Using multiple channels for device access in Wi-Fi mesh network

[wardwolfram]

I am fumbling with the understanding of Wi-Fi channel configurations with multiple nodes in a mesh network.

1. Is it a best practice for each mesh node to utilize a different channel for home device access?  For example, I have 3 mesh nodes in my home.  N1 = Ch1; N2= Ch6; N3 = Ch 11.  If so, it would seem the device would automatically switch between channels as it goes out of range from N1 and into the range of N2. If this configuration is valid, it would seem that performance is increased as there is less conflict between devices using 1 channel.

If not, why would all 3 mesh nodes need to be on the same channel?

Thank you in advance.

[Haydn Andrews · Accepted solution]

Are you talking about Cisco Mesh config or another vendor?

Mesh generally has two components the client servicing band and the backhaul radio (Although you can configure the backhaul radio to also service clients but this can affect performance).

As generally most of the Mesh AP only had 2 radios (1 x 2.4GHz and 1 x 5GHz) it meant only one could be used for clients and one for backhaul.

Due to this if you had multiple hops the only way to have the backhaul work on 5 GHz all the way from the RAP to the last MAP was to use the same 5 GHz backhaul channel.

The client servicing 2.4 GHz radios would be configured to space out the 3 non overlapping channels (taking into consideration interference in the area).

There are some exceptions to this where repeaters were used, as they would effectively have 2 APs at the MAP position and use different 5 GHz radios for each backhaul leg.

The old deployment guide https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/technology/mesh/7-3/design/guide/Mesh/Mesh_chapter_0100.html

speaks about the backhaul channel in the hidden node section

[wardwolfram]

Thanks Haydn,

My example is for 'general' mesh networks such as a Google Wi-Fi mesh.  From your reply, I see that N1=CH1; N2= Ch6; N3=Ch11 (so the channels in this 2.4GHz setup do not overlap.)

Basic Observations (ignoring advanced features):

1. A device can connect to one channel only.

2. An AP/mesh node only transmits one channel.  Multiple AP/mesh nodes are needed to utilize additional channels.

3. A SSID includes one or more channels / (a channel is assigned to one SSID)

Thanks!

[Rich R]

> (a channel is assigned to one SSID)

The radio can only transmit/receive on 1 channel at a time so if you have 4 SSIDs they will all be on the same channel on that AP so:

(a channel is assigned to one or more SSIDs)