802.11 Parameters for Cisco Access Points

2.4-GHz Radio Support

Configuring 2.4-GHz Radio Support for the Specified Slot Number

Before you begin


Note

The term 802.11b radio or 2.4-GHz radio will be used interchangeably.

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Device# enable

Enters privileged EXEC mode.

Step 2

ap name ap-name dot11 24ghz slot 0 SI

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 24ghz slot 0 SI

Enables Spectrum Intelligence (SI) for the dedicated 2.4-GHz radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point. For more information, Spectrum Intelligence section in this guide.

Here, 0 refers to the Slot ID.

Step 3

ap name ap-name dot11 24ghz slot 0 antenna {ext-ant-gain antenna_gain_value | selection [internal | external]}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 24ghz slot 0 antenna selection internal

Configures 802.11b antenna hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

  • ext-ant-gain : Configures the 802.11b external antenna gain. antenna_gain_value - Refers to the external antenna gain value in multiples of .5 dBi units. The valid range is from 0 to 4294967295.

  • selection : Configures the 802.11b antenna selection (internal or external).

Note

 

  • For APs supporting self-identifying antennas (SIA), the gain depends on the antenna, and not on the AP model. The gain is learned by the AP and there is no need for controller configuration.

  • For APs that do not support SIA, the APs send the antenna gain in the configuration payload, where the default antenna gain depends on the AP model.

  • Cisco Catalyst 9120E and 9130E APs support self-identifying antennas (SIA). Cisco Catalyst 9115E APs do not support SIA antennas. Although Cisco Catalyst 9115E APs work with SIA antennas, the APs do not auto-detect SIA antennas nor add the correct external gain.

Step 4

ap name ap-name dot11 24ghz slot 0 beamforming

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 24ghz slot 0 beamforming

Configures beamforming for the 2.4-GHz radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

Step 5

ap name ap-name dot11 24ghz slot 0 channel {channel_number | auto}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 24ghz slot 0 channel auto

Configures advanced 802.11 channel assignment parameters for the 2.4-GHz radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

Step 6

ap name ap-name dot11 24ghz slot 0 cleanair

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 24ghz slot 0 cleanair

Enables CleanAir for 802.11b radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

Step 7

ap name ap-name dot11 24ghz slot 0 dot11n antenna {A | B | C | D}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 24ghz slot 0 dot11n antenna A

Configures 802.11n antenna for 2.4-GHz radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

Here,

A : Is the antenna port A.

B : Is the antenna port B.

C : Is the antenna port C.

D : Is the antenna port D.

Step 8

ap name ap-name dot11 24ghz slot 0 shutdown

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 24ghz slot 0 shutdown

Disables 802.11b radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

Step 9

ap name ap-name dot11 24ghz slot 0 txpower {tx_power_level | auto}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 24ghz slot 0 txpower auto

Configures transmit power level for 802.11b radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

  • tx_power_level : Is the transmit power level in dBm. The valid range is from 1 to 8.

  • auto : Enables auto-RF.

5-GHz Radio Support

Configuring 5-GHz Radio Support for the Specified Slot Number

Before you begin


Note

The term 802.11a radio or 5-GHz radio will be used interchangeably in this document.

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Device# enable

Enters privileged EXEC mode.

Step 2

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 SI

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 SI

Enables Spectrum Intelligence (SI) for the dedicated 5-GHz radio hosted on slot 1 for a specific access point.

Here, 1 refers to the Slot ID.

Step 3

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 antenna ext-ant-gain antenna_gain_value

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 antenna ext-ant-gain

Configures external antenna gain for 802.11a radios for a specific access point hosted on slot 1.

antenna_gain_value —Refers to the external antenna gain value in multiples of .5 dBi units. The valid range is from 0 to 4294967295.

Note

 

  • For APs supporting self-identifying antennas (SIA), the gain depends on the antenna, and not on the AP model. The gain is learned by the AP and there is no need for controller configuration.

  • For APs that do not support SIA, the APs send the antenna gain in the configuration payload, where the default antenna gain depends on the AP model.

  • Cisco Catalyst 9120E and 9130E APs support self-identifying antennas (SIA). Cisco Catalyst 9115E APs do not support SIA antennas. Although Cisco Catalyst 9115E APs work with SIA antennas, the APs do not auto-detect SIA antennas nor add the correct external gain.

Step 4

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 antenna mode [omni | sectorA | sectorB]

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 antenna mode sectorA

Configures the antenna mode for 802.11a radios for a specific access point hosted on slot 1.

