apple fame had quite the embarrassing moment demoing iPhone 4 features over Wi-Fi at the WWDC event this week. Anything Wi-Fi catches our attention here at MetaGeek, and an epic Wi-Fi fail involving one of the tech industry's major players, well, how could we ignore that.!?



From the video clip Jobs exclaimed at one point "There are 570 Wi-Fi base stations operating in this room...and several hundred of these are those MiFi things, by the way". Now, I've never been to the Moscone Center for an Apple event, but I've experienced a similarly over-crowded 2.4 GHz spectrum at the Interop show in Las Vegas--and Wi-Fi just. plain. doesn't. work. So, although half of me winces with empathy for Mr. Jobs--since I too have had wireless fail me at inopportune times--the other half screams... "YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER!"

I'm probably preaching to the choir writing this on the MetaGeek blog, but this reminds us all of a very fundamental and inescapable fact; the Wi-Fi bands are only so big and only have room for a finite (really quite small) number of transmitters. When signals overlap and transmit on the same frequencies, neither signal will have optimum throughput capability because they will be interfering with each other. In Apple's extreme case, the 500+ access point connections (and most certainly non-Wi-Fi gadgets like Bluetooth devices) brought in by the event attendees, rendered the 2.4 GHz band essentially unusable. I'm sure that Wi-Fi wasn't working that well for anybody in the room, whether it was a blogger, journalist or member of the Apple crew. This, at it's core, is why spectrum analyzers--like Wi-Spy--are essential in making Wi-Fi work as it should. Spectrum management is paramount in maintaining a solid, fast and reliable WLAN.

Was there a lesson learned? I'm sure that with Apple's wireless network crew there most certainly was. And, I would venture to say at the next demo event, Apple will have all sorts of free, high-speed 5 GHz networks set up for the blogger types to use in lieu of their own 2.4 GHz hotspots to help "spread out" spectrum usage. Also, it would not surprise me if there's some sort of spectrum police keeping 2.4 GHz open for Mr. Job's demo devices only...

So, Apple, if you're listening, I know of just the tool to keep an eye on your wireless spectrum. Drop me a line at mark@metageek.net, I can hook you up.. :-)

MetaGeek's new software companion to Wi-Spy, Chanalyzer Pro, includes sought-after features including device classification, device finder and automated reports. Available June 30, 2010, Chanalyzer Pro will be compatible with Wi-Spy 2.4x and the dual-band Wi-Spy DBx.