Dell 6.2 Chapte r 32

DellPowerConnect W- Series ArubaOS 6.2 | User Guide SpectrumAnalysis | 570
Chapte r 32
Spectrum A nalysis
Wirelessnetworks operate i n environmentsw ith electrical and radio frequencydevices that can interfere with
network communications. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, and even adjacent Wi-Fi networks are all potential
sources of continuous or intermittent interference. The spectrum analysis software modules on APs that support this
featureare able to examine the radio frequency (RF) environmenti nw hicht heWi-Fi netwo rkis o perating,identify
interferenceand classify its sources. An analysis of the results can then be used to quickly isolate issues with packet
transmission, channelquality, and traffic congestion caused by contention with other devices operating i n the same
bando r channel.
AP radios that gather spectrum data but do not service clients are called spectrummonit ors,o rSMs. Each SM scans
and analyzesthe spectrum band used by the SM's radio (2.4Ghz or 5Ghz). An AP radio in hybrid AP mode
continues to serve clients as an access point while it analyzes spectrum analysis data for the channelthe radio uses
to serve clients. You can record data for both types of spectrum analysis devices, save that data, and then play it back
for lateranalysis.
Topics in this chapter include:
l"UnderstandingSpectrum Analysis" on page 570
l"CreatingSpectrum Monitors and Hybrid APs " on page 574
l"ConnectingSpectrum Devices t o the SpectrumA nalysis Client"on page 577
l"Configuringthe Spectrum Analysis Dashboards" on page 579
l"Customizing SpectrumA nalysis Graphs"on page 58 2
l"Workingwith N on-Wi-FiI nterferers" on page 606
l"Understandingthe Spectrum Analysis Session Log" on page 608
l"Viewing SpectrumA nalysis Data" on page 608
l"RecordingSpectrum Analysis D ata" on page 609
l"TroubleshootingSpectrum Analysis" on page 612
Understanding Spe ctrum Analysis
The tablebelow lists the AP models that support the spectrum analysis feature.Single-radio mesh APs do not
support thespectrum analysis feature; if anAP radio has a virtual AP carrying meshbackhaul traffic, noo thervirtual
AP on that radio can be configured as a spectrum monitor. However, dual-radio mesh APs can have the client access
radio configuredas a Spectrum monitor or hybridA P whilethe other radio supports mesh backhaultraffic.
Device Configurableas a
SpectrumMonitor?
Configurableas a
Hybrid AP?
W-AP104 Yes Yes
Table19 3: DeviceS upportfor Spectrum Analysis