(Optional) Adjusting Radio Parameters

Context

You can adjust and optimize radio parameters to adapt to different network environments, enabling APs to provide required radio capabilities and improving signal quality of WLANs.

Procedure

Run system-view
The system view is displayed.
Run wlan
The WLAN view is displayed.
Run radio-2g-profile name profile-name
Or run radio-5g-profile name profile-name

The 2G or 5G radio profile view is displayed.

Adjust radio parameters:

Procedure	Command	Description
Configure the radio rate	dot11a basic-rate { dot11a-rate-value &<1-8> \| all } By default, a basic rate set of the 802.11a protocol in a 5G radio profile includes rates 6 Mbps, 12 Mbps, and 24 Mbps.	All rates specified in the basic rate set must be supported by both the AP and STA; otherwise, the STA cannot associate with the AP. The dot11a basic-rate { dot11a-rate-value &<1-8> \| all } command can only be configured in a 5G radio profile. The dot11bg basic-rate { dot11bg-rate-value &<1-12> \| all } command can only be configured in a 2G radio profile.
dot11bg basic-rate { dot11bg-rate-value &<1-12> \| all } By default, the basic rate set of the 802.11bg protocol includes rates 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps in a 2G radio profile.
dot11a supported-rate { dot11a-rate-value &<1-8> \| all } By default, the supported rate set of the 802.11a protocol in a 5G radio profile includes rates 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps, and 54 Mbps.	The supported rate set contains rates supported by the AP, except the basic rates. The AP and STA can transmit data at all rates specified by the supported rate set. The dot11a supported-rate { dot11a-rate-value &<1-8> \| all } command can only be configured in a 5G radio profile. The dot11bg supported-rate { dot11bg-rate-value &<1-12> \| all } command can only be configured in a 2G radio profile.
dot11bg supported-rate { dot11bg-rate-value &<1-12> \| all } By default, the supported rate set of the 802.11bg protocol in a 2G radio profile includes rates 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 11 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps, and 54 Mbps.
vht mcs-map nss nss-value max-mcs max-mcs-value By default, the maximum number of spatial streams and the maximum MCS value are not specified in the 5G radio profile.	Rates of 802.11ac radios depend on the index value of Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS). A larger MCS value indicates a higher transmission rate. The MCS value can only be configured in a 5G radio profile.
Configure the radio multicast rate	multicast-rate multicast-rate By default, the multicast rate of wireless packets is not configured in a radio profile. That is, the multicast rate is set to auto-sensing.	The configured multicast rate must be in the basic rate set or supported rate set, and supported by the STA; otherwise, the STA cannot receive multicast data. The values of multicast-rate differ in 2G and 5G radio profiles. For details, see descriptions of multicast-rate multicast-rate.
Configure the interval at which an AP sends Beacon frames	beacon-interval beacon-interval By default, the interval for sending Beacon frames is 100 TUs.	An AP broadcasts Beacon frames at intervals to notify STAs of an existing 802.11 network. After receiving a Beacon frame, a STA can modify parameters used to connect to the 802.11 network. A long interval for sending Beacon frames lengthens the dormancy time of STAs, while a short interval for sending Beacon frames increases air interface costs. Therefore, you are advised to set the interval for sending Beacon frames for an AP based on the VAP quantity. The following intervals for sending Beacon frames are recommended for APs with different VAP quantities on a single radio: No more than 4 VAPs: about 100 TUs 5 to 8 VAPs: about 200 TUs 9 to 12 VAPs: about 300 TUs 13 to 16 VAPs: about 400 TUs
Configure an AP to support the short preamble	undo short-preamble disable By default, a radio profile supports the short preamble.	The preamble is a section of bits in the header of a data frame. It synchronizes signals transmitted between the sender and receiver and can be a short or long preamble. A short preamble ensures better network synchronization performance and is recommended. A long preamble is usually used for compatibility with earlier network adapters of clients.
Configure the packet fragmentation threshold	fragmentation-threshold fragmentation-threshold By default, the packet fragmentation threshold is 2346 bytes.	If an 802.11 MAC frame exceeds the packet fragmentation threshold, the frame needs to be fragmented. When the packet fragmentation threshold is too small, packets are fragmented into smaller frames. These frames are transmitted at a high extra cost, resulting in low channel efficiency. When the packet fragmentation threshold is too large, long packets are not fragmented, increasing the transmission time and error probability. If an error occurs, packets are retransmitted. This wastes the channel bandwidth.
Enable beamforming	beamforming enable By default, Beamforming is disabled.	Beamforming can enhance signals at a particular angle (for target users), attenuate signals at another angle (for non-target users or obstacles), and extend the radio coverage area. If nodes on the WDS or Mesh network are fixed and distant from each other, enable Beamforming to increase WDS or Mesh link SNR. Mobile nodes may cause low link SNR in WDS or Mesh scenarios. To prevent this problem, disable Beamforming.
Configure the RTS mechanism	Configure the RTS-CTS operation mode	rts-cts-mode { cts-to-self \| disable \| rts-cts } By default, the RTS-CTS operation mode is rts-cts.	The RTS/CTS handshake mechanism prevents data transmission failures caused by channel conflicts. If STAs perform RTS/CTS handshakes before sending data, RTS frames consume high channel bandwidth. The default RTS-CTS operation mode is recommended. If the RTS/CTS handshake mechanism is not used, there may be hidden STAs. If base stations A and C simultaneously send information to base station B because base station C does not know that base station A is sending information to base station B, signal conflict occurs. As a result, signals fail to be sent to base station B. The RTS/CTS handshake mechanism reduces the transmission rate and even causes the network delay.
