topic Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6 in Wireless

Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 13:04:16 GMT

Hello everyone.

I am currently using WLC5520-8.10.196 and AP9115AXI in the office. I have noticed that some clients occasionally roam to farther APs. These clients are all Intel's WIFI6 network cards. The frequency band of AP is 80MHz.The AP3800 series used in another office area did not experience such extreme situations。

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

Mark Elsen — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 13:25:17 GMT

- Client roaming decisions are always autonomous ; however make sure that the Wifi drivers are up to date and or check if that can influence the roaming behavior ,

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

jagan.chowdam — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:21:16 GMT

Are both office areas managed by the same WLC5520 controller, or do they use separate controllers?
Do both office areas (with AP9115AXI and AP3800 series) have identical RF profiles and settings assigned, especially in terms of channel width, power levels, and band steering?
Have any differences in client density or interference sources (such as neighboring Wi-Fi networks or physical barriers) been identified between the two office areas?
Do you have client load balancing enabled on the APs in both office areas, and if so, is it configured the same way?

Like @Mark Elsen said, roaming is a client-side decision, and multiple factors can influence when and how clients roam, including signal strength, interference, driver behavior, and the device's roaming algorithm. It’s important to examine these factors closely to understand the situation better.

I would recommend reviewing your channel planning. Operating on 80 MHz channels requires careful planning since you will only have 5 non-overlapping channels available. Misconfigured channel plans can cause interference and suboptimal roaming performance.

Jagan Chowdam

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Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

Leo Laohoo — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 23:17:40 GMT

@xiaorenwu wrote:
These clients are all Intel's WIFI6 network cards.

What firmware are the AX2xx wireless NIC cards on?

For Realtek RTL88xx, the wireless NIC driver should be, at a minimum, 6001.10.352.0 (and later). Refer to CSCwf03870.

For Intel-based AX2xx, the wireless NIC drivers should be 22.200.2.1 (and later) or 22.220.0.0 (and later). Refer to CSCwe50033.

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

Flavio Miranda — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:53:26 GMT

@xiaorenwu

Roaming is a client decision and I´ve seen this with 3800 big time. What you can do is reduce the roaming sensitivity on the wireless adapter and eventually play with optmized roaming.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-2/config-guide/b_wl_17_2_cg/optimized_roaming.pdf

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 01:05:47 GMT

1.same WLC5520 controlle

2.The RF configuration comparison is the same, but AP3800 uses 40MHz

3.The difference is that the 3800 series has a ceiling and high density, while the AP9115AXI has a wall mounted design but not high density

4.same

I will confirm and optimize based on everyone's opinions. Thank you

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 01:06:50 GMT

I'll check again, thank you

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 01:07:36 GMT

I'll check again, thank you

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 04:01:41 GMT

I'll check again, thank you

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

JPavonM — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 09:16:09 GMT

Are your C9115AXI wall-mounted with vertical orientation? If so, the radio propagation is maximum in vertical way, while ceiling-mounted AP3802 propagation cell is more optimal. That's maybe the reason why your adapters are roaming to AP3802 as they see better signal strength received from them.

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

jagan.chowdam — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 11:50:29 GMT

The 3800 and 9115 access points do not have the same coverage area. Additionally, mounting an AP on a wall is not an optimal design or best practice.

I recommend conducting a validation survey to ensure your RF layer is strong and provides sufficient coverage throughout the office space.

You can also use the 'Cisco Wireless Config Analyzer' for an in-depth RF analysis. The WCAE mini-desktop version can generate detailed RF reports.

https://developer.cisco.com/docs/wireless-troubleshooting-tools/wireless-config-analyzer-express-engine/#wcae-mini-desktop

Jagan Chowdam

/**Pls rate useful responses**/

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 01:10:36 GMT

Yes, the entire room is 9115AXI, all vertically hung on the wall.The AP (3800) in the other room has a suspended ceiling

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 01:11:45 GMT

I'll check again, thank you

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

jmanzanera — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 08:03:29 GMT

Hello,
As mentioned before, the roaming depends on the client decision, however, what I can see for your comment is that you are using an environment with mixed AP models. This is not recommended, however, sometimes is what we have.

Just a couple of questions about your configuration
- Are you using SSID with dual band 5GHz and 2GHz ?
- Are you able to see which signal do you receive from the 3800 AP on the room? Are you receiving good signal (please be aware that the clients will roam if we have 6dB or more between the 2 AP).
- Which is the TCP configuration on the 3800AP and 91XX TPC?

Probably , to force the client to roam it will be good to reduce the 3800 TPC or increase the 91XX TPC to get lower or stronger signal.

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 11:01:47 GMT

Hello! Thank you for your answer. Currently, there are no other series of APs in the 9115AXI area, and AP3800 is a separate office. Only the 9115AXI area is experiencing roaming issues.
1. The configuration of WIFI is that the Radio Policy is all
2. TPC of two RF groups as shown in the figure

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

jmanzanera — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 12:09:25 GMT

Thanks for clarification 🙂
I was confused 🙂
According with your comments the CAT9115 is vertically hung were the 3800 is suspended ceiling. It will be important to know how they are placed , if you have a diagram it will be super helpful. As example is your CAT9115 mounted vertically with cisco logo facing opossite the 3800 or facing 3800?

On the other hand, can you please share the nearest AP the Ap radio power level for 802.11a band for the affected SSID? Also if you have an android phone, I recommend to install WIFI-MAN application (free option) and to the following (if you have a MAC it can be done with the wifi performance option):

- Connect the Android phone to the 3800.
- Move to CAT9115 and see how the client is seeing the enviornment and when the client decides to move. The Android device is small device with small antenna so, your laptop should be better.

As a note if you reduce the channel band to 40MH you will have more power on the AP , that means more signal with the same TPC.
I think we need to see your issue under RF perspective

Finally I had the same issue with the Intel-based AX2xx cards and my solution was to disable the 802.11AX from the card itself (in case your issue is urgent).

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:38:35 GMT

Thank you for your reply. Here is the layout diagram. APs are all attached to the wall facing the office, and most computers are equipped with WIFI6 network cards. For example, some people's computers may be located under AP3, but they may roam to AP5. Because my computer has been upgraded, I have also simultaneously upgraded to WIFI6 and increased it to 80MHz. I am using a WIFI5 network card myself, which is also near AP3, so the probability of this kind of roaming occurring is very low.

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

Leo Laohoo — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 00:15:32 GMT

How big is this room?

What is the the wireless NIC driver?

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

xiaorenwu — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 01:01:15 GMT

Thank you for your answer. Approximately 630 square meters, using Intel (R) Wi Fi 6E AX211 160MHz network card

Re: Consultation on Roaming Optimization for WIFI6

Leo Laohoo — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 01:25:05 GMT

@xiaorenwu wrote:
using Intel (R) Wi Fi 6E AX211 160MHz network card

I've asked this question before and have not received a definitive answer other than "I'll check again, thank you". So what is the wireless NIC driver(s) version used?

@xiaorenwu wrote:
Approximately 630 square meters

Provide the dimension of the room.