Step 5

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 antenna selection [internal | external]

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 antenna selection internal

Configures the antenna selection for 802.11a radios for a specific access point hosted on slot 1.

Step 6

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 beamforming

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 beamforming

Configures beamforming for the 5-GHz radio hosted on slot 1 for a specific access point.

Step 7

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 channel {channel_number | auto | width [20 | 40 | 80 | 160]}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 channel auto

Configures advanced 802.11 channel assignment parameters for the 5-GHz radio hosted on slot 1 for a specific access point.

Here,

channel_number - Refers to the channel number. The valid range is from 1 to 173.

Step 8

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 cleanair

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 cleanair

Enables CleanAir for 802.11a radio hosted on slot 1 for a given or specific access point.

Step 9

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 dot11n antenna {A | B | C | D}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 dot11n antenna A

Configures 802.11n for 5-GHz radio hosted on slot 1 for a specific access point.

Here,

A - Is the antenna port A.

B - Is the antenna port B.

C - Is the antenna port C.

D - Is the antenna port D.

Step 10

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 rrm channel channel

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 rrm channel 2

Is another way of changing the channel hosted on slot 1 for a specific access point.

Here,

channel - Refers to the new channel created using 802.11h channel announcement. The valid range is from 1 to 173, provided 173 is a valid channel in the country where the access point is deployed.

Step 11

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 shutdown

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 shutdown

Disables 802.11a radio hosted on slot 1 for a specific access point.

Step 12

ap name ap-name dot11 5ghz slot 1 txpower {tx_power_level | auto}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 5ghz slot 1 txpower auto

Configures 802.11a radio hosted on slot 1 for a specific access point.

  • tx_power_level - Is the transmit power level in dBm. The valid range is from 1 to 8.

  • auto - Enables auto-RF.

Information About Dual-Band Radio Support

The Dual-Band (XOR) radio in Cisco 2800, 3800, 4800, and the 9120 series AP models offer the ability to serve 2.4–GHz or 5–GHz bands or passively monitor both the bands on the same AP. These APs can be configured to serve clients in 2.4–GHz and 5–GHz bands, or serially scan both 2.4–GHz and 5–GHz bands on the flexible radio while the main 5–GHz radio serves clients.

Cisco APs models up and through the Cisco 9120 APs are designed to support dual 5–GHz band operations with the i model supporting a dedicated Macro/Micro architecture and the e and p models supporting Macro/Macro. The Cisco 9130AXI APs and the Cisco 9136 APs support dual 5-GHz operations as Micro/Messo cell.

When a radio moves between bands (from 2.4-GHz to 5-GHz and vice versa), clients need to be steered to get an optimal distribution across radios. When an AP has two radios in the 5–GHz band, client steering algorithms contained in the Flexible Radio Assignment (FRA) algorithm are used to steer a client between the same band co-resident radios.

The XOR radio support can be steered manually or automatically:

  • Manual steering of a band on a radio—The band on the XOR radio can only be changed manually.

  • Automatic client and band steering on the radios is managed by the FRA feature that monitors and changes the band configurations as per site requirements.


Note

RF measurement will not run when a static channel is configured on slot 1. Due to this, the dual band radio slot 0 will move only with 5–GHz radio and not to the monitor mode.

When slot 1 radio is disabled, RF measurement will not run, and the dual band radio slot 0 will be only on 2.4–GHz radio.

Configuring Default XOR Radio Support

Before you begin


Note

The default radio points to the XOR radio hosted on slot 0.

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Device# enable

Enters privileged EXEC mode.

Step 2

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band antenna ext-ant-gain antenna_gain_value

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band antenna ext-ant-gain 2

Configures the 802.11 dual-band antenna on a specific Cisco access point.

antenna_gain_value : The valid range is from 0 to 40.

Step 3

ap name ap-name [no] dot11 dual-band shutdown

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band shutdown

Shuts down the default dual-band radio on a specific Cisco access point.

Use the no form of the command to enable the radio.

Step 4

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band role manual client-serving

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band role manual client-serving

Switchs to client–serving mode on the Cisco access point.

Step 5

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band band 24ghz

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band band 24ghz

Switchs to 2.4-GHz radio band.

Step 6

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band txpower {transmit_power_level | auto}

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band txpower 2

Configures the transmit power for the radio on a specific Cisco access point.

Note

 

When an FRA-capable radio (slot 0 on 9120 AP[for instance]) is set to Auto, you cannot configure static channel and Txpower on this radio.

If you want to configure static channel and Txpower on this radio, you will need to change the radio role to Manual Client-Serving mode.

