QUESTIONS:
1. Why does the dashboard lack functionality? (screenshot attached)
Realy difficult to answer. This need to be asked to Cisco BU or higher and is relative. They might say that this have the functionality they want it to have.
2. Must the clients reboot in order to utilize these new conditions?
Wifi is ajustible to changes but doesn´t hurt disconnect and connect again.
3. How can I tell if this network is using a WLC?
Not sure here.
4. What is the correct troubleshoot here?
I think you went well.
I´d like to add a few advises. If you can, turn 2.4 off.
I´ll commend using your post:
"Meraki dashboard shows...
-excessive use of the 2.4 GHz #6 channel
-excessive use of the 5.0 GHz band #36 channel (40Mhz wide channels).
-low usage of other channels.
AP configurations are supposed to dynamically utilize other channels to maximize network performance."
--- The algorithm they use fails a lot but sometimes configuration can cause this. The algorithm takes action based on the information it receives or not receives.
"My action plan:
-Change 1 AP configurations to manual to increase usage of other channels.
-After successful test, change remaining APs accordingly.
I changed 1 AP from auto channel-negotiate to manual, turned off the 2.4 frequency, and also changed the 2.4 frequency power to 0) to force utilization of only the 5 GHz band."
Depending on the size of the site, doing this in one AP may not give you good result. I´d go with an area or at least three AP.
But I agree that this is a good start.
"Now, after changing 1 AP, the results seem to not show any improvement. The 5 GHz band use is at 2%."
That´s why I advise do it in one area instead.
some things I´d take a look.
How is your client per AP distribution? Channel utilization can be the result of too many users per AP.
You mentioned that it start 2 -3 weeks ago. Something has change on the environment? some Layout changes? Anything that can explain it?
Quick story. I had a Call Center over wifi recently and problem start to pop up out of the nothing and everyone blame wifi. But it turns out that the application they were using was the cause of the problem.
Wifi is always the weak side of the history and if you dig, you´ll always find problems but wifi is meant to be self healing and survive but some application does not like this.
Wifi works well when you have good client x AP count. AP properly distribute inside the building. Automatic configuration. 2.4 off.
Channel width can also be a problem. If so, lower it to 20Mhz and test. It is better to have good narow channel then problematic wide channel.
