@gstefanick wrote:
What is the best way to determine channel utilization on a radio. Is the QBSS the best way since its coming from the radio itself ? Different measuring tools can report different values, but most are in the ball park.
What % is everyone using for maximum channel utilization for data - XX% ?
What % is everyone using for maximum channel utilization for voice over wifi - XX% ?
Thanks !
Gstefanik,
The QBSS is probably the most convenient method, when you are trying to troubleshoot voice, from the AP itself that is in the area, IF you are doing a packet capture at the same time. The QBSS IE is by default off on Aruba controller-based APs, but is on by default on Aruba Instant APs when you designate a SSID as "voice".
Airwave does collect channel utilization from Cisco and Aruba access points historically. Aruba controllers needs to have AMON turned on to send this to Airwave. This number is typically reported once per minute by the access point using the GUI and CLI of the controller.
Some use the Channel Utilization numbers from a laptop spectrum analyzer, because it shows the number in realtime without having to do a packet capture. That number should be used in conjunction with the number seen on the AP itself, because some analyzers use the utilization numbers from the built in laptop adapter, so the mileage may vary.
I want to say that channel utilization is situation-based and the ideal answer to "how much" for data and voip networks is always "less than you have right now". I don't like to see 20% channel utilization when nothing should be going on (overnight). Depending on the circumstances, it could shoot up into the 70% and your network can still function, depending on the application.