Configuring And Viewing Channel Management Settings - US Robotics Instant802 APSDK Administrator's Manual

Interference can occur when multiple access points within range of each other are broadcasting on the
same or overlapping channels. The impact of this interference on network performance can intensify
during busy times when large amounts of data and media traffic compete for bandwidth.
Channel management uses a predetermined set of channels that minimizes interference. For the b/g radio
band, the classic set of non-interfering channels is 1, 6, 11. Channels 1, 4, 8, 11 produce minimal overlap.
Example: A Network before and after Channel Management
Without automated channel management, channel assignments to clustered APs might be made on
consecutive channels, which would overlap and cause interference. For example, AP1 could be assigned
to channel 6, AP2 to channel 6, and AP3 to channel 5 as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Without Automatic Channel Management: APs Can Broadcast on Overlapping Channels.
Channel 6
(802.11b)
Channel 6
(802.11b)
AP1
Client Station
With automated channel management, APs in the cluster are automatically reassigned to non-interfering
channels as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. With Channel Management Enabled: APs are Reassigned to Non-Interfering Channels.
Channel 1
(802.11b)
Channel 6
(802.11b)
AP1
Client Station

Configuring and Viewing Channel Management Settings

The Channel Management page shows previous, current, and planned channel assignments for clustered
Channel 5
(802.11b)
AP2
AP3
Channel 11
(802.11b)
AP2
AP3
Channel 6
(802.11b)
Channel 7
(802.11b)
AP4
AP5
Client Station
Channel 1
(802.11b)
Channel 6
(802.11b)
AP4
AP5
Client Station
Professional Access Point
Administrator Guide
Interference from
APs on adjacent channels
(5,6,7)
Interference from APs
on same channel (6)
Channel Management - 65