---
title: Site Discovery
slug: site-discovery
createdAt: 2025-06-06T21:15:18.519Z
---

To ensure a smooth and effective deployment of Nile services, it is important to gather accurate site-specific information ahead of time. While most site discovery is performed using the **Nile Nav app**, and **wireless site surveys** are conducted using tools like **Ekahau** and **Hamina**, access to these tools may not always be available. If **Nile Nav access is unavailable**, please use the checklist and data points below to manually collect the required information—**one set per network closet.**

**Attachment**: Please complete the attached document below - **one copy per network closet. **

**Network Closet **types are:  

- Main network closet  or MDF / main telecom room. 
- Other network closets or IDFs / telecom rooms
- Closet with ISP handoff or Demarc / carrier handoff 

This ensures we have all the necessary information to support accurate design and planning.

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🏢 **Before the Site Survey**
A **video site walkthrough** is effective if:

- The site has a **simple layout** (e.g., one floor, one or two network closets)

Recommended preparation:

- ✅ **Create the site** on the **Nile Control Center** (formerly known as Nile Portal)
- ✅ **Upload the most recent and clear floor plan** to the site in Nile Control Center
- ✅ Review the floor plan to:
  - Mark **areas to exclude** from coverage
  - Confirm or identify **network closet locations**
- ✅ Collect baseline information:
  - Approximate **number of users/devices**
  - Number of **existing access points (APs)**, if known

### 🚶 During the Site Survey

The goal is to gather all necessary information to support accurate network design and deployment.

🔍 General Site Walkthrough

- Conduct a tour of the site to understand the “**lay of the land**”
- Mark insights and observations directly on the **uploaded floor plan** to assist downstream teams

📡 Wireless Design Considerations

:::BlockQuote
📖 **For detailed steps, refer to the [Wireless Site Survey Guidelines](https://partnerdocs.nilesecure.com/wireless-site-survey-guidelines)**
:::

- Identify and document:
  - **Ceiling types** across different areas
  - **Ceiling height** (measured or estimated)
  - **Wall types** (e.g., drywall, glass, concrete)
  - **Available power outlets** for potential sensor placement
  - **Tags or notes** needed for Ekahau or Hamina-based planning

### 🗄️ Network Closet Inspection

Document all closet-level details critical for planning equipment installation.

🧱 Physical Rack Details

- Number of **racks** in each closet
- **Rack type**: 2-post, 4-post, full-height, or half-height
- Number of **Rack Units (RUs)**
- **Rack depth** and distance from the wall
- **Cooling** setup (active/passive HVAC, ventilation)
- Number and type of **power outlets**, including **UPS** and **PDU** configurations

🌐 Existing Network Infrastructure

- Current **switches, servers, and other network equipment**
- Number of **available/empty RUs**
- **Patch panel** details for Ethernet and fiber
- Distance from patch panel to **target RUs for Nile equipment**
- Existing **firewall/router brand and model** (indicate if single or HA pair)
- **Port types** available on firewall/router for connecting to the Nile Gateway:
  - 1G copper
  - 10G fiber
  - Other (please specify)
- Known **ISP bandwidth** and provider details (if available)

### 🔗 Closet Interconnect (Backbone Fiber)

Inspect inter-closet connectivity to ensure proper network backbone design:

- Number of **fiber strands**
- **Fiber type** (e.g., Multi-Mode \[MM], Single-Mode \[SM]; OM3, OM4, OS1, OS2)
- **Connector type** (e.g., LC, SC)

### 💻 Client & Endpoint Devices

Understanding the types of devices on-site helps with capacity and segmentation planning. Please identify:

- Number and types of **client devices**
- **A/V conference room systems**
- **Printers**
- **Cameras** (security or conferencing)
- Any other connected **IoT devices** (e.g., badge readers, environmental sensors)

Even if you don’t use the **Nile Nav app**, this checklist ensures all necessary planning information is captured. For a streamlined, guided experience—including automatic floor plan mapping and data capture—we recommend using **Nile Nav** during the site walk.