--- title: Ekahau Site Survey for Wi-Fi Design | IPTel description: How IPTel uses Ekahau Site Survey for Wi-Fi design and onsite surveys — importing plans and why map scaling matters. image: https://blog.iptel.com.au/hubfs/Blogs/Ekahau%20Site%20Survey/Ekahau%20(Instagram%20Post)-feature.jpg --- [![IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2-pnd-optimised-500 (1)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2-pnd-optimised-500%20(1).png?width=200&height=59&name=IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2-pnd-optimised-500%20(1).png "IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2-pnd-optimised-500 (1)")](https://iptel.com.au) - [Home](https://iptel.com.au/) - [Solutions](https://iptel.com.au/solutions) Technologies - [Cisco Access Manager](https://iptel.com.au/technologies/cisco-access-manager) - [Cisco Catalyst Center](https://iptel.com.au/technologies/cisco-catalyst-center) - [Cisco Meraki](https://iptel.com.au/technologies/cisco-meraki) - [Cisco SDA Fabric](https://iptel.com.au/technologies/cisco-sda-fabric) - 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[Request a Quote](https://iptel.com.au/request-a-quote) - [Managed Services](https://iptel.com.au/managed-services-enquiry) Case Studies - [DP World Video](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hubfs/Case%20Studies/DP%20World_Case_Study.mp4) - [DP World](https://blog.iptel.com.au/dp-world-case-study) - [Backup Assure](https://blog.iptel.com.au/backup-assure-a-disaster-recovery-case-study) [Contact Us](https://iptel.com.au/contact-us) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ## Ekahau Site Survey Sept 3, 2025 There are a bunch of tools on the market for Wi-Fi designs and different ones are suited for different purposes. Ekahau Site Survey (ESS) Pro is the key tool we use for RF Design. ![Ekahau](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Ekahau%20Site%20Survey/Ekahau-still.jpg?width=1792&height=960&name=Ekahau-still.jpg) We’ve developed extensive procedures and checklists around the use of Ekahau, which is how we’re able to deliver results for different types of survey that meet the specification. To produce consistent Wi-Fi designs, it's really important to have processes and checklists - we have many covering each typical type of design we build (for voice grade, or clinical, or a warehouse - work out the recipe for what works and then follow this each time).  We use Ekahau for: - [Wi-Fi Predictive Design (Desktop)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-predictive-design-wifi-heatmaps) - [Wi-Fi Pre-deployment Survey](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wireless-pre-deployment-surveys) (On-site) - [Deployment Validation Survey](https://blog.iptel.com.au/deployment-validation-survey-what-to-expect) (On-site) - [Wi-Fi Diagnostic Survey (On-site)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/ekahau-site-survey#Wi-Fi_Diagnostic_Survey) Related reading - [Wi-Fi Surveys](https://iptel.com.au/services/wi-fi-surveys) - [Wi-Fi Phone Dropouts](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-phone-dropouts) - [Wi-Fi Assurance Review](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-assurance-review) --- ## Ekahau for Onsite Surveys The software is coupled with the Sidekick and iPad for site work. The Ekahau Sidekick is used to accurately and consistently measure RF. This allows us to sample onsite and use the data to enhance our predictive model. It doesn't matter which Sidekick you use from our fleet - they all read very similarly. One of the absolute first things you need to do for any survey is to import and scale the plan in Ekahau – let's have a quick look at how you do that below. Related reading - [Wi-Fi Predictive Designs](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-predictive-design-wifi-heatmaps) - [Wi-Fi Design Technical Requirements](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-design-technical-requirements) - [Wi-Fi Design Business Requirements](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-design-business-requirements) --- ## Importing a Plan into Ekahau 1. Once you have created your Ekahau Pro Project File, you are ready to import a map 2. Use the Map toolbar or select the three dots to add your map:  ![Picture1](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Ekahau%20Site%20Survey/Picture1.png?width=455&height=267&name=Picture1.png) 3. Browse to the location where you have exported the JPEG file and select this file 4. You will now see this file in Ekahau Pro 5. Use the Scaling tool to set the scale 6. If unsure of scaling, we can sometimes use a maps tool (maps.google.com) or use a standard door to scale. 7. Once the image is scaled, check the scale in another location. 8. If you are not confident on the scale, make a comment. If a site visit is in scope, checking the scale is always recommended. The scaling in item 5 above is *critical* to get your Wi-Fi design correct, so double-check the size of the plan to ensure it's correct - we'll dig a bit more into this, in the section below. Related reading - [Wi-Fi Pre-deployment Surveys](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wireless-pre-deployment-surveys) - [Recessed Ceiling Tiles](https://blog.iptel.com.au/recessed-ap-installation) - [Wi-Fi vs 5G](https://blog.iptel.com.au/cisco-private-5g) --- ## The importance of Map Scaling While it doesn’t seem *that* important to scale a map, it is actually critical for all Wi-Fi designs. [![AP Placement Feature