CH A P T E R 5

Configuring Radio Settings

This module describes how to configure radio settings for the wireless device in the following sections:
• Enabling the Radio Interface, page 5-2
• Configuring the Role in the Radio Network, page 5-3
• Configuring Radio Data Rates, page 5-5
• Configuring MCS Rates, page 5-9
• Configuring Radio Transmit Power, page 5-11
• Configuring Radio Channel Settings, page 5-13
• Enabling and Disabling World Mode, page 5-14
• Disabling and Enabling Short Radio Preambles, page 5-16
• Configuring Transmit and Receive Antennas, page 5-17
• Disabling and Enabling Aironet Extensions, page 5-18
• Configuring the Ethernet Encapsulation Transformation Method, page 5-19
• Enabling and Disabling Public Secure Packet Forwarding, page 5-20
• Configuring the Beacon Period and the DTIM, page 5-22
• Configure RTS Threshold and Retries, page 5-23
• Configuring the Maximum Data Retries, page 5-24
• Configuring the Fragmentation Threshold, page 5-25
• Enabling Short Slot Time for 802.11g Radios, page 5-25
• Performing a Carrier Busy Test, page 5-26
• Configuring VoIP Packet Handling, page 5-26

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Enabling the Radio Interface

Enabling the Radio Interface

The wireless device radios are disabled by default.

Note You must create a service set identifier (SSID) before you can enable the radio interface.

To enable the access point radio, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. dot11 ssid ssid
3. interface dot11radio {0}
4. ssid ssid
5. no shutdown
6. end
7. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 dot11 ssid ssid Enters the SSID.
Note The SSID consists of up to 32 alphanumeric characters.
SSIDs are case sensitive.
Step 3 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 2.4-GHz and 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radios are radio 0.
Step 4 ssid ssid Assigns the SSID that you created in Step 2 to the appropriate
radio interface.
Step 5 no shutdown Enables the radio port.
Step 6 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 7 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the shutdown command to disable the radio port.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring the Role in the Radio Network

Configuring the Role in the Radio Network

The radio performs the following roles in the wireless network:
• Access point
• Access point (fallback to radio shutdown)
• Root bridge
• Non-root bridge
• Root bridge with wireless clients
• Non-root bridge without wireless clients
You can also configure a fallback role for root access points. The wireless device automatically assumes
the fallback role when its Ethernet port is disabled or disconnected from the wired LAN. The default
fallback role for Cisco ISR wireless devices is as follows:
Shutdown—the wireless device shuts down its radio and disassociates all client devices.
To set the wireless device’s radio network role and fallback role, follow these steps, beginning in
privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. station-role non-root {bridge | wireless-clients} root {access-point | ap-only | [bridge |
wireless-clients] | [fallback | repeater | shutdown]} workgroup-bridge {multicast |
mode <client | infrastructure>| universal <Ethernet client MAC address>}
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring the Role in the Radio Network

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 2.4-GHz and 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radios are radio 0.
Step 3 station-role Sets the wireless device role.
• Sets the role to non-root bridge with or without wireless
non-root {bridge | wireless-clients}
clients, to root access point or bridge, or to workgroup
bridge.
root {access-point | ap-only |
[bridge | wireless-clients] | Note The bridge mode radio supports point-to-point
[fallback | repeater | shutdown]} configuration only.

Note The repeater and wireless-clients commands are not

workgroup-bridge {multicast | supported on Cisco 860 Series and Cisco 880 Series
mode <client | infrastructure>| Integrated Services Routers.
universal <Ethernet client MAC
address>} Note The scanner command is not supported on Cisco 860
Series and Cisco 880 Series Integrated Services
Routers.

• The Ethernet port is shut down when any one of the radios
is configured as a repeater. Only one radio per access point
may be configured as a workgroup bridge or repeater. A
workgroup bridge can have a maximum of 25 clients,
presuming that no other wireless clients are associated to
the root bridge or access point.

Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Note When you enable the role of a device in the radio network as a bridge or workgroup bridge and enable
the interface using the no shut command, the physical status and the software status of the interface will
be up (ready) only if the device on the other end (access point or bridge) is up. Otherwise, only the
physical status of the device will be up. The software status will be up when the device on the other end
is configured and ready.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring Radio Data Rates

Radio Tracking
You can configure the access point to track or monitor the status of one of its radios. If the tracked radio
goes down or is disabled, the access point shuts down the other radio. If the tracked radio comes up, the
access point enables the other radio.
To track radio 0, enter the following command:
# station-role root access-point fallback track d0 shutdown

Fast Ethernet Tracking

You can configure the access point for fallback when its Ethernet port is disabled or disconnected from
the wired LAN. For guidance on configuring the access point for Fast Ethernet tracking, see the
“Configuring the Role in the Radio Network” section on page 5-3.

Note Fast Ethernet tracking does not support the repeater mode.

To configure the access point for Fast Ethernet tracking, enter the following command:
# station-role root access-point fallback track fa 0

MAC-Address Tracking
You can configure the radio whose role is root access point to come up or go down by tracking a client
access point, using its MAC address, on another radio. If the client disassociates from the access point,
the root access point radio goes down. If the client reassociates to the access point, the root access point
radio comes back up.
MAC-address tracking is most useful when the client is a non-root bridge access point connected to an
upstream wired network.
For example, to track a client whose MAC address is 12:12:12:12:12:12, enter the following command:
# station-role root access-point fallback track mac-address 12:12:12:12:12:12 shutdown

Configuring Radio Data Rates

You use the data rate settings to choose the data rates that the wireless device uses for data transmission.
The rates are expressed in megabits per second (Mb/s). The wireless device always attempts to transmit
at the highest data rate set to basic, also known as required on the browser-based interface. If there are
obstacles or interference, the wireless device steps down to the highest rate that allows data transmission.
You can set each data rate to one of three states:
• Basic (the GUI labels Basic rates as Required)—Allows transmission at this rate for all packets, both
unicast and multicast. At least one of the data rates of the wireless device must be set to basic.
• Enabled—The wireless device transmits only unicast packets at this rate; multicast packets are sent
at one of the data rates set to basic.
• Disabled—The wireless device does not transmit data at this rate.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring Radio Data Rates

Note At least one data rate must be set to basic.

You can use the data rate settings to set an access point to serve client devices operating at specific data
rates. For example, to set the 2.4-GHz radio for 11 Mb/s service only, set the 11-Mb/s rate to basic, and
set the other data rates to disabled. To set the wireless device to serve only client devices operating at 1
and 2 Mb/s, set 1 and 2 to basic, and set the rest of the data rates to disabled. To set the 2.4-GHz, 802.11g
radio to serve only 802.11g client devices, set any orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)
data rate (6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54) to basic. To set the 5-GHz radio for 54-Mb/s service only, set the
54-Mb/s rate to basic, and set the other data rates to disabled.
You can configure the wireless device to set the data rates automatically to optimize either the range or
the throughput. When you enter range for the data rate setting, the wireless device sets the 1-Mb/s rate
to basic and sets the other rates to enabled. The range setting allows the access point to extend the
coverage area by compromising on the data rate. Therefore, if you have a client that cannot connect to
the access point although other clients can, the client might not be within the coverage area of the access
point. In such a case, using the range option will help extend the coverage area, and the client may be
able to connect to the access point.
Typically, the trade-off is between throughput and range. When the signal degrades (possibly due to
distance from the access point), the rates renegotiate in order to maintain the link (but at a lower data
rate). A link that is configured for a higher throughput simply drops when the signal degrades enough
that it no longer sustains a configured high data rate, or the link roams to another access point with
sufficient coverage, if one is available. The balance between the two (throughput vs. range) is a design
decision that must be made based on resources available to the wireless project, the type of traffic the
users will be passing, the service level desired, and as always, the quality of the RF environment. When
you enter throughput for the data rate setting, the wireless device sets all four data rates to basic.

Note When a wireless network has a mixed environment of 802.11b clients and 802.11g clients, make sure
that data rates 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mb/s are set to required (basic) and that all other data rates are set to
enable. The 802.11b adapters do not recognize the 54 Mb/s data rate and do not operate if data rates
higher than 11 Mb/s are set to required on the connecting access point.

