High noise in Mesh system

[Mitch23]

Hi Everyone,

So we've just installed a new outdoor mesh system with WLC 9800 and APs 9124AXE.

See the layout below.

After configuration we are experiencing huge noise (in DNA the APs health is 1) both in case of 2.4 and 5 GHz spectrum.

Besides it the wireless network signal leves is not as good as we expect (not a huge are what must be covered).

Some settings:

- tri band and dual radio modes are disabled

- backhaul is 5GHz (manual channel & 40mhz width)

- client access on backhaul is enabled

- mesh, rf, ap join and the other necessary profiles were set

- preferred parents were set and the tree is good

- tried low and high output powers too

I've tried several channels and some other settings but idk why is the issue still exist...

Please help me!

Thank you in advance!

- Mihaly Torok /HU/

[Flavio Miranda]

@Mitch23 

 Why do you have this desing? Sorry for asking. You may want help on the design you have but, sometimes the problem is the design.

Mesh network should be for specific requirement. For example, you want to connect two dots using wifi because you are unable to run cables.

If you need to cover all the area, your APs is pretty much in bad position. You are covering pretty much well your walls and the middle  of the warehouse is in the dark.

Noise is something coming from outside mostly. If you are really being affected by noise, you need to understand the source.

Noise will be always around but what really matters is the SNR. If you have an excellent RSSI, the noise is not the end of the world.

[Mitch23]

The purple working are is a huge outdoor area. The MESH APs are on lamp post and cable connection is not an option in their case... I can say it is a specific use of MESH APs...

The noise was not as huge as now when the old AIR-CAP1552E-E-K9 were in use.

Maybe too many APs are in use in this area, so today i will shut down 2 or 3 of them.

So overkill design is one of my idea.

[Flavio Miranda]

Some kinds of lamp can cause noise, take a look on that.

[Scott Fella]

Take a look at the backhaul channel also, as you might need to change that.  Now, identify the mesh mapping and see where the high noise is the issue and maybe you can isolate that.  If noise is on the RAP area, then you will need to figure out how to remediate that.  You can also let the MAP's choose what MAP/RAP to join and again, see what data you can gather.  Also try 20mhz and also compare with 2.4ghz backhaul to see if the issue might just be with 5ghz.  Make a list of things you will try and document it along the way... that way you have the data.  If you use 5ghz, stay away from the DFS channels.