WiFi scan and spectrum diagnostic advisor
Select your diagnostic objective, operating system, and venue environment to generate custom scanner commands, benchmark thresholds, and actionable remediation steps.
system_profiler SPAirPortDataTypeOpen Terminal and run the command to list nearby networks with channel, band, security, and signal and noise in dBm. The old airport -s scanner was removed in macOS 14.4. For a live scan, Option-click the WiFi icon, choose Open Wireless Diagnostics, then Window > Scan. Option-clicking the WiFi icon also shows the current BSSID, RSSI and Tx rate.
Diagnostic target benchmarks for Channel congestion and co-channel interference (CCI)
Site survey checklist
- Survey 2.4 GHz spectrum to ensure strict adherence to channels 1, 6, and 11.
- Verify 5 GHz channel width is set to 20 MHz or 40 MHz rather than 80/160 MHz in dense zones.
- Audit Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) channels (52-144) for radar detection events (CAC/evacuation).
- Measure non-802.11 RF noise floor from microwaves, Bluetooth beacons, and motion sensors.
Recommended remediation playbook
- Adjust Radio Resource Management (RRM) or Dynamic Channel Assignment (DCA) thresholds to redistribute frequencies.
- Lower AP transmit power (EIRP) on 2.4 GHz to 9-12 dBm and 5 GHz to 14-17 dBm to shrink cell overlap.
- Disable 2.4 GHz radios on select access points (e.g. 50% density) to eliminate self-induced co-channel contention.
Architecture Tip: Use 40 MHz 5 GHz channels and enforce 802.11k/v fast roaming. Audit adjacent tenant RF overlap across floor boundaries.
Recommended Scan Cadence: Quarterly comprehensive site audits and before major office reconfigurations.
Need an enterprise WiFi site survey & spectrum audit?
Purple provides automated guest WiFi analytics, captive portal security, and RF venue insights across thousands of global properties.
Speak with a Purple wireless specialist
Fill out the form below to receive our complete enterprise WiFi site survey runbook and speak with our network solutions team.
Related enterprise WiFi resources
| 工具類別 | 主要使用場景 | 提供之關鍵指標 | 理想目標受眾 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 原生 OS 指令 | 免安裝快速診斷 | SSID, BSSID, RSSI (dBm), 頻道, 安全密碼演算法 | 使用筆記型電腦進行抽檢的 IT 管理員 |
| 行動診斷應用程式 | 巡檢樓層測試 | 即時頻道圖表、重疊視覺化、訊號掉落警示 | 現場技術人員與設施經理 |
| 專屬 RF 硬體 | 完整企業場所勘測與預測性驗證 | 原始頻譜分析 (2.4/5/6 GHz)、非 WiFi 干擾、封包擷取 | WLAN 架構師與 RF 勘測工程師 |
| 雲端 WiFi 分析 | 持續性場地監控與訪客洞察 | 停留時間、訪客流量、裝置密度、工作階段穩定度 | 營運總監與網路主管 |
| 指椅 | 瘡標值 | 最低可接受值 | 超出範圍時需採取的措施 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 主要信號 (RSSI) | -65 dBm 或更強 | -70 dBm | 新增輔助 AP 或提高 Tx 功率 |
| 次要重疊 RSSI | -72 dBm (15-20% 蜂巢重疊) | -75 dBm | 調敤 AP 間距以防止覆蓋漏洞 |
| 信噪比 (SNR) | 25 dB 或更高 | 20 dB | 減少射頻噪音源或重新配置 AP |
| 頻道空中時間依用率 | < 35% (沐峰時段) | < 50% | 停用低速舊版數據傳輸率;切換至 20/40 MHz 頻寬 |
| 同頻道 AP 數量 (@ -82 dBm) | <= 1 個其他 AP | 2 個 AP | 重新分配頻道;降低 AP 傳輸功率 |




