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A comparision of NetStumbler, MiniStumbler, and AirMagnet.
I wanted to conduct some quick analysis regarding the usage of NetStumbler and MiniStumbler and compare the data against AirMagnet, to review the effectiveness of each product under normal operating conditions. In the past months, I have had ever growing issues and increased inconsistencies with using NetStumbler and MiniStumbler. I have had continual issues with certain combinations of software/hardware reporting particular access points with varying efficiency. I had never run all products, simultaneously, and compared the data. I submit, for your information, the findings of my analysis.
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DEVICES USED
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IBM Thinkpad : NetStumbler
- Cisco AIR-PCM350 PCMCIA NIC
- Version 5.02.005 ACU
- Version 8.2.3.0 NIC drivers from Cisco Systems
- Firmware V4.25.30
iPaq 3970 : MiniStumbler
- Compaq WL110 PCMCIA NIC
- Version 7.62 Build 622
- Client V2.10
- Firmware V4.4 (Primary)
- Firmware 8.42 (Station)
iPaq 3970 : AirMagnet
- Cisco AIR-PCM350 PCMCIA NIC
- Version 2.22.16 ACU
- Version 2.20.05 NIC drivers from AirMagnet
- Firmware V4.25.30
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ANALYSIS SCOPE
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Distance driven: 15 mi.
Total time: 42 min.
Starting from a downtown location in Des Moines, IA, I began my wireless survey at a local Park & Ride garage near the heart of the city. Most of the travel was conducted along I-253, with approximately 6 miles encompassed in residential areas and 2 miles in business zones. Three devices with three different sets of software running were employed during this testing. No add on antennas were used, all devices used reception abilities inherent to their own technology. Scan speeds for all platforms were configured as fast as possible. No GPS data was collected.
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ACCESS POINT DISCOVERY
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NetStumbler = 14 APs / 14 Unique SSIDs
MiniStumbler = 5 APs / 5 Unique SSIDs
AirMagnet = 16 APs / 25 Unique SSIDs (and 33 workstations + 2 Ad-Hoc clients)
NetStumbler
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- IAWDSM01067
- IAWDSM01112
- IAWDSM01157
- IAWDSM01202
- IAWDSM01247
- IAWDSM01292
- IAWDSM01337
- l00ker4u
- linksys
- linksys
- links_sys
- pmon
- PI
- Wedgewood
MiniStumbler
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- IAWDSM01337
- looker4u
- linksys
- linksys
- link_sys
AirMagnet
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- IAWDSM01022
- IAWDSM01067
- IAWDSM01112
- IAWDSM01157
- IAWDSM01202
- IAWDSM01247
- IAWDSM01292
- IAWDSM01337
- l00ker4u (6 total)
- linksys
- linksys
- link_sys
- pmon
- PI
- Wedgewood
- zmtvs0999
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* Access points discovered by AirMagnet
* that were NOT broadcasting SSID info
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*
* G4 Network (2 Nodes, Apple) (Ad-Hoc)
* APs discovered w/out SSID broadcasting = 21
*
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