Clear To Send: Wireless Network Engineering

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! Let me walk through what a day in the life of a WLAN Engineer looks like in Higher Education and in a consulting role. Both are different but they share similar characteristics. In Higher Education, the day can start with tickets or with a new Wi-Fi design. We have the flexibility here to design our day. But there’s no doubt it can be filled with unnecessary meetings. For a WLAN Engineer in a consulting role, those meetings can be absolutely necessary in order to have a positive outcome in an engagement. I’ve been fortunate to hold hats in both roles and I enjoy doing both. If you’d like to share what your day looks like as a WLAN Engineer, please leave a comment down below. The post CTS 386: A Day in the Life of a WLAN Engineer appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! In this episode, we’re diving into some Python and APIs to visualize data within Grafana. This episode is part of Rowell’s automation journey. He has been learning Python with his daughter. For Rowell, this is just the beginning as he starts integrating Grafana with InfluxDB and Telegraf. A lot more has to be learned in addition to Python and API. Within the video, we look into the Mist API and see how Rowell was able to develop a script to pull specific information that could be part of a dashboard within Grafana. Resources Mist Postman Collection: https://www.postman.com/juniper-mist Mist API Documentation: https://www.juniper.net/documentation/us/en/software/mist/api/http/getting-started/how-to-get-started Install the TIG stack: https://www.turbogeek.co.uk/grafana-ubuntu-tig-stack/ Github: https://github.com/rowelldionicio/telegraf/tree/main/code Zero to Network Automation: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LMO8gfmDqzg736fj1n1FAr8ln2Vz8Hx The post CTS 385: Building Your Own Wi-Fi Dashboard Using APIs and Grafana appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! Managing Wi-Fi at high-density events is a completely different game than running a typical enterprise network — it’s crowded, fast-moving, and unforgiving. In this episode, Francois and I break down what it really takes to deliver reliable event Wi-Fi, starting with planning and preparation. You have to decide early if you’re relying on the venue’s existing network or building your own (which can mean deploying hundreds of APs in just a few days), and even if it’s the same venue, the layout changes every time. What matters most is understanding how people move and behave — like when a huge crowd hits the security area and everyone downloads the conference app at once — and planning your capacity around those predictable bottlenecks so you’re not constantly reacting under pressure. We also talk about how monitoring event Wi-Fi needs a different mindset and a tighter feedback loop. Instead of waiting for tickets to roll in, you need to watch live performance signals like channel utilization, client counts per radio, and clients per SSID, because those trends tell you what’s about to break before it breaks. For visibility, we’ve leaned on custom scripts feeding Grafana dashboards from controller or cloud APIs, and when you’re on the floor you need tools that move with you — like Ekahau Analyzer with a Sidekick for raw channel utilization, or WN Pi Go for quickly spotting the APs under the most stress. And if you’re running both 5 GHz and 6 GHz, don’t forget to test with older 5 GHz-only devices, because modern clients will jump to 6 GHz and hide a bad 5 GHz experience. Finally, we get into interference and troubleshooting — because at events you’re dealing with both Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi problems constantly. Spectrum sweeps before the event can uncover noise sources like audio/video equipment, but one of the biggest offenders is wireless camera gear used for live streaming that blasts video across Wi-Fi channels and can even shift frequencies automatically. Add in rogue exhibitor APs running full power with 80 MHz channels and you’ve got a recipe for chaos unless you’re actively managing spectrum and enforcing RF rules. The big lesson: the more scenarios you plan for ahead of time — including staging backup APs you can activate instantly or deploying an autonomous AP on a reserved channel for a high-demand demo — the faster you can react in real time and keep the event experience solid. The post CTS 384: Wi-Fi for Live Events: Lessons from the Real-World appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! This video, a deep dive on frame analysis, covers the essentials of capturing Wi-Fi