To configure the radio data rates, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. speed
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring Radio Data Rates

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 2.4-GHz and the 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radios are radio
0.

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Configuring Radio Data Rates

Command or Action Purpose

Step 3 speed Sets each data rate to basic or enabled, or enters range to
optimize range or enters throughput to optimize throughput.
802.11b, 2.4-GHz radio:
{[1.0] [11.0] [2.0] [5.5] [basic-1.0] • (Optional) Enter 1.0, 2.0, 5.5, and 11.0 to set these data
[basic-11.0] [basic-2.0] [basic-5.5] | rates to enabled on the 802.11b, 2.4-GHz radio.
range | throughput} Enter 1.0, 2.0, 5.5, 6.0, 9.0, 11.0, 12.0, 18.0, 24.0, 36.0,
48.0, and 54.0 to set these data rates to enabled on the
802.11g, 2.4-GHz radio:
802.11g, 2.4-GHz radio.
{[1.0] [2.0] [5.5] [6.0] [9.0] [11.0]
[12.0] [18.0] [24.0] [36.0] [48.0] Enter 6.0, 9.0, 12.0, 18.0, 24.0, 36.0, 48.0, and 54.0 to set
[54.0] [basic-1.0] [basic-2.0] these data rates to enabled on the 5-GHz radio.
[basic-5.5] [basic-6.0] [basic-9.0] • (Optional) Enter basic-1.0, basic-2.0, basic-5.5, and
[basic-11.0] [basic-12.0] basic-11.0 to set these data rates to basic on the 802.11b,
[basic-18.0] [basic-24.0] 2.4-GHz radio.
[basic-36.0] [basic-48.0]
Enter basic-1.0, basic-2.0, basic-5.5, basic-6.0, basic-9.0,
[basic-54.0] | range |
basic-11.0, basic-12.0, basic-18.0, basic-24.0, basic-36.0,
throughput [ofdm] | default}
basic-48.0, and basic-54.0 to set these data rates to basic
802.11a 5-GHz radio: on the 802.11g, 2.4-GHz radio.
{[6.0] [9.0] [12.0] [18.0] [24.0] Note If the client must support the basic rate that you select,
[36.0] [48.0] [54.0] [basic-6.0] it cannot associate to the wireless device. If you select
[basic-9.0] [basic-12.0] [basic-18.0] 12-Mb/s or higher for the basic data rate on the 802.11g
[basic-24.0] [basic-36.0] radio, 802.11b client devices cannot associate to the
[basic-48.0] [basic-54.0] | wireless device 802.11g radio.
range | throughput |
ofdm-throughput | default} Enter basic-6.0, basic-9.0, basic-12.0, basic-18.0,
basic-24.0, basic-36.0, basic-48.0, and basic-54.0 to set
802.11n 2.4-GHz radio: these data rates to basic on the 5-GHz radio.
{[1.0] [11.0] [12.0] [18.0] [2.0]
• (Optional) Enter range or throughput or
[24.0] [36.0] [48.0] [5.5] [54.0] [6.0]
ofdm-throughput (no ERP protection) to automatically
[9.0] [basic-1.0] [basic-11.0]
optimize radio range or throughput. When you enter
[basic-12.0] [basic-18.0]
range, the wireless device sets the lowest data rate to basic
[basic-24.0] [basic-36.0]
and sets the other rates to enabled. When you enter
[basic-48.0] [basic-5.5] [basic-54.0]
throughput, the wireless device sets all data rates to basic.
[basic-6.0] [basic-9.0] [default]
[m0-7] [m0.] [m1.] [m10.] [m11.] (Optional) On the 802.11g radio, enter speed throughput
[m12.] [m13.] [m14.] [m15.] [m2.] ofdm to set all OFDM rates (6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48)
[m3.] [m4.] [m5.] [m6.] [m7.] to basic (required) and to set all the CCK rates (1, 2, 5.5,
[m8-15] [m8.] [m9.] [ofdm] and 11) to disabled. This setting disables 802.11b
[only-ofdm] | range | throughput} protection mechanisms and provides maximum throughput
for 802.11g clients. However, it prevents 802.11b clients
from associating to the access point.
• (Optional) Enter default to set the data rates to factory
default settings (not supported on 802.11b radios).
On the 802.11g radio, the default option sets rates 1, 2, 5.5,
and 11 to basic, and stes rates 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and
54 to enabled. These rate settings allow both 802.11b and
802.11g client devices to associate to the wireless device
802.11g radio.

