# 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](/platform/library-packs/security-and-compliance/shadow-it/configuration-guide-shadow-it.md) 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.
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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* Identify areas with poor performance or outdated technology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
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
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
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
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](/platform/user-guide/live-dashboards.md)
* [Overview: Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison](/platform/library-packs/network-and-connectivity/wi-fi-benchmark-and-comparison.md)
* [Configuration guide: Wi-Fi benchmark and comparison](/platform/library-packs/security-and-compliance/shadow-it/configuration-guide-shadow-it.md)
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