The solution doesn't have much functional information online. Most of the information online is regurgitated from marketing brochures. I purchased the solution for a job and sold it afterward because it is expensive. The AirCheck is no longer available and its software is not updated for current use. Additionally, it is not compatible with Macintosh and must be run on an emulator to access the outdated Windows software. Since Fluke sold all its intellectual property to NetAlly, there is no longer any support for the original Fluke AirCheck, which further influenced the decision to discontinue it. Going forward, I would attempt to buy the newer NetAlly product.
Division Network Engineer at a healthcare company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Top 20
2022-10-26T05:59:00Z
Oct 26, 2022
The biggest improvement would be an easier upload over wireless to Link-Live. Currently, the device has to be patched into the Ethernet. The wireless upload has been giving us some issues.
Senior Network Engineer at a healthcare company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Real User
Top 10
2022-08-15T14:31:00Z
Aug 15, 2022
It would be nice if I could import an AP list with a MAC address. When it looks at access points, it should tell me the AP name instead of the MAC address. When you get a MAC address, you can eventually find out where you want to go. However, a lot of times, if I just have an AP name, I know that's in this area or that's over there. I would like that function because AirMagnet, which is the precursor of this, had that ability where you could basically import a list of APs and MAC addresses, and then it could display those instead of just a MAC address. That'd be a nice function. We should be able to put an AP to MAC address in Excel and export it as a CSV file and then import it. That'd be nice to have because I have that information for all my hospitals. The one I'm doing this weekend has got 550 access points. It is much easier for me to look at an AP name than to get a MAC address. Currently, I have to go to a different spreadsheet and try to find that MAC address. If I had the AP name, it would be like, "Okay. Yep. See it. Done." They are doing spectrum analysis in G3, which I would love to have in G2. That's a nice tool to have, and from what I heard, that's the same price. I'd like to have that. The other function I would love to see is the ability to test fiber. I know the $10,000 version has the ability to test fiber, but I would love this lower-cost device to be able to test fiber.
Sr. Telecommunications Engineer at County of Hillsborough
Real User
Top 20
2022-07-22T16:29:00Z
Jul 22, 2022
The only thing that would be an improvement would be the ability to do MPO/MPT testing, which is another mode of fiber, along with more options on the SFP to do that testing. It requires a multiple link fiber test, it doesn't use just one or two strands. It depends on whether they're base-8, base-16, base-12, or base-14 MPO/MPTs.
Engineering Director at Presidio Networked Solutions
Reseller
Top 10
2022-07-11T17:14:00Z
Jul 11, 2022
NetAlly has been behind the curve on visualization, Wi-Fi design, and heat maps for a little while now. They're perfectly aware of this deficiency, but what they offer is good enough for a lot of people. It's not suitable for larger shops, but it works in a pinch. The AirMapper and subsequent AirMagnet integration is an afterthought.
RF Engineer at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 20
2022-06-15T01:37:00Z
Jun 15, 2022
We use these out in the field, and because they're not allowed on our network, we usually have to have the person take them home and provide backhaul to them. In other words, they are not allowed through our firewalls to dump the data. So, we have to have them go to a separate wired network to dump the data. There could be an option to put an LTE and have a phone engine in it so that you can buy a SIM card for it and have it use cellular to download the data. That is something that would be nice to have. That's a little kink in this system right now. Other than using the Ethernet port to download data, it'd be nice if we could use either LTE or some other way to get the data that was collected by AirCheck G2 to our Link-Live portal. That's because our corporate network will not allow them to pass the data through. We do have a special place we can tell them to go and get it, but it is just that when they're out remotely in the field, they typically have to take it home and do it from their home computer. My biggest complaint about it is that I wish it was cheaper. It would be nice if its cost was less because we would like to buy a few more. We're an international company. We have some in the US, and some in certain other countries that we could export to. There are a few other countries where we need to go through export control to send them, which is a problem. If they want to scale their product globally, it would be nicer if they have all the import-export items worked out or have good resellers in each country because there are certain places where we cannot buy the unit. They don't sell it there, and it is not allowed for importation because of its approval. That's why we haven't deployed it in some of these other places, and we're going through alternatives for importation.
Site Administrator at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
2020-07-16T06:21:00Z
Jul 16, 2020
The battery life needs improvement. For example, when you are doing an Ethernet test, that seems to drain the battery pretty quickly. I would like it if they could somehow build/develop a type of fiber optic module with the device. That would be good. The tool itself has a series of features. I think that each set of features should have its own way of identifying, "Here is the problem, and this is how NetAlly fixes that problem or resolves that issue." Typically what happens because there are so many features, marketing might not be familiar with all the things that a solution can do and the problems that it will solve. So, they'll give two or three quick phrases of what it can do, and if you're not really familiar with the issues, then you won't understand what is being said.
