802.11k Channels ====================== .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the purpose of channel management in 802.11k?** 802.11k provides mechanisms to scan, measure, and report on wireless channels to optimize channel usage and reduce interference. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Which frequency bands does 802.11k support for channels?** It supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, inheriting the channel plans of underlying 802.11 standards. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11k help with channel selection?** By enabling access points and clients to perform radio measurements and report channel conditions for better channel assignment. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Does 802.11k define new channels?** No, it uses existing channels defined by legacy 802.11 standards but adds tools for assessing channel quality. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is a channel scan in 802.11k?** A process where devices scan all available channels to measure parameters like signal strength and noise levels. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What types of measurements are done on channels in 802.11k?** Measurements include Received Channel Power Indicator (RCPI), Channel Load, Noise Histogram, and Beacon Reports. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How often are channel measurements performed?** Measurement frequency depends on network configuration and environmental dynamics. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Who initiates channel measurements in 802.11k?** Usually the access point or the client device can trigger measurements through request frames. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is a Beacon Report in the context of 802.11k channels?** It is a measurement report that contains information about neighboring APs and channel conditions. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11k improve roaming decisions with channel info?** By providing detailed channel measurements, clients can choose the best AP based on channel quality. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Are channel widths considered in 802.11k measurements?** Yes, measurements can be tied to specific channel widths like 20 MHz or 40 MHz depending on the PHY. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11k help detect channel interference?** Yes, channel load and noise measurements help identify congested or interfered channels. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the role of Neighbor Reports in channel management?** Neighbor Reports provide info about neighboring APs including their channels, aiding channel planning. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Does 802.11k support dynamic channel switching?** While 802.11k provides the measurement data, dynamic channel switching is handled by other mechanisms or standards. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is Channel Load measurement?** It measures the percentage of time the channel is busy, helping assess congestion levels. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does Noise Histogram measurement help in 802.11k?** It provides a distribution of noise levels on a channel to help in interference analysis. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11k measurements be used for regulatory compliance?** Indirectly, by ensuring devices operate on allowed channels and avoid congested bands. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How are channel measurements reported in 802.11k?** Reports are sent in measurement report frames encapsulated within MAC frames. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is 802.11k backward compatible in channel operations?** Yes, it is designed to interoperate with legacy 802.11 devices without affecting channel plans. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What benefits do channel measurements provide to network administrators?** They enable better planning, interference mitigation, and improved overall WLAN performance. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow Topics in this section, * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. _channels_k_step4: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 2.4 GHz Channels for 802.11k ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== Channel Number (MHz) Center Frequency (MHz) Frequency Range DFS Required ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== 1 2412 2401 – 2423 No 2 2417 2406 – 2428 No 3 2422 2411 – 2433 No 4 2427 2416 – 2438 No 5 2432 2421 – 2443 No 6 2437 2426 – 2448 No 7 2442 2431 – 2453 No 8 2447 2436 – 2458 No 9 2452 2441 – 2463 No 10 2457 2446 – 2468 No 11 2462 2451 – 2473 No 12 2467 2456 – 2478 No (region dependent) 13 2472 2461 – 2483 No (region dependent) 14 2484 2473 – 2495 No (Japan only) ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== .. tab-item:: 5 GHz Channels for 802.11k ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== Channel Number (MHz) Center Frequency (MHz) Frequency Range DFS Required ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== 36 5180 5170 – 5190 No 40 5200 5190 – 5210 No 44 5220 5210 – 5230 No 48 5240 5230 – 5250 No 52 5260 5250 – 5270 Yes 56 5280 5270 – 5290 Yes 60 5300 5290 – 5310 Yes 64 5320 5310 – 5330 Yes 100 5500 5490 – 5510 Yes 104 5520 5510 – 5530 Yes 108 5540 5530 – 5550 Yes 112 5560 5550 – 5570 Yes 116 5580 5570 – 5590 Yes 120 5600 5590 – 5610 Yes 124 5620 5610 – 5630 Yes 128 5640 5630 – 5650 Yes 132 5660 5650 – 5670 Yes 136 5680 5670 – 5690 Yes 140 5700 5690 – 5710 Yes 144 5720 5710 – 5730 Yes 149 5745 5735 – 5755 No 153 5765 5755 – 5775 No 157 5785 5775 – 5795 No 161 5805 5795 – 5815 No 165 5825 5815 – 5835 No ===================== ======================= ====================== ============== .. _channels_k_step5: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of channel widths * channel widths .. _channels_k_step6: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of Bands ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ Band Name Frequency Range (GHz) Frequency Range (MHz) Channels ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ 2.4 GHz Band 2.400 – 2.485 2400 – 2485 1 – 14 (region dependent) UNII-1 5.150 – 5.250 5150 – 5250 36, 40, 44, 48 UNII-2 (DFS) 5.250 – 5.350 5250 – 5350 52, 56, 60, 64 UNII-2 Extended (DFS) 5.470 – 5.725 5470 – 5725 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144 UNII-3 5.725 – 5.825 5725 – 5825 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ .. _channels_k_step17: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Reference links * Reference links