PassMark (TM) WirelessMon V4.

0
Copyright (C) 2004 - 2013 PassMark Software
All Rights Reserved
http://www.passmark.com
Status
======
This is a shareware program.
This means that you need to buy it if you would
like to continue using it after the evaluation
period.
Installation
============
1) Uninstall any previous version of WirelessMon
2) Double click (or Open) the downloaded ".exe"
file
3) Follow the prompts
UnInstallation
==============
Use the Windows control panel, Add / Remove
Programs
Overview
==============
WirelessMon is a tool that allows users to
monitor the status of wireless adapter(s)
and gather information about nearby
wireless access points in real time.
It can help users to:
- Verify their network configuration is
correct.
- Test WiFi hardware and device drivers
are functioning correctly.
- Check signal levels from your local WiFi
network and nearby networks.
- Help locate sources of interference to
your network.
- Correctly locate your antenna (especially
important for directional antennas).
- Verify the security settings for local
access points.
- Measure network throughput and view
available data rates.
WirelessMon can log the information
collected into a file, provides comprehensive
graphing of signal level and real time IP and
WiFi statistics.
Requirements

============
Windows XP, 2003 server, 2008 server, Vista, 7, 8.
Wireless adapters that conform to NDIS_802.11.
The user must be logged in as the administrator.
CPU faster than 500MHz is recommended.
15 MB of free disk space.
64MB of total RAM.
Version History
===============
Here is a summary of all changes that have been
made in each version of WirelessMon.
Release 4.0 1008, 26/6/13
- Added support for the newest version of
the MetaGeek Wi-Spy DBx
- Added support for connecting to hidden
networks when SSID is known
- Added support for sending security passphrase
from WirelessMon during the connection process
in Vista/7/8 rather than requiring windows to
display the key entry dialog in the system tray.
- Fixed a bug that was preventing connection
to access points when specifying a MAC address
- Changed behaviour where if an access point was
set to use WEP/WEP64 WirelessMon was displaying
WEP-104/WEP128. This is due to observed
behaviour in Windows Vista/7 that only WEP
(key of any length length) is reported by
Windows (not WEP-40 or WEP-104) no matter what
WEP setting is used in the router. Now
WirelessMon will only display "WEP" unless extra
information is available.
Release 4.0 1007, 30/7/12
- Changed the connection process to correctly
connect to an open network by MAC
address (Vista/Win7)
- Fixed a bug where after connecting to an
access point that shared an SSID with
others WirelessMon could display the
channels of the other access points in
the summary screen
Release 4.0 1006, 18/6/12
- Added delimiting characters to the SSID
field when exporting the access point
summary list to CSV to prevent SSIDs with
',' characters breaking the format
- Fixed a bug where the "Other" tooltip
count for the channel use was incorrect
- Fixed a bug where the sorting of the list
view was affecting the output of the
access point log
- Fixed a bug where removing SSIDs from the
SSID filter list would not be applied until

Wirelessmon was restarted

- Fixed a bug where a dropout could be logged
incorrectly each sample
- Fixed a bug where sometimes some sample
areas would not be filled in during
interpolation
- Fixed a bug where KML files were being
output in double byte format
- Fixed a bug where the KML version of the
connected node log was outputting the GPS
co-ordinates in the wrong location
- Fixed a case where the GPX version of the
connected node log could be created without
the correct header
Release 4.0 1005, 6/7/11
- Fixed a bug with the project file save
where some fields (security, latitude,
longitude) were not being saved correctly
Release 4.0 1004, 6/6/11
- Some changes were made to the installer
to prevent "Cannot save to configuration
file" error in some instances.
- Renamed "Strongest RSSI" column to
"Max RSSI" to save some screen space
- Some changes made to UI elements during
resizing to fit within the bounds of
main window
- Un-installer is now digitally signed
Release 4.0 1003, 9/5/11
- Fixed a crash when saving or printing
the signal strength map
- Fixed a bug with the USB/Serial option
radio buttons
Release 4.0 1002, 15/4/11
- Added a new eraser button to the map tab
toolbar that allows a single sample to be
removed at a time
- Added the network type and MAC to the KML
format access point log
- Made some changes to the map sample
process when clicking to take a sample
to prevent long pauses that could occur
in some situations
- Fixed a bug in the MAP calibration screen
when using set point1/2 function, higher
than standard DPIs would result in the mark
being placed below the cursor
- Changed the layout of some windows to fit
better on small resolution/high DPI screens
- Minor changes to the palette dialog window
to make it slightly smaller