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Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring MCS Rates

Command or Action Purpose

speed (continued) On the 5-GHz radio, the default option sets rates 6.0, 12.0,
and 24.0 to basic, and stes rates 9.0, 18.0, 36.0, 48.0, and
54.0 to enabled.
On the 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radio, the default option sets
rates 1.0, 2.0, 5.5, and 11.0 to enabled.
On the 802.11g/n 5-GHz radio, the default option sets
rates to 6.0, 12.0, and 24.0 to enabled.
The modulation coding scheme (MCS) index range for
both 802.11g/n radios is 0 to 15.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the no form of the speed command to remove one or more data rates from the configuration. This
example shows how to remove data rates basic-2.0 and basic-5.5 from the configuration:
ap1200# configure terminal
ap1200(config)# interface dot11radio 0
ap1200(config-if)# no speed basic-2.0 basic-5.5
ap1200(config-if)# end

Configuring MCS Rates

Modulation coding scheme (MCS) is a specification of PHY parameters consisting of modulation order
(binary phase shift keying [BPSK], quaternary phase shift keying [QPSK], 16-quadrature amplitude
modulation [16-QAM], 64-QAM) and forward error correction (FEC) code rate (1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6). MCS
is used in the wireless device 802.11n radios, which define 32 symmetrical settings (8 per spatial
stream):
• MCS 0–7
• MCS 8–15
• MCS 16–23
• MCS 24–31
The wireless device supports MCS 0–15. High-throughput clients support at least MCS 0–7.
MCS is an important setting because it provides for potentially greater throughput. High-throughput data
rates are a function of MCS, bandwidth, and guard interval. The 802.11a, b, and g radios use 20-MHz
channel widths. Table 5-1 shows potential data rated based on MCS, guard interval, and channel width.

Table 5-1 Data Rates Based on MCS Settings, Guard Interval, and Channel Width

MCS Index Guard Interval = 800 ns Guard Interval = 400 ns

20-MHz Channel 40-MHz Channel 20-MHz Channel 40-MHz Channel
Width Data Rate Width Data Rate Width Data Rate Width Data Rate
(Mb/s) (Mb/s) (Mb/s) (Mb/s)
0 6.5 13.5 7 2/9 15
1 13 27 14 4/9 30

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Configuring MCS Rates

Table 5-1 Data Rates Based on MCS Settings, Guard Interval, and Channel Width (continued)

MCS Index Guard Interval = 800 ns Guard Interval = 400 ns

2 19.5 40.5 21 2/3 45
3 26 54 28 8/9 60
4 39 81 43 1/3 90
5 52 109 57 5/9 120
6 58.5 121.5 65 135
7 65 135 72 2/9 152.5
8 13 27 14 4/9 30
9 26 54 28 8/9 60
10 39 81 43 1/3 90
11 52 108 57 7/9 120
12 78 162 86 2/3 180
13 104 216 115 5/9 240
14 117 243 130 270
15 130 270 144 4/9 300
The legacy rates are as follows:
5 GHz: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54 Mb/s
2.4 GHz: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54 Mb/s

MCS rates are configured using the speed command. The following example shows a speed setting for
an 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radio:
interface Dot11Radio0
no ip address
no ip route-cache
!
ssid 800test
!
speed basic-1.0 2.0 5.5 11.0 6.0 9.0 12.0 18.0 24.0 36.0 48.0 54.0 m0. m1. m2. m3. m4.
m8. m9. m10. m11. m12. m13. m14. m15.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring Radio Transmit Power

Configuring Radio Transmit Power

Radio transmit power is based on the type of radio or radios installed in your access point and the
regulatory domain in which it operates.
To set the transmit power on access point radios, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. power local
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.

