How does "Search for less-congested radio channel" work?

[benche]

For VXWorks firmware for Access Point 350, I can enable the "Search for less-congested radio channel" function, but how does it work? If I set the default channel as 1, does it scan the channel from 1 to 11 automatically, if I set the default channel as 11, will it scan the channel from 11 to 10 until 1? Or will it random scan the channel?

[s.jankowski]

My take on this is it will always start off with one and do a progressive search.

[benche]

Thanks! But can you find the document to explain this?

[Matthew Bryant]

here is some documentation : http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps430/products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a00800e02b1.html#1130674

When the access point starts up or the settings are changed, it will scan the frequencies to find the least congested. You can restrict what channels are searched for.

[m.mcconnell]

My experience is that this does not work very well. If you have a large number of APs many of them can end up on the same channel, at leat with IOS based APs. You will be better off if you explicitly set the channel.