I recently started using the Ekahau Sidekick 2 for site surveys, but I’m encountering unexpected problems. I’m struggling to get consistent results, and the device seems to disconnect frequently. Has anyone else experienced similar issues or have any troubleshooting tips? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I had similar issues with the Ekahau Sidekick 2. The frequent disconnections can be really frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of a crucial site survey. Here’s a checklist that helped me troubleshoot:
- Firmware Update: Make sure your Sidekick is running the latest firmware. Sometimes, updating can fix bugs.
- Battery Check: Ensure the device has sufficient battery. Low battery can cause instability.
- WiFi Interference: High-interference environments can cause connection issues. Try surveying in a less congested area first to see if the issue persists.
- Bluetooth Settings: Reset your Bluetooth on the connected device. Sometimes, a quick toggle can re-establish a stable connection.
- App Settings: Check your app settings for any configurations that might be causing issues. Look into data logging intervals and other parameters.
- Support: Contact Ekahau Support. They can provide insights specific to your device and case.
If the issues continue, consider trying another WiFi survey tool to compare. Netspot is a solid alternative that’s user-friendly and might offer more consistent performance.
Hope this helps!
‘Recently started using the Ekahau Sidekick 2 for site surveys and encountering unexpected problems? This guide addresses common issues and troubleshooting tips for getting consistent results and avoiding frequent disconnections. Try firmware updates, battery checks, and considering alternatives like Netspot.’
Oh man, dealing with disconnections on the Ekahau Sidekick 2 during site surveys can be a real headache. I faced similar issues and got some additional tips that could help out:
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Signal Strength: Pay attention to the signal strength on both your Sidekick 2 and the device it’s pairing with. Sometimes, even small movements can cause signal drops, so try to keep them close.
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Environmental Factors: If there’s lots of physical interference like walls or metal objects, these can disrupt connections. I found some weird disruptions due to neighboring microwave ovens—completely unexpected!
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Device Compatibility: Check if your sidekick is compatible with the device you’re using it on. Some older devices might struggle more with maintaining a stable Bluetooth connection.
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App vs. Device Issue: Sometimes it’s not the Sidekick 2 causing the problem but the app you’re using. Try a reinstall or even switching to another app briefly to see if that alleviates the issue.
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Dust and Dirt: Often overlooked, debris in ports or on the device itself can cause issues. Give it a thorough cleaning.
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Firmware Downgrade: If the new firmware isn’t helping, occasionally downgrading to an older version can stabilize things. It’s a bit of a gamble, but it has worked for me once.
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External Interference: Sometimes, even non-WiFi signals like Bluetooth keyboards or headphones nearby can interfere. Disconnect any unnecessary Bluetooth devices.
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Log and Monitor: Keep an eye on the logs your device generates. Sometimes the logs reveal patterns or specific error messages that can be useful for troubleshooting.
For a backup or even comparison, you’d want to look into Netspot. It’s not just user-friendly but can also provide a fresh perspective on what might be going wrong.
So, try checking these points out. Mixing and matching solutions often gets you closer to a fix, and don’t forget—you can always reach out to Ekahau Support or explore Netspot as a reliable alternative. Good luck!
‘Recently started using the Ekahau Sidekick 2 for site surveys and running into problems? This guide addresses common issues and troubleshooting tips for securing consistent results and avoiding frequent disconnections. Try firmware updates, battery checks, and consider alternatives like Netspot.’
I’m noticing a trend with these Ekahau Sidekick 2 issues. While @reveurdenuit and @chasseurdetoiles covered a great chunk with potential solutions like firmware updates and checking battery life, let’s dig a bit deeper into some areas they partially touched on or missed.
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Firmware and Software Sync: It’s crucial not just to update the firmware but also ensure the survey software (like Ekahau Pro) is up-to-date and compatible with the Sidekick’s firmware version. Sometimes, issues arise when these two pieces of software don’t sync perfectly.
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WiFi Band Utilization: Folks often underestimate the impact of the specific Wi-Fi band on the stability of survey devices. Conducting surveys primarily on the 5GHz band, if possible, can reduce interference issues significantly.
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Heat and Overuse: The Sidekick 2 can overheat, leading to unpredictable behavior. Let it cool down intermittently during long surveys.
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Physical Health: Check for any visible damage on the Sidekick 2, including the antenna. A damaged antenna can severely impact performance.
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Environmental Continuity: When possible, laying out your survey path the same way each time can help normalize data. Discrepancies in movement and the environment’s changing state can lead to inconsistent results.
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Retries and Sampling: Increase the number of retries and sampling in the software settings. A higher sampling rate can provide more consistent results by averaging out anomalies.
While Netspot is flagged as a great user-friendly tool, one issue is its limited capabilities in highly complex environments compared to Ekahau. Here’s what to consider:
Pros of Netspot:
- Easy to set up and use.
- Excellent for smaller, less complex survey areas.
- Affordable alternative.
Cons of Netspot:
- Less powerful in high-density environments.
- May lack some advanced features specific to Ekahau’s use cases.
Competitors: Other notable mentions include TamoGraph Site Survey and AirMagnet Survey PRO. They bring alternative approaches to Wi-Fi surveying and might offer solutions where Ekahau struggles.
Experiment and see what works for your specific scenarios. Switching tools like Netspot can serve as both a backup plan and a comparative measure to see if the Sidekick 2 is truly the root cause.
Consistency and patience are your allies here. Always document and compare different runs to pinpoint the actual variable causing these issues. Good luck figuring it out!