Example:
Router# configure terminal
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 2.4-GHz and the 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radios are radio
0.
Step 3 power local Sets the transmit power for the 2.4-GHz radio so that the power
level is allowed in your regulatory domain.
These options are available for the
2.4-GHz 802.11n radio (in dBm):
{8 | 9| 11 | 14 | 15 | 17 | maximum}
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the no form of the power local command to return the power setting to maximum, the default
setting.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring Radio Transmit Power

Limiting the Power Level for Associated Client Devices

You can also limit the power level on client devices that associate to the wireless device. When a client
device associates to the wireless device, the wireless device sends the maximum power level setting to
the client.

Note Cisco AVVID documentation uses the term Dynamic Power Control (DPC) to refer to limiting the power
level on associated client devices.

To specify a maximum allowed power setting on all client devices that associate to the wireless device,
follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. power client
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 2.4-GHz and 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radios are radio 0.
Step 3 power client Sets the maximum power level allowed on client devices that
associate to the wireless device.
These options are available for
802.11n 2.4-GHz clients (in dBm): • Setting the power level to local sets the client power level
{local | 8 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 17 | to that of the access point.
maximum} • Setting the power level to maximum sets the client power
to the allowed maximum.
Note The settings allowed in your regulatory domain might
differ from the settings listed here.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the no form of the power client command to disable the maximum power level for associated
clients.

Note Aironet extensions must be enabled to limit the power level on associated client devices. Aironet
extensions are enabled by default.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring Radio Channel Settings

Configuring Radio Channel Settings

The default channel setting for the wireless device radios is least congested. At startup, the wireless
device scans for and selects the least-congested channel. For the most consistent performance after a site
survey, however, we recommend that you assign a static channel setting for each access point. The
channel settings on the wireless device correspond to the frequencies available in your regulatory
domain. See the access point hardware installation guide for the frequencies allowed in your domain.
Each 2.4-GHz channel covers 22 MHz. Because the bands for channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap, you
can set up multiple access points in the same vicinity without causing interference. The 802.11b and
802.11g 2.4-GHz radios use the same channels and frequencies.
The 5-GHz radio operates on 8 channels from 5180 to 5320 MHz, up to 27 channels from 5170 to
5850 MHz depending on regulatory domain. Each channel covers 20 MHz, and the bands for the
channels overlap slightly. For best performance, use channels that are not adjacent (use channels 44 and
46, for example) for radios that are close to each other.

Note The presence of too many access points in the same vicinity can create radio congestion that can reduce
throughput. A careful site survey can determine the best placement of access points for maximum radio
coverage and throughput.

802.11n Channel Widths

The 802.11n standard allows both 20-MHz and 40-Mhz channel widths consisting of two contiguous
non-overlapping channels (for example, 2.4-GHz channels 1 and 6).
One of the 20-MHz channels is called the control channel. Legacy clients and 20-MHz high-throughput
clients use the control channel. Only beacons can be sent on this channel. The other 20-MHz channel is
called the extension channel. The 40-MHz stations may use this channel and the control channel
simultaneously.
A 40-MHz channel is specified as a channel and extension, such as 1,1. In this example, the control
channel is channel 1 and the extension channel is above it.
To set the wireless device channel width, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0 }
3. channel {frequency | least-congested | width [20 | 40-above | 40-below] | dfs}
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Enabling and Disabling World Mode

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0 } Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radio is radio 0.
Step 3 channel Sets the default channel for the wireless device radio.To search for
{frequency | least-congested | the least-congested channel on startup, enter least-congested.
width [20 | 40-above | 40-below]
• Use the width option to specify a bandwidth to use. This
| dfs}
option is available for the Cisco 800 series ISR wireless
devices and consists of three available settings: 20, 40-above,
and 40-below:
– Choosing 20 sets the channel width to 20 MHz.
– Choosing 40-above sets the channel width to 40 MHz with
the extension channel above the control channel.
– Choosing 40-below sets the channel width to 40 MHz
with the extension channel below the control channel.
Note The channel command is disabled for 5-GHz radios that
comply with European Union regulations on dynamic
frequency selection (DFS). See the “Enabling and
Disabling World Mode” section on page 5-14 for more
information.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.
startup-config

