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Configuring ARM Adaptive Radio Management. ARM dynamically monitors and adjusts the network to ensure that all users are allowed ready access. It enables full utilization of the available spectrum to support maximum number of users by intelligently choosing the best RF channel and transmit power for APs in their current RF environment. Features is allowed only in AOS-8.
To configure the ARM features, complete the following steps:
- In HPE Aruba Networking Central, set the filter to a group containing at least one AP.
The dashboard context for the group is displayed.
- Under , click > .
A list of APs is displayed in the view.
- Click the icon.
The tabs to configure the APs are displayed.
The Radios page is displayed.
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Turn on Activate Optimization toggle switch if you want to set wireless coverage.
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From the Automatically deploy optimization, choose a time from the drop-down to automatically deploy optimization.
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Under Wireless Coverage Tuning, click and drag the slider bar to change the balance settings.
- Click the tab.
The Radios details page is displayed.
- Under > , the section displays the following components:
- For , configure the following parameters:
Table 1: Band Steering Mode Configuration Parameters
Data pane item
Description
Enables band Band refers to a specified range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. steering in the 5 GHz Gigahertz. mode. On selecting this, the IAP steers the client to the 5 GHz band (if the client is 5 GHz capable), but allows the client connection on the 2.4 GHz band if the client persistently attempts for 2.4 GHz association.
Enforces 5 GHz band steering mode on the IAPs.
Enforces 6 GHz band steering mode on the IAPs.
6 GHz band is only supported for devices with 6 GHz capability.
Allows the IAP to balance the clients across the two radios to best utilize the available 2.4 GHz bandwidth. This feature takes into account the fact that the 5 GHz band has more channels than the 2.4 GHz band, and that the 5 GHz channels operate in 40 MHz Megahertz, while the 2.5 GHz band operates in 20 MHz.
Allows the clients to select the band to use.
Prefer higher band Enables band steering in the 6 GHz and 5 GHz bands on the IAPs. On selecting this, the IAP steers the 6 GHz clients to the 6 GHz band (if the client is 6 GHz-capable), but allows the client connection on the 5 GHz band if the client persistently attempts for 5 GHz association. Similarly, the IAP steers the client to the 5 GHz band (if the client is 5 GHz-capable), but allows the client connection on the 2.4 GHz band if the client persistently attempts for 2.4 GHz association. -
For , specify any of the following values:
- For , configure the following parameters:
Table 3: Client Match Configuration Parameters
Data Pane Item
Description
Turn on the toggle switch to enable the feature on APs. When enabled, client count is balanced among all the channels in the same band. When is enabled, ensure that the option is enabled.
For more information, see Client Match Service.
When is disabled, channels can be changed even when the clients are active on a BSSID Basic Service Set Identifier. The BSSID identifies a particular BSS within an area. In infrastructure BSS networks, the BSSID is the MAC address of the AP. In independent BSS or ad hoc networks, the BSSID is generated randomly.. The option is disabled by default.
Configures a value for the calculating interval of . The interval is specified in seconds and the default value is 3 seconds. You can specify a value within the range of 1-600.
Configures the calculating percentage of Client Match neighbor matching. This number takes into account the least similarity percentage to be considered as in the same virtual RF Radio Frequency. RF refers to the electromagnetic wave frequencies within a range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz, including the frequencies used for communications or Radar signals. neighborhood of . You can specify a percentage value within the range of 20-100. The default value is 60.
Configures a threshold value. This threshold is the maximum difference allowed in the number of associated clients between channels, radios, or channel + radios.
When the client load on an AP reaches or exceeds the threshold in comparison, is enabled on that AP. You can specify a value within range of 1-20. The default value is 5.
Enables the feature to work across different standalone IAPs in the same management VLAN Virtual Local Area Network. In computer networking, a single Layer 2 network may be partitioned to create multiple distinct broadcast domains, which are mutually isolated so that packets can only pass between them through one or more routers; such a domain is referred to as a Virtual Local Area Network, Virtual LAN, or VLAN.. All such standalone IAPs must be set with the same key. uses the wired layer 2 protocol to synchronize information exchanged between IAPs. Users have an option to configure the keys. IAPs verify if the frames that they broadcast contain a common key. IAPs that receive these frames verify if the sender belongs to the same network or if the sender and receiver both have the same key. You can specify a value within the range of 1– 2147483646.
Enables the mode to determine the balancing strategy for . The following options are available:
- —Balances client count based on each channel.
- —Balances client count based on each radio.
- —Balances client count based on each channel and each radio.
- Click , and configure the following parameters:
Data pane item Description Allows you to select a custom list of valid 20 MHz and 40 MHz channels for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. By default, the AP uses valid channels as defined by the Country Code (regulatory domain). On selecting , a list of valid channels for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are displayed. The valid channel customization feature is disabled by default.
The valid channels automatically show in the pane.
To select non-DFS Dynamic Frequency Selection. DFS is a mandate for radio systems operating in the 5 GHz band to be equipped with means to identify and avoid interference with Radar systems. channels only for 5 GHz bands, complete the following steps:
Select the Customize Valid Channels check box.
In the 5 GHz section, click Edit and then select the Non-DFS check box.
Click Save Settings.
