Concept Guide

Spectrum Alerts
When a new non-Wi-Fi device is found, an alert is reported to the VC. The spectrum alert messages include the
device ID, device type, IP address of the spectrum monitor or hybrid W-IAP, and the timestamp. VC reports the
detailed device information to AMP.
Configuring Spectrum Monitors and Hybrid W-IAPs
AW-IAP can be provisioned to function as a spectrum monitor or as a hybrid W-IAP. The radios on groups of W-
IAPs can be converted to dedicated spectrum monitors or hybrid W-IAPs through the W-IAP group’s 802.11a
and 802.11g radio profiles.
Converting a W-IAP to a Hybrid W-IAP
You can convert all W-IAPs in an Instant network into hybrid W-IAPs by selecting the Background Spectrum
Monitoring option in the 802.11a and 802.11g radio profiles of a W-IAP. W-IAPs in Access mode continue to
provide normal access service to clients, while providing the additional function of monitoring RF interference.
If any W-IAP in the Instant network does not support the Spectrum Monitoring feature, that W-IAP continues
to function as a standard W-IAP, rather than a hybrid W-IAP. By default, the background spectrum monitoring
option is disabled.
In the hybrid mode, spectrum monitoring is performed only on the home channel. In other words, if the W-IAP-
channel width is 80 Mhz, spectrum monitoring is performed for 80 Mhz. If the channel width is 40, spectrum
monitoring is performed for 40 MHz channel. In a dedicated air monitor mode, W-IAPs perform spectrum
monitoring on all channels.
You can convert W-IAPs in an Instant network to hybrid mode by using the Instant UI or the CLI.
In the Instant UI
To convert aW-IAP to a hybrid W-IAP:
1. Click the RF link on the Instant main window.
2. In the RF section, click Show advanced options to view the Radio tab.
3. To enable a spectrum monitor on the 802.11g radio band, in the 2.4 GHz radio profile, select Enabled from
the Background Spectrum Monitoring drop-down list.
4. To enable a spectrum monitor on the 802.11a radio band, in the 5 GHz radio profile, select Enabled from
the Background Spectrum Monitoring drop-down list.
5. Click OK.
In the CLI
To configure 2.4 GHz radio settings:
(Instant AP)(config)# rf dot11g-radio-profile
(Instant AP)(RF dot11g Radio Profile)# spectrum-monitor
To configure 5 GHz radio settings:
(Instant AP)(config)# rf dot11a-radio-profile
(Instant AP)(RF dot11a Radio Profile)# spectrum-monitor
Converting aW-IAP to a Spectrum Monitor
In spectrum mode, spectrum monitoring is performed on entire bands and the W-IAP functions as a dedicated
full-spectrum RF monitor, scanning all channels to detect interference, whether from the neighboring W-IAPs or
from non-Wi-Fi devices such as microwaves and cordless phones.
By default, spectrum monitoring is performed on a higher band of the 5 GHz radio.
Dell Networking W-Series Instant 6.5.1.0-4.3.1.0 | User Guide Spectrum Monitor | 347