It is portable. It is rugged. It comes with a nice case. It has been dropped, but it doesn't break. I don't have a cracked screen or anything like that. It has pretty good battery life.

The other nice thing about it, which I have to admit, is that it has USB ports. When I do packet captures, it is really easy to put them on a USB stick and then bring it into my notebook for Wireshark analysis.  I don't have to use Bluetooth and try to connect. I find that convenient.

The ability to push data to Link-Live is really important. On the main screen, you can see all the system parameters, and then you can also go and see all the current systems that are operating. They all have different SSIDs or system identifiers, and you can see all SSIDs that are operating in a certain area. Being able to see that and being able to dive into each one and figure out what frequency it is operating under is valuable.

It is a cloud-based service. I like the fact that our remote site personnel can push things to the cloud, and I can pull them down. Before all these cloud services, things were not as convenient. I like the convenience of being able to do that for the way I'm using this tool.

I like the product because it can right away give you a snapshot in time by doing a self AutoTest. I like the AutoTest because it does a snapshot of your environment within seconds.

Wi-Fi is divided into bands: a 2.4 GHz band, a 5 GHz band, and most recently a 6 GHz band. These bands are divided into channels, and for a properly designed Wi-Fi setup, I need to use specific channels to avoid interference. AirCheck G2 gives me an overview of which channels are used by the access points or who delivers the Wi-Fi, which gives me a clear picture of what's going on.

When it comes to deploying access points, AirCheck G2 can check the internet. I can plug in a cable originating from the access point and check if it is receiving an IP address and if the access point is getting enough power. I can quickly check the basic installation on the customer's side to ensure that everything is correctly set up to accommodate an access point in the environment.

There's a feature which helps me create a heat map. The product comes with a cloud service called Link-Live, which allows me to import a building plan. I can walk around a building and tap my location on the display to conduct a frequency scan, and see what signals are received. The result is a heat map, where I can visualize where Wi-Fi signals are and aren't received throughout the entire building. 

We used to work with different tools, but having this solution is an excellent opportunity because it's so compact and ready to go. We don't have to carry a notebook or tablet to run the software. It's a handy device. 

There are two perspectives to consider; mine and the company's, as the solution is a privately owned device. It isn't adopted company-wide nor used by the entire networking team. Therefore, we have workflows based on other tools, specifically Ekahau, which is why I don't use AirCheck G2 as much as I would like. I would prefer AirCheck G2 for these workflows as it is a more lightweight tool, but that would be a company decision. On the first release, some view modes were missing, but NetAlly has greatly improved their product. There may be other solutions that deliver more information through a spectrum view, but for a Wi-Fi-focused tool, there's nothing I'm missing. 

I'm happy with the ability to create heat maps in Link-Live's cloud service. All the necessary information is accessible in the cloud service, so anyone who uses the device is synced to Link-Live. On the other hand, a product designed to be easy to use is made more complex by German data security laws, which means we need to be careful where data is stored. This is not a fault with the product, as I love the ease of use with Link-Live. Receiving permission for data to be stored in US-based servers solves this issue. 

I think the results are accurate and complete. They are in line with the analyses of other tools. So from my point of view, the results are pretty accurate.

I think it has saved time. I cannot speak for the whole company because I only give the solution to my colleagues when they need it, as I own it. It made me more productive, and I always carry it with me. It doesn't require another tool bag or a tablet like the Ekahau Sidekick. I can use AirCheck G2 to check that the cabling team have done a good job without consulting a tablet or my notebook. The process of checking if network outlets have been patched and if I'm receiving an IP address from the correct VLAN takes about three minutes with the solution, compared to 15 without it.

It is hard to say precisely how much time the solution saves during troubleshooting. Using AirCheck G2, I can quickly tell if there is an issue with the Wi-Fi or service near the network, such as the DNS or DHCP. This is the first troubleshooting phase, which takes just a few minutes. However, this doesn't mean the issue is necessarily resolved. I know where I have to look deeper in the network. Therefore, I wouldn't say the solution guarantees to resolve issues faster, but it definitely speeds up the initial stages of troubleshooting. I can get a good idea of an issue and where I need to do further analysis in three to five minutes. 