Configure an RTS-CTS threshold in a radio profile	rts-cts-threshold rts-cts-threshold The default RTS-CTS alarm threshold is 1400 bytes.	If STAs perform RTS/CTS handshakes before sending data, many RTS frames consume high channel bandwidth. To prevent this problem, set the RTS threshold and maximum number of retransmission attempts for long/short frames. The RTS threshold specifies the length of frames to be sent. When the length of frames to be sent by a STA is smaller than the RTS threshold, no RST/CTS handshake is performed. The default RTS threshold is recommended. This configuration is applicable only when the RTS-CTS operation mode is rts-cts.
Configure 802.11n parameters	Enable the MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) aggregation function.	undo a-mpdu disable By default, the MPDU aggregation function is enabled.	An 802.11 packet is sent as an MPDU, requiring channel competition and backoff and consuming channel resources. The 802.11n MPDU aggregation function aggregates multiple MPDUs into an aggregate MAC Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU), so that N MPDUs can be transmitted through one channel competition and backoff. This function saves the channel resources to be consumed for sending N-1 MPDUs. The MPDU aggregation function improves channel efficiency and 802.11 network performance. Before configuring the length of an A-MPDU, run the undo a-mpdu disable command to enable the MPDU aggregation function.
Configure the maximum length of an A-MPDU	ht a-mpdu max-length-exponent max-length-exponent-index By default, the index for the maximum length of an A-MPDU is 3. The maximum length of the A-MPDU is 65535 bytes.
Configure 802.11ac parameters	Configure the maximum length of an A-MPDU	vht a-mpdu max-length-exponent max-length-exponent-index By default, the index for the maximum length of an A-MPDU is 7. The maximum length of the A-MPDU is 1048575 bytes.	An 802.11 packet is sent as an MPDU, requiring channel competition and backoff and consuming channel resources. The 802.11ac MPDU aggregation function aggregates multiple MPDUs into an aggregate MAC Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU), so that multiple MPDUs can be transmitted through one channel competition and backoff. This function saves the channel resources to be consumed for sending multiple MPDUs. The MPDU aggregation function improves channel efficiency and 802.11 network performance. The length of an A-MPDU can only be configured in a 5G radio profile.
Enable the function of sending 802.11ac packets in A-MSDU mode	a-msdu enable By default, the function of sending 802.11 frames in A-MSDU mode is disabled.	The function of sending 802.11 frames in A-MSDU mode can reduce MAC layer costs of the 802.11 packets and improve packet transmission efficiency especially when short MSDUs are aggregated. The function can only be configured in a 5G radio profile.
Configure the maximum number of subframes that can be aggregated into an A-MSDU	vht a-msdu max-frame-num max-frame-number By default, a maximum of two subframes can be aggregated into an A-MSDU at one time.	A-MSDU technology aggregates multiple MSDUs into an MPDU to reduce the MAC layer cost of 802.11 packets. Before configuring the maximum number of subframes that can be aggregated into an A-MSDU, run the a-msdu enable command to enable the function of sending 802.11 packets in A-MSDU mode. The configuration can only be performed in a 5G radio profile.
Configure the guard interval (GI) mode	guard-interval-mode { short \| normal } guard-interval-mode dot11ax {dot8 \| 1dot6 \| 3dot2 } By default, the GI mode for 802.11n/ac is short, and the GI mode for 802.11ax is 0.8 us.	A smaller GI indicates higher transmission efficiency. A larger GI indicates a higher anti-interference capability. In indoor environments with little interference, a small GI is recommended. In outdoor environments with high interference, a large GI is recommended. The GI for 802.11a/b/g is fixed at 800 ns. The GI for 802.11n and 802.11ac is 400 ns (short) or 800 ns (normal). The GI for 802.11ax can be 0.8 us (800 ns), 1.6 us, or 3.2 us.
Enable the scheduled VAP auto-off function	auto-off service start-time start-time end-time end-time By default, the scheduled VAP auto-off function is disabled.	In actual WLAN applications, the network administrator wants to disable WLAN services in a specified period, ensuring security and reducing power consumption. You can disable the VAP as scheduled. This configuration is applicable to enterprises that want to disable WLAN services in a specified period for security or at midnight when the user service traffic volume is low. The scheduled VAP auto-off function enabled in a radio profile takes effect only on the APs using the profile. The scheduled VAP auto-off function enabled in a VAP profile view takes effect only on the APs using the profile. For details on how to configure the scheduled VAP auto-off function in a VAP profile view, see (Optional) Configuring the Scheduled VAP Auto-Off Function.
Disable radios from sending packets at maximum power	utmost-power By default, radios are enabled to send packets in adaptive mode.	This command is valid for all country codes. You can run the utmost-power enable command to enable radios to send packets at the maximum power or run the utmost-power disable command to enable radios to send packets at the power specified by the country code. After you run the undo utmost-power command to restore the adaptive mode, radios send packets at the maximum power if the country code is CN or at the power specified by other country codes.
Enable self-adaptive polarization for agile antennas	agile-antenna-polarization enable By default, self-adaptive polarization is disabled for agile antennas.	Self-adaptive polarization for agile antennas can reduce interference between transmit signals of antennas, and increase the transmit power of antennas and the demodulation SNR of STAs. When an AP8130DN or AP8130DN-W is deployed to provide wireless coverage, you can enable this function when the following types of STA exist: STA with one transmit antenna and one receive antenna in 1x1 mode STA with two transmit antennas and two receive antennas in 2x2 mode After this function is enabled, the AP uses two mutually orthogonal antennas to communicate with STAs but not a third antenna. Prerequisites Dual-polarized antennas have been connected to radio ports A and B on the same frequency band.