Step 7

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band channel channel-number

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band channel 2

Enters the channel for the dual band.

channel-number —The valid range is from 1 to 173.

Step 8

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band channel auto

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band channel auto

Enables the auto channel assignment for the dual-band.

Step 9

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band channel width{20 MHz | 40 MHz | 80 MHz | 160 MHz}

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band channel width 20 MHz

Chooses the channel width for the dual band.

Step 10

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band cleanair

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band cleanair

Enables the Cisco CleanAir feature on the dual-band radio.

Step 11

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band cleanair band{24 GHz | 5 GMHz}

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band cleanair band 5 GHz
Device# ap name ap-name  [no] dot11 dual-band cleanair band 5 GHz

Selects a band for the Cisco CleanAir feature.

Use the no form of this command to disable the Cisco CleanAir feature.

Step 12

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band dot11n antenna {A | B | C | D}

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name  dot11 dual-band dot11n antenna A

Configures the 802.11n dual-band parameters for a specific access point.

Step 13

show ap name ap-name auto-rf dot11 dual-band

Example:

Device# show ap name ap-name  auto-rf dot11 dual-band

Displays the auto-RF information for the Cisco access point.

Step 14

show ap name ap-name wlan dot11 dual-band

Example:

Device# show ap name ap-name  wlan dot11 dual-band

Displays the list of BSSIDs for the Cisco access point.

Configuring XOR Radio Support for the Specified Slot Number (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Click Configuration > Wireless > Access Points.

Step 2

In the Dual-Band Radios section, select the AP for which you want to configure dual-band radios.

The AP name, MAC address, CleanAir capability and slot information for the AP are displayed. If the Hyperlocation method is HALO, the antenna PID and antenna design information are also displayed.

Step 3

Click Configure.

Step 4

In the General tab, set the Admin Status as required.

Step 5

Set the CleanAir Admin Status field to Enable or Disable.

Step 6

Click Update & Apply to Device.

Configuring XOR Radio Support for the Specified Slot Number

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Device# enable

Enters privileged EXEC mode.

Step 2

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band slot 0 antenna ext-ant-gain external_antenna_gain_value

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 dual-band slot 0 antenna ext-ant-gain 2

Configures dual-band antenna for the XOR radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

external_antenna_gain_value - Is the external antenna gain value in multiples of .5 dBi unit. The valid range is from 0 to 40.

Note

 

  • For APs supporting self-identifying antennas (SIA), the gain depends on the antenna, and not on the AP model. The gain is learned by the AP and there is no need for controller configuration.

  • For APs that do not support SIA, the APs send the antenna gain in the configuration payload, where the default antenna gain depends on the AP model.

Step 3

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band slot 0 band {24ghz | 5ghz}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 dual-band slot 0 band 24ghz

Configures current band for the XOR radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

Step 4

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band slot 0 channel {channel_number | auto | width [160 | 20 | 40 | 80]}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 dual-band slot 0 channel 3

Configures dual-band channel for the XOR radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

channel_number - The valid range is from 1 to 165.

Step 5

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band slot 0 cleanair band {24Ghz | 5Ghz}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 dual-band slot 0 cleanair band 24Ghz

Enables CleanAir features for dual-band radios hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

Step 6

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band slot 0 dot11n antenna {A | B | C | D}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 dual-band slot 0 dot11n antenna A

Configures 802.11n dual-band parameters hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

Here,

A - Enables antenna port A.

B - Enables antenna port B.

C - Enables antenna port C.

D - Enables antenna port D.

Step 7

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band slot 0 role {auto | manual [client-serving | monitor]}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 dual-band slot 0 role auto

Configures dual-band role for the XOR radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

The following are the dual-band roles:

  • auto - Refers to the automatic radio role selection.

  • manual - Refers to the manual radio role selection.

Step 8

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band slot 0 shutdown

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 dual-band slot 0 shutdown
Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 [no] dot11 dual-band slot 0 shutdown

Disables dual-band radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

Use the no form of this command to enable the dual-band radio.

Step 9

ap name ap-name dot11 dual-band slot 0 txpower {tx_power_level | auto}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 dual-band slot 0 txpower 2

Configures dual-band transmit power for XOR radio hosted on slot 0 for a specific access point.

  • tx_power_level - Is the transmit power level in dBm. The valid range is from 1 to 8.

  • auto - Enables auto-RF.

Receiver Only Dual-Band Radio Support

Information About Receiver Only Dual-Band Radio Support

This feature configures the dual-band Rx-only radio features for an access point with dual-band radios.

This dual-band Rx-only radio is dedicated for Analytics, Hyperlocation, Wireless Security Monitoring, and BLE AoA*.

