AirPcap USB Wireless Packet Capture

Posted on March 23, 2011 by

The AirPcap family is the first open, affordable and easy-to-deploy packet capture solution for Windows. AirPcap captures full 802.11 data, management, and control frames that can be viewed in Wireshark providing in-depth protocol dissection and analysis capabilities. The feature matrix below gives a high-level overview of each adapter in the AirPcap Product Family. More detailed information regarding each can be found on the relevant corresponding product pages.

AirPcap Classic AirPcap Tx AirPcap NX

Full 802.11 Capture

 Yes Yes Yes

Wireshark Integration

 Yes Yes Yes

Open API

 Yes Yes Yes

Multi-channel Monitoring
(requires 2+ adapters)

 Yes Yes Yes

Packet Transmission

 No Yes Yes

External Antenna Connector

 No No Yes
2 connectors

Form Factor

 USB USB USB

Frequency Bands

 b/g b/g a/b/g/n

How AirPcap Operates
All AirPcap adapters can operate in a completely passive mode. In this mode, the AirPcap adapter will capture all of the frames that are transferred on a channel, not just frames that are addressed to it. This includes data frames, control frames and management frames. When more than one BSS shares the same channel, the AirPcap adapter will capture the data, control, and management frames from all of the BSSs that are sharing the channel within range of the AirPcap adapter.

AirPcap adapters capture traffic on a single channel at a time. The channel setting for the AirPcap adapter can be changed using the AirPcap Control Panel, or from the “Advanced Wireless Settings” dialog in Wireshark. Depending on the capabilities of a specific AirPcap adapter, it can be set to any valid 802.11 channel for packet capture.

The AirPcap software can be configured to decrypt WEP-encrypted frames. An arbitrary number of keys can be configured in the driver at the same time, so that the driver can decrypt the traffic of more than one access point simultaneously. WPA and WPA2 support is handled by Wireshark.

Multiple Channnel Capture
When monitoring on a single channel is not enough, multiple AirPcap adapters can be plugged into your laptop or a USB hub and provide industry-leading capability for simultaneous multi-channel capture and traffic aggregation. The AirPcap driver provides support for this operation through Multi-Channel Aggregator technology that exports capture streams from multiple AirPcap adapters as a single capture stream. The Multi-Channel Aggregator consists of a virtual interface that can be used from Wireshark or any other AirPcap-based application. Using this interface, the application will receive the traffic from all installed AirPcap adapters, as if it was coming from a single device. The Multi-Channel Aggregator can be configured like any AirPcap device, and therefore can have its own decryption, FCS checking, and packet filtering settings.

All AirPcap devices can be purchased from our online store.

Posted in Techie, Wireless | Tagged , , ,

New Fujitsu PRIMERGY MX130 S1

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

Fujitsu have introduced a new entry-level PRIMERGY micro server model, bringing professional, centralized server technology within affordable reach of small businesses for the first time – combining IT peace-of-mind and business velocity with a new lower price point. The new Fujitsu PRIMERGY MX130 S1 breaks away from traditional thinking that small businesses do not need or cannot afford professional servers.

Providing a solid, reliable AMD-based platform for file, web and print services, the PRIMERGY MX130 S1 is designed for the needs of start-ups and very small businesses looking to consolidate their critical electronic resources and achieve new efficiencies and flexibility in sharing data. The PRIMERGY MX130 S1 is a cost-effective alternative to sharing valuable business data via an error-prone patchwork combination of peer-to-peer networks, easily-stolen USB drives and inter-office emails.

The new server becomes the entry point to the Fujitsu PRIMERGY x86 server family, without compromising on quality or performance. Simple to set up and easy to operate, the PRIMERGY MX130 S1 delivers true savings in both total cost of ownership and ongoing IT management. It also outperforms entry-level micro server models from other vendors thanks to its flexible expandability.

Says Jens-Peter Seick, Senior Vice President Datacenter Systems at Fujitsu Technology Solutions: “The PRIMERGY MX130 S1 defines a new, lower entry-level point for fully-fledged server technology, without compromising on quality. A micro server is a great starting point for growing businesses that are outgrowing patchwork networks and looking for the security and reliability of server-based computing, without the price tag they feared.”

Providing near-silent running, the PRIMERGY MX130 S1 also overcomes operating noise, one factor that often holds smaller business back from stepping up to a server. When idling, the PRIMERGY MX130 S1 is rated at a whisper-quiet 19 dB, and its ultra-small form factor fits conveniently on or under a desk.

Despite the small size and low price, the Fujitsu PRIMERGY MX130 S1 is certainly not lacking in the capability to provide full server support for a small business, and offers room to grow, too. Earning its credentials as a fully-fledged server, the PRIMERGY MX130 S1 comes with the optional Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation operating system and features up to 16GB of professional server-grade ECC (error correcting) memory that can easily cope with running shared office server applications. System upgrades to memory size, hard disk space, add-on cards and backup options are also very simple to implement and can be added as business needs demand.

