Lost WiFi Access Points

[Ironman273]

I have an interesting problem. We have 4 WiFi adapters spread through our building that our previous IT manager put in. He didn't keep any diagrams. We're starting to have some hiccups with them and the current IT guy would like to know where they are. Is there any laptop or mobile tool that would help find these adapters? We've tried pushing up some ceiling tiles and looking up there but it's an arduous process.

Edited August 23, 2012 by SHoTTa35
Edited subject and tagged

[Detection]

Android App - Wifi Analyser

Windows/Linux - InSSIDer

Walk around the building running those apps and see where the signal is strongest ?

[Ironman273]

  On 23/08/2012 at 15:12, Detection said:

Android App - Wifi Analyser

Windows/Linux - InSSIDer

Walk around the building running those apps and see where the signal is strongest ?

Thanks Detection. That's what I was hoping for, I just didn't come up with any results for programs. I'll see how that works out.

[Roger H. Veteran]

You said adapters but i'm guessing you meant Access Points?

In that case a network map might help. You can connect wireless devices to them then you can narrow them down based on which devices are connected.

Depending on how big the building is (needing 4 APs i'd say prolly pretty large), you might need to get your comfy shoes on.

[FiB3R]

Have you looked down the back of the sofa?

[Detection]

  On 23/08/2012 at 15:21, DARKFiB3R said:

Have you looked down the back of the sofa?

Just crisps.... and sharp things that go under your nails

[Ironman273]

  On 23/08/2012 at 15:20, SHoTTa35 said:

You said adapters but i'm guessing you meant Access Points?

In that case a network map might help. You can connect wireless devices to them then you can narrow them down based on which devices are connected.

Depending on how big the building is (needing 4 APs i'd say prolly pretty large), you might need to get your comfy shoes on.

Wow.. thanks. Yeah, I guess we didn't pull out network adapters from computers and stick them in the ceiling. :laugh: Thanks for fixing that for me. The IT guy is walking around looking for the APs now so we'll see how that works out for him. Didn't find anything behind the couch except an ex-employee no one cares about...

[remixedcat]

Once found a hub a NETGEAR hub that was IN THE CELING and hit a teacher in the head. that teacher HATES NETGEAR ever since.

[+BudMan MVC]

If they are acting up - they might not be giving off signals? But if they are on you should be able to track them down with where they are connected to the network.

Do you have a smart or managed switch, that you can look at the arp table and see what mac is connected to which port. If so you can find them that way, this way you know which wire to trace to find the AP at the end.