Enabling and Disabling World Mode

You can configure the wireless device to support 802.11d world mode, Cisco legacy world mode, or
world mode roaming. When you enable world mode, the wireless device adds channel carrier set
information to its beacon. Client devices with world mode enabled receive the carrier set information
and adjust their settings automatically. For example, a client device used primarily in Japan could rely
on world mode to adjust its channel and power settings automatically when it travels to Italy and joins a
network there. Cisco client devices detect whether the wireless device is using 802.11d or Cisco legacy
world mode and automatically use the world mode that matches the mode used by the wireless device.
You can also configure world mode to be always on. In this configuration, the access point essentially
roams between countries and changes its settings as required.
World mode is disabled by default.
To enable world mode, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Enabling and Disabling World Mode

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. world-mode {dot11d country_code code {both | indoor | outdoor}| world-mode roaming |
legacy}
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
Step 3 world-mode Enables world mode.
{dot11d country_code code
• Enter the dot11d option to enable 802.11d world mode.
{both | indoor | outdoor}
| world-mode roaming | legacy} – When you enter the dot11d option, you must enter a
two-character ISO country code (for example, the ISO
country code for the United States is US). You can find
a list of ISO country codes at the ISO website.
– After the country code, you must enter indoor,
outdoor, or both to indicate the placement of the
wireless device.
• Enter the legacy option to enable Cisco legacy world
mode.
• Enter the world-mode roaming option to place the access
point in a continuous world mode configuration.
Note Aironet extensions must be enabled for legacy world
mode operation, but Aironet extensions are not
required for 802.11d world mode. Aironet extensions
are enabled by default.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the no form of the world-mode command to disable world mode.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Disabling and Enabling Short Radio Preambles

Disabling and Enabling Short Radio Preambles

The radio preamble (sometimes called a header) is a section of data at the head of a packet that contains
information that the wireless device and client devices need when sending and receiving packets. You
can set the radio preamble to long or short:
• Short—A short preamble improves throughput performance.
• Long—A long preamble ensures compatibility between the wireless device and all early models of
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters. If these client devices do not associate to the wireless
devices, you should use short preambles.
You cannot configure short or long radio preambles on the 5-GHz radio.
To disable short radio preambles, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0 }
3. no preamble-short
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0 } Enters interface configuration mode for the 2.4-GHz radio
interface.
Step 3 no preamble-short Disables short preambles and enables long preambles.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Short preambles are enabled by default. Use the preamble-short command to enable short preambles if
they are disabled.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring Transmit and Receive Antennas

Configuring Transmit and Receive Antennas

You can select the antenna that the wireless device uses to receive and transmit data. There are three
options for both the receive antenna and the transmit antenna:
• Gain—Sets the resultant antenna gain in decibels (dB).
• Diversity—This default setting tells the wireless device to use the antenna that receives the best
signal. If the wireless device has two fixed (non-removable) antennas, you should use this setting
for both receive and transmit.
• Right—If the wireless device has removable antennas and you install a high-gain antenna on the
wireless device’s right connector, you should use this setting for both receive and transmit. When
you look at the wireless device’s back panel, the right antenna is on the right.
• Left—If the wireless device has removable antennas and you install a high-gain antenna on the
wireless device’s left connector, you should use this setting for both receive and transmit. When you
look at the wireless device’s back panel, the left antenna is on the left.
To select the antennas that the wireless device uses to receive and transmit data, follow these steps,
beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. gain dB
4. antenna receive {diversity | left | right}
5. end
6. copy running-config startup-config

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Disabling and Enabling Aironet Extensions

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radio is radio 0.
Step 3 gain dB Specifies the resultant gain of the antenna attached to the
device.
• Enter a value from –128 to 128 dB. If necessary, you can
use a decimal in the value, such as 1