To qualify for the prestigious PRIMERGY server brand, the new entry-level Fujitsu micro-server also offers hallmark features that run through the entire PRIMERGY line-up, such as high energy efficiency, 24×7 reliability and RAID capabilities – allowing data to be duplicated across separate hard drives for greater protection against data loss.

Posted in Servers, Storage | Tagged , , ,

MetaGeek DeviceFinder

Posted on March 16, 2011 by

A lot of the time passively avoiding interference is all that is needed to make your WLAN run better. Just move to a channel that is less affected by RF from Wi-Fi, cordless phones, etc., and your interference-caused throughput and connectivity problems go away. But sometimes — as is becoming more and more apparent in the 2.4 GHz band — there are not enough open channels to go around and no amount of avoidance will be sufficient to make your network interference free. There are just too many devices sharing the same swath of unlicensed spectrum to allow everything it’s own space for a good, solid wireless connection.

So, what to do?

If you could just find these transmitters then you could eliminate them, or move them, or at least figure out how they fit into sharing the available spectrum resources. But that’s just the problem, right? Any number of things could be the culprit as just about *everything*, both consumer and commercial devices, uses the 2.4 GHz band these days. Plus, a lot of the time these devices are hidden from plain sight making the job even harder.

Here’s where Device Finder Directional Antenna comes in. With a 60 degree horizontal beamwidth, and a 7 dBi gain this new accessory blocks out “ambient” RF noise from most of the area surrounding you, while giving gain to the area where you are pointing. When used in conjunction with Device Finder mode in Chanalyzer Pro, all it takes is to click-drag the over the spectrum graph to highlight the target signal. Then, it’s just a matter of watching the red line increase or decrease in amplitude as you walk and point.

Once you find the device, you decide what to do with it. A lot of the time this means trading-out that cheap-o 2.4 GHz cordless phone for a 1.9 GHz DECT model, or replacing the obsolete wireless camera you discovered with a more modern, non-interfering one. Sometimes, it takes more creative actions and a measure of compromise must be taken. But, at a minimum, you will have all the information you need to manage your wireless environment and you will know with certainty which devices are sharing the band.

It’s all about knowing. Chanalyzer Pro and Device Finder Directional Antenna clue you in on what’s happening in your wireless landscape and lets you actively control what’s using your spectrum resources.

By Trent Cutler (Metageek “Utility Player”), reproduced with permission

Posted in Techie, Wireless | Tagged , , ,

How Wi-Spy Wireless Spectrum Analysis Works

Posted on March 16, 2011 by

Wi-Spy’s approach to spectrum analysis is a bit different than other spectrum analyzers. Regular spectrum analyzers like Agilent and Tektronix contain Super Heterodyne Receivers to measure an entire RF band at whatever arbitrary resolution you’d like. This is extremely powerful… and expensive. The Airmagnet Spectrum XT uses a Wi-Fi radio to measure a 20 MHz band at twice the resolution of the channel subcarriers (156.3 KHz). This provides a fixed resolution aimed at measuring 802.11n signals.

Wi-Spy, on the other hand, uses a narrowband RF receiver to scan across the RF band in tiny steps. These steps can be anywhere from 25 KHz to 400 KHz wide. While Wi-Spy can’t scan at arbitrary resolutions like an Agilent spectrum analyzer, it has about a dozen resolution bandwidth settings ranging from about 50 Khz to over 600 KHz (exact values depend on Wi-Spy model and RF band). Currently Chanalyzer automatically adjusts the Wi-Spy settings when you change frequency bands, but finer-grained control is coming soon in Chanalyzer Pro and Chanalyzer Lab (currently in private beta).

Here are screenshots showing the 2.4 GHz band at the smallest and largest step sizes of the Wi-Spy 2.4x.

The variable step size and resolution bandwidth allow Wi-Spy to be optimized for different bandwidths and signal types from 802.11n to Bluetooth and Zigbee. The default Wi-Spy settings scan the 2.4 GHz band using a step size of 333.3 KHz. This is ideal for detecting Bluetooth, which uses 1 MHz channels. For scanning the entire 5 GHz band, Wi-Spy DBx uses a large step size to decrease the sweep time (time it takes for each scan of the RF band). As you zoom into smaller sections of bandwidth, Wi-Spy shrinks its step size to provide higher resolution. For detailed Wi-Fi scanning, Wi-Spy can be configured to scan at six times the resolution of the channel subcarriers!

Here’s a high resolution scan of a 40 MHz 802.11n channel.

This powerful hardware configurability is one of the many reasons why wireless professionals choose Wi-Spy more often than any other spectrum analyzer.

