Onsite Surveys Simplified !

Site Surveys

2/9/20254 min read

At Ubilynx, we offer comprehensive site survey services tailored to various business environments, including data centers, retail spaces, offices, and more. Below are examples of checklists for different types of site surveys. These can all be adjusted to fit your particular requirements.

General Survey Sample:

1. Infrastructure & Connectivity

  • Internet Service Provider (ISP) Availability – Check for high-speed and redundant internet options.

  • Fiber vs. Copper vs. Wireless – Evaluate what types of connectivity are available.

  • WAN & LAN Connectivity – Plan for network topology, including VPNs, SD-WAN, or MPLS if needed.

  • Power Supply & Backup – Ensure a stable power source with UPS and generator backup.

  • Cooling & Environmental Controls – Especially for server rooms and data centers.

2. Physical & Environmental Considerations

  • Site Accessibility – Ensure the site is easy to reach for maintenance and support.

  • Building Infrastructure – Check if the building can support necessary cabling and equipment.

  • Potential Interference – Avoid sites with high levels of wireless interference.

  • Security Risks – Assess the neighborhood and site security (e.g., theft, vandalism).

3. Network Performance & Scalability

  • Bandwidth Requirements – Ensure the network can support current and future data needs.

  • Latency & Jitter – Important for VoIP, video conferencing, and cloud applications.

  • Scalability – Plan for future growth and additional network devices.

4. Security & Compliance

  • Physical Security – Implement access control, surveillance, and monitoring.

  • Cybersecurity Measures – Firewalls, endpoint protection, and intrusion detection.

  • Regulatory Compliance – Ensure adherence to industry-specific regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS).

5. Wireless & IoT Readiness

  • Wi-Fi Coverage & Density – Perform a site survey for optimal AP placement.

  • Device Compatibility – Ensure support for IoT, VoIP, and other smart technologies.

  • RF Spectrum Analysis – Avoid congested wireless channels.

6. Budget & Operational Costs

  • Upfront Costs – Hardware, software, cabling, and installation expenses.

  • Ongoing Costs – ISP fees, maintenance, licensing, and energy consumption.

  • ROI & Justification – Ensure the site location aligns with business needs.

Data Center Site Survey Checklist

1. Location & Accessibility

Proximity to business operations or headquarters
Accessibility for staff, vendors, and emergency responders
Secure entry points and visitor control measures
Risk assessment for natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, storms)
Availability of parking and loading dock for equipment deliveries

2. Power & Electrical Infrastructure

Dual or redundant power feeds from separate substations
Availability of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems
Backup generators with adequate fuel supply
Power distribution units (PDUs) and circuit redundancy
Grounding and surge protection
Compliance with energy efficiency standards (e.g., LEED, Energy Star)

·3. Cooling & Environmental Controls

Redundant HVAC systems (N+1 or better)
Hot and cold aisle containment
Airflow management and temperature monitoring
Humidity control systems
Fire suppression systems (FM-200, Halon alternatives)
Leak detection and drainage solutions

4. Network & Connectivity

Availability of multiple fiber providers (carrier diversity)
Latency and bandwidth capacity testing
Redundant ISP paths and connections
Structured cabling and fiber termination options
Secure networking infrastructure (firewalls, SD-WAN, VLANs)
Remote management and monitoring capabilities

5. Physical Security & Compliance

24/7 security personnel and surveillance cameras
Access control (biometrics, key cards, multi-factor authentication)
Secure cages and racks for colocation spaces
Compliance with industry standards (ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)
Audit logs and compliance reporting capabilities
Disaster recovery and business continuity plans

6. Fire & Safety Measures

Fire-rated walls, doors, and suppression systems
Early smoke detection systems (VESDA, HSSD)
Emergency shutdown procedures
Adequate exits and emergency lighting
Staff fire safety training and compliance

7. Scalability & Expansion

Available space for future growth (floor space, rack density)
Expansion capabilities for power and cooling
Support for high-density computing (AI, HPC, cloud services)
Compliance with future sustainability and efficiency goals

8. Operational & Maintenance Considerations

Onsite staff availability (network engineers, facility managers)
Maintenance contracts for critical systems (UPS, HVAC, fire suppression)
Remote hands service availability
Real-time monitoring tools and dashboards
Vendor SLAs for power, cooling, and network uptime

Office Network Site Survey Checklist

1. Location & Building Infrastructure

Accessibility for employees, visitors, and IT support staff
Availability of secure parking and delivery areas
Structural integrity for network cabling and equipment installation
Compliance with local building codes and IT infrastructure requirements
Availability of dedicated server/network rooms

2. Power & Electrical Infrastructure

Reliable power supply with adequate circuits for IT equipment
Redundant power sources or backup generators (if needed)
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for critical devices
Surge protection and grounding systems
Energy efficiency considerations for cost management

3. Network & Connectivity

ISP availability and bandwidth options
Redundant ISP connections for failover
Structured cabling (Cat6, Cat6A, or fiber) for wired networks
Patch panels, switches, and network closets for organization
Network topology planning (LAN, WAN, VPN requirements)
Secure access to cloud-based applications and VoIP systems

4. Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) Coverage

Wi-Fi site survey for optimal access point placement
Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz) with sufficient coverage
Guest Wi-Fi network with separate VLAN and security policies
Network segmentation for different departments (e.g., HR, IT, Finance)
Security features (WPA3, MAC filtering, firewall rules)

5. Physical Security & Compliance

Secure access control (keycards, biometrics, PIN-based entry)
CCTV surveillance coverage in critical areas
Secure storage for IT equipment and sensitive documents
Compliance with data security standards (ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)
Emergency exit and disaster recovery planning

6. Server Room / IT Closet Considerations

Dedicated space with controlled access
Adequate ventilation and cooling (HVAC or dedicated AC units)
Proper rack setup and cable management
Backup power supply (UPS, generators)
Fire suppression system (FM-200, Halon alternatives)

7. VoIP & Communication Systems

VoIP readiness with proper QoS configuration
Conference room audio-visual setup (video conferencing, screens, projectors)
Unified Communications (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)
Desk phone vs. softphone deployment planning

8. IoT & Smart Office Considerations

Smart access control and building automation compatibility
IoT device security (smart locks, cameras, thermostats)
Wireless network segmentation for IoT devices
Monitoring and logging for connected devices

9. Employee Workstations & End-User Experience

Ergonomic workstation layout with proper network ports
Sufficient power outlets and surge protectors
Secure BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy enforcement
Compliance with accessibility standards (ADA, workstation height, etc.)

10. Scalability & Future Growth Planning

Additional space for employee and device growth
Expansion considerations for new network hardware
Cloud vs. on-premises service flexibility
Budget planning for future IT upgrades

Take Control of Your Network Today!

Partner with Ubilynx to handle your site survey requirements.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see how Ubilynx simply your site survey needs.

Email: contact@ubilynx.com or call 331-215-9440 to tall with an Engineer