7signal Sapphire

Automated and continuous Wireless Quality Advancement (WQA)

7signal Sapphire is the world’s first complete end-to-end WLAN quality solution. It provides continuous monitoring and troubleshooting for all WLAN networks. With patented monitoring stations, 7signal Sapphire automatically provides invaluable information on the quality and performance of the network from an end-user perspective. The solution ensures the usability of the network and prevents downtime.

The 7signal Sapphire monitors the radio environment, provides quality metrics and performs end-to-end application tests 24/7. With it you can predict problems and failure points for corrective measures. Such problem and failure points can be identified and located within the WLAN or LAN/WAN before the end-user even experiences any problems. This way, 7signal Sapphire provides a performance and Service Level Agreement (SLA) platform for WLANs.

Measurable BENEFITS Business cost savings Maximize existing WLAN performance without buying new infrastructure Minimize number of user complaints Decrease OPEX through problem prevention and diminished downtime Enhance ROI for WLAN application Easier operation and management Centralized 24/7 network monitoring and reporting alarms Measure WLAN performance from end-user’s perspective Vendor independent solution New confidence level in WLAN Enhance WLAN service quality with SLAs for business critical networks

Technical details

7signal Sapphire software consists of three main elements:

1. Carat

• Support for about 200 WLAN Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
• Predefined test profiles and easy to configure customized profiles
• Encrypted data connections to Eye stations
• Database Management System (DBMS) for the real-time and historical performance measurements
• Open interfaces for external systems and protocols such as ODBC and SNMP

• Graphical user interface

• Eye configuration, management and maintenance
• Real time alarm window
• Remote capability for user initiated Eye tests
• Remote Eye software upgrade
• Password protected user accounts with custom access rights
• Automated reports and alarm forwarding configuration
• Service Level Agreement (SLA) configuration
• Network topology view

• Loupe reporting tool (HTTP browser based)

• Graphical data presentation and analysis
• Access from remote sites with no software installation needed for users
• Large amount of pre defined Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and data visualizations
• Capabilities include measurements from radio network, end-to-end connections, point-to-point
  connections from radio spectrum measurement to application level (like VoIP MOS) measurements
  
• SLA view offers easy to understand color coded view to network end-to-end operation
• Network bottleneck view identifies the lowest performing elements in the network

2. Sonar Server

• Sonar is the test counterpart software agent that enables true Industry leading
  end-to-end performance verifications.
• Sonar is typically installed close to end user application server or if remotely hosted
  to the location of Carat Server SW
• Sonar supports all measurements supported by Carat and Eye stations,
  including FTP, ICMP, PSQA VoIP MOS, packet loss, jitter
• Can be installed on separate Linux PC or to basically any other Linux server available

3. Eye

The heart of a Sapphire Solution is the proprietary Eye-radio unit designed and manufactured by 7signal Ltd. Integrated Linux computer controls RF Card 802.11 a/b/g/n* WLAN radio Seven integrated dual band antennas for true 360 coverage SMA connector for one additional external antenna Wide band LNA’s (2.4 GHz – 6 GHz) Link budget 6-12 dB better than with normal clients One Eye-unit can handle handle 6-12 AP’s (experience with up to 30 AP’s in open spaces) Interference is suppressed with directional antennas Integrated 2.4 GHz spectrum analyzer chip (WLAN and non-WLANs signal) LAN connection Power over Ethernet (PoE) Approved for outdoor use (IP 55) Heating element for cold environments FCC approved Number of international patents granted or pending Optional Features GPS Compass Battery operation *802.11 n support available soon – ask!