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Originally Posted by humdinger
It would appear that two main solutions are offered. The first would be to use a laptop with a highly focused antenna (Yagi or Parabolic would seem ideal), and use this setup from the likes of the car park. From there I could "paint the walls" with the antenna and should be able to determin which office the access point is located in, before heading inside for a closer examination.
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Just remember to hit the building from three sides, to better triangulate the position of the AP. If you only hit one side, it may look like the AP is on the second floor, but you're actually "shooting" up into the third. Two extra sweeps, on the side and back of the building, will help give a better approximation.
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Originally Posted by humdinger
My other option appears to be to use a PDA and wander up and down the halls, scanning for access points. From what I've read it seems that this is the best method for detecting the presence of an access point, but is not ideal for determining the exact location of an access point (or even if it's a foreign device).
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If you use an iPAQ with a PCMCIA sleeve, an Orinoco card, and a Yagi, it would make life a little easier; for that approach and just about every other.
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Originally Posted by humdinger
Firstly, can anyone spot any major flaws in the above two options, or point out a solution that I may have missed.
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Sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you want to do. Your above approaches are sound, but take the above advice, if you like.
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Originally Posted by humdinger
Secondly - would it be possible to use a Yagi or Parabolic antenna indoors and sweep the building from my desk? Or would I have to wander around juggling a laptop and large antenna?
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You can't really hunt that well from a stationary position. The Yagi is a good idea, as it allows for pinpointing of the AP. Don't use a laptop; an iPAQ would be much better suited for inter-office AP hunting.
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Originally Posted by humdinger
Thirdly - It would appear that both the Yagi and Parabolic antennas offer very focused beams, is one more ideal than the other for this type of use?
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Personally, I prefer the Yagi, as it isn't quite as focused as a parabolic. If the beam is too narrow, you might indavertantly pass over an AP. The Yagi allows for small side and rear lobes that could still detect the AP, even if the Yagi isn't directly pointed at it.
Just my .02 USD.