Channel Planning Overview

Channel selection involves the manual assignment of RF channels to the radios on the Meraki APs. Optimizing channel
assignments reduces channel interference and channel utilization, thereby improving overall network performance and
increasing the network’s client capacity. Meraki's AutoRF algorithm makes this process hands off by using the Meraki
cloud to determine the optimal channel configuration for a network by periodically measuring the global network
performance and issuing new channel assignments to APs. However, sometimes administrators may wish to fine-tune
channels by modifying placements themselves.
Channel selection is configured under the Configure tab on the Radio Settings page. Two views are available for viewing
channel selection and manually assigning channels; a 'map' view and a 'list' view.

Map view
AP placements are shown on Google maps and custom floorplans (if they have been uploaded). On the maps view, APs
are shown with coverage circles roughly denoting their coverage area based on their transmit power (note that these
coverage circles are approximate, and do not take into account interference or obstruction by walls or certain types of
building materials). By selecting an AP, it is possible to see settings to manually adjust the channel and power settings
on both of its radios (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). By default, APs will broadcast their 'auto' settings for both channel and
power; in this case, the administrator allows the Meraki cloud to use AutoRF to automatically assign the optimal
channels to the radios. However, the administrator can manually configure the channels used by the Meraki APs on the
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Note: When selecting an AP, only the coverage circles of APs on overlapping channels will be shown.

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List view
This view presents a more classic list view of all APs in the network, and can be toggled between the 2.4 and 5 GHz
bands. By clicking on an AP in the list, the channel and power settings options are shown and can be manually
configured.

Effects of channel changes

Changing channel assignments can cause noticeable network downtime. The administrator can configure the Meraki
cloud to automatically reassign channels in the wireless network during periods of inactivity (when the channel
reassignment would cause the least amount of disruption). Or, the administrator can perform the cloud-calculated
channel assignments on demand.

Channels and country settings

The list of available channels that can be assigned to radios is populated based on which country the APs are deployed
in. The “Country” setting is configured automatically based on (a) what country the AP was shipped to and (b) what
country the AP was plugged into (using IP-lookups from a geo-location database. This is to help administrators comply
with region-specific wireless regulations. If there is a conflict in the ship-to country and actual country of where the AP is
plugged in, the AP will default to a "world-wide safe mode" where it will broadcast on a safe channel and power setting
that is globally neutral; in this case, the UI will display a warning, and the administrator can contact Meraki Support for
assistance.

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 Some regulatory bodies restrict certain channels from being used on outdoor APs. Use the manual channel
selection to avoid the use of these channels. The FCC regulations for radio frequencies allowed in indoor and
outdoor access points can be found on the FCC website here.

Channel Spreading
When automatic channel selection is configured, "channel spreading” is automatically configured, which allows Meraki
APs to operate on different channels. Channel spreading selects channels that minimize RF utilization and interference
in the network, thereby maximizing overall network performance and client capacity (i.e., the number of wireless clients
that can connect to the network).

Channel spreading is ideal for environments in which a high number of clients could saturate a single channel. For
instance, in an auditorium with hundreds of wireless clients and numerous APs broadcasting in the same space, channel
spreading should be enabled.

It is also possible to force the Meraki cloud to calculate the optimal channel placements for an AP at any given time by
clicking the 'update auto channels' button; please note that this will disconnect clients as the APs gather interference
from their environment.

Transmit Power Control

Administrators have the option of having all APs in the network set at 100% transmit power or allowing the Meraki cloud
to determine the best power settings for optimal performance. In cases where APs are deployed with high density and
significant overlap in coverage, the Meraki cloud may determine that interference could be minimized by a reduction in
transmit power. In this situation, if an AP were to go down resulting in a gap in coverage, the adjacent AP power levels
would then be automatically increased to compensate. Administrators can select full transmit power or automated
transmit power selection on the Radio Settings Page.

Rogue and neighbor data

This AP list view offers a summary of the current channel plan in the network, and also provides information on non-
Meraki or “rogue” APs that were detected on each channel during the last network scan performed. This information
includes the maximum signal strength (RSSI) seen on the AP's channel from its nearby Meraki neighbor, as well as the
maximum RSSI seen on the same channel from a non-Meraki rogue. This information can be used to more effectively
assign channels manually when necessary.