Release 4.0 1001, 23/3/11

- Fixed a bug with the key entry window that
sometimes prevented keys being pasted
correctly
- Fixed a bug with the access point log in
WirelessMon (CSV) format where the supported
data rates field was not being correctly
processed, breaking the expected CSV format
- Fixed a crash in the connected node log when
using GPX format
Release 4.0 1000, 7/3/11
- Added USB support for Garmin GPS
- Added some extra error messages if WirelessMon
cannot load a map image due to memory
limitations
- Changed Channel use from A to A/N, and B/G to
B/G/N
- Changed MAC address format to
XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
- Changed format of supported rates in list
- Added Import and export functions for MAC
address when choosing access points to display
on Map tab
- Added right to left signal strength graph
style on summary tab
- Added "dropouts" count and column to summary
view, tracks how often an access points is
seen in one sample and lost in the next
- Column locations and current sort order now
saved in the config file
- Added Google maps (KML) log format options
to access point and connected node logs
- Added GPX format to connected node logs
- Added "Export List" option to right click
menu options on summary tab list, will open
a dialog that allows the detected access
points to be exported to CSV or Google Maps
(KML) format
- Added "Strongest RSSI, Latitude and
Longitude" columns to summary view.
Latitude and longitude are available when a
GPS is configured and records the GPS
position of the strongest RSSI value
- Added an option to manually enter the GPS
locations for two arbitrary points on the
map during GPS calibration
- Moved current GPS location to bottom status
bar
- Added auto save project file to log options
- Added encryption types (WEP-40/WEP-104,
TKIP, AES) where applicable for security
column. In XP due to WirelessMon using
passive scanning, this will only be
available when the required information is
captured by the network card. The longer
WirelessMon is run in the same area the

higher the chance of this information being

captured becomes.
- Added Maximum supported N speed to supported
rates. As with the encryption types this
information is not always captured by the
network card but will be built up over time
- Fixed a bug that could cause certain elements
on the summary tab to overlap at some
resolutions and DPI settings.
- Updated WirelessMon to recognise and use WiSpy
firmware V2 for DBx and 24x models
Release 3.1 build 1005, 11/6/10
- Fixed a possible bug when using the
"Reload network cards" button, if more
network cards were found (eg adding a
USB network card) the counters might not
be initialised correctly for the new card
- Added some extra checking when loading the
GDI+ library to prevent failure on some
Vista and Win7 machines.
- Network statistic counters should now be
loaded correctly in non-English versions
of Windows
Release 3.1 build 1004, 23/12/09
- Changed connected node log to include SSID,
MAC address and channel information to help
track when a network card changes access
points (roams) during the logging
- Fixed a crash in Vista/Win7 with
long SSID names
Release 3.1 build 1003, 18/11/09
- Fixed a crash that could occur in Windows7
and Vista when the OS reports a large
number of network devices
- Changed error message about missing
network counters and will now
automatically open the WirelessMon FAQ
Release 3.1 build 1002, 25/09/09
- If WirelessMon is started and detects a
Wi-Spy attached but the config option is
not already selected WirelessMon will now
prompt if you want to enable the Wi-Spy
- Added the option to switch between a
percentage display on the map scale or the
dBm value (in map options). If the map is
in access point mode or channel mode with
no Wi-Spy the min/max values for the
network card are displayed, if it is channel
mode and a Wi-Spy is connected the
appropriate Wi-Spy values are displayed.
- Changed position of text for map scale to be
to the left of the scale rather than being
drawn on the colours of the scale

