Automatic channel allocation distributes channels across the managed access points to reduce interference. The wireless controller allocates channels for its managed access points, regardless of their configured security profiles. It also detects interference, traffic load on the access points, and neighbourhood maps to determine the best channel for each access point. The wireless controller collects this information over the previous 24 hours and uses it to determine the best possible channel for the access points.
Channel allocation can be configured to allow allocation of specified channels when channel allocation is scheduled to run. This ensures that the access points use only the channels allowed according to administration policies.
It is a global feature that applies to all access points. (If you disable channel allocation, it is globally disabled for all access points.) The allocated channels also apply to all access points, irrespective of whether they are managed in the basic profile group or an advanced profile group. However, you can override the channel allocation settings for individual access points on the Channel Override page.
To adhere to best practices when adjusting channel allocation, we recommend the following:
• Select channels that do not overlap. For example, for 2.4 GHz, use channels 1, 6, and 11.
• Schedule channel allocation once a day at times when the fewest clients are expected to be connected.
Configure automatic channel allocation:
1. Login to your wireless controller admin page and navigate to Configuration > RF Management > Channel Allocation.
The channels that you can select depend on country of operation of the wireless controller.
2. Configure the following settings;
Automatic channel allocation: Enable or Disable the feature.
Available channels - Country Specific: The wireless controller determines which channels are available based on the country/region that is specified in Configuration > System > General > Country/Region.
- Available channels are black
- Non supported channels in the configured country/region are greyed out
- DFS channels are pink
Prevent channel change during: You can prevent channel allocation running during an Active voice call or High Traffic Load.
Schedule channel allocation: Specify a time when channel allocation runs.
3. To preview the best channels for all the managed access points, click the Preview button.
A pop-up window shows the list of which channels will be applied to each access point, but the selected channels are not applied at this time.
Changing channels might temporarily affect traffic on the managed access points in the network.
4. To run channel allocation immediately, click the Run Now button. A pop up shows the allocated channels on each access point radio.
5. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. If enabled, the channel allocation occurs according to the configured schedule.