Wireless Network Engineer at a hospitality company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
2020-05-28T06:26:00Z
May 28, 2020
With the solution’s one-button AutoTest feature, not all the information is particularly useful. It could be improved with a bit of artificial intelligence saying, "Okay, the G2 sees this problem, maybe this could be the issue," and it would give some suggestions. Right now, when you do the AutoTest you get a bunch of data, but you still have to do some analysis. If you look at some wireless vendors, when there is a problem they give you serious correlation possibilities. For instance, if there is a low signal, it might be due to this or that. You have an idea of where to start your troubleshooting. Additionally, it would be a huge boost if the AirCheck could be used for site surveys, a bit like the Ekahau Sidekick. I think this feature is coming, but -in general- more functionality towards surveying (for example turn the G2 in a survey access point) would be useful. Also, we use 802.1x authentication for the corporate network so, to onboard the G2 I need to download the certificate onto the device. It would be nice to have this functionality through the cloud as well. Right now, you need to do it through the software (windows only) by connecting your laptop physically to the AirCheck. This is one aspect that could be improved. Lastly, many companies are worried about the security of data in the cloud and SSO through API integration is the norm today. I found Link-Live API support it a bit lacking on this side. So far, we haven't been able to integrate it into our single sign-on procedure.
Systems Engineer at a consultancy with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
2020-05-27T08:03:00Z
May 27, 2020
I would love to have a button that pretends that you're an iPhone 5 or an Android Samsung model X, then tell me what you think the experience is. This is a very difficult thing to do because each of these things has different radios in them and behaves differently. As it is today, I can go into the user's office, and say, "The tool says everything's green. The WiFI infrastructure is fine, but their iPhone experience sucks." Is it a problem with their particular iPhone or is it a problem with any iPhone model? If I could have this solution emulate an iPhone model so I can walk into that room, and say, "My tools pretending to be your iPhone and it works fine. It must be your particular iPhone that we have a problem with." I found mobile phones in general have weaker radios, compared, say, to laptops, so they tend to be the devices which struggle first. I suppose though that this is wishful thinking -- from an engineering point of view, I don't see how NetAlly could pack lots of different radios into a single device. And then, they haven't found a way to separate out actual non-802.11 interference from legit 802.11 traffic on channels for which the device cannot hear the device(s) which are communicating on the central channel. As a result, there is a screen where you can see how busy is the channel, e.g., is it a hundred percent full? In which case, you would expect devices to have a lousy experience. But because it is hard (perhaps impossible) to distinguish between non-802.11 interference and legit utilization in this situation, they conflate the two. They know this -- there is a box you can check telling the AirCheck to quit trying to distinguish -- I have this checked now. Again, asking for more precision in this area is probably wishful thinking. I suppose another area which would be helpful would be NetAlly-certified WiFi training -- training which helps me understand how 802.11 works, so that I can more effectively wield the AirCheck. We have been hiring Network Protocol Specialists for this, which has worked out well -- they 'look over our shoulder' remotely, as we practice using the AirCheck in our environment, and NPS staff explain to us what we are seeing. But being able to purchase such a coaching / training session from www.netally.com directly would be helpful.
AirCheck G3 is the most cost-effective hardware-enabled site survey solution for Wi-Fi 6/6E networks. It provides network professionals of any skill level with complete and accurate information to survey and validate Wi-Fi deployments and changes, resolve connectivity and performance problems quickly, speed up closure of trouble tickets, and ensure your Wi-Fi network meets end users’ needs.The new and improved battery life of 10 hours (3 - 4 hours charge) lasts you and your teams throughout...
The solution doesn't have much functional information online. Most of the information online is regurgitated from marketing brochures. I purchased the solution for a job and sold it afterward because it is expensive. The AirCheck is no longer available and its software is not updated for current use. Additionally, it is not compatible with Macintosh and must be run on an emulator to access the outdated Windows software. Since Fluke sold all its intellectual property to NetAlly, there is no longer any support for the original Fluke AirCheck, which further influenced the decision to discontinue it. Going forward, I would attempt to buy the newer NetAlly product.
The biggest improvement would be an easier upload over wireless to Link-Live. Currently, the device has to be patched into the Ethernet. The wireless upload has been giving us some issues.
It would be nice if I could import an AP list with a MAC address. When it looks at access points, it should tell me the AP name instead of the MAC address. When you get a MAC address, you can eventually find out where you want to go. However, a lot of times, if I just have an AP name, I know that's in this area or that's over there. I would like that function because AirMagnet, which is the precursor of this, had that ability where you could basically import a list of APs and MAC addresses, and then it could display those instead of just a MAC address. That'd be a nice function. We should be able to put an AP to MAC address in Excel and export it as a CSV file and then import it. That'd be nice to have because I have that information for all my hospitals. The one I'm doing this weekend has got 550 access points. It is much easier for me to look at an AP name than to get a MAC address. Currently, I have to go to a different spreadsheet and try to find that MAC address. If I had the AP name, it would be like, "Okay. Yep. See it. Done." They are doing spectrum analysis in G3, which I would love to have in G2. That's a nice tool to have, and from what I heard, that's the same price. I'd like to have that. The other function I would love to see is the ability to test fiber. I know the $10,000 version has the ability to test fiber, but I would love this lower-cost device to be able to test fiber.
The only thing that would be an improvement would be the ability to do MPO/MPT testing, which is another mode of fiber, along with more options on the SFP to do that testing. It requires a multiple link fiber test, it doesn't use just one or two strands. It depends on whether they're base-8, base-16, base-12, or base-14 MPO/MPTs.
