Optimizing RFID Tracking on Access Points

Optimizing RFID Tracking on Access Points

To optimize the monitoring and location calculation of RFID tags, you can enable tracking optimization on up to four channels within the 2.4-GHz band of an 802.11b/g access point radio. This feature allows you to scan only the channels on which tags are usually programmed to operate (such as channels 1, 6, and 11).

You can use the controller GUI or CLI to configure the access point for monitor mode and to then enable tracking optimization on the access point radio.

This section contains the following subsections:

Optimizing RFID Tracking on Access Points (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Wireless > Access Points > All APs to open the All APs page.

Step 2

Click the name of the access point for which you want to configure monitor mode. The All APs > Details for page appears.
Step 3

From the AP Mode drop-down list, choose Monitor.

Step 4

Click Apply.

Step 5

Click OK when warned that the access point will be rebooted.

Step 6

Click Save Configuration to save your changes.

Step 7

Choose Wireless > Access Points > Radios > 802.11b/g/n to open the 802.11b/g/n Radios page.

Step 8

Hover your cursor over the blue drop-down arrow for the desired access point and choose Configure. The 802.11b/g/n Cisco APs > Configure page appears.

Step 9

Disable the access point radio by choosing Disable from the Admin Status drop-down list and click Apply.

Step 10

Enable tracking optimization on the radio by choosing Enable from the Enable Tracking Optimization drop-down list.

Step 11

From the four Channel drop-down lists, choose the channels on which you want to monitor RFID tags.

Note 

You must configure at least one channel on which the tags will be monitored.
Step 12

Click Apply.

Step 13

Click Save Configuration.

Step 14

To reenable the access point radio, choose Enable from the Admin Status drop-down list and click Apply.

Step 15

Click Save Configuration.

Optimizing RFID Tracking on Access Points (CLI)

Procedure

Step 1

Configure an access point for monitor mode by entering this command:

config ap mode monitor Cisco_AP

Step 2

When warned that the access point will be rebooted and asked if you want to continue, enter Y.

Step 3

Save your changes by entering this command:

save config
Step 4

Disable the access point radio by entering this command:

config 802.11b disable Cisco_AP

Step 5

Configure the access point to scan only the DCA channels supported by its country of operation by entering this command:

config ap monitor-mode tracking-opt Cisco_AP

Note 

To specify the exact channels to be scanned, enter the config ap monitor-mode tracking-opt Cisco_AP command in Step 6.

Note 

To disable tracking optimization for this access point, enter the config ap monitor-mode no-optimization Cisco_AP command.

Step 6

After you have entered the command in Step 5, you can enter this command to choose up to four specific 802.11b channels to be scanned by the access point:

config ap monitor-mode 802.11b fast-channel Cisco_AP channel1 channel2 channel3 channel4

Note 

In the United States, you can assign any value between 1 and 11 (inclusive) to the channel variable. Other countries support additional channels. You must assign at least one channel.

Step 7

Reenable the access point radio by entering this command:

config 802.11b enable Cisco_AP

Step 8

Save your changes by entering this command:

save config
Step 9

See a summary of all access points in monitor mode by entering this command:

show ap monitor-mode summary