# Usage guide: Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison

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This page outlines various ways to use the pack, including use case examples.

Administrators can refer to the [Configuration guide: Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/library-packs/security-and-compliance/shadow-it/configuration-guide-shadow-it) to set up and customize the installed content.
{% endhint %}

The **Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison** library pack helps IT teams to:

* Track improvements during Wi-Fi modernization initiatives
* Compare legacy and modern Wi-Fi technologies
* Identify connectivity bottlenecks at access point level
* Analyze performance across locations and organizational segments
* Support troubleshooting with detailed network telemetry
* Measure the impact of infrastructure changes on user experience

## Library pack uses

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Jump to [Use cases](#use-cases) on this page to see relevant scenario applications.
{% endhint %}

Use the library pack content for the following purposes.

### Visibility

The **Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison** live dashboard provides a complete view of your Wi-Fi environment.

It helps you:

* Understand device distribution across Wi-Fi generations
* Track modernization progress from legacy to recent standards
* Identify areas with poor performance or outdated technology

You can analyze data across:

* Regions, countries, or entities
* Sites such as offices or floors
* SSIDs and BSSIDs

This visibility helps you prioritize upgrades based on real user impact.

### Benchmarking performance

The library pack enables direct comparison between different Wi-Fi technologies and environments.

You can:

* Compare legacy protocols with Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and Wi-Fi 7
* Validate that new deployments meet performance expectations
* Measure improvements in speed, stability, and reliability

Use split-screen analysis across two browser windows to compare filtered datasets.

### Troubleshooting connectivity issues

Use available telemetry and filtering capabilities to isolate issues.

You can:

* Identify underperforming access points using BSSID analysis
* Detect weak signal strength or high noise levels
* Distinguish between global and localized issues

Correlate metrics such as:

* Signal strength
* Transmit and receive rates
* Noise levels

This helps determine the root cause of performance degradation.

***

### **Wi-Fi generation reference guide**:

* Legacy: IEEE 802.11a/b/g
* Early modern: IEEE 802.11n/ac (Wi-Fi 4/5)
* Current standard: IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E)
* Next-Generation: IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7)
* Specialized: IEEE 802.11ad (WiGig – 60 GHz)

***

## Use cases

In addition to the relevant use cases covered below, you may uncover other troubleshooting scenarios specific to your environment.

### Analyzing Wi-Fi modernization status

This use case helps you assess the adoption of Wi-Fi technologies across your device fleet.

1. Open the **Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison** dashboard in two browser windows
2. Apply filters in each window:
   * Select legacy protocols such as 802.11a, 802.11g, or 802.11n
   * Select modern protocols such as 802.11ax

<figure><img src="https://268444917-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxJSUDk9NTtCHYPG5EWs3%2Fuploads%2FZ3MyWJBDN86oVU9gIlNs%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=177c597e-8bd1-40aa-80bf-81094a04fd96" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<p align="center"><img src="https://268444917-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxJSUDk9NTtCHYPG5EWs3%2Fuploads%2FIprch4spnsdHQzR6TVRW%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=586d0b53-c336-46f0-84d5-eab7866ca7b7" alt=""></p>

3. Review the following metrics:

* Number of devices per Wi-Fi generation
* Number of SSIDs and BSSIDs
* Timeline trends

Use the timeline to track adoption and identify stagnation.

This analysis helps you:

* Identify devices still using legacy technologies
* Measure adoption of newer standards
* Detect gaps across locations
* Track progress over time

### Comparing performance across locations

This use case helps you benchmark Wi-Fi performance across regions or entities.

1. Open the **Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison** dashboard in two browser windows
2. In each window, use the filtering options in the charts to select a location
3. Compare performance metrics across both views

<figure><img src="https://268444917-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxJSUDk9NTtCHYPG5EWs3%2Fuploads%2FxicOcOMd0CovqxosoChp%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3691ca93-4a2c-4071-9ea7-17313cfea51b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Focus on:

* Signal strength trends
* Performance distribution
* SSID and BSSID breakdown

Use experience indicators to identify:

* Devices with poor connectivity
* Locations requiring optimization

This analysis helps you:

* Detect regional performance gaps
* Identify localized issues
* Understand whether issues are environmental or infrastructure related

### Investigating transmission performance

This use case helps you analyze throughput and its impact on user experience.

1. Open two filtered views of the **Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison** dashboard
2. Compare average transmit rates between locations
3. Review timeline trends to assess stability
4. Drill down into SSID and BSSID data

<figure><img src="https://268444917-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxJSUDk9NTtCHYPG5EWs3%2Fuploads%2FmTDSHNgy3Ajya7d6IJf4%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=80ab2a71-e993-476f-8e33-d97781f34212" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Use this analysis to:

* Identify networks or access points with low throughput
* Determine if issues are localized or widespread
* Correlate performance with device density

Lower transmission rates may lead to:

* Increased latency
* Slower application performance
* Poor user experience

### Analyzing noise and interference

This use case helps you understand environmental impact on Wi-Fi performance.

1. Review noise level metrics in the dashboard
2. Compare noise levels across locations or networks
3. Correlate noise with performance degradation

<figure><img src="https://268444917-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxJSUDk9NTtCHYPG5EWs3%2Fuploads%2FTnKD6e4nSWdPkjRbWOxY%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f1de6e07-8c70-4eb5-b601-ac037299d941" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

High noise levels may result from:

* Congested frequency bands
* Poor access point placement
* Interference from other devices
* High density of access points
* Physical obstacles

This analysis helps you:

* Identify root causes of poor performance
* Distinguish between environmental and infrastructure issues
* Prioritize corrective actions

#### **Interpretation & value**

By combining transmission rate analysis with noise level insights, operators can:

* Clearly identify underperforming locations (e.g., Bangalore vs Lausanne)
* Understand whether degradation is linked to environmental factors or infrastructure limitations
* Correlate network performance with real user experience impact

#### **Key benefits**

This analysis enables a data-driven approach to Wi-Fi performance optimization, allowing organizations to:

* Prioritize network optimization efforts in affected locations
* Improve access point configuration and placement
* Plan infrastructure upgrades or modernization initiatives

Ultimately, it ensures that connectivity improvements are targeted where they will have the greatest impact on end-user experience and productivity.

***

RELATED TOPICS

* [Live Dashboards](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/user-guide/live-dashboards)
* [Overview: Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/library-packs/network-and-connectivity/wi-fi-benchmark-and-comparison)
* [Configuration guide: Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/library-packs/security-and-compliance/shadow-it/configuration-guide-shadow-it)