Allows you to configure a minimum transmission power within a range of 3 to 33 dBm Decibel-Milliwatts. dBm is a logarithmic measurement (integer) that is typically used in place of mW to represent receive-power level. AMP normalizes all signals to dBm, so that it is easy to evaluate performance between various vendors. in 3 dBm increments. If the minimum transmission EIRP Effective Isotropic Radiated Power or Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power. EIRP refers to the output power generated when a signal is concentrated into a smaller area by the Antenna. setting configured on an AP is not supported by the AP model, this value is reduced to the highest supported power setting. The default value for minimum transmit power is 18 dBm.
Regulatory channel configuration may alter the actual radiated power. When ARM and Radio profiles are set to minimum transmit power, the radio profile parameter takes the priority.
Allows you to configure the maximum transmission power within a range of 3 to 33 dBm in 3 dBm increments. If the maximum transmission EIRP configured on an AP is not supported by the local regulatory requirements or AP model, the value is reduced to the highest supported power settings.
Regulatory channel configuration may alter the actual radiated power. When ARM and Radio profiles are set to maximum transmit power, the radio profile parameter takes the priority.
Allows ARM to control channel assignments for the IAPs with active clients. When the mode is disabled, an IAP may change to a more optimal channel, which disrupts current client traffic. The option is enabled by default.
Allows the IAP to dynamically scan all 802.11 802.11 is an evolving family of specifications for wireless LANs developed by a working group of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). 802.11 standards use the Ethernet protocol and Carrier Sense Multiple Access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) for path sharing. channels within its 802.11 regulatory domain at regular intervals. This scanning report includes WLAN Wireless Local Area Network. WLAN is a 802.11 standards-based LAN that the users access through a wireless connection. coverage, interference, and intrusion detection data.
For configuration, ensure that is enabled.
Allows the administrators to configure 40 MHz channels in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. 40 MHz channels are two 20 MHz adjacent channels that are bonded together. The 40 MHz channel effectively doubles the frequency bandwidth available for data transmission. For high performance, you can select 5 GHz. If the AP density is low, enable in the 2.4 GHz band.
Enables or disables the use of 80 MHz channels on APs. This feature allows ARM to assign 80 MHz channels on APs with 5 GHz radios, which support very high throughput. This setting is enabled by default.
Only the APs that support 802.11ac 802.11ac is a wireless networking standard in the 802.11 family that provides high-throughput WLANs on the 5 GHz band. can be configured with 80 MHz channels.
Enables or disables the use of 160 MHz channels on APs. This feature allows ARM to assign 160 MHz channels on APs with 5 GHz and 6 GHz radios, which support very high throughput. The setting is None by default.
Select one of the following options in the drop-down list to set the 160 MHz Support parameters:
Auto—Allows automatic selection of contiguous frequency.
Contiguous-only—To assign contiguous only 160 MHz channel bandwidth.
Non-contiguous-only—To assign non-contiguous 160 MHz channel bandwidth.
None—To disallow assigning 160 MHz channel bandwidth.
You can enable the 160 MHz support only if 80 MHz Support is enabled. The 160 MHz Support does not apply to the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
- Click , and configure the following parameters:
Table 5: Channel Control Configuration Parameters
Data pane item Description Allows you to configure the time within a range of 10 to 3600 seconds, when an IAP backs off after requesting a new channel or power. It can increase the time window of channel interference check, and the time window of power check. The default value for minimum back off time is 240 seconds.
Checks the difference in threshold in the channel interference index between the new channel and the existing channel. An Instant AP will only move to a new channel if the new channel has a lower interference index value than the current channel. This parameter specifies the required difference between the two interference index values before the Instant AP moves to the new channel. The lower this value, the more likely it is that the Instant AP will move to the new channel. It has a default value of 25.
Allows you to specify the ideal coverage index in the range of 2 to 20, which an IAP tries to achieve on its channel. The denser the IAP deployment, the lower this value should be. It has a default value of 10. IAPs will try to increase power until they reach ideal coverage index for their channel of operation. If there are other IAPs on that channel, then those may contribute to coverage index for that channel. When an IAP detects that the combined coverage from all of co-channel APs and itself has reached ideal coverage index, it will stop increasing power levels.
Allows ARM to utilize channel quality, configured parameters quality, and error rate to identify possible poor service channels and change channels to more advantageous channels. ARM chooses the channel based on the calculated interference index value. The option is disabled by default.
Allows you to specify the channel quality percentage within a range of 0 to 100, below which ARM initiates a channel change. It has a default value of 70%.
Specifies the time that the channel quality is below the channel quality threshold value to initiate a channel change. It has a range of 1 to 3600 seconds, with a default value of 120 seconds.
If current channel quality is below the specified channel quality threshold for this wait time period, ARM initiates a channel change.
- Click , and configure the following parameters:
Table 6: Error Rate Configuration Parameters
Data Pane Item
Description
Configures the minimum percentage of errors in the channel that triggers a channel change. It has a range of 0 to 100 % with a default value of 70%.
Configures the time that the error rate has to be at least equal to the error rate threshold to trigger a channel change. The error rate must be equal to or more than the error rate threshold to trigger a channel change. It has a range of 1 to 3600 seconds, with a default value of 90 seconds.
- Click .
