USRobotics Instant802 APSDK - Manual (Page 65)

Professional Access Point
Administrator Guide
Channel Management - 65
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.
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.
Configuring and Viewing Channel Management Settings
The Channel Management page shows previous, current, and planned channel assignments for clustered
AP3
AP1
Channel 6
(802.11b)
AP2
Channel 6
(802.11b)
Channel 5
(802.11b)
Channel 6
(802.11b)
AP5
Channel 7
(802.11b)
AP4
Client Station
Client Station
Interference from APs
on same channel (6)
Interference from
APs on adjacent channels
(5,6,7)
AP2
Channel 6
(802.11b)
AP1
Channel 1
(802.11b) Channel 1
(802.11b)
AP4
AP3
Channel 11
(802.11b)
AP5
Channel 6
(802.11b)
Client Station
Client Station