Concept Guide

Dell Networking W-Series Instant 6.4.3.1-4.2.0.0 | User Guide Adaptive Radio Management | 250
Chapter 17
Adaptive Radio Management
This chapter provides the following information:
l ARM Overview on page 250
l Configuring ARM Features on a W-IAP on page 251
l Configuring Radio Settings on page 257
ARM Overview
Adaptive Radio Management (ARM) is a radio frequency management technology that optimizes WLAN
performance even in the networks with highest traffic by dynamically and intelligently choosing the best
802.11 channel and transmitting power for each W-IAP in its current RF environment. ARM works with all
standard clients, across all operating systems, while remaining in compliance with the IEEE 802.11 standards. It
does not require any proprietary client software to achieve its performance goals. ARM ensures low-latency
roaming, consistently high performance, and maximum client compatibility in a multi-channel environment. By
ensuring the fair distribution of available Wi-Fi bandwidth to mobile devices, ARM ensures that data, voice, and
video applications have sufficient network resources at all times. ARM allows mixed 802.11a, b, g, n, and ac
client types to inter operate at the highest performance levels.
Channel or Power Assignment
The channel or power assignment feature automatically assigns channel and power settings for all the W-IAPs
in the network according to changes in the RF environment. This feature automates many setup tasks during
network installation and the ongoing operations when RF conditions change.
Voice Aware Scanning
The Voice Aware scanning feature prevents a W-IAP supporting an active voice call from scanning for other
channels in the RF spectrum and allows a W-IAP to resume scanning when there are no active voice calls. This
significantly improves the voice quality when a call is in progress and simultaneously delivers the automated RF
management functions. By default, this feature is enabled.
Load Aware Scanning
The Load Aware Scanning feature dynamically adjusts scanning behavior to maintain uninterrupted data
transfer on resource intensive systems when the network traffic exceeds a predefined threshold. The W-IAPs
resume complete monitoring scans when the traffic drops to the normal levels. By default, this feature is
enabled.
Monitoring the Network with ARM
When ARM is enabled, aW-IAP dynamically scans all 802.11 channels within its 802.11 regulatory domain at
regular intervals and sends reports to a Virtual Controller on network (WLAN) coverage, interference, and
intrusion detection.
ARM Metrics
ARM computes coverage and interference metrics for each valid channel and chooses the best performing
channel and transmit power settings for each W-IAP RF environment. Each W-IAP gathers other metrics on its
ARM-assigned channel to provide a snapshot of the current RF health state.