SMART-RF Policy

This chapter summarizes Self-Monitoring at Run Time RF (SMART RF) management policy commands in the CLI command structure. Smart RF simplifies RF configurations for new deployments, while providing on-going optimization as the RF environment changes over time.

Smart RF reduces deployment costs by scanning the RF environment to determine the best channel and transmit power for each Smart RF managed radio. Smart RF policies can be added to specific RF Domains to apply site specific deployment configurations and self-healing values to groups of APs within pre-defined physical RF coverage areas..

A Smart RF management policy defines operating and recovery parameters that can be assigned to groups of access points. A Smart RF policy is designed to scan the network to identify the best channel and transmit power for each access point radio.

Smart RF distributes the decision process between RF Domain Managers which make intelligent RF configuration decisions using data obtained from the RF environment. Smart RF works through the periodic re-calibration of the network. Re-calibration can be initiated manually or can be automatically scheduled to ensure the RF configuration is optimized to factor for RF environment changes (such as new sources of interference, or neighboring access points).

Smart RF also provides self-healing functions by monitoring the network in real-time, and provides automatic mitigation from potentially problematic events such as radio interference, coverage holes and radio failures. Smart RF employs self-healing to enable a WLAN to better maintain wireless client performance and site coverage during dynamic RF environment changes, which typically require manual re-configuration to resolve.

Smart RF is supported on any RF Domain manager. In standalone environments, an individual wireless controller manages the calibration and monitoring phases. In clustered environments, a single wireless controller is elected a Smart RF master and the remaining cluster members operate as Smart RF clients. In cluster operation, the Smart RF master co-ordinates the calibration and configuration and during the monitoring phase receives information from the Smart RF clients.

Before defining a Smart RF policy, refer to the following deployment guidelines to ensure the configuration is optimally effective:

The Smart RF calibration process impacts associated users and should not be run during business or production hours. The calibration process should be performed during scheduled maintenance intervals or non-business hours.
For Smart RF to provide effective recovery, RF planning must be performed to ensure overlapping coverage exists at the deployment site. Smart RF can only provide recovery when access points are deployed appropriately. Smart RF is not a solution, it's a temporary measure. Administrators need to determine the root cause of RF deterioration and fix it. Smart RF history/events can assist.

Keep in mind that if a Smart RF managed radio is operating in WLAN mode on a channel requiring DFS, it will switch channels if radar is detected.

If Smart RF is enabled, the radio picks a channel defined in the Smart RF policy.
If Smart RF is disabled, but a Smart RF policy is mapped, the radio picks channels specified in the Smart RF policy
If no SMART RF policy is mapped, the radio selects a random channel

If the radio is a dedicated sensor, it stops termination on that channel if a neighboring access point detects radar. The access point attempts to come back to its original channel (statically configured or selected by Smart RF) after the channel evacuation period has expired.

Change this behavior using the dfs-rehome command from the controller or service platform CLI. This keeps the radio on the newly selected channel and prevents the radio from coming back to the original channel, even after the channel evacuation period.

Note

Perform RF planning to ensure overlapping coverage exists at a deployment site, for Smart RF to be a viable network performance tool. Smart RF can only provide recovery when access points are deployed appropriately. Smart RF is not a solution, it is a temporary measure. You need to determine the root cause of RF deterioration and fix it. Smart RF history/events can assist in trouble shooting.

Use the (config) instance to configure Smart RF Policy related configuration commands. To navigate to the Smart RF policy instance, use the following commands:

<DEVICE>(config)#smart-rf-policy <POLICY-NAME>

<DEVICE>(config)#smart-rf-policy testSmartRF
<DEVICE>(config-smart-rf-policy-testSmartRF)#?
Smart RF Mode commands:
  area                    Specify channel list/ power for an area
  assignable-power        Specify the assignable power during power-assignment
  avoidance-time          Time to avoid a channel once dfs/adaptivity
                          avoidance is necessary
  channel-list            Select channel list for smart-rf
  channel-width           Select channel width for smart-rf
  coverage-hole-recovery  Recover from coverage hole
  enable                  Enable this smart-rf policy
  group-by                Configure grouping parameters
  interference-recovery   Recover issues due to excessive noise and
                          interference
  neighbor-recovery       Recover issues due to faulty neighbor radios
  no                      Negate a command or set its defaults
  select-shutdown         Select redundant 2.4GHz Radios to shutdown
  sensitivity             Configure smart-rf sensitivity (Modifies various
                          other smart-rf configuration items)
  smart-ocs-monitoring    Smart off channel scanning
  smart-sensor            Turns ON smart-sensor feature
  smart-sensor-algorithm  Select the algorithm to run the feature smart-sensor
  
  clrscr                  Clears the display screen
  commit                  Commit all changes made in this session
  do                      Run commands from Exec mode
  end                     End current mode and change to EXEC mode
  exit                    End current mode and down to previous mode
  help                    Description of the interactive help system
  revert                  Revert changes
  service                 Service Commands
  show                    Show running system information
  write                   Write running configuration to memory or terminall

<DEVICE>(config-smart-rf-policy-testSmartRF)#