70 AP unifi environment performance issues

[stgoodyeara]

I have install 70 unifi APs to support 1200 users in a 1:1 device environment and AP performance at time is awful. Started the install back in May and when years 11 and 13 left for study leave, leaving about 800 users it worked ok with few issues, that i put down to configuration snagging. General feedback is that it was much better than the old system.....new term....performance at times awful!

 

Our 1:1 scheme is heavily used, its not a vanity project, its actually pivitol to our T&L strategy

 

 

We have 1 U6-LR AP (the LR wasn't my preferred choice but stock issues its all that's available) per teaching space. The max client load per AP in a standard classroom is at 38, often in the mid 20s. Ive never seen an AP exceed 40 users. I've done all the usual stuff, manually scan area for best channels, adjusted power of APs to minimise bleed outside the room (they are almost all running on Low with the exception of AP in large communal area that are on med). All APs are ceiling mounted as close to the center of each room as possible. Below is a signal scan of what happens when the performance nose dives. (2.4 channel in green and 5ghz in blue.) The scanning device is in the dame room as the AP less than 3 meter from it, in open space.

 

 

Any ideas what could be causing signal to yo-yo like this? It's practically unusable during these periods, and can go on for 20/30mins at a time. It doesn't do it all the time, sometime performance is excellent. The feedback from staff across the site is its intermittent, with enough problems to result in thee digressing away from planning lesson on iPad. Queues are forming at the photocopier, we have seen this for years!

 

Any help appreciate. Even if it's just to sign post me towards a Unifi specialist that can help!

[kmount]

Alex, talk to Reilly Chase at Hostifi https://support.hostifi.com/en/articles/6263221-what-is-hostifi-pro

If anyone will know him and his team will.

[yac2016]

What version of firmware are the AP's on as well as the controller?

[CyBeRkId2002]

We see similar, and have done for some time which is a real nightmare to diagnose. Our requirements are not as pivotal as yours (no 1:1 scheme) but with enough laptop trolleys dotted around it can be a real frustration for staff (and the IT team).

 

Our core switches were fairly old, and I have wondered whether some of ours is due to inter-VLAN routing playing up. As it happens I have just installed replacement core switches this weekend so we will see next week what happens.

[Netwacky87]

I found we experienced similar drop outs - here is some of the things i've done which has helped

 

- Updated to latest AP/Controller firmware & Software....Unifi had some ropey firmware releases but last bunch seems to have been pretty good.

- Check wiring. I had one AP which was full 1GB and all looks fine but it was dropping packets all the time. When i removed the offending AP, no issues at all, clients just connected to closest AP

- Start up AP's that are close to each other one after the other. I don't believe (IMO) that the scan for channels works well. I read that if all the APs start up together they all get the same channel regardless (dunno how true this is tbh!)