Dell PowerConnect W-Series Instant Access Point 6.2.0.0-3.2.0.0 | User Guide 169 | Adaptive Radio ManagementChapter 17Adaptive Radio ManagementAdaptive Radio Management (ARM) is a radio frequency management technology that optimizesWLAN performance even in the networks with highest traffic by dynamically and intelligentlychoosing the best 802.11 channel and transmitting power for each W-IAP in its current RFenvironment. ARM works with all standard clients, across all operating systems, while remaining incompliance with the IEEE 802.11 standards. It does not require any proprietary client software toachieve its performance goals. ARM ensures low-latency roaming, consistently high performance,and maximum client compatibility in a multi-channel environment. By ensuring the fairdistribution of available Wi-Fi bandwidth to mobile devices, ARM ensures that data, voice, andvideo applications have sufficient network resources at all times. ARM allows mixed 802.11a, b, g,and n client types to inter operate at the highest performance levels.ARM FeaturesThis section describes ARM features that are available in Dell W-Instant.Channel or Power AssignmentThis feature automatically assigns channel and power settings for all the W-IAPs in the networkaccording to changes in the RF environment. This feature automates many setup tasks duringnetwork installation and during ongoing operations when RF conditions change.Voice Aware ScanningThis feature stops a W-IAP supporting an active voice call from scanning for other channels in theRF spectrum. The W-IAP resumes scanning when no more active voice calls are present on thatW-IAP. This significantly improves the voice quality when a call is in progress whilesimultaneously delivering automated RF management functions.Load Aware ScanningThis feature dynamically adjusts scanning behavior to maintain uninterrupted data transfer onresource intensive systems when the network traffic exceeds a predefined threshold. The W-IAPsresume complete monitoring scans when the traffic drops to the normal levels.Band Steering ModeThis feature moves dual-band capable clients to stay on the 5 GHz band on dual-band W-IAPs.This feature reduces co-channel interference and increases available bandwidth for dual-bandclients because there are more channels on the 5 GHz band than on the 2.4 GHz band.Band steering supports the following three different band steering modes:l Prefer 5 GHz— If you configure the W-IAP to use prefer-5 GHz band steering mode, the W-IAP steers the client to 5 GHz band (if the client is 5 GHz capable) but lets the client connecton the 2.4 GHz band if the client persists in 2.4 GHz association attempts.