Procedure

Command

Description

Configure the radio rate

dot11a basic-rate { dot11a-rate-value &<1-8> | all }

By default, a basic rate set of the 802.11a protocol in a 5G radio profile includes rates 6 Mbps, 12 Mbps, and 24 Mbps.

All rates specified in the basic rate set must be supported by both the AP and STA; otherwise, the STA cannot associate with the AP.

The dot11a basic-rate { dot11a-rate-value &<1-8> | all } command can only be configured in a 5G radio profile.
The dot11bg basic-rate { dot11bg-rate-value &<1-12> | all } command can only be configured in a 2G radio profile.

dot11bg basic-rate { dot11bg-rate-value &<1-12> | all }

By default, the basic rate set of the 802.11bg protocol includes rates 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps in a 2G radio profile.

dot11a supported-rate { dot11a-rate-value &<1-8> | all }

By default, the supported rate set of the 802.11a protocol in a 5G radio profile includes rates 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps, and 54 Mbps.

The supported rate set contains rates supported by the AP, except the basic rates. The AP and STA can transmit data at all rates specified by the supported rate set.

The dot11a supported-rate { dot11a-rate-value &<1-8> | all } command can only be configured in a 5G radio profile.
The dot11bg supported-rate { dot11bg-rate-value &<1-12> | all } command can only be configured in a 2G radio profile.

dot11bg supported-rate { dot11bg-rate-value &<1-12> | all }

By default, the supported rate set of the 802.11bg protocol in a 2G radio profile includes rates 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 11 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 48 Mbps, and 54 Mbps.

vht mcs-map nss nss-value max-mcs max-mcs-value

By default, the maximum number of spatial streams and the maximum MCS value are not specified in the 5G radio profile.

Rates of 802.11ac radios depend on the index value of Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS). A larger MCS value indicates a higher transmission rate.

The MCS value can only be configured in a 5G radio profile.

Configure the radio multicast rate

multicast-rate multicast-rate

By default, the multicast rate of wireless packets is not configured in a radio profile. That is, the multicast rate is set to auto-sensing.