- Changed black background around map (if

image was smaller than the WirelessMon
window) to a white background to allow for
better viewing of the map scale
- Updated Wi-Spy help page to contain more
information about where the Wi-Spy data
is used
- Fixed a bug where the colour representing
the signal level was incorrect when first
adding a sample using the Wi-Spy in channel
mode on the map tab (subsequent redraws
used the correct value)
- Fixed a possible crash when loading a
project file if the map path was corrupted
Release 3.1 build 1001, 1/09/09
- Made some changes when loading network
counters for detected network cards
- Fixed crash when adding access points to list
on map tab
- Fixed a bug where clicking the add all button
in some cases could add duplicate entries
Release 3.1 build 1000, 28/07/09
- Added support for MetagGeek WiSpy DBx, 2.4x
and 2.4i devices. They can be used with the
map tab in channel mode to get signal
strengths for possible devices causing
interference that don't show up as access
points
- Added channel mode to map tab, can display
signal strengths based on channel rather
than just access point
- Added WiSPy mode to channel graph on summary
tab showing the average and peak signals for
the channels at that moment
- Changed summary channel graph to use a drop
down list for selecting different options
- Added indication in summary list if access
point is running in A, B, G or (Vista+ only)
N mode
- Improved speed of summary list updating
- Removed most of the redraw flicker on
summary tab after updating the list
- Fixed a bug where some non-english versions
of windows would report the "Could not find
performance counters" error message
- Fixed a bug in the interpolation function
where it could sometimes use the wrong
sample point (offset by 1) when calculating
the average for interpolated values
- Fixed a bug where WirelessMon could freeze
during taking sample on the map tab
- Fixed a crash that could occur on the graph
tab when switching between access points
and the current network card

Release 3.0 build 1002, 21/07/08

- Added new boundary checks and warning
messages when entering in GPS co-ordinates
in DMS format
- Updated help file with information about
requirement of maps to be north aligned
for correct calibration and mapping when
using GPS co-ordinates
- Fixed a bug where "Unable to move old
config file.." error was shown when
WirelessMon was installed on a different
drive to the Windows system directories
- Fixed a bug where some GPS messages were
being read incorrectly and not updating
the position
Release 3.0 build 1001, 20/05/08
- Improved stability in Vista and Vista SP1
- Fixed a crash when using the mapping and
GPS function, if the GPS returned a 0
(no position) value a crash could occur
when updating the last GPS position
indicator on the map
- Fixed a bug with the General options
window having the window title incorrectly
set
- Fixed Tab order for connection manager
dialog and access point connection dialog
- Fixed an error message displayed about a
missing Wirelessmon file when connecting
to an access point in Vista
- Fixed a bug where the saved connections
file could be held open by WirelessMon
- Fixed a bug with some supported rates not
displaying correctly
- Fixed a crash in Vista caused when the
access point currently connected to went
out of range
Release 3.0 build 1000, 29/04/08
- Added full support for WPA connections in
Windows XP
- Added a connection manager to store and
retrieve connection details and passwords
- Added ability to connect coprrectly to
AdHoc networks
- Added a new graph type (with 3 view options)
to the summary tab
- Added option to show A networks for channel
graph with radio button to switch between
A and B/G
- Added GPX output option for access point
log
- Changed mini window to use the selected
palette when running in multi colour mode
- Updated help file to newer HTML browser

