Monitor These 10 KPIs to Ensure Peak Wi-Fi Performance

Wi-Fi networks are essential components of the IT infrastructure. They facilitate a broad range of business functions, including mobile and remote work, cloud connectivity, and edge computing. Outages or interruptions can bring operations to a standstill, resulting in lost productivity, communication failures and financial losses.

Organizations can reduce the risk of outages by consistently monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess and measure the performance, efficiency and reliability of the Wi-Fi network. These metrics allow network administrators to detect and resolve issues faster, which can reduce the frequency and duration of outages.

Here are 10 key KPIs that should be monitored:

1. Uptime. This is a measure of how often the Wi-Fi network is operational and available for users. Higher percentages reflect the reliability and stability of the network.
2. Bandwidth and throughput. The bandwidth metric shows the maximum amount of data that a network connection can transmit within a specific timeframe. Throughput, meanwhile, is a measure of how much data is actually transferred within that timeframe. Throughput is typically lower than bandwidth due to factors such as signal interference or network congestion.
3. Signal strength. This metric shows the quality of the wireless signal between the access point (AP) and connected devices. It is typically expressed in decibel-milliwatts (dBm) and indicates how well the signal propagates in the environment.
4. Signal-to-noise ratio. Wireless devices must be able to distinguish between legitimate wireless signals and background noise or interference. SNR measures the strength of the signal compared to any background noise present during a transmission. A higher SNR value indicates a cleaner and more reliable signal.
5. Data transfer rate. This KPI reflects the speed at which data moves between two devices on the network. It is usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and can vary depending on network capabilities, the number and type of devices used, and the distance between them.
6. Latency. Latency refers to the delay between sending a request from a device and receiving a response from the network. Low latency is crucial for real-time applications, such as video streaming, online gaming and VoIP services.
7. Packet Loss. Packet loss occurs when one or more data packets fail to arrive at their intended destination. High packet loss rates can cause noticeable network performance issues, leading to retransmissions and slower data transfers. Frequent retransmissions are often signs of network interference or poor signal strength.
8. Network jitter. This is a measure of how consistently data packets reach their destination. A high jitter rate indicates too many packets are being delayed during transmission, which negatively impacts voice, video and other real-time communication applications.
9. Coverage area. This is a measure of the reach and strength of the Wi-Fi signal, indicating how far the signal reaches and its strength at different points within that area. Identifying areas with weak coverage or dead zones allows administrators to adjust access points, antennas and configurations to optimize coverage.
10. User density. This metric refers to the number of connected devices within a specific area or on a specific access point. Monitoring user density helps optimize network capacity and performance in crowded environments.

These KPIs provide valuable insights that help organizations ensure fast, reliable and high-quality wireless connectivity. However, organizations with limited IT staff might find regular monitoring to be too much of a burden. If so, SageNet can provide real-time monitoring, management and support of mission-critical wireless networks through our SageWi-Fi managed solution. Contact us to set up a complimentary consultation or download our data sheet to learn more.