Depending on the scale of your installation, there are a number of tools available for the task, such as software that walks you through the site survey process. But no matter what size network you will have, you'll need to follow these basic steps:

1. Have a blueprint or floor plan(s) of the areas you want the wireless network to cover. Some software products can work off these floor plans directly. Look at your plans and identify major building obstacles such as walls, halls, elevators and floors that will block radio signals. Also note where your users will be located -- and where they won't -- to determine coverage areas.

2. Determine where you can locate APs based on power and cabling that you can run to connect the AP to the rest of the network. Remember that you shouldn't place APs close to metal or concrete walls and you should put them as close to the ceiling as possible.

3. Estimate the total number of APs needed for your overall coverage. A good rule of thumb is one AP can cover a circle with a 100-foot radius. This will give you preliminary AP locations that you can use at the beginning of your survey. If you already have some APs, note their locations on your floor plans.

4. Run the survey tool. Make sure to use the same AP model for the survey that is used in your actual infrastructure. See below for recommendations about which tool to use.