Definitely, the AirMapper Site Survey on the AirCheck G2 is the most valuable feature. It is really nice to be able to upload the maps remotely to the website, and then have the analyst upload the results so we can review the data. We use AirMapper on a regular basis. It is probably the most used application on the device, to troubleshoot wireless while the tech analysts are on site and the engineers are not able to make the trip there.

The AirMapper is one of the easiest things I've ever actually dealt with for any kind of wireless troubleshooting. It is as easy as using any smartphone on a day-to-day basis. 

The AirMapper survey data for obtaining information is easy to use and a lifesaver on multiple occasions. It is easy to set up, easy to use, easy to follow the instructions, and the uploading and reviewing of the data are extremely helpful.

We use the AirMapper Link-Live service to create heat maps. Once the survey has been performed, we upload all our results to Link-Live where we view the heat maps and go over the rough data of the survey performed at the locations. The ability to validate and visualize the information that's gathered by the AirMapper is extremely useful and it's extremely easy to read. It provides extremely easy data points to review and to gather information from.

The ease of use of the handheld AirMapper compared to software for, let's say, a laptop, is night and day. The handheld device is used pretty much like a smartphone. It is extremely user-friendly and ready to go right off the bat.

The AutoTest feature also comes in handy quite a bit to view the connection status of the SSID that the user is currently using. It also displays the interference at that site connection.

The completeness and accuracy for wireless troubleshooting would probably rank up at about 95 percent. From when the surveys are performed, to the time the results are uploaded, to what we discover, it has been found to be an extremely accurate tool. We have used it many times to identify either troublesome areas that are missing an access point or that are experiencing some kind of interference.

What I like about it is that it has a bigger touch screen now. The old LinkRunner was not a touch screen. It's a lot faster than the old one.

We can send the results to their Link-Live cloud and then find people to look at them. We can give the results to our clients or our contractors and they can look at whether it passes or fails. You can save it to both the cloud and the local machine. And, if you save it to the local machine, when you plug it in, as soon as there is an internet connection it automatically uploads to your account.

And the one-button AutoTest feature is an amazing tool. It works well. It tells you whether or not you have shorts in your network, your PoE+ is running low on voltage, and shows you your link speed.

We also have the AirMapper Site Survey feature to go along with that. We can upload things and check them. We can download from it and walk through a building to make sure all the WAPs are working correctly and to check the bit rate error. I like AirMapper because it makes things a one-suite deal so that everything is together. It makes it easier to upload, download, check, and test. It's also excellent for gathering WiFi site survey data. It's a good feature and we're really impressed with it.

Another function of the AirMapper is creating heat maps in Link-Live. It's great at helping us visualize a network. We use it to double-check that things have been laid out correctly by our contractor, and it provides excellent results. If we need to move something a few feet here or there, or add something, it helps out quite a bit. AirMapper is quite similar to site survey software products. It depends on what you're familiar with. We're very familiar with AirMapper and that's usually what we stick with. We like how it responds and it's easily uploaded into our monitoring tools.

In addition, the small form factor of the units is one of the big features.

AirCheck has a feature that lets you play a tone so you can track down a rogue AP based on the RF signal. That's a cool feature. It can also help you identify interference like microwave ovens or Bluetooth devices. I also like the ability to link it to your online account. It sends a report via email and saves it on the cloud.

The reporting is basic but useful. It lets you know that it was able to reach the DNS and get an IP address from the DHCP server. They did a cut-over and had to use the link for AirCheck. Every time they plugged it into the network, it would send the report. It's helpful when you need to locate a cable.  

The auto-test, channel scanner, packet capture, and Link-Live integration are all crucial features we use regularly. The wired cable tester is also indispensable. We frequently run into problems during cable testing that are hard to pin down. When tracking down a cable problem, we usually need to plug something into the cable and ensure the cable plant is reliable. 

Nothing else would work in those situations. A bad cable could affect performance in a number of ways, and troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks is complicated enough already. AirCheck G2 provides a simple-to-use tool that allows my field teams to plug an AP cable in, and I have a good idea whether that cable's problematic or not.