Image](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/AP%20Placement/AP%20Placement%20Feature%20Image.png?width=240&height=240&name=AP%20Placement%20Feature%20Image.png)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/ap-placement-location-grade)An incorrectly scaled map will end up with an incorrect density and placement of APs. The maps are scaled when imported for an RF design, but we then re-check this when we attend site for the [pre-deployment survey](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wireless-pre-deployment-surveys). There are a few tools for doing this onsite, but a simple laser measure allows you to measure quite a long length in the building and compare that to the measurements in the plan. If the two don’t match, the plan must be re-scaled and the bad news is the design needs to be re-checked – and maybe reworked. It pays to try and scale the plans correctly first time! Related reading - [RF Power Tuning](https://blog.iptel.com.au/access-point-power-caps) - [RF Design Surveys](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-predictive-design-wifi-heatmaps) - [Cheapest vs Best Value Design](https://blog.iptel.com.au/cheapest-vs-best-value-wifi-design) - [Wi-Fi Assurance Review](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-assurance-review) - [Wi-Fi 6](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi6-cio-briefing) --- ## Ekahau Site Survey: FAQs ### What Is Ekahau Site Survey? Ekahau is the industry-standard software for predictive Wi-Fi design and onsite surveys, used to model and measure coverage. ### Why Does Map Scaling Matter? If the floor plan scale is wrong, every distance, wall loss and AP count in the design is wrong too, so scaling is checked carefully. ### Can Ekahau Be Used On Site? Yes. Ekahau is used with survey hardware to measure real coverage during pre-deployment and validation surveys. ### What Floor Plan Formats Can Be Imported? Floor plans can be imported as images, PDFs or CAD drawings, then scaled and modelled with walls and attenuation. --- ## Ekahau Site Survey: Summary While we have provided some tips and insights into Ekahau in this blog, there’s a range of tools out there. [![Deploying and Migrating to 6GHz Wi-Fi (Instagram Post)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Deploying%20and%20Migrating%20to%206GHz%20Wi-Fi/Deploying%20and%20Migrating%20to%206GHz%20Wi-Fi%20(Instagram%20Post).png?width=240&height=240&name=Deploying%20and%20Migrating%20to%206GHz%20Wi-Fi%20(Instagram%20Post).png)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/deploying-and-migrating-to-6ghz-wifi)If you want to [buy a copy of Ekahau, drop us a line](mailto:sales@iptel.com.au)and we can help. We also spend a lot of time working through designs and building out specific Wi-Fi installations for our customers, and in doing this we update our processes to keep in line with latest learnings and technologies. The big change we have seen in Wi-Fi is the introduction of 6GHz, so RF designs now need to [include designs for 6GHz.](https://blog.iptel.com.au/deploying-and-migrating-to-6ghz-wifi) If you are thinking of undertaking your own Wi-Fi designs, just ensure you understand the use cases you are looking to support – the weakest client your network will support is important to know, as that will be one factor in dictating how close together your APs need to be. Related reading - [Wi-Fi 6E and 6GHz Explained](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-6e-and-6ghz-explained) - [Wi-Fi Design and Implementation](https://blog.iptel.com.au/top-8-secrets-to-great-wi-fi) - [Wi-Fi Surveys: Overview guide to the various Wi-Fi surveys](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-surveys) - [Wi-Fi 6 vs 5G](https://blog.iptel.com.au/cisco-private-5g) ### Need Help With Your Wi-Fi? Our [Wi-Fi survey and design team](https://iptel.com.au/services/wi-fi-surveys) designs, surveys and fixes enterprise Wi-Fi across Australia, and the free [AP Estimator](https://iptel.com.au/resources/wifi-access-point-estimator) gives you a first AP count. If that would be useful, [get in touch with the IPTel team](https://iptel.com.au/contact-us) or email [sales@iptel.com.au](mailto:sales@iptel.com.au). #### Related Articles ###### [Wi-Fi Pre-Deployment Equipment](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-pre-deployment-equipment) Dec 9, 2025 ###### [Wi-Fi Surveys](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-surveys) June 19, 2025 ###### [Stadium and Auditorium Wi-Fi Pre-Deployment Surveys](https://blog.iptel.com.au/stadium-and-auditorium-wi-fi-pre-deployment-surveys) Jan 12, 2026 Free tool ### How Many Wi-Fi Access Points Do You Need? Work out APs, PoE and switch ports floor by floor, using the same survey grades our Cisco wireless engineers design to. Takes under a minute. [Try the AP Estimator →](https://iptel.com.au/resources/wifi-access-point-estimator?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=ap-estimator) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Mark McSherry", "url" : "https://blog.iptel.com.au/author/mark-mcsherry" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-03T07:45:39.690Z", "datePublished" : "2025-09-03T00:54:24.000Z", "headline" : "Ekahau Site Survey for Wi-Fi Design | IPTel", "image" : [ "https://blog.iptel.com.au/hubfs/Blogs/Ekahau%20Site%20Survey/Ekahau%20(Instagram%20Post)-feature.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.iptel.com.au/ekahau-site-survey", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.iptel.com.au/hubfs/IPTel_Solutions_February2020%20-%20Header%20SiteMap/Images/IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2.png" }, "name" : "IPTel Solutions Pty Ltd" } } ```