A Sound Return on Investment
Select Comfort first started using Observer Suite in 2002, when Network Administrator Christian Wilson was looking for an alternative to
Network General’s Sniffer® analyzer.
"I had used Sniffer for three years and started looking for alternatives. I've been a solid Observer user for
the past two and a half years. Observer not only competes head-to-head with Sniffer -- it also beats Sniffer in
many categories. Many features you would normally pay extra for with Sniffer are included with Observer. For
example, wireless support is included with Observer where as with Sniffer it was an additional cost. When you
throw in the price difference, Observer wins hands down."
Surveying the Network
Observer’s Wireless Site Survey Mode offers scanning of multiple 802.11a/b/g channels displaying numerous
wireless statistics including: frame types, management frames, speeds, signal strength, signal quality and
channels in use. A channel map provides a quick view of current network status.
By performing
a Wireless Site Survey, Wilson was able to measure signal strength and signal quality of his wireless devices.
“Observer showed me our access points were not positioned well,” said Wilson.
“Signals were bouncing back and bleed was out of control. We had to turn our access points down because
Observer showed there was too much power going through the airwaves. Inventory also played a factor
because cardboard absorbs waves while metal is reflective. So it varies and you never get the same signal
twice. With Observer, I could find the most optimal location for the access point and ensure the antennas
were positioned correctly for maximum signal strength.” |
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Safeguarding the WLAN from Threats
As Select Comfort grew, the network needs evolved. WLAN access was soon expanded to desktop and laptop
users. Immediately, security became a concern. Fortunately, with Observer, Wilson could monitor WLAN traffic
and protect the network from security threats.
“The security scare is very real,” said Wilson. “We were using WEP for encryption, but Observer showed all this
traffic flying through the air and it made me worry about how easy it could be for a would-be hacker with a
wireless card in our parking lot to get access to our data. We upgraded to IPSEC (IP Security), a much stronger
encryption. Now our data is more secure, but I can still monitor the network since Observer has the ability to
monitor key WLAN statistics like signal strength and quality, regardless of encryption.”
Many employees use laptops and wanted to take advantage of the corporate WLAN by bringing their laptops
into conference rooms while still connected to the network. Unfortunately, a few employees decided to
purchase an access point on their own rather than approach the IT department. This caused a concern for
Wilson.
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About Select Comfort |
Creators of the revolutionary Sleep Number® bed, the Select Comfort Corporation is the nation’s leading bed retailer, holding 26 U.S. issued or pending patents for its personalized sleep products.The company designs, manufactures and markets a line of adjustable firmness mattresses featuring air-chamber technology, as well as foundations and sleep accessories. Select Comfort products are sold through its 368 retail stores nationwide, including 13 leased departments in Bed Bath & Beyond stores; through selected bedding retailers; through its national direct marketing operations; and on the Internet at selectcomfort.com.
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