based format
- Updated channel graph draw method to match
new shaded graph type
- Updated icons with "Vista" style icons
- Fixed a bug in the graph tab where if an
SSID was selected in the source drop down
and new SSIDs were detected when on another
tab an incorrect SSID would be selected when
clicking back on the graph tab
- Fixed a memory leak in the sample process
- When loading a project file networks that
were no longer in range displayed "Last seen"
instead of "Last signal", this has been
changed to be consistent with normal entries
- Fixed a possible crash when loading project
files
- Fixed a bug with the logging options window
where WirelessMon could prompt for a
connect node log filename when this log
was not selected
- Fixed problem in Vista with SSIDs with the
same name not displaying properly in list
- Fixed crash caused when starting
WirelessMon with no wireless network
cards present
- Fixed a bug that could prevent a timer
from being created resulting in WirelessMon
exiting and the error message "Could not
start timer in update thread - exiting"
Release 2.1 build 1001, 8/11/07
- Added option for Min and Max signals to
allow dBm to percentage and
vice versa calculations to be tweaked
for different network cards. Also
changed calculation of these values
slightly
- Fixed several crashes in vista
- Fixed a bug where graphing the
connected access point would show no
signal
- Fixed bug where clicking on a hexagon
on the map tab would fill in the
incorrect hexagon
- Fixed bug where a hexagon could be
filled in by clicking on an invalid
part of the map display
Release 2.1 build 1000, 18/10/07
- Config file has been moved to Application
Data folder to be more Vista friendly
- Added "connected" instead of "available"
status and different color icon for
connected access point in summary tab list
- Added connection speed to summary screen
- Added new option to load a new map if map
is missing from project file, if map is

the same map in a different location or

a new map with the same dimensions then
the samples in the project file wont
be lost
Added interpolation function on the map
tab to calculate signal strengths for
blank areas of a signal strength map
Added reload cards button next to network
card selection to reload the wireless
cards in case configuration has changed
Added security method in use to Security
column on summary tab for Vista if known
Changed behavior when loading a new map
in the map options, if map is same size
current samples are no longer reset
Changed sorting behavior slightly of
access point list on summary tab and
fixed a bug causing some columns to be
sorted incorrectly
Fixed a crash in Vista that could occur
when removing and adding USB wireless cards
Fixed bug when connecting to a SSID with a
shorter name could leave old characters
from the old name in the SSID description
Fixed bug where WirelessMon would try to
auto-connect when an access point was open
but SSID was hidden when selecting
"Connect to access point". Now dialog will
be displayed so SSID can be entered
Fixed a crash that could be caused by
changing between available cards
Fixed some error messages when reconnecting
to an access point after a resume
Fixed a bug where the wrong MAC address
could be used when reconnecting after
a resume
Fixed an error message when installing in
Vista preventing WirelessMon from running
at the end of the install process

Release 2.0 build 1013, 17/05/07

- Added some changes to keep user interface
more responsive when the network card is
queried for information. Particularly
noticeable in Windows Vista.
Release 2.0 build 1012, 3/05/07
- Fixed memory leak in vista
- Updated warning message about missing
performance counters
- Updated help file for location of the
debug file in Vista
- Fixed a bug where connecting to an access
point in Vista with no MAC address could
cause a crash
- Fixed bug where using the minimise on startup
and minimise to system tray options was

always showing the mini window when

WirelessMon was first started
Release 2.0 build 1011, 26/03/07
- Fixed a bug where the 128 bit WEP key could
be sent incorrectly.
- Added more vista compatibility changes.
Release 2.0 build 1010, 5/02/07
- Fixed a bug when getting the performance
counters for some non-english versions of
Windows
- Fixed a bug with the signal strength map
displaying the same (incorrect) color.
- Fixed a bug with the map tab not automatically
selecting the "All" option sometimes for
the access points.
Release 2.0 build 1009, 18/01/07
- Added support for GPRMC message for GPS
units that don't support the GPGGA message.
- Vista support, correct shutdown/startup of
necessary wireless services, performance
counters for network cards should be loaded
correctly and WirelessMon should run at the
appropriate administrator user level.
- Fixed a crash caused when opening a new map
that was a smaller size than a previous map
Release 2.0 build 1008, 23/11/06
- Changed all references to db to correctly
read dBm
- Fixed a bug where WirelessMon would crash when
closing after entering a professional key
- Fixed a bug with the connected node log where
some combinations of options had missing data
fields
- Fixed an error where non English version of
Windows could not initialize the network
counters properly
Release 2.0 build 1007, 13/10/06
- Increased the number of network cards that
WirelessMon can display in the Select
Network Card drop down list from 4 to 12
- Fixed a bug where SSIDs containing
32 characters caused a crash
Release 2.0 build 1006, 29/09/06
- Added default tab to general options
allowing a tab to be specified when
WirelessMon starts
- Some changes to the way the connected node
log is written and some bug fixes
Release 2.0 build 1005, 22/09/06