The configured multicast rate must be in the basic rate set or supported rate set, and supported by the STA; otherwise, the STA cannot receive multicast data.

The values of multicast-rate differ in 2G and 5G radio profiles. For details, see descriptions of multicast-rate multicast-rate.

Configure the interval at which an AP sends Beacon frames

beacon-interval beacon-interval

By default, the interval for sending Beacon frames is 100 TUs.

An AP broadcasts Beacon frames at intervals to notify STAs of an existing 802.11 network. After receiving a Beacon frame, a STA can modify parameters used to connect to the 802.11 network.

A long interval for sending Beacon frames lengthens the dormancy time of STAs, while a short interval for sending Beacon frames increases air interface costs. Therefore, you are advised to set the interval for sending Beacon frames for an AP based on the VAP quantity. The following intervals for sending Beacon frames are recommended for APs with different VAP quantities on a single radio:

No more than 4 VAPs: about 100 TUs
5 to 8 VAPs: about 200 TUs
9 to 12 VAPs: about 300 TUs
13 to 16 VAPs: about 400 TUs

Configure an AP to support the short preamble

undo short-preamble disable

By default, a radio profile supports the short preamble.

The preamble is a section of bits in the header of a data frame. It synchronizes signals transmitted between the sender and receiver and can be a short or long preamble.

A short preamble ensures better network synchronization performance and is recommended.
A long preamble is usually used for compatibility with earlier network adapters of clients.

Configure the packet fragmentation threshold

fragmentation-threshold fragmentation-threshold

By default, the packet fragmentation threshold is 2346 bytes.

If an 802.11 MAC frame exceeds the packet fragmentation threshold, the frame needs to be fragmented.

When the packet fragmentation threshold is too small, packets are fragmented into smaller frames. These frames are transmitted at a high extra cost, resulting in low channel efficiency.
When the packet fragmentation threshold is too large, long packets are not fragmented, increasing the transmission time and error probability. If an error occurs, packets are retransmitted. This wastes the channel bandwidth.

Enable beamforming

beamforming enable

By default, Beamforming is disabled.

Beamforming can enhance signals at a particular angle (for target users), attenuate signals at another angle (for non-target users or obstacles), and extend the radio coverage area.

If nodes on the WDS or Mesh network are fixed and distant from each other, enable Beamforming to increase WDS or Mesh link SNR. Mobile nodes may cause low link SNR in WDS or Mesh scenarios. To prevent this problem, disable Beamforming.

Configure the RTS mechanism

Configure the RTS-CTS operation mode

rts-cts-mode { cts-to-self | disable | rts-cts }

By default, the RTS-CTS operation mode is rts-cts.

The RTS/CTS handshake mechanism prevents data transmission failures caused by channel conflicts. If STAs perform RTS/CTS handshakes before sending data, RTS frames consume high channel bandwidth. The default RTS-CTS operation mode is recommended.

If the RTS/CTS handshake mechanism is not used, there may be hidden STAs. If base stations A and C simultaneously send information to base station B because base station C does not know that base station A is sending information to base station B, signal conflict occurs. As a result, signals fail to be sent to base station B.
The RTS/CTS handshake mechanism reduces the transmission rate and even causes the network delay.

Configure an RTS-CTS threshold in a radio profile

rts-cts-threshold rts-cts-threshold

The default RTS-CTS alarm threshold is 1400 bytes.

If STAs perform RTS/CTS handshakes before sending data, many RTS frames consume high channel bandwidth. To prevent this problem, set the RTS threshold and maximum number of retransmission attempts for long/short frames. The RTS threshold specifies the length of frames to be sent. When the length of frames to be sent by a STA is smaller than the RTS threshold, no RST/CTS handshake is performed. The default RTS threshold is recommended.

This configuration is applicable only when the RTS-CTS operation mode is rts-cts.

Configure 802.11n parameters

Enable the MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) aggregation function.

undo a-mpdu disable

By default, the MPDU aggregation function is enabled.

An 802.11 packet is sent as an MPDU, requiring channel competition and backoff and consuming channel resources. The 802.11n MPDU aggregation function aggregates multiple MPDUs into an aggregate MAC Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU), so that N MPDUs can be transmitted through one channel competition and backoff. This function saves the channel resources to be consumed for sending N-1 MPDUs. The MPDU aggregation function improves channel efficiency and 802.11 network performance.

Before configuring the length of an A-MPDU, run the undo a-mpdu disable command to enable the MPDU aggregation function.

