Multi-Link Operation

Note

For clients using Windows OS, Multi-Link Operation (MLO) operation with ExtremeCloud IQ Controller requires Windows 11 version 25H2 or later. Also, the Wi-Fi 7 wireless adapter on your Windows 11 device must be running the latest available software.

Extreme Networks Wi-Fi 7 access points (APs) support MLO, which provides the following advantages for MLO-capable clients:

• Traffic from client devices is aggregated across multiple bands, allowing for faster transmission speeds.

• Traffic from client devices is distributed over multiple links, resulting in reduced latency.

• Dynamic switching between multiple bands ensures that client devices are always connected at the fastest possible speeds while maintaining a stable Wi-Fi connection.

ExtremeCloud IQ Controller supports MLO for client devices capable of operating in Simultaneous Transmit and Receive (STR), Enhanced Multi-Link Single-Radio (EMLSR), or Multi-Link Single Radio (MLSR) modes.

You can enable or disable MLO per network SSID for groups of APs at a site or for an individual AP, as follows:

• AP group — Go to Configure > Sites and select a Site. Next, select the Device Groups tab and select a device group. Then select to edit the device group Profile. Lastly, select the Networks tab and select the MLO check box adjacent with the target SSID.

• Individual AP — Go to Configure > Devices > Access Points and select a device. Next, select Advanced > Overrides, scroll down to locate the WLAN setting and select the adjacent check box. Then, select Configure. Lastly, select the MLO check box adjacent to the target SSID.

Important

Enabling MLO for the first time or fully disabling MLO will trigger a reboot of the AP. If MLO is assigned to at least one network SSID on ExtremeCloud IQ Controller, MLO is deemed enabled. Conversely, if MLO is not assigned to at least one network SSID, MLO is deemed disabled. If multiple network SSIDs have MLO assigned, you can enable or disable MLO on any SSID without triggering an AP reboot, as long one MLO assignment remains configured.

Consider these important configuration guidelines:

• MLO is supported on networks configured with either of these Auth Type options:

  • OWE

  • WPA3–Personal

  • WPA3–Compatibility

  • WPA3–Enterprise (802.1X/EAP)

    

    Note

    By default, WPA3–Enterprise (802.1X/EAP) is a Fast Transition network authentication. Fast Transition and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) are incompatible. Therefore, Fast Transition must be disabled before MLO can be enabled with this network authentication type.

  • WPA3–Enterprise (192 Bits)

• When configuring profile settings for the Device Group, for the Radios profile settings, the Protocol/Role option configured for each radio must include a "be" (802.11be). The client-bridge option is incompatible with MLO.

• When configuring settings for the Device Group to which the AP belongs or WLAN Override settings for an individual AP, you can change the Admin Mode settings to enable or disable radios for APs that are in MLO mode. Disabling more than a single radio renders the MLO configuration impracticable.

• When MLO is enabled, all WLAN service radios for the device group or individual AP are automatically reserved (greyed out). If channel changes occur on these radios whether manually or automatically with SmartRF, the following events will occur:

  • Channel change on Radio X (6 GHz radio):

    • All MLO and non-MLO client connections on Radio X lost

  • Channel change on Radio Y (2.4 GHz) or Radio Z (5 GHz):

    • All MLO client connections lost

    • Non-MLO clients remain connected