Summary
Wireless networks operate in environments with electrical and radio frequency devices that can interfere with network communications. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, and even adjacent Wi-Fi networks are all potential sources of continuous or intermittent interference. The spectrum analysis software modules on APs that support this feature are able to examine the radio frequency (RF) environment in which the Wi-Fi network is operating, identify interference and classify its sources. An analysis of the results can then be used to quickly isolate issues with packet transmission, channel quality, and traffic congestion caused by contention with other devices operating in the same band or channel.
AP radios that gather spectrum data but do not service clients are called spectrum monitors, or SMs. Each SM scans and analyzes the spectrum band used by the SM's radio (2.4Ghz or 5Ghz). An AP radio in hybrid AP mode continues to serve clients as an access point while it analyzes spectrum analysis data for the channel the radio uses to serve clients. You can record data for both types of spectrum analysis devices, save that data, and then play it back for later analysis.
Platform Tested
Aruba Mobility Controller 3400 running AOS 6.3.0.0 build 38660
Licensing
Access Point and RF Protect
References
[1] User Guide: Spectrum Analysis