Client Load Balancing

Set a the ratios and calculation values used by access points to distribute client loads both amongst neighbor devices and the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands.

To define access point client load balance algorithms:

1. Select Client Load Balancing from the Advanced menu item.

   

2. Select the SBC strategy from the drop-down menu to determine how band steering is conducted.

   Band steering directs 5 GHz-capable clients to that band. When an access point hears a request from a client to associate on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, it knows the client is capable of operation in 5 GHz. Band steering steers the client by responding only to the 5 GHz association request and not the 2.4 GHz request. The client only associates in the 5 GHz band.

3. Set the following Neighbor Selection Strategies:

   Using Probes from common clients	Select this option to select neighbors (peer devices) using probes from common clients. This setting is enabled by default.
   Using Notifications from roamed clients	Select this option to select neighbors (peer devices) using roam notifications from roamed clients. This setting is enabled by default.
   Using smart-rf neighbor detection	Select this option to select neighbors (peer devices) using Smart RF. This setting is enabled by default.

4. Enable Balance Band Loads by Radio to distribute an access points client traffic load across both the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands.

5. Set the following Channel Load Balancing settings:

   Balance 2.4 GHz Channel Loads	Select this option to balance an access point‘s 2.4 GHz client load across all channels. This setting is enabled by default.
   Balance 5 GHz Channel Loads	Select this option to balance an access point‘s 5 GHz client load across all channels. This setting is enabled by default.

6. Enable Balance AP Loads to distribute client traffic evenly amongst neighbor access points.

7. Set the following Band Control values:

   Max. Band Load Difference Considered Equal	Set the maximum load difference (from 1 - 100%) considered equal when comparing band loads. The default setting is 1%.
   Band Ratio (2.4 GHz)	Set the relative load for the 2.4 GHz radio band as a leveled ratio from 1 - 10. The default setting is 0.
   Band Ratio (5 GHz)	Set the relative load for the 5 GHz radio band as a leveled ratio from 1 - 10. The default setting is 0.
   5 GHz load at which both bands enabled	Define the 5 GHz radio load value (from 1 - 100%) above which the 5 GHz radio is equally preferred in the overall load balance distribution. The default is 75%.
   2.4 GHz load at which both bands enabled	Define the 2.4 GHz radio load value (from 1 - 100%) above which the 2.4 GHz radio is equally preferred in the overall load balance distribution. The default is 75%.

8. Define the following Neighbor Selection settings:

   Minimal signal strength for common clients	Define the minimum signal strength value (from -100 to 30 dBm) that must be exceeded for an access point‘s detected client to be considered a common client. the default setting is -100 dBi.
   Minimum number of clients seen	Set the minimum number of clients (from 0 - 256) that must be common to two or more access points for the access points to regard one another as neighbors using the common client neighbor detection strategy. The default setting is 0.
   Max confirmed neighbors	Set the maximum number (from 1 - 16) of neighbor access points that must be detected amongst peer access point to initiate load balancing. The default setting is 16.
   Minimum signal strength for smart-rf neighbors	Set the minimal signal strength value (from -100 to 30 dBm) for an access point detected using Smart RF to qualify as a neighbor access point. the default setting is - 65 dBm.

9. Set the following Advanced Parameters for client load balance values:

   Max. 2.4 GHz Difference Considered Equal	Set the maximum load difference (from 1 - 100%) considered equal when comparing 2.4 GHz client loads. The default setting is 1%.
   Min. Value to Trigger 2.4 Ghz Channel Balancing	Set the threshold (from 1 - 100%) beyond which channel load balancing is triggered in the 2.4 GHz radio band. The default setting is 5%.
   Weightage given to Client Count	Set the weightage (from 1- 100%) applied to client count calculations in the 2.4 GHz radio band. The default setting is 90%.
   Weightage given to Throughput	Set the weightage (from 1- 100%) applied to client throughput calculations in the 2.4 GHz radio band. The default setting is 10%.
   Max. 5 GHz Difference Considered Equal	Set the maximum load difference (from 1 - 100%) considered equal when comparing 5 GHz client loads. The default setting is 1%.
   Min. Value to Trigger 5 Ghz Channel Balancing	Set the threshold (from 1 - 100%) beyond which channel load balancing is triggered in the 5 GHz radio band. The default setting is 5%.
   Weightage given to Client Count	Set the weightage (from 1- 100%) applied to client count calculations in the 5 GHz radio band. The default setting is 90%.
   Weightage given to Throughput	Set the weightage (from 1- 100%) applied to client throughput calculations in the 5 GHz radio band. The default setting is 10%.

10. Define the following AP Load Balancing settings:

    Min. Value to Trigger Balancing	Set a value (from 1 - 100%) used to trigger client load balancing when exceeded. The default setting is 5%.
    Max. AP Load Difference Considered Equal	Set the maximum load balance differential (from 1 - 100%) considered equal when comparing neighbor access point client loads. The default setting is 1%.
    Weightage Given to Client Count	Set the weightage (from 1- 100%) applied to client count in an access point‘s overall load calculation. The default setting is 90%.
    Weightage Given to Throughout	Set the weightage (from 1- 100%) applied to client throughput in an access point‘s overall load calculation. The default setting is 10%.

11. Select OK to save the changes made to the profile‘s client load balance configuration. Select Reset to revert to the last saved configuration.