frames and analyzing them using Wireshark. These skills discussed are useful for troubleshooting and for those studying for their CWAP certification. Capturing Wi-Fi Frames To properly capture 802.11 frames, a Wi-Fi network interface card (NIC) must be set to monitor mode, as simply running Wireshark will only capture data at Layer 3 and above. This video, a deep dive on frame analysis, covers the essentials of capturing Wi-Fi frames and analyzing them using Wireshark. The speakers note that the skills discussed are useful for troubleshooting and for those studying for their CWAP certification. Capturing Wi-Fi Frames To properly capture 802.11 frames, a Wi-Fi network interface card (NIC) must be set to monitor mode, as simply running Wireshark will only capture data at Layer 3 and above. Capture Tools and Tips: macOS: Users can employ the AirTool software to put their card into monitor mode and perform a packet capture on one channel. Unix-based systems are generally easier to use for capture due to more monitor-mode-friendly drivers. Dedicated Tools: Dedicated tools like the Sidekick (which uses Unix and has multiple Wi-Fi NICs for multi-channel capture) and the WLAN Go (a lightweight tool that can be attached to a phone and supports Wi-Fi 7 frame captures) are also recommended. Placement: The capture device should be closer to the client (for client-side troubleshooting) or the AP (for AP-side troubleshooting). AP Capture: Some systems allow packet captures to be performed directly on the access points, which can track a client's MAC address across different APs and channels, or even capture traffic on the wired port. Best Practice: The speakers recommend capturing all traffic first and then filtering later in Wireshark to ensure nothing is missed. Analyzing Frames with Wireshark Analysis begins by importing the 802.11 frames into Wireshark. Key features and tips for navigating potentially overwhelming files (containing thousands or millions of frames) include: 1. Filters and Profiles Display Filters: Filters are essential for cutting through the noise. Wi-Fi filters typically begin with wlan.. Right-Click Filtering: A fast way to create a filter is to right-click on a specific field in a frame and select “Apply as Filter” or “Prepare as Filter”. wlan.addr Filter: To see both uplink and downlink traffic for a specific device, modify a filter based on the transmit address (wlan.ta) to use wlan.addr instead. Profiles: Users can create or download profiles (like the WLAN Pros Master or MetaGeek profile) to store a set of default Wi-Fi filters and apply color-coding to different frame types, such as management or data frames. 2. Visual Aids and Customization Packet Diagram: This feature (found in Wireshark's preferences under the layout view) displays a diagram of the frame's header fields, bit-by-bit, which is helpful for studying different protocols. Column Customization: Columns can be added or adjusted by right-clicking on any column. Aliases: For devices not using randomized MAC addresses, users can create aliases (names) for MAC addresses in the ethers file to make the frame list more readable. 3. I/O Graphs (Input/Output Graphs) I/O graphs are an underutilized feature for visualizing events and trends over time. Roaming Analysis: They are particularly useful for analyzing roaming by graphing events like probe requests and reassociations. Signal Strength: I/O graphs can also track Layer 1 data like RSSI values over time, allowing analysts to correlate signal strength drops with client behavior like when the client starts probing. Other Applications: They can show the proportion of transmitted frames versus retry frames, or be used to visualize rate shifting. 4. Practice and Export Learning: The best way to learn is to study normal traffic first (e.g., active/passive discovery, authentication, association) to become more efficient at spotting anomalies later. Exporting: For large captures, users can mark frames of interest (Command M on a Mac) and then export only the marked packets to a new PCAP file, making the analysis of those specific frames faster and easier. Resources PCAPs – https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1werkXdRkSO0709myQ4q86Ric4tK7hGVD Wireshark cheat sheet https://www.cleartosend.net/cts-047-troubleshooting-wifi-wireshark/ Wireshark profiles: https://mrncciew.com/2025/09/02/get-rockstarwifi-wireshark-profile/ https://github.com/metageek-llc/wireshark-profiles CTS 125: 802.11 Frame Captures on Windows: https://www.cleartosend.net/wireless-frame-captures-windows/ CTS 121: Capturing Wireless Frames with a Mac: https://www.cleartosend.net/capturing-wireless-frames-mac/ CTS 102: Capturing Wireless Frames: https://www.cleartosend.net/cts-102-capturing-wireless-frames/ The post CTS 383: Deep Dive – Wi-Fi Troubleshooting at the Frame Level appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! In this episode Rowell Dionicio and François Vergès, discuss their five New Year's resolutions for 2026, which encompass their Wi-Fi consulting businesses, technology, and personal well-being. Five Resolutions for 2026 Fully Understanding Wi-Fi 7 Determining the Success of MLO (Multi-Link Operation) Improving the Business (Growth, Balance, and Delegation) Leveraging Automation Tools and AI Health and Fitness Podcast Milestone Francois and Rowell reminisce on the podcast reaching its 10-year anniversary in August (started in August 2015). They are proud of this milestone and plan to continue producing content, noting the support of their listeners and community. The post CTS 382: Our Resolutions for the New Year appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! The video is an episode of the Clear To Send podcast, hosted by Rowell Dionicio and Francois, where they discuss spectrum analysis tools. Summary of Spectrum Analysis Discussion: What is Spectrum Analysis? A spectrum analyzer measures activities on the RF layer (Layer 1), specifically for the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequencies that Wi-Fi uses. It measures the signals and their amplitude, showing which frequencies or channels are busy and how often they are used (duty cycle or channel utilization). Purpose: Spectrum analysis is used by Wi-Fi engineers for tasks like Wi-Fi validation surveys and troubleshooting. The goal is to see if everything is taking place normally, understand what Wi-Fi traffic looks like, and spot non-Wi-Fi traffic (interference) that could be impacting Wi-Fi. On-Site Requirement: Spectrum analysis usually requires being on-site to find the source of interference in the real world. Tools: For accurate analysis, a dedicated spectrum chipset is needed, as general Wi-Fi network interface cards (NICs) often only estimate channel utilization rather than provide an accurate measurement. The dedicated tools, such as the Ekahau Sidekick, offer higher resolution and faster scanning. Visualizing the Spectrum (using the Ekahau Sidekick): Density View: Shown at the top, it plots frequency (x-axis, Wi-Fi channels) against amplitude (y-axis, in dBm). Colors in the density view indicate how busy the channels are (e.g., orange is 50% busy, red is 100% busy). Waterfall View: Records measurements over time, showing the evolution of the spectrum. Colors in this view indicate the strength of the signal, with red meaning the analyzer is close to the source. This view is good for identifying if a device is always transmitting on the same channel or hopping around, and when a device is transmitting. Signal Shapes: An important piece of information is the shape of the signals, as each device generates signals with a specific shape. The speaker recommends learning to recognize these shapes, such as the Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signature of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi Traffic Example (5 GHz): When a speed test was initiated on an iPad, the spectrum analyzer showed a strong, busy 80 MHz wide channel. The channel utilization rose to the 90s temporarily. The speed test also clearly showed the OFDM shape of Wi-Fi, including a characteristic dip in the middle. Non-Wi-Fi Interference Examples: Factory Lights: An interference case in a factory showed a jagged mountain shape of activity across the entire UNII-3 band (Channels 149, 153, 157, 161, 165) that was 100% busy. This was caused by motion detection sensors likely associated with the lights. The solution was to exclude those channels from the Wi-Fi channel plan. Video Transmitters (6 GHz): Interference that looked like busy Wi-Fi traffic (having the OFDM shape) was detected in the 6 GHz band. This was from video transmitters connected to a cameraman's camera, sending a live video feed, and it was using the channel nearly 100% of the time. Drone: A drone, when turned on, generated a steady 20 MHz wide, OFDM signal on a 5 GHz channel, sitting on top of the host's 80 MHz Wi-Fi channel and utilizing 50% of the channel. DJI Mic (2.4 GHz): The microphone system was seen hopping across four narrow channels (2-3 MHz wide) in a pattern. Microwave: A microwave oven can show a lot of spectrum activity, which could indicate a need for replacement if the shielding is not adequate. The post CTS 381: Deep Dive: Using Spectrum Analysis Tools appeared first on Clear To Send.

