Unifi Channels Question

[mitchell1981]

Hi All,

 

Over the holiday we replaced our ancient Meru WiFi with new UniFi WiFi 7 Access Points, and new UniFi switches.

 

Although it's generally working there have been a few problems with disconnections, and moving around the building.

 

I'm thinking it may be related to the channel selection (which is set to Auto). See screenshot.

 

 

Almost all the APs are on the same channel, even those close together. Does the auto channeling just not work? I've tried the 'Optimise Now' button in the settings but that appears to do nothing. I know the channel selection is done at reboot, but even on reboot they come back on the same channel.

 

Do I need to do the channeling manually?

 

Thank you.

Edited September 5, 2024 by mitchell1981

[DalekSec]

Having this exact same issue now, seems to fix when i do an Environment Scan on the AP but this results in it restarting so can only do out of hours.

 

Ideally be good for them all to do a scan every night. Used Ruckus for last 5 years before joining here and i can easily say, i hate UniFi.

[ZeroHour]

Really in my experience Auto doesnt work well. The same thing applies with AP's being set on Auto power as well, if they are fairly close you will need to tune them to get things a bit smoother.

 

Apple does have a bit of info about how and when they decide to roam based on signal strength:

 

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/deployment/dep98f116c0f/web

 

It may not be apple devices disconnecting but its a place to start for tuning.

[Primus]

Have you tried backing the power off?

 

We run:

 

2.4Ghz

20Mhz channels

Low transmit power

Minimum RSSI -75

 

5Ghz

40Mhz channels

Medium transmit power

Minimum RSSI -75

 

We've left all ours on auto channels - we're using hundreds of Unifi APs across 5 sites with no issues.

[mitchell1981]

Thanks All,

 

I've set the setting recommended by Primus, and I'll possible looks to do some manual channel settings if necessary.

[ZeroHour]

Just to say I have noticed some weird roaming choices with the latest firmware 6.6.77/6.6.78 (depending on AP model)

I have not investigated it fully yet but I rolled back to .73 in the interim.

[Primus]

Thanks All,

 

I've set the setting recommended by Primus, and I'll possible looks to do some manual channel settings if necessary.

 

Did this help at all?

[Katy]

I also have the problem of devices clinging on to far away Unifi APs despite having one AP per room so I've made the changes mentioned by Primus... will see how much of a difference it makes over the next week. I would expect it to make a decent improvement, especially the minimum RSSI.

[Primus]

I also have the problem of devices clinging on to far away Unifi APs despite having one AP per room so I've made the changes mentioned by Primus... will see how much of a difference it makes over the next week. I would expect it to make a decent improvement, especially the minimum RSSI.

 

Fingers crossed - let me know how you get on.

[RezolutionICT]

Stick all the 5gh channels on manual. Use 40mhz bonding so you have enough so not to overlap. Example. 36, 44, 52, 60 etc...

Leave 2.4 on Auto. (Print out your site map and write 5gh channel numbers in groups so they are not near each other. Once you're happy config each ap from the controller. Then walk round and test each AP throughput using LANSpeed test. Plus use wifi analyser. This will highlight any issues.

 

Auto never works in any installation. It's not clever enough and always picks same channels. Especially Unify as its low end cheap kit with poor support.

 

Just for info Unify also changes the manual channels every now and then. Something it should not do. A restart of the AP reverses the change of channel..

 

Andy (Rezolution ICT Ltd)

[Primus]

Stick all the 5gh channels on manual. Use 40mhz bonding so you have enough so not to overlap. Example. 36, 44, 52, 60 etc...

Leave 2.4 on Auto. (Print out your site map and write 5gh channel numbers in groups so they are not near each other. Once you're happy config each ap from the controller. Then walk round and test each AP throughput using LANSpeed test. Plus use wifi analyser. This will highlight any issues.

 

Auto never works in any installation. It's not clever enough and always picks same channels. Especially Unify as its low end cheap kit with poor support.

 

Just for info Unify also changes the manual channels every now and then. Something it should not do. A restart of the AP reverses the change of channel..