By Ryan Woodings (Metageek “Chief Geek”), reproduced with permission

Posted in Techie, Wireless | Tagged , ,

Tandberg RDX Backup Hardware Award

Posted on March 16, 2011 by

Tandberg Data, the global supplier of data protection solutions, won a Bronze in the “Backup Hardware” category of the 2010 Products of the Year awards for its AccuVault™ RDX 1TB appliance : An affordable network-attached disk-based solution with deduplication, AccuVault RDX includes built-in removable disk for offsite storage, disaster recovery and archiving. The AccuVault RDX was selected from among nearly 200 products submitted.

Products were judged using six criteria — innovation, performance, ease of integration into environments, ease of use and manageability, functionality and value — by a team of users, industry experts, analysts, consultants and the editorial staffs of SearchStorage.com and Storage Magazine.

Describing the AccuVault RDX 1TB and its focus on the SMB, one of the judges said, Tandberg Data’s AccuVault RDX 1TB may be “setting the gold standard for data protection in that space and could even revolutionize SOHO.”

“We are delighted that the AccuVault RDX, which was developed and manufactured by Tandberg Data, has been recognized with such distinction by this panel of storage industry experts,” said Pat Clarke, CEO of Tandberg Data. “It is further validation of the company’s 30-year history of providing customers with innovative products that protect their data, improve system performance and achieve higher productivity with minimal business disruption.”

About Tandberg Data
Tandberg Data is a leading global supplier of data protection solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. The company’s wide range of cost-effective storage products and services provides customers with best-in-class tape, disk, removable disk and software solutions for backup, archiving and disaster recovery. These solutions are marketed through a global channel of qualified resellers, distributors and major server OEMs. An extensive service and support network supports all Tandberg Data products worldwide. For further information, please visit www.tandbergdata.com .

Posted in Storage | Tagged , ,

Chanalyzer Pro

Posted on March 16, 2011 by

Wireless troubleshooting goes beyond packet capture. Traditionally, spectrum analysis was only available to those with really big pockets – then came Wi-Spy. MetaGeek opened the floodgates to enable anyone with professional-grade wireless spectrum analysis hardware and software.

With Chanalyzer Pro and Wi-Spy 2.4x or DBx you can:

  • Quickly build powerful Wi-Fi reports.
  • Find and Identify sources of Interference.
  • Record Wi-Fi and Spectrum Data.
  • See how bad the interference was – when it occurred.
  • View a single channel in high resolution
  • Increase 5GHz 802.11n hardware installations

Enjoy the satisfaction of a nearly perfect WLAN implementation with Chanalyzer Pro spectrum analysis software. Chanalyzer Pro identifies devices in the spectrum, helps you track them down, and produces customizable Wi-Fi reports.

Take a Video Tour of Chanalyzer ProEnjoy the satisfaction of a nearly perfect WLAN implementation with Chanalyzer Pro spectrum analysis software. Chanalyzer Pro identifies devices in the spectrum, helps you track them down, and produces customizable Wi-Fi reports.

“The Chanalyzer Pro is a great application, it does nearly everything that the Cisco Spectrum Expert application does, at a much lower price point. Chanalyzer Pro has a ‘report builder’ template that allows you to easily embed spectrum analysis screen captures and other spectrum analysis data into an RTF, HTML or PDF document.I have to manually capture screen images from the Cisco Spectrum Expert in order to put them into a customer facing deliverable, and the device listing export is only to a .csv file.” -Jennifer Huber

Chanalyzer Pro requires a Wi-Spy 2.4x or a Wi-Spy DBx. The Wi-Spy is a USB-based RF troubleshooting tool that turns your PC or Mac into a powerful spectrum analyzer covering the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 900 MHz bands. Especially useful for optimizing Wi-Fi performance, Wi-Spy makes the invisible visible and enables you to defeat wireless interference emitting from any source, including cordless phones and wireless cameras.

Posted in Wireless | Tagged , ,

WLAN White Papers

Posted on March 16, 2011 by

Courtesy of our friends at Metageek, here’s a tip for a great source of Wireless LAN information – the guys at WLAN Professionals. They have a wealth of useful information over there – including some handy white papers that you can download – including survey techniques and other tips and tricks. It’s also a BS free zone, which makes a pleasant change.

Posted in Techie, Wireless | Tagged ,

Wi-Spy Bundles

Posted on March 14, 2011 by

The fantastic Wi-Spy 2.4x and Wi-Spy DBx are now available as special bundles with Chanalyzer Pro – both can be ordered from our Online Store. Chanalyzer Pro requires a Wi-Spy 2.4x or a Wi-Spy DBx. The Wi-Spy is a USB-based RF troubleshooting tool that turns your PC or Mac into a powerful spectrum analyzer covering the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 900 MHz bands.

Especially useful for optimizing Wi-Fi performance, Wi-Spy makes the invisible visible and enables you to defeat wireless interference emitting from any source, including cordless phones and wireless cameras.

Posted in Techie, Wireless | Tagged ,