https://youtu.be/0IM8IZayI-c Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! In this Clear To Send episode, co-hosts Rowell Dionicio and François Vergès look back on 2025 with a full year-in-review of the podcast, their businesses, and the biggest moments in Wi-Fi. They reflect on how the show evolved over the year—regaining consistency, improving planning, and setting the foundation for deeper technical episodes. With stronger workflows and team support in place, the hosts share their goal of ramping up production in 2026 and crossing major milestones, including more frequent episodes and pushing past 400 total shows. The conversation also dives into audience growth and engagement across platforms. The hosts highlight the ongoing 2025 listener survey, growth in the Clear To Send Slack community, and increasing demand for video alongside audio formats. They review YouTube performance, share the most-watched episodes, and discuss how community feedback is shaping future topics—ensuring the podcast continues to reflect what Wi-Fi professionals actually want to learn and discuss. Rounding out the episode, Rowell and François cover business momentum and key Wi-Fi industry news from 2025. Both share strong growth stories within their consulting businesses, from team expansion to broader service offerings beyond Wi-Fi. On the industry side, they discuss major developments like the HPE acquisition of Juniper Networks, the ratification of Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), early discussions around Wi-Fi 8, and the availability of AFC in North America—making this episode a thoughtful reflection on where the industry has been and where it’s heading next. The post CTS 380: Wi-Fi 2025 Year In Review appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! In this episode of Clear to Send, the team shares their forward-looking predictions for 2026, grounded in real-world deployments and patterns they’re seeing across the Wi-Fi industry. From spectrum usage to client behavior, the conversation frames what engineers and IT leaders should be preparing for as Wi-Fi continues to evolve globally. A major theme is the acceleration of 6 GHz adoption, especially in North America, with expectations that standard-power 6 GHz devices and AFC-enabled designs will become more common. The hosts predict a tipping point where 6 GHz client connections rival—and surpass—5 GHz, naturally improving network load balancing. They also discuss regional differences, noting uncertainty around upper 6 GHz availability in Europe, alongside a broader push toward WPA3 migrations and the operational challenges posed by legacy and IoT devices. The episode rounds out with predictions on technology and market shifts: deeper learnings from early Wi-Fi 7 deployments, more practical and embedded uses of AI in engineering workflows, and increased adoption of Ultra-Wideband for precise location services without overlay networks. On the vendor side, the hosts speculate that a more agile challenger could emerge to compete with incumbents like HPE and Cisco, while device trends point toward broader adoption of Apple’s in-house wireless silicon across the ecosystem—making 2026 a year of refinement, validation, and meaningful change rather than pure hype. The post CTS 379: 2026 Predictions: What Will Change in Enterprise Wireless? appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! Keith Miller: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-miller-b761073a/ Twitter: https://x.com/packetologist Blog: https://www.thepacketologist.com/ The post CTS 378: Wi-Fi Origin Stories: Keith Miller appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! Mark Edwards has spearheaded Wi-Fi at some of the largest companies in the world. Scaling is a true issue when you’re dealing with a global organization. But how does one get to this level? Mark didn’t just start out in a Fortune 50 companies. He had a humble beginning, like many of us. Check out this Wi-Fi Origin Series episode with Mark Edwards and I think you’ll learn quite a lot! The post CTS 377: Wi-Fi Origin Stories: Mark Edwards appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! Welcome to another episode Wi-Fi Origin Stories. We have a special guest, Rasika Nayanajith. Rasika is well known in the Cisco forums. He’s helped countless people learn how to configure and troubleshoot their Cisco Wi-Fi controllers. He also provides a wealth of knowledge from his website. You’ve likely come across it at some point in your Wi-Fi career. Today, Rasika is doing consulting work to further help others with their Wi-Fi networks. Tune in to this episode to hear how Rasika built his career in Wi-Fi. https://mrnnetworks.com/ The post CTS 376: Wi-Fi Origin Stories: How Rasika Nayanajith Got Started in Wireless appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! What does it take to climb the ladder of your IT career? In this episode, we’ll discuss our perspectives and what got us to where we are today. We’ll go into some of the tips we recommend IT professionals do, what kind of attitude you need, and how to negotiate salary. But it’s not always about the money. We’ll talk about what our career means to us. Let us know what your tips are down below in the comments. The post CTS 375: From Tech to Architect: Growing Your Wi-Fi Career appeared first on Clear To Send.