NetAlly has been behind the curve on visualization, Wi-Fi design, and heat maps for a little while now. They're perfectly aware of this deficiency, but what they offer is good enough for a lot of people. It's not suitable for larger shops, but it works in a pinch. The AirMapper and subsequent AirMagnet integration is an afterthought.
We use these out in the field, and because they're not allowed on our network, we usually have to have the person take them home and provide backhaul to them. In other words, they are not allowed through our firewalls to dump the data. So, we have to have them go to a separate wired network to dump the data. There could be an option to put an LTE and have a phone engine in it so that you can buy a SIM card for it and have it use cellular to download the data. That is something that would be nice to have. That's a little kink in this system right now. Other than using the Ethernet port to download data, it'd be nice if we could use either LTE or some other way to get the data that was collected by AirCheck G2 to our Link-Live portal. That's because our corporate network will not allow them to pass the data through. We do have a special place we can tell them to go and get it, but it is just that when they're out remotely in the field, they typically have to take it home and do it from their home computer. My biggest complaint about it is that I wish it was cheaper. It would be nice if its cost was less because we would like to buy a few more. We're an international company. We have some in the US, and some in certain other countries that we could export to. There are a few other countries where we need to go through export control to send them, which is a problem. If they want to scale their product globally, it would be nicer if they have all the import-export items worked out or have good resellers in each country because there are certain places where we cannot buy the unit. They don't sell it there, and it is not allowed for importation because of its approval. That's why we haven't deployed it in some of these other places, and we're going through alternatives for importation.
The battery life needs improvement. For example, when you are doing an Ethernet test, that seems to drain the battery pretty quickly. I would like it if they could somehow build/develop a type of fiber optic module with the device. That would be good. The tool itself has a series of features. I think that each set of features should have its own way of identifying, "Here is the problem, and this is how NetAlly fixes that problem or resolves that issue." Typically what happens because there are so many features, marketing might not be familiar with all the things that a solution can do and the problems that it will solve. So, they'll give two or three quick phrases of what it can do, and if you're not really familiar with the issues, then you won't understand what is being said.
With the solution’s one-button AutoTest feature, not all the information is particularly useful. It could be improved with a bit of artificial intelligence saying, "Okay, the G2 sees this problem, maybe this could be the issue," and it would give some suggestions. Right now, when you do the AutoTest you get a bunch of data, but you still have to do some analysis. If you look at some wireless vendors, when there is a problem they give you serious correlation possibilities. For instance, if there is a low signal, it might be due to this or that. You have an idea of where to start your troubleshooting. Additionally, it would be a huge boost if the AirCheck could be used for site surveys, a bit like the Ekahau Sidekick. I think this feature is coming, but -in general- more functionality towards surveying (for example turn the G2 in a survey access point) would be useful. Also, we use 802.1x authentication for the corporate network so, to onboard the G2 I need to download the certificate onto the device. It would be nice to have this functionality through the cloud as well. Right now, you need to do it through the software (windows only) by connecting your laptop physically to the AirCheck. This is one aspect that could be improved. Lastly, many companies are worried about the security of data in the cloud and SSO through API integration is the norm today. I found Link-Live API support it a bit lacking on this side. So far, we haven't been able to integrate it into our single sign-on procedure.
I would love to have a button that pretends that you're an iPhone 5 or an Android Samsung model X, then tell me what you think the experience is. This is a very difficult thing to do because each of these things has different radios in them and behaves differently. As it is today, I can go into the user's office, and say, "The tool says everything's green. The WiFI infrastructure is fine, but their iPhone experience sucks." Is it a problem with their particular iPhone or is it a problem with any iPhone model? If I could have this solution emulate an iPhone model so I can walk into that room, and say, "My tools pretending to be your iPhone and it works fine. It must be your particular iPhone that we have a problem with." I found mobile phones in general have weaker radios, compared, say, to laptops, so they tend to be the devices which struggle first. I suppose though that this is wishful thinking -- from an engineering point of view, I don't see how NetAlly could pack lots of different radios into a single device. And then, they haven't found a way to separate out actual non-802.11 interference from legit 802.11 traffic on channels for which the device cannot hear the device(s) which are communicating on the central channel. As a result, there is a screen where you can see how busy is the channel, e.g., is it a hundred percent full? In which case, you would expect devices to have a lousy experience. But because it is hard (perhaps impossible) to distinguish between non-802.11 interference and legit utilization in this situation, they conflate the two. They know this -- there is a box you can check telling the AirCheck to quit trying to distinguish -- I have this checked now. Again, asking for more precision in this area is probably wishful thinking. I suppose another area which would be helpful would be NetAlly-certified WiFi training -- training which helps me understand how 802.11 works, so that I can more effectively wield the AirCheck. We have been hiring Network Protocol Specialists for this, which has worked out well -- they 'look over our shoulder' remotely, as we practice using the AirCheck in our environment, and NPS staff explain to us what we are seeing. But being able to purchase such a coaching / training session from www.netally.com directly would be helpful.