Dynamic Channel Assignment

Cisco APs can be assigned either statically or dynamically. The recommended way to assign channels is through RRM which dynamically assigns channels from DCA channel list.

Why should we assign channels dynamically?

-There are limited number of channels and in larger wireless deployments, assigning channels statically might result in interference from adjoining APs.

-Statically assigned channels do not change their channels when there is interference/noise/DFS activity in the environment resulting in poor performance for the clients.

DCA Algorithm

The DCA algorithm is typically controlled by RRM (Radio Resource Management). The primary goal for DCA algorithm is to assign appropriate channel to the radio such that client performance is not affected by interference/noise/DFS activity.

DCA Algorithm Operation

Cisco WiFi 7 APs have an additional scan radio apart from the serving radios. The scan radio continously scans the channels of all 3 bands and sends the collected data to WLC. The channels to be scanned are defined under RRM configuration on the WLC- All channels, Country channels or DCA channels. RRM processes the data received from the scan radios from all the APs and determines channel changes at the end of each RRM cycle.

How to configure AP radios for dynamic channel assignment?

Configuration>Wireless>Access Points>Edit Radios(6G/5G/2.4G)>RF Channel Assignment> Assignment Method> Global

How to configure DCA under RRM?

Defining the Channel list which scan radio should scan (All Channels/Country Channels/DCA Channels)- This configuration defines which channels the scan radio will be scanning in each iteration.

Configuration>Radio Configurations>RRM>Bands(6G/5G/2.4G)>General>Channel List