User's Manual Part 1
16 HotPoint FWC 2050 & Access Point User Guide February 2011
Channel Allocation
Automatic Channel Allocation (ACA), when run, tries to optimize the channel allocation for access points based on clients,
user data trafc load and observed nearby RF environment of access points in order to reduce interference. The algorithm takes
into consideration interference, trafc load on the AP and neighborhood maps to come up with the best channel for an Access
Point. This information, collected over the last 24 hours, is used by the controller to determine the best possible channel for
the Access Point.
For this reason, Automatic Channel Allocation should be re-run 24 hours (or more) after an initial deployment, so that the
algorithm has a good base of performance data for analysis. You can also schedule the algorithm to run at a specied time, or
periodically.
ACA can be congured to allow allocation of only the specied channels. This ensures that the Access Points only use the
channels allowed according to Administration policies. ACA can also be congured to not change channels on any Access Point
through which there is data trafc or voice-call trafc (identied by the trafc in WMM voice priority queues).
Recommendations
• Selecting non-overlapping channels for channel allocation is a good practice e.g. for 2.4 GHz use channels 1,6,11.
• Having channel allocation scheduled once a day allows better management of available bandwidth during the day. It is best to
schedule at times when least number of clients are expected to be connected.
Automatic Channel Allocation: Enables this mode.
Valid Corporate Channels: Lets you select permitted channels. The rst check box allows all channels to be for either 2.4GHz
or 5GHz to be selected.
Prevent Channel Changing During: Lets you delay changes for certain critical trafc. Enabling “Active voice call” or “High Traf-
c Load” prevents a channel change on an Access Point if the respective condition is true.
Run Channel Allocation at: Specify at what time of the day the channel allocation can modify access point RF conguration.
Run Channel Allocation every: Specify weekly schedule for running channel allocation.