 

Andy (Rezolution ICT Ltd)

 

Unifi isn't low end cheap kit at all. If you want support there are now a variety of options with UK-based providers or with Unifi themselves if you're using a cloud gateway (they've said they will launch this support for other deployments in the near future).

 

Your advice on channels is strange - the opposite of what would normally be advised - 5GHz doesn't travel as far so overlapping channels are less critical than with 2.4GHz where it travels far further and so overlapping channels can be more of an issue. You go on to say auto doesn't work but advise they use it for 2.4GHz so which is it?

 

I've seen plenty of suppliers on here and in many other places rubbish it in an attempt to upsell people to more expensive solutions where their margin is far greater, the fact is Unifi works very well and is a good fit for the majority of schools which is why we're seeing so many deploying APs and switches now. I note the Rezolution ICT Ltd website lists a number of manufacturers you sell but Unifi isn't one of them.

[RezolutionICT]

Hi Primus, firstly I'm not trying to upsell anything. I don't mention any other vendors at all. In fact I was simply passing on my experience of over 300 wireless installations in schools over the last 15 years. I've had experience of over 5 major wifi vendors in various ICT Support positions. Unify is the worst I've experienced with a serious lack of "decent" support. It's priced low end for a reason. I agree, the U6 perform better then previous versions but I would still never recommend Unify. Im not saying this is all down to cost as there are other vendors in the same price bracket whose solutions work better. This is based on my personal experience.. Issues such as "sticky clients" 5hz roaming, auto channel changes and Support also take forever to respond and actualy fix issues. (3 weeks to solve why one of our schools' switches kept going offline for no reason.....A beta firmware update eventually fixed it).

 

I know that Unify is becoming more popular now but when I see posts such as these complaining of 5ghz channel issues and sticky clients then it doesn't surprise Me. For info 5ghz needs dedicated free seperated channels to work effectively, otherwise more collisions happen and therefore less throughput. Anyone who installs wireless professionally should know this. Also for info when coverage is good as it should be 95% of devices now use 5ghz so 2.4ghz is not important at all so left on Auto. It's not worth the hassle as there is only 3 free channels. (One of its major floors)

 

I don't know why you would try and pick an argument with someone who is clearly just providing some sound advice. Isn't this forum for just that?

[Primus]

Hi Primus, firstly I'm not trying to upsell anything. I don't mention any other vendors at all. In fact I was simply passing on my experience of over 300 wireless installations in schools over the last 15 years. I've had experience of over 5 major wifi vendors in various ICT Support positions. Unify is the worst I've experienced with a serious lack of "decent" support. It's priced low end for a reason. I agree, the U6 perform better then previous versions but I would still never recommend Unify. Im not saying this is all down to cost as there are other vendors in the same price bracket whose solutions work better. This is based on my personal experience.. Issues such as "sticky clients" 5hz roaming, auto channel changes and Support also take forever to respond and actualy fix issues. (3 weeks to solve why one of our schools' switches kept going offline for no reason.....A beta firmware update eventually fixed it).

 

I know that Unify is becoming more popular now but when I see posts such as these complaining of 5ghz channel issues and sticky clients then it doesn't surprise Me. For info 5ghz needs dedicated free seperated channels to work effectively, otherwise more collisions happen and therefore less throughput. Anyone who installs wireless professionally should know this. Also for info when coverage is good as it should be 95% of devices now use 5ghz so 2.4ghz is not important at all so left on Auto. It's not worth the hassle as there is only 3 free channels. (One of its major floors)

 

I don't know why you would try and pick an argument with someone who is clearly just providing some sound advice. Isn't this forum for just that?

 

I'm not picking an argument, I'm pointing out that many suppliers bad-mouth products such as Unifi in an attempt to upsell. Had you restricted your post to suggestions on how to improve performance that would have been fine but your post went beyond that. Your posts on here carry your company name - from your website it's clear that you prefer other WiFi vendors so when you post on here with that company name making comments about how Unifi is "low end cheap kit with poor support" I commented to provide some balance.