In large wireless deployments that use Extreme AirDefense Services Platform (ADSP), dedicating every eligible AP radio to sensor mode reduces the number of APs available for client service. Smart RF Auto Sensor addresses this by dynamically selecting the minimum number of APs required for complete wireless intrusion detection coverage across all supported frequency bands.
When Auto Sensor is enabled, ExtremeCloud IQ Controller uses Smart RF to calculate sensor placement, targeting a ratio of one sensor AP for every three data APs in the deployment. This ratio ensures full WIPS coverage while maximizing the number of APs available for client service.
The controller recalculates sensor selection hourly. During each recalculation, the controller evaluates AP density and distribution across the site and reassigns sensor roles as needed. APs not selected as sensors continue to serve clients normally on all configured radios.
Smart RF Auto Sensor requires APs that have a dedicated sensor radio. The following AP models are supported:
On these models, the dedicated sensor radio is activated or deactivated by the Auto Sensor algorithm. The sensor radio does not serve clients when active.
Note
Auto Sensor manages the dedicated sensor radio only. It does not affect client-serving radios on the selected AP.
Auto Sensor works in conjunction with an existing AirDefense profile. The AirDefense profile provides the ADSP server address and port that the sensor radio uses to report wireless data. Auto Sensor determines which AP sensor radios are activated; the ADSP server controls the channel scanning and data collection behavior of the active sensors.
An AirDefense profile must be configured and assigned to the device group before enabling Auto Sensor. For configuration details, see AirDefense Profile Settings.