Configuring WDS Radio Parameters

Context

To ensure that WDS links can be set up successfully on a WDS network, you need to configure radio parameters for WDS links according to actual service requirements.

On a WDS network, radios of APs must work on the same channel.
You need to configure the radio coverage distance parameter based on distances between APs. The APs automatically adjust the values of slottime, acktimeout, and ctstimeout based on the configured distance parameter to set up WDS links correctly.

Procedure

Run system-view
The system view is displayed.
Run wlan
The WLAN view is displayed.
Enter the radio view.
- Enter the AP group radio view.
  1. Run the ap-group name group-name command to enter the AP group view.
  2. Run the radio radio-id command to enter the radio view.
- Enter the AP radio view.
  1. Run the ap-id ap-id, ap-mac ap-mac, or ap-name ap-name command to enter the AP view.
  2. Run the radio radio-id command to enter the radio view.
Run channel { 20mhz | 40mhz-minus | 40mhz-plus | 80mhz | 160mhz } channel or channel 80+80mhz channel1 channel2.
The working bandwidth and channel are configured for the radio.

By default, the working bandwidth of a radio is 20 MHz, and no working channel is configured for a radio.

On a WDS network, radios of APs must work on the same channel.

The 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 80+80 MHz working bandwidths are only supported in the 5G radio view.

For AP models that support 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 80+80 MHz working bandwidths, see Configuration Limitations for Basic WLAN Services in the Configuration-WLAN Service Configuration Guide.

Working channels of radios vary according to countries and regions. To conform to local laws and regulations, you need to configure different working channels under different country codes. You can run the display ap configurable channel { ap-name ap-name | ap-id ap-id } command to check the channels supported by the specified AP.

To use the 4.9 GHz frequency band to configure backhaul links, see Usage Guide of wideband enable for channels and bandwidth of the 4.9 GHz frequency band. Only radios working on the 5 GHz frequency band can use the 4.9 GHz frequency band. For example, radio 1 of the AP8130DN-W can use the 4.9 GHz frequency band. Radio 0 of the AP8130DN-W can also use the 4.9 GHz frequency band after it is configured to work on the 5 GHz frequency band using the frequency 5g command.
Run coverage distance distance
The radio coverage distance parameter is specified.

By default, the radio coverage distance parameter is 3 (unit: 100 m) for all radios.

You can configure the radio coverage distance parameter based on distances between APs and the APs automatically adjust the values of slottime, acktimeout, and ctstimeout based on the configured distance parameter to improve data transmission efficiency.
Run antenna-gain antenna-gain
The antenna gain is configured for the radio.

By default, no antenna gain is configured for AP radios.

The antenna gain is the ratio of the power density produced by an antenna to the power density that should be obtained at the same point if the power accepted by the antenna were radiated equally. It can measure the capability for an antenna to receive and send signals in a specified direction, which is one of the most important parameters to select a BTS antenna. In the same condition, if the antenna gain is high, the wave travels far.

The antenna gain of an AP radio configured using the command must be consistent with the gain of the antenna connected to the AP.

The maximum antenna gain should comply with laws and regulations of the corresponding country. For details, see the Country Code & Channel Compliance Table. You can obtain this table at Huawei technical support website.
- Enterprise technical support website: https://support.huawei.com/enterprise
- Carrier technical support website: https://support.huawei.com
Run eirp eirp
The transmit power is configured for the radio.

By default, the transmit power of a radio is 127 dBm. The transmit power that takes effect on APs is related to the AP type, country code, channel, and channel bandwidth. It is the maximum transmit power supported by the AP radio under the current configuration. Run the display radio { ap-name ap-name | ap-id ap-id } command to check the maximum value.

You can configure the transmit power for a radio based on actual network environments, enabling radios to provide the required signal strength and improving signal quality on WLANs.
Run frequency 5g
Radio 0 is configured to work on the 5 GHz frequency band.

By default, radio 0 works on the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and radio 2 works on the 5 GHz frequency band.

This function is supported only by APs supporting 2.4 GHz/5 GHz radio switching.
Run quit
Return to the AP group view or AP view.
Run quit
Return to the WLAN view.
Run radio-2g-profile name profile-name
Or run radio-5g-profile name profile-name

The 2G or 5G radio profile view is displayed.
Run wifi-light signal-strength
The blinking frequency of the Wireless indicator on the AP is configured to reflect the signal strength.
By default,
- If the Mesh function is enabled on the AP, the blinking frequency of the Wireless LED reflects the weakest signal strength of all neighboring APs.
- If WDS is enabled on an AP, the blinking frequency of the Wireless LED reflects the strength of signals received from a WDS AP.
  - If the AP works in leaf mode, the blinking frequency of the Wireless LED reflects the strength of signals received from a middle AP.
  - If the AP works in middle mode, the blinking frequency of the Wireless LED reflects the strength of signals received from a root AP.
  - If the AP works in root mode, the blinking frequency of the Wireless LED reflects the weakest signal strength of middle APs.
- If the WDS and Mesh functions are disabled on an AP, the blinking frequency of the Wireless LED reflects the service traffic volume on the radio.
During installation and commissioning of APs that have the WDS or Mesh function enabled, you need to adjust WDS or Mesh AP locations and antenna directions to obtain strong signals. If the blinking frequency of the Wireless LED shows the signal strength, onsite installation personnel can know the signal strength in real time. The wifi-light command allows you to specify the parameter reflected by the blinking frequency of the Wireless LED. For example, you can specify the parameter to signal strength during installation and service traffic volume after installation.

This command takes effect only when the AP has the WDS or Mesh function enabled. If the WDS and Mesh functions are disabled on the AP, the Wireless LED always shows service traffic volume.
(Optional) Configure the frame aggregation function and length of the aggregated frames.
The frame aggregation function can improve the channel resource usage efficiency and overall WDS network performance.
- Configure the frame aggregation function for the 802.11n protocol.
  1. Run the undo a-mpdu disable command to enable the frame aggregation function for the 802.11n protocol.
  2. By default, the MPDU aggregation function is enabled.
  3. Run the ht a-mpdu max-length-exponent max-length-exponent-index command to set the length of aggregated frames for the 802.11n protocol.
    
    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 the frame aggregation function for the 802.11ac protocol.
  
  Run the vht a-mpdu max-length-exponent max-length-exponent-index command to set the length of aggregated frames for the 802.11ac protocol.
  
  By default, the index for the maximum length of an A-MPDU is 7. The maximum length of the A-MPDU is 1048575 bytes.
  
  The length of an A-MPDU can only be configured in a 5G radio profile.
  
  All frames on radios working in 802.11ac mode are A-MPDUs. Therefore, you do not need to enable the frame aggregation function for the 802.11ac protocol.
(Optional) Run beamforming enable
The beamforming function is enabled.

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.

For details on how to configure other radio parameters, see (Optional) Adjusting Radio Parameters of basic WLAN service configuration.

Follow-up Procedure

In the AP group view or AP view, run the radio-2g-profile profile-name { radio { radio-id | all } } or radio-5g-profile profile-name { radio { id | all } } command to bind the 2.4G or 5G radio profile to the AP radio. Alternatively, you can run the radio-2g-profile profile-name or radio-5g-profile profile-name command in the AP group radio view or AP radio view to bind the 2.4G or 5G radio profile to the AP radio.