This radio will always continue to serve in monitor mode, therefore, you will not be able to make any channel and tx-rx configurations on the 3rd radio.

Configuring Receiver Only Dual-Band Parameters for Access Points

Enabling CleanAir with Receiver Only Dual-Band Radio on a Cisco Access Point (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Wireless > Access Points.

Step 2

In the Dual-Band Radios settings, click the AP for which you want to configure the dual-band radios.

Step 3

In the General tab, enable the CleanAir toggle button.

Step 4

Click Update & Apply to Device.

Enabling CleanAir with Receiver Only Dual-Band Radio on a Cisco Access Point

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Device# enable

Enters privileged EXEC mode.

Step 2

ap name ap-name dot11 rx-dual-band slot 2 cleanair band {24Ghz | 5Ghz}

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 rx-dual-band slot 2 cleanair band 24Ghz
Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 [no] dot11 rx-dual-band slot 2 cleanair band 24Ghz

Enables CleanAir with receiver only (Rx-only) dual-band radio on a specific access point.

Here, 2 refers to the slot ID.

Use the no form of this command to disable CleanAir.

Disabling Receiver Only Dual-Band Radio on a Cisco Access Point (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Wireless > Access Points.

Step 2

In the Dual-Band Radios settings, click the AP for which you want to configure the dual-band radios.

Step 3

In the General tab, disable the CleanAir Status toggle button.

Step 4

Click Update & Apply to Device.

Disabling Receiver Only Dual-Band Radio on a Cisco Access Point

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Device# enable

Enters privileged EXEC mode.

Step 2

ap name ap-name dot11 rx-dual-band slot 2 shutdown

Example:

Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 dot11 rx-dual-band slot 2 shutdown
Device# ap name AP-SIDD-A06 [no] dot11 rx-dual-band slot 2 shutdown

Disables receiver only dual-band radio on a specific Cisco access point.

Here, 2 refers to the slot ID.

Use the no form of this command to enable receiver only dual-band radio.

Configuring Client Steering (CLI)

Before you begin

Enable Cisco CleanAir on the corresponding dual-band radio.

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Device# enable

Enters privileged EXEC mode.

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

wireless macro-micro steering transition-threshold balancing-window number-of-clients(0-65535)

Example:

Device(config)# wireless macro-micro steering transition-threshold balancing-window 10

Configures the micro-macro client load–balancing window for a set number of clients.

Step 4

wireless macro-micro steering transition-threshold client count number-of-clients(0-65535)

Example:

Device(config)# wireless macro-micro steering transition-threshold client count 10

Configures the macro-micro client parameters for a minimum client count for transition.

Step 5

wireless macro-micro steering transition-threshold macro-to-micro RSSI-in-dBm( –128—0)

Example:

Device(config)# wireless macro-micro steering transition-threshold macro-to-micro -100

Configures the macro–to–micro transition RSSI.

Step 6

wireless macro-micro steering transition-threshold micro-to-macro RSSI-in-dBm(–128—0)

Example:

Device(config)# wireless macro–micro steering transition-threshold micro-to-macro -110

Configures the micro–to–macro transition RSSI.

Step 7

wireless macro-micro steering probe-suppression aggressiveness number-of-cycles(–128—0)

Example:

Device(config)# wireless macro-micro steering probe-suppression aggressiveness -110

Configures the number of probe cycles to be suppressed.

Step 8

wireless macro-micro steering probe-suppression hysteresis RSSI-in-dBm

Example:

Device(config)# wireless macro-micro steering probe-suppression hysteresis -5

Configures the macro-to-micro probe in RSSI. The range is between –6 to –3.

Step 9

wireless macro-micro steering probe-suppression probe-only

Example:

Device(config)# wireless macro-micro steering probe-suppression probe-only

Enables probe suppression mode.

Step 10

wireless macro-micro steering probe-suppression probe-auth

Example:

Device(config)# wireless macro-micro steering probe-suppression probe-auth

Enables probe and single authentication suppression mode.

Step 11

show wireless client steering

Example:

Device# show wireless client steering

Displays the wireless client steering information.

Verifying Cisco Access Points with Dual-Band Radios

To verify the access points with dual-band radios, use the following command:

Device# show ap dot11 dual-band summary

AP Name Subband Radio      Mac   Status Channel Power Level Slot ID Mode
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4800   All 3890.a5e6.f360 Enabled (40)* *1/8     (22 dBm)      0   Sensor
4800   All 3890.a5e6.f360 Enabled N/A    N/A       2               Monitor