ChannelFly and Background Scanning
SmartZone controllers offer the ChannelFly and Background Scanning automatic channel selection methods for spectrum utilization and performance optimization. While Background Scanning must be enabled for rogue AP detection, AP location detection and radio power adjustment, either can be used for automatic channel optimization.
The main difference between ChannelFly and Background Scanning is that ChannelFly determines the optimal channel based on real-time statistical analysis of actual throughput measurements, while Background Scanning uses channel measurement and other techniques to estimate the impact of interference on Wi-Fi capacity based on progressive scans of all available channels.
Benefits of ChannelFly
With ChannelFly, the AP intelligently samples different channels while using them for service. ChannelFly assesses channel capacity every 15 seconds and changes channel when, based on historical data, a different channel is likely to offer higher capacity than the current channel. Each AP makes channel decisions based on this historical data and maintains an internal log of channel performance individually.
When ChannelFly changes channels, it utilizes 802.11h channel change announcements to seamlessly change channels with no packet loss and minimal impact to performance. The 802.11h channel change announcements affect both wireless clients and Ruckus mesh nodes in the 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz bands.
Initially (in the first 30-60 minutes) there will be more frequent channel changes as ChannelFly learns the environment. However, once an AP has learned about the environment and which channels are most likely to offer the best throughput potential, channel changes will occur less frequently unless a large measured drop in throughput occurs.
ChannelFly can react to large measured drops in throughput capacity in as little as 15 seconds, while smaller drops in capacity may take longer to react to.
Disadvantages of ChannelFly
Compared to Background Scanning, ChannelFly takes considerably longer for the network to settle down. If you will be adding and removing APs to your network frequently, Background Scanning may be preferable. Additionally, if you have clients that do not support the 802.11h standard, ChannelFly may cause significant connectivity issues during the initial capacity assessment stage.
You can enable/disable ChannelFly per band. If you have 2.4 GHz clients that do not support 802.11h, Ruckus recommends disabling ChannelFly for 2.4 GHz but leaving it enabled for the 5 GHz band.
Background Scanning
Using Background Scanning, SmartZone controllers regularly samples the activity in all Access Points to assess RF usage, to detect rogue APs and to determine which APs are near each other for mesh optimization. These scans sample one channel at a time in each AP so as not to interfere with network use. This information is then applied in AP Monitoring and other controller monitoring features. You can, if you prefer, customize the automatic scanning of RF activity, deactivate it if you feel it's not helpful, or adjust the frequency, if you want scans at greater or fewer intervals.