Tuesday, August 24, 2010

PPP Unplugged – Show 1 – Lugging That Damn AP

Well, in case you didn't know - Packet Pushers Podcast Unplugged episode 1 of wireless chit chat has been out for a week or two.  We're working on the topics of discussion for episode 2, so if you've got a special thing you want researched/mentioned - please ask!
To quote Etherealmind:
This is the first podcast from the Packet Pushers devoted to Wireless Networking. After Jennifer Huber joined the Packet Pushers on Show 14 – Bum Bugling on Cisco Clean Air we agreed that a wireless podcast about every month or so would be worth doing. Herewith, is the first episode of Packet Pushers Unplugged on wireless networking.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

WLC Config Analyzer - new version

Thanks to @the_wifi_guy for pointing out to me that there is an updated version (7/22/01) of the WLC Config Analyzer on Cisco's site.


You'll need a CCO login to download it, and there's also a webex archive explaining how to use the config checker.


If you've never used it before, I recommend downloading it and using it to parse through your current controller configs and see what parts of your config don't meet Cisco's defined best practices.


The config checker is something you need to request access to obtain the proper permissions to download, but that is easy enough to do.  The instructions to obtain access are on the WLC Config Analyzer page on Cisco's site.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Gestalt IT Net Field Day September 16-17 2010 SJC

I'm super excited to attend the 2010 Gestalt IT Net Field Day in San Jose this year (September 16-17 2010).. I've never been invited to anything like this before, and I'll do my best to take it all in & put it into a useful format to share.  I'm not 100% sure what to expect, other than information overload for sure.


Naturally @Etherealmind is a returning delegate & has a great post/interview that explains what Tech Field Day/Net Field Day is all about..


The home page for the Net Field Day in September has the growing list of delegates for this year, and will be where the event information unfolds first.

Etheralmind - Show 14 – Bum Bugling on Cisco Clean Air

I had the pleasure of being a guest on Etherealmind's Packet Pushers Podcast this weekend.  It was a lot of fun to get together with @etherealmind @ecbanks and @rovingengineer and 'chin wag' about all things network related.


I'm glad I was able to take part in such a great podcast - I love listening in & hearing what other network engineers around the globe are getting up to from week to week.  I like that each shows' topics are varied, and I always end up learning something from each show.


If you don't already listen - I encourage you to tune in.  PPP is a great bunch a guys, and you're sure to get a laugh when you least expect it!



Packet Pushers Podcast
Where Too MUCH Networking is NEVER enough!

CleanAir

I know this topic was beat to death a few months ago when it actually launched, but I thought I'd take a moment or two and gather my notes on the technology - the pros/cons and hidden caveats.


The 3500 AP cannot influence the 1250 or 1140 to change its channel, the 3500 can only influence other 3500s to react to the interference 'seen' by a 3500.


APs must be within 150 feet of each other for the MSE to use the x/y position of APs located on the WCS maps to establish the RF proximity of interfering devices.  There is also no guarantee of location accuracy when tracking sources of interference.


Clean air APs in local mode only watch the channel they're configured to serve clients on, and spectrum event driven RRM can be triggered only by clean air APs in local mode.


Proper licensing is needed in order to track the location of interference sources.


Information passed from the AP to the WLC is minimal, no off platform calculations are performed, it all happens on the AP.


The AP manages air quality (AQ) data averaging period through settings on the WLC for each clean air AP.  Defaults to a 15 minute average (up to one hour).  AP sensorD reports AQ info every 15 seconds to the AP IOS.

  • normal updates - every 15 minutes
  • rapid updates - every 30 seconds

Rapid update mode on a given radio interface pollutes the overall average as normal averaging is suspended while rapid update mode is active.