Sniffophobia Is Alive and Well
Fear not your sniffers, dear WiFi folk. For they are your path to the truth. I had a conference call today and the topic of carrier devices (smartphones, 3G/4G enabled tablets, etc.) on Wi-Fi networks came up. The person on the other end needed to make sure that his WiFi devices were optimized for a variety of different WLAN infrastructures. My first reaction (as is my first reaction to most WiFi related topics) was to sniff. First set up the infrastructure. Then use the device (which could mean connecting, roaming or running an app). Then sniff what's happening. His reaction to my sniffing idea was pretty negative. Their testing procedures are basically trial & error. Set up the WLAN, then connect the device and then document what the user experience is. If the user experience stinks, then make a change. He was a sniffophobe. I get why people are sniffophobes. WiFi sniffers can be expensive and difficult to learn. The idea that you're going to