The Everything Feed - All Packet Pushers Pods HW064: An Introduction to nOversight
Nov 4, 2025
Ben Toner, founder of Numerous Networks and creator of the nOversight Wi-Fi analysis tools, dives into Wi-Fi performance insights that are crucial for both users and professionals. He explains how the iOS app collects real-time data despite Apple restrictions, visualizes roaming changes, and infers bandwidth from data rates. Ben shares practical applications for home users troubleshooting weak connections and outlines professional uses, like site validation in venues. He also discusses future roadmap features blending device insights with environmental data.
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Device Metrics Via Shortcuts Intent
- nOversight uses an iOS Shortcuts-based intent to stream device Wi‑Fi metrics into the app in real time.
- This sidesteps Apple's restricted developer APIs to capture RSSI, BSSID, and data rates without extra hardware.
Walksite Checks To Reveal Roaming
- Walk with your phone and watch the timeline to observe real roaming transitions and signal changes.
- Use the color thresholds to quickly spot where connectivity degrades or roams occur.
Reverse‑Engineer Bandwidth From Data Rates
- nOversight infers channel bandwidth and other missing fields by reverse‑engineering from observed data rates and MCS mappings.
- Continuous samples let the app narrow down likely bandwidth and spatial‑stream assumptions over time.