Wireless Access

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  • 1.  Mixed IAP cluster and channel allocation problem

    Posted May 02, 2024 11:34 AM

    Hello,

    We have a cluster of several types of WiFi terminals (IAP275, IAP305, IAP375 and IAP505, version 8.6.0.3.

    After doing a coverage study with Ekahau, we realised that the automatic allocation of channels generated a lot of channel overlap on the two frequency bands.

    The IAP375 terminals are blocking us from updating the cluster to a more recent version of the code, and a programme to replace them will take place later this year.

    In the meantime, we've started to allocate channels manually, but it's quite difficult to assess the level of power to be allocated...


    I'd like your opinion on this: once the update is complete (to version 8.12.0.0, which will be compatible for all the terminals), should we put the channel allocation back into automatic mode or continue to allocate channels manually?

    Another question: have you ever encountered this type of problem?

    Thank you in advance for your feedback.



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    TELLIER-LAROUANNE Laetitia
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  • 2.  RE: Mixed IAP cluster and channel allocation problem

    Posted May 02, 2024 12:38 PM
    Are you running 20 mhz wide channels on both bands?  In the 2.4ghz band there are only 3 non-overlapping channels, so this is expected.  In the 5ghz, depending on your regulatory domain, this should happen much less frequently.

    You would want to avoid setting channels manually, because the access points cannot adjust to severe interference, as a result.





  • 3.  RE: Mixed IAP cluster and channel allocation problem

    Posted May 03, 2024 03:11 AM

    Depending on where you live, the regulatory domain may allow less channels in the 5GHz band for outdoor APs (275/375); for example in Europe.

    In general, ARM works pretty well, and provides similar or better results than manual planning. This is also because ARM will take into account the channel quality and usage. If there is a strong interferer, or neighboring Wi-Fi networks, it may be better to have more overlapping channels and allow APs to move to different channels dynamically, than sticking to a fixed channel plan created once. Also in regions where there is DFS (radar detection), with a static channel plan APs may just disable their radios if the channel is found to be in use.

    There are options to analyze why APs are making the decision for a channel or power level. But without knowing what you see, and what Ekahau suggests, it's hard to make something useful out of it.



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    Herman Robers
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    If you have urgent issues, always contact your Aruba partner, distributor, or Aruba TAC Support. Check https://www.arubanetworks.com/support-services/contact-support/ for how to contact Aruba TAC. Any opinions expressed here are solely my own and not necessarily that of Hewlett Packard Enterprise or Aruba Networks.

    In case your problem is solved, please invest the time to post a follow-up with the information on how you solved it. Others can benefit from that.
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