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DellPowerConnectW-SeriesArubaOS6.2 | User Guide Spectrum Analysis | 570
Chapter 32
Spectrum Analysis
Wireless networks operate in environments with electrical and radio frequency devices that can interfere with
network communications. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, and even adjacent Wi-Fi networks are all potential
sources of continuous or intermittent interference. The spectrum analysis software modules on APs that support this
feature are able to examine the radio frequency (RF) environment in which the Wi-Fi network is operating, identify
interference and classify its sources. An analysis of the results can then be used to quickly isolate issues with packet
transmission, channel quality, and traffic congestion caused by contention with other devices operating in the same
band or channel.
AP radios that gather spectrum data but do not service clients are called spectrum monitors, or SMs. Each SM scans
and analyzes the spectrum band used by the SM's radio (2.4Ghz or 5Ghz). An AP radio in
hybrid AP
mode
continues to serve clients as an access point while it analyzes spectrum analysis data for the channel the radio uses
to serve clients. You can record data for both types of spectrum analysis devices, save that data, and then play it back
for later analysis.
Topics in this chapter include:
l "Understanding Spectrum Analysis" on page 570
l "Creating Spectrum Monitors and Hybrid APs" on page 574
l "Connecting Spectrum Devices to the Spectrum Analysis Client" on page 577
l "Configuring the Spectrum Analysis Dashboards" on page 579
l "Customizing Spectrum Analysis Graphs" on page 582
l "Working with Non-Wi-Fi Interferers " on page 606
l "Understanding the Spectrum Analysis Session Log" on page 608
l "Viewing Spectrum Analysis Data" on page 608
l "Recording Spectrum Analysis Data" on page 609
l "Troubleshooting Spectrum Analysis" on page 612
Understanding Spectrum Analysis
The table below lists the AP models that support the spectrum analysis feature. Single-radio mesh APs do not
support the spectrum analysis feature; if an AP radio has a virtual AP carrying mesh backhaul traffic, no other virtual
AP on that radio can be configured as a spectrum monitor. However, dual-radio mesh APs can have the client access
radio configured as a Spectrum monitor or hybrid AP while the other radio supports mesh backhaul traffic.
Device
Configurable as a
Spectrum Monitor?
Configurable as a
Hybrid AP?
W-AP104 Yes Yes
Table 193:
Device Support for Spectrum Analysis