CNT 5106C Computer Networks, Fall 2008 by Professor Ahmed Helmy

Experiment information page by Sungwook

 

Experiment #1

Submission deadline: 2008-11-19

*** I have received all the submission from all groups. Thanks.

*** I have received all the submission except one person from EDGE students.

 

 

You have to fully read the following contents before you begin the experiment:

 

1. check the following files

Download manual (updated on 2008-11-13)

Download parser

Download a zipped sample file (contains: txt file->saved by Wififofum, ns1, kml)

 

2. For Windows Vista users:

You can download and use Vistumbler instead of Netstumbler from the following website:

http://vistumbler.sourceforge.net/

** Vistumbler does not show the signal strength in dbm, it shows with percentage. Please export to .ns1 file from Vistumbler, then read the file from Netstumbler. You will be able to see them in dbm.

** If you want to use Bluetooth GPS, you need to install NETCommOCX first. Refer to the following website:

http://home.comcast.net/~hardandsoftware/NETCommOCX.htm

 

3.  Please send group information and device checkout request after reading details from the following page:

Device checkout schedule

** Please be aware that part II-A also requires data collected from checked-out device. So design your experiment accordingly.

4. Check the following trouble shooting guide before checking out.

Trouble shooting guide

 

5. Signal strength(dbm)

As some buildings have very good WLAN coverage, the building floor could be filled with all green. Please feel free to change the coverage rule in a reasonable range. E.g.) instead of current x>-78 = green, you can either change to x>-70 = green or add blue for x>=68. Also, keep in mind that signal strength measurement is not only limited to the buildings on campus.

6. Extra credit

Creative or detailed additional experiments with deep analysis beyond the requirement may add up to extra credits depending on the quality.

7. Using different programs

For indoor measurement only, you may use other programs after confirming with Sungwook. In that case, you need to indicate in the report and should still submit measurement files(same for netstubler or vistumbler users as well, as submission instruction on the report indicates.).

8. Remote (EDGE) students

Please let Sungwook know which option you will take. Option 1 is strongly recommended.

9. E-mail

Put CNT5106 in the title and indicate who you are when you send an e-mail; Otherwise, e-mail might be discarded.

10. Typos in the manual

Part II is not a bonus assignment, it is a requirement. To download a netstumbler, follow the link provided below. The link in the manual is to the forum for netstumbler.

Netstumbler download

11. Common mistakes (IMPORTANT!!) Read this before you check out the device and do the outdoor measurement.

1) PDA: Don¡¯t run multiple Wififofum programs. When you tap Wififofum icon multiple times, multiple Wififofum will run even though it does not look so as PDA is slow. Many groups failed to achieve correct readings by committing this mistake. To check how many Wififofums are running, follow the instruction below.

2) PDA: How to check which programs are running: go to setting -> system -> memory. You will find some programs are running. By tapping on stop, you will terminate the program, or tapping on activate, the program will re-appear. If everything becomes so slow, you can always restart the whole thing by pushing in a pin-hole on the device.

3) Keep an eye on GPS readings: By moving the scroll bar to the right, you will see latitude and longitude. Whenever moving your position to a certain extent, check if GPS is showing difference.

4) Let the GPS works its job where you can clearly see the sky. If you are under the tree or any subject(including people) is on top of GPS device, you can disturb correct GPS reading.

5) Read the questions in the manual first before asking questions. Some of you asked what *_ap.kml or *_sp.kml means. They are the questions you need to seek for answers (read the manuial!)

6) Time management: Some groups are very good so they finish all the experiments within 2 hours and do not require checking out the device one more time. All of the successful groups read the manual thoroughly before starting the experiment. If you do not want to be in a situation like [wanting to check out a device one more time but time slots are full so you¡¯re in trouble], then you need to be prepared well. Some groups proved that it does not even take 2 hours for complete result.

12. Additional measurement or analysis is always better: Please do not just limit your experiment to the questions provided in the manual. You can always (including the next experiment) add more details to that, which will account toward extra credit (that could change your LETTER grade).

 

13. Please google first for software related questions and discuss with your team members before you ask. Many of the questions you ask me are what you can seek from googling for 2 minutes. E-mails regarding such questions or non-experiment related questions and without proper title (CNT5106) may not be replied.

 

14. Vistumbler is not a virus although a few of virus vaccines may detect as that.

 

15. Tuesday (11-11) is a holiday but we will be still there for checkout and return. In case the door to the building is locked and you can not go in, try other doors (usually one of the doors at downstairs) or call 352-392-2744(number I sent in an e-mail is incorrect) in the lab to ask for opening.

 

16. Please contact TA only via e-mail. Don¡¯t make a phone call to TA.

 

17. You are responsible to read all the information here and constantly check the website for any updates.

 

18. If you still did not find your group, you have to let the TA know ASAP unless you talked with professor regarding this matter.

 

 

** Notice **

 

2008-11-18

-          Representative¡¯s names for submitted group are shown above. Please check. All the submittion will be forwarded to my gmail account. So as long as your submission is below 20MB, your submission will be fine.

-          Link to experiment #2 will become available soon. Please check the main experiment page and course website frequently.

 

2008-11-13

- Manual is updated. Most of the updated parts are from this website.

- This Friday (2008-11-14) is the last day for device checkout.

 

2008-11-11

- see 13,14,15,16

- Vista users, who want to use Bluetooth GPS, see 2. It is updated.

- One person is seeking to join in a group, let me know if you are willing to add one more person in your group ASAP. This is different person than the one (who already joined in) below.

- see 17, 18

 

2008-11-10

-          Person below joined in a group so he is no longer available.

-          See the typos in the manual in 10 above.

-          Read 11, 12. This will help you to do the successful experiments.

 

2008-11-8

- One of students is looking for a group to join in. Please let me know if you are interested in adding one more person. Keep in mind having less people will have no advantage over larger group, so it¡¯s always good to have more people.

- If you still have not found a group to join in, you should let me know ASAP. We will consider all the criteria and details in grading. A person joining in a group late may receive a penalty.

- Please provide the e-mail address of the representative (point of contact) in your group if you have not sent me.

 

2008-11-7

-          Details for Vista users are added. See above 2.

-          Check 3(updated), 5,6,7,9 above.

-          Many groups seem to choose to do the measurement in CISE building. We encourage you to try in other buildings.

-          Bonus point part in the manual is a typo. All parts including (part I-A, I-B, II-A, II-B) are requirements. Only remote students have a choice.

-          Remote students(EDGE), check 8 above.

 

2008-11-6

-          Remote (EDGE) students, send Sungwook an email for which option you will choose ASAP. Option 1 is strongly recommended.

-          No exclusive deadline extension for remote students.

 

2008-11-5

-          Some of the students still have not sent group information and device checkout request. Please form a group and send information along with device request ASAP.

-          Print out trouble shooting guide before checking out devices.

 

2008-11-4

-          Send names, UF-IDs, leader name of your group to Sungwook as soon as possible.

-          Group should be 5-8 people. There¡¯s no advantage for having less people in a group so form a group with as many people as you can.

-          If you have a hard time finding a member or a group, contact Sungwook.

 

2008-11-3

-          You are free to use Vistumbler for Windows Vista.

-          Link to the manual updated.

-          Check device checkout schedule and submit your request.

 

2008-11-1

-          Deadline for exp #1 is updated.

 

2008-10-31

-          Time blocks for device checkout reservation will become available soon.

-          Link to the manual will become available soon.

 

 

Contact Sungwook for any questions regarding experiment (e-mail: smoon at cise account)

Last updated: 2008-11-18