End2End-Test

The WLAN end-to-end test can be used to check the availability and performance of a WLAN from the perspective of an end device—without requiring an additional test device on site. To do this, an existing R&S®LANCOM access point is temporarily switched to client mode and performs defined tests along the entire connection path from the WLAN to the Internet.

The test detects, among other things, problems with WLAN authentication, IP address assignment via DHCP, name resolution via DNS, logging in to a captive portal, and ping and HTTP connections. Test profiles can be adapted to the respective network environment. Tests that are not required can be removed from the profile, such as the captive portal test if no hotspot is operated.

An administrator can start a test run manually when required or schedule it regularly using the internal cron table. The results are stored in the corresponding log tables and are also forwarded to the device Syslog. From there, they can be forwarded, for example, to external SIEM systems.

During test execution, the access point operates in client mode. As a result, it is temporarily unavailable for normal WLAN operation, and connected clients are disconnected. After the test run is complete, the access point automatically switches back to normal operating mode and resumes serving the WLAN clients.

This order cannot be changed because the individual tests build on one another. For example, a WLAN connection is required for network communication, a valid IP address is required for DNS queries, and an HTTP test may be possible only after successfully logging in to the captive portal.