Amin SedighFar is our special guest for our Wi-Fi Origin Stories series. Amin presented at WLPC Prague 2025 and has been showing what he has learned to everyone. It’s amazing to see his progress with Wi-Fi and how he has been able to pick up the technology. Check out this episode with Amin and learn how he got started in Wi-Fi. The post CTS 374: Wi-Fi Origin Stories – Amin SedighFar appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! What does it take to get started in wireless? You’ll definitely need a lab network. In this episode, we discuss how to get started with building a home lab. The costs will vary but there is a low cost way to get started and we’ll talk about how to approach it. We’ll also discuss the applications and tools you’ll need to be successful in becoming an expert Wi-Fi engineer. The post CTS 373: Building a Home Lab for Wireless Testing appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! In this episode, we dive into the hype surrounding Wi-Fi 7 and help you determine whether it's time to upgrade or if you should hold off. We explore the key improvements Wi-Fi 7 brings to the table—including 320 MHz wide channels, Multi-Link Operation (MLO), 4K QAM, and enhanced security—while examining what these features mean in real-world deployments. The reality is that many environments are still dominated by Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 devices, and most applications haven't yet pushed existing wireless infrastructure to its limits. We also tackle the practical considerations that come with upgrading, from the total cost of ownership—including new access points, switches, cabling, licensing, and controllers—to the “shiny object” effect that can drive premature investments. Are you really taking advantage of Wi-Fi 7's capabilities, or are you just paying for features your environment won't utilize for years? We discuss the hidden costs and potential pitfalls of being an early adopter. Finally, we offer practical guidance on when it makes sense to upgrade now versus when you should wait. If you're due for a refresh cycle or have the budget to future-proof your infrastructure, Wi-Fi 7 might be worth considering. However, if your current Wi-Fi 6 or 6E deployment is meeting your needs and your client base consists mostly of older devices, waiting could save you money and help you avoid first-generation bugs. Tune in to get a clear-eyed assessment of where Wi-Fi 7 stands today and what it means for your network strategy. The post CTS 372: Should You Upgrade to Wi-Fi 7? A Reality Check appeared first on Clear To Send.

We’re happy to have Ali join us on the show today for Wi-Fi Origins. He’s been an active member of the Clear To Send community. In this episode, he tells us a little bit about himself. Going back in time, Ali talks about getting into IT and his first exposure to Wi-Fi. There were many mentors along the way. Ali made sure to mention that. Along the way, Ali grew his Wi-Fi skillset and describes how that was for him and what impact the community and conferences made. Be sure to tune into this episode! Resources Ali Blog: https://artofrf.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mali77/ The post CTS 371: Wi-Fi Origin Stories: How Mohammad (Ali) Ali Got Started in Wireless appeared first on Clear To Send.

