Wireless Heatmaps - some general queries please?

First: is still only Cisco APs that are recognised by the WiFi Heatmaps process?

Second: once a heatmap is "generated" does it auto-update to show poor/better coverage as APs come and go on/offline? Or are they a static "best case" scenario until you re-generate the heatmap?

Third: I presume that irrespective of whether the answer to 2 is auto or manual, the heatmap generation is pretty much instant?

Fourth: how accurate have folks found these heatmaps? Do you find they are more accurate the more 'samples' you can add?

Fifth: (and last): is there an Orion Maps equivalent of this facility or is that another one that hasn't yet been ... (how shall we say this?) ... progressed?

Bottom Line: if you don't use this aspect of the SolarWinds tool, what do you use for heatmaps?

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cameramonkey

Maybe I'm misunderstanding how Orion heatmaps are done, but without walking a building with a heatmap tool, you cant possibly know the REAL signal strength. Things like walls, objects, etc can drastically effect the actual signal strength. Heatmaps only by assuming what an AP is doing, are strictly theoretical. Things like reinforced concrete walls, warehouses full of steel materials, etc will drastically impact signal strength.

In the past I have used Ekahau on Android, but that has aged out due to changes in how Android handles wifi card sampling. Starting to look at Acrylic Heatmapper but havent actually tried their product yet.

stuartd

No, I don't think you misunderstand it at all.

Perhaps I should have opened with - I know Orions Network Atlas heatmaps are a "best guess scenario" but that said ......

I've never heard of Acrylic before but will take a look.

The query was more to do with how realistic I guess is NA Heatmaps, and some aspects around them. I may need to reach out to our TAM for answers on this one.