I like everything in the G2. Compared to the old AirCheck it is a massive step forward. I like the cloud functionality. That's very useful because somebody can go onsite, someone who is not really skilled, and I can see the test results from the office. This is my favorite function. 

I also like the remote session and the ability to log in to the device remotely. You can log in to the tester with your computer and can see the screen and operate the tester remotely. This is a very cool function, but it's very advanced. And I think you need to be connected with a cable to do that. But it is still a very good function because you can give the tester to level-one support guys and, even if they are not wireless experts, in the worst case, you can operate the tester remotely from the office.

I also like the packet capture functionality. It's very good. While you are onsite and troubleshooting the signal, you can identify a particular client and start a packet capture. And you can download the packet capture from the cloud; that's a new development. Before, you had to download it manually. Now it's on the cloud as well.

The solution’s one-button AutoTest feature to identify common problems is good. 

The airCheck is the real-time spectrum analyzer to see clients that could be connecting to our network, not just rogue networks out there, but rogue clients and other interference in that particular spectrum.

I use a lot of its functions. 

The most used feature is the AutoTest. This provides quick verification and troubleshooting options. It also offers the possibility to go quite in-depth. It goes through everything with a profile that you can define. It creates a profile and connects to our network, then it tries to make an outside connection. It goes through all the steps, and you can dig in through all the steps. So, you can go into the first step of the authentication and connection. Then, in the second phase, you can see the neighboring access points, possible interference, and overlaps. In the end, you can see if your final connection was successful, e.g., a connection to Google. You can see the delays and time. The final step is that you can integrate a report automatically, uploading that through either one of your systems or a NetAlly online portal.

Overall, the complete appliance is quite easy to use. Even without going through a manual, you can figure it out quite fast. It is quick and easy. On the device, there is a help function that also relates to the navigation you are on. There are predefined profiles, so you can compare.

It is a very quick informational tool. If you go to an unknown location, and you don't know that location, you can immediately see which access points are there. So, if you have to replace one and don't know which one it is, AirCheck will tell you. If it is a known vendor, like Cisco Meraki or Ubiquiti, then it will show you that information.

AirCheck provides in-depth information for resolving connectivity and performance problems. You can do a full analysis on the web interface. You can also download reports into a spreadsheet. I couldn't imagine it being more in-depth.

All of the features are valuable. It is a wonderful tool. It allows me to troubleshoot and bypass network operating personnel. It takes the place of an IT troubleshooting department, because now I can do all the troubleshooting. I can walk into an environment and know what is going on. I don't have to call for IT assistance.

The solution’s one-button AutoTest feature is able to identify common problems. This is a major feature and plus for this particular device. You are able to hit one button and then identify different areas of the IT environment.

The information provided by the solution for resolving connectivity and performance problems is very thorough. The reporting functionality is extremely good as I can pass that information on with little input. The device will identify issues and problems, e.g., the diagnostic material. When you have Internet access, it sends the information to your email address, which is very useful.

A lot of features are useful.

AutoTest: You press AutoTest, then in 30 seconds you have an assessment of how well the tool is experiencing the WiFi environment. What I generally find is that the infrastructure is fine, which points me toward end user's device:  that allows me to focus on the phone or laptop. Then I can use the AutoTest tool to perform a packet capture of what the device is doing, giving me more insights:  perhaps the device has refused to roam from a distant Access Point, for example (e.g. bug in the WiFi driver). Often, I find that the end user device simply isn't transmitting anything at all. Then, of course, the user sees everything is broken, but that at least narrows the fault domain to the device and gives me a place to start trouble-shooting it.

On the other hand, when the AirCheck fails AutoTest, then it gives me a whole range of insights into what might be going on.  For example, it may show a strong signal, low signal/noise ratio, high throughput ... but failed authentication.  This points me toward the Radius authentication infrastructure.  Or failed DHCP address reservation -- this points me toward the DHCP infrastructure.

One of the things that NetAlly excels at is providing tools which are useful to both neophytes and experts -- someone with little expertise can press the AutoTest button and focus on any Yellow or Red items.  in the hands of an expert, it's even more useful:  it displays a rich, detailed view of the radio environment, in terms of channels, utilization, Access Points, clients, and the various pathologies for all of these.