In this episode, we sit down with Adrian Granados and Josh Schmelzle to talk about the WLAN Pi Go, a portable Wi-Fi diagnostic and packet capture tool that’s reshaping how engineers troubleshoot networks in the field. We discuss why they built it, how it fits into modern Wi-Fi workflows, and what’s coming next. Why Create the WLAN Pi Go? The origin story: how the team identified the need for a portable, reliable Wi-Fi 7–ready diagnostic tool. Bridging the gap between software and hardware — bringing tools like WiFi Explorer and Airtool into a unified field device. How People Use It in the Field Real-world use cases: Wi-Fi Scanning & Packet Capture Onsite troubleshooting and validation Classroom demos and training sessions Integrations and interfaces: Web Interface: Provides essential device information and configuration WLAN Pi App: Manage and monitor the WLAN Pi Go (available for iOS and Android) Profiler: Assess wireless environment characteristics WiFi Explorer Pi: iPhone-based Wi-Fi scanning and analysis Airtool Pi: iPhone-based packet capture and export for analysis Resources Info on the WLAN Pi → https://www.wlanpi.com/#godetails Buy it → https://www.wlanpi.com/purchase User Guide → https://www.wlanpi.com/user-guide The post CTS 370: Introducing WLAN Pi Go with Adrian and Josh appeared first on Clear To Send.

This episode is sponsored by Juniper Networks, now part of HPE. Wes Purvis and Rowell Dionicio join together in-person with François joined in virtually, on the road. Wi-Fi 7 is the theme for 2025 and Juniper Networks is rounding out their portfolio of Wi-Fi 7 access points. Wes gives us insight into the adoption rate of 6 GHz as we head into Wi-Fi 7. On this episode, Wes Purvis showcases new access points and the new features that will be useful for high density deployments. Not just Wi-Fi 7 only features but what looks like a software-defined antenna. An access point that has an integrated directional antenna but can be configured with different beamwidths. Check out this unique episode and let us know if you’re upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 in the comments below! Resources Mist AP66 Mist AP37 Mist AP36 The post CTS 369: Wi-Fi 7 Access Points with Wes Purvis (Sponsored) appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor: Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo! The wireless networking industry is experiencing a significant shift toward cloud-managed architectures. This transition is driven by vendors seeking to deliver advanced capabilities like AI-powered analytics and comprehensive APIs that traditional controllers struggle to support. Additionally, the subscription model provides vendors with predictable recurring revenue compared to one-time hardware sales. However, this evolution brings several challenges. Many organizations face regulatory compliance requirements that restrict cloud connectivity, while others must navigate significant infrastructure redesigns. Technical considerations include gateway functionality for services like OpenRoaming and ensuring network survivability during internet outages. Financial implications are substantial as organizations shift from capital expenditures to operational costs. This budget restructuring often raises concerns about long-term expenses and vendor lock-in—what happens to network functionality if subscriptions lapse? In response, hybrid solutions are emerging. Products like Mist Edge, Meraki MG, and Aruba EdgeConnect provide local processing capabilities while maintaining cloud management benefits, addressing reliability and compliance requirements. Perhaps most significant is the cultural transformation required of network professionals. Engineers accustomed to command-line interfaces must adapt to API-driven management, developing programming skills and embracing automation. This represents a fundamental shift in how wireless networks are designed, deployed, and managed. The post CTS 368: The Future of the Wireless LAN Controller appeared first on Clear To Send.

https://youtu.be/XdBZvIp175o Thank you to Meter for supporting the podcast. We greatly appreciate it! In an introduction of our new series, Wi-Fi Origin Stories, we have a special guest, Ian Stout. Ian is CWNE #333. He has a lot of experience dealing with networks in the education space. In this episode, Ian goes into his IT beginnings. From when he knew he would go into IT, from first getting exposed to Wi-Fi and realizing how much he knew about Wi-Fi. Then into his first experiences with Wi-Fi projects. He lays out how his career path was, the opportunities he took and the advice he would give to newcomers going into Wi-Fi. Advice that would be great for any newcomer to IT. Watch or listen to this episode to glean some insights into his career and see how you can leverage his learnings for your own. The post CTS 367: Wi-Fi Origin Stories: How Ian Stout Got Started in Wireless appeared first on Clear To Send.