The NXT-2000

This week I purchased a NetAlly NXT-2000 Spectrum Analyzer from ProVantage, you can get yours here. Shipping was fast and free via UPS Ground. Before you run out and buy one to connect to your Aircheck G3, you need to check the date of manufacture. There's a versioning issue for older models.

Per NetAlly "NXT-2000 is not supported by AirCheck G3 or CyberScope Air testers manufactured before August 2024. Contact Customer Service for more information and available options."

I bought this for a few reasons:

1. My Aircheck G3 was lacking Spectrum capabilities without it. When you're in the field you encounter things that don't fit in the Wi-Fi rules. Sometimes a channel is being utilized by non-Wi-Fi devices, we need to hunt those down, identify what they are, and determine if we need to tune to our environment, or remove an interfering device. The external antenna allows you to point to your problem and locate it.

   
   

   The antenna also fits the external connector on the Aircheck G3 allowing you to go AP hunting as well, using the Locate feature. During my time at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, we had a lot of "missing" APs above the grid ceiling due to aesthetics. Hunting them down was best performed with an Aircheck and a directional antenna.

   
   

   I use the Aircheck for spot checking and quick work in the field and the lab. It's handy because you don't have to load a map or attach it to a phone, etc. That's not to say that you can't use the Airmapper tool and run a full survey, you absolutely can, I just don't currently employ it for those purposes.

   

2. Currently, I use the Hamina/Nomad platform for some of my work. The NXT-2000 is directly pluggable to that platform. Now I have spectrum on both tools and I can Survey with Hamina from both hardware platforms, AND add the spectrum information using one device. Now that's handy!

   

3. This is a big one- with this device I can now directly connect Wi-Fi Explorer 3 to the NXT-2000 so I can use this as a deskside tool as well, it's not just for the field!

The toolkit, and knowing how to use it, is part of what makes us good network engineers. Would I like to get more spectrum capabilities out of this, sure. I'd love to get other bands, but maybe there's a perfect balance here with size, affordability, extensibility and availability. I am happy with the product and look forward to putting to use on surveys and interference hunting projects.

I should note, there are many top notch spectrum analyzers out there, this one is well suited for Wi-Fi Professionals, working in the field. The mobility of the unit, its form factor and its interoperability are why the NXT-2000 was selected.