Configure the maximum length of an A-MPDU

ht a-mpdu max-length-exponent max-length-exponent-index

By default, the index for the maximum length of an A-MPDU is 3. The maximum length of the A-MPDU is 65535 bytes.

Configure 802.11ac parameters

Configure the maximum length of an A-MPDU

vht a-mpdu max-length-exponent max-length-exponent-index

By default, the index for the maximum length of an A-MPDU is 7. The maximum length of the A-MPDU is 1048575 bytes.

An 802.11 packet is sent as an MPDU, requiring channel competition and backoff and consuming channel resources. The 802.11ac MPDU aggregation function aggregates multiple MPDUs into an aggregate MAC Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU), so that multiple MPDUs can be transmitted through one channel competition and backoff. This function saves the channel resources to be consumed for sending multiple MPDUs. The MPDU aggregation function improves channel efficiency and 802.11 network performance.

The length of an A-MPDU can only be configured in a 5G radio profile.

Enable the function of sending 802.11ac packets in A-MSDU mode

a-msdu enable

By default, the function of sending 802.11 frames in A-MSDU mode is disabled.

The function of sending 802.11 frames in A-MSDU mode can reduce MAC layer costs of the 802.11 packets and improve packet transmission efficiency especially when short MSDUs are aggregated.

The function can only be configured in a 5G radio profile.

Configure the maximum number of subframes that can be aggregated into an A-MSDU

vht a-msdu max-frame-num max-frame-number

By default, a maximum of two subframes can be aggregated into an A-MSDU at one time.

A-MSDU technology aggregates multiple MSDUs into an MPDU to reduce the MAC layer cost of 802.11 packets.

Before configuring the maximum number of subframes that can be aggregated into an A-MSDU, run the a-msdu enable command to enable the function of sending 802.11 packets in A-MSDU mode.

The configuration can only be performed in a 5G radio profile.

Configure the guard interval (GI) mode

guard-interval-mode { short | normal }

guard-interval-mode dot11ax {dot8 | 1dot6 | 3dot2 }

By default, the GI mode for 802.11n/ac is short, and the GI mode for 802.11ax is 0.8 us.

A smaller GI indicates higher transmission efficiency. A larger GI indicates a higher anti-interference capability. In indoor environments with little interference, a small GI is recommended. In outdoor environments with high interference, a large GI is recommended.

The GI for 802.11a/b/g is fixed at 800 ns.
The GI for 802.11n and 802.11ac is 400 ns (short) or 800 ns (normal).
The GI for 802.11ax can be 0.8 us (800 ns), 1.6 us, or 3.2 us.

Enable the scheduled VAP auto-off function

auto-off service start-time start-time end-time end-time

By default, the scheduled VAP auto-off function is disabled.

In actual WLAN applications, the network administrator wants to disable WLAN services in a specified period, ensuring security and reducing power consumption. You can disable the VAP as scheduled.

This configuration is applicable to enterprises that want to disable WLAN services in a specified period for security or at midnight when the user service traffic volume is low.

The scheduled VAP auto-off function enabled in a radio profile takes effect only on the APs using the profile.
The scheduled VAP auto-off function enabled in a VAP profile view takes effect only on the APs using the profile. For details on how to configure the scheduled VAP auto-off function in a VAP profile view, see (Optional) Configuring the Scheduled VAP Auto-Off Function.

Disable radios from sending packets at maximum power

utmost-power

By default, radios are enabled to send packets in adaptive mode.

This command is valid for all country codes. You can run the utmost-power enable command to enable radios to send packets at the maximum power or run the utmost-power disable command to enable radios to send packets at the power specified by the country code. After you run the undo utmost-power command to restore the adaptive mode, radios send packets at the maximum power if the country code is CN or at the power specified by other country codes.

Enable self-adaptive polarization for agile antennas

agile-antenna-polarization enable

By default, self-adaptive polarization is disabled for agile antennas.

Self-adaptive polarization for agile antennas can reduce interference between transmit signals of antennas, and increase the transmit power of antennas and the demodulation SNR of STAs. When an AP8130DN or AP8130DN-W is deployed to provide wireless coverage, you can enable this function when the following types of STA exist:

STA with one transmit antenna and one receive antenna in 1x1 mode
STA with two transmit antennas and two receive antennas in 2x2 mode

After this function is enabled, the AP uses two mutually orthogonal antennas to communicate with STAs but not a third antenna.

Prerequisites

Dual-polarized antennas have been connected to radio ports A and B on the same frequency band.