Optimizing Channel Utilization for Dense AP Deployment
Question
The helpdesk is reporting that many users are reporting slow wireless connections in one of the office buildings.
You look at the CleanAir statistics and do not see any interferers, but you see very high 2.4-GHz channel utilization from the Wi-Fi devices.
WCS is reporting the following mix of 802.11 chipsets in the building: 10 percent 802.11b, 75 percent 802.11g and 15 percent 802.11a.
You do a survey and see that you have a very dense deployment of APs and a lot of co-channel interference.
Which two steps would help lower your channel utilization in this area? (Choose two.)
Answers
Explanations
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A. B. C. D. E. F.BE.
The scenario described in the question indicates that the office building has high channel utilization in the 2.4 GHz band, a dense deployment of APs, and a lot of co-channel interference. To lower channel utilization, we need to reduce interference and optimize the AP configuration.
Option A: Raising the power on the 2.4-GHz radios will increase the coverage area, but it will not reduce the channel utilization or interference. This option will make the situation worse, so it is not recommended.
Option B: Lowering the power on the 2.4-GHz radios will reduce the coverage area, and it can decrease the co-channel interference, which can lower the channel utilization. This option is a recommended solution.
Option C: The Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) is used to inform clients about the availability of multicast and broadcast traffic. Lowering the DTIM value will increase the frequency of these messages and can increase channel utilization, which is the opposite of the desired outcome. Therefore, this option is not recommended.
Option D: Raising the DTIM will decrease the frequency of multicast and broadcast traffic messages and can lower channel utilization. However, this option can have a negative impact on the client battery life as clients will have to stay awake for a longer period to receive these messages. Therefore, this option is not recommended.
Option E: Disabling low data rates (1, 2, 5.5, 6, and 9 Mbps) will increase the minimum data rate required for clients to connect to the AP, which can help reduce channel utilization. However, this option can negatively impact the coverage area and can make it harder for clients to connect to the network. Therefore, this option is not recommended.
Option F: Enabling low data rates (1, 2, 5.5, 6, and 9 Mbps) will allow clients to connect to the network at lower data rates, which can increase the coverage area and reduce channel utilization. However, it can increase the number of clients that connect at low data rates, which can cause the network to slow down. Therefore, this option is not recommended.
In conclusion, the two options that can help lower channel utilization in the area with slow wireless connections are lowering the power on the 2.4-GHz radios and optimizing the AP deployment to minimize co-channel interference.