- Changed access point connection button so

it will display the dialog even if no
items are selected in the list
- Fixed a bug where clicking on a hexagon
repeatedly on the map tab was not
recalculating the transparency correctly.
- Fixed a bug where clicking on a hexagon
while zoomed in or out on the map tab
could select the wrong hexagon.
- Fixed a bug where is there were no access
points in the list the reported signal
strength for the connected AP could be
wrong.
- Fixed a bug where if there was no connected
access point a signal strength would still
be shown for some network cards
- Some more debugging information added.
- Added more information to some error
messages.
Release 2.0 build 1004, 1/09/06
- Fixed a bug with some radio buttons on
the map options dialog
- Fixed a bug where an unconverted GPS
value could be logged
- Added some extra debug log information
Release 2.0 build 1003, 3/08/06
- Fixed a bug where WirelessMon window could
open offscreen and not be displayed.
- Fixed a bug where .png files were not
appearing when all supported image types
was selected when loading a map.
- Fixed a bug where some network cards weren't
displaying the list of available access points
Release 2.0 build 1002, 20/06/2006
- Fixed a problem with non-english versions of
Windows being unable to load network card
performance counters correctly.
- Added a new warning message when the
gdiplus.dll is detected as missing and now
opens a link to the Microsoft download page.
- Fixed a bug where columns in the summary tab
list view could disappear.
Release 2.0 build 1001, 13/06/2006
- Fixed some display issue using high DPI
settings
- Column sizes on the summary tab should now be
retained and not reset when resizing the main
window
- Mini window location will now be saved in the
configuration file so it's position will be
remembered between sessions
- Fixed bug where clicking the "Show mini
window" menu item would remove the WirelessMon

icon from the system tray

Release 2.0 build 1000, 23/05/2006
- GPS support added
- Redesigned user interface, added toolbar and
menus, removed the buttons from the bottom of
the window.
- Ability to connect to an access point from
within WirelessMon. Right click on an access
point in the list on the summary tab and select
the "Connect to AP" option from the menu.
- New channel graph on summary tab showing the
channel usage of all detected access points
- Graphs for "Signal strength (db) vs time" and
"Signal strength percentage vs time" and can
now be done based on access point rather than
just network card.
- WirelessMon window is now resizable.
- Configuration tab has been removed and
replaced with a Configuration menu. The new
menu is in three sections of general, logging
and map options.
- Added "minimize on close" to the general
options
- A Map tap has been added, this is for
displaying an image and drawing a visual
representations of sampled access point
signal strengths. The samples can be taken
by either clicking on the image or
using GPS coordinates.
- SSID filter list has been added the logging
options. If something is entered in this list
only SSIDs that match the contents of the list
will be logged.
- Added "MapPoint" format options to the access
point log and connected node log. This will
save these logs in a format ready to import
into MapPoint.
- Added a way to customize the color
corresponding to signal strength for the
graph on the summary tab and the display of
signal strength on the map tab.
Release 1.0 build 1004, 16/June/2005
Release 1.0 build 1003, 14/June/2005
- Corrected an initialization bug related to
Windows XP with no Service Packs
applied.
Release 1.0 build 1002, 27/May/2005
Release 1.0 build 1001, 26/May/2005
- Improved the shutdown and startup of the
Microsoft Wireless Configuration
Service (wzcsvc). If wzcsvc is running when
WirelessMon starts, wzcsvc must
be shutdown by WirelessMon, however on
exiting WirelessMon, wzcsvc was not

fully returned to its initial state. This

has been corrected.
Release 1.0 build 1000, 26/April/2005
- First official release.
Documentation
=============
All the documentation is in help file. It
can be accessed from the help menu.
Support
=======
For technical support, questions, suggestions.
Visit our web page at
http://www.passmark.com
Ordering / Registration
=======================
All the details are in the online documentation
or you can visit our sales information page
http://www.passmark.com/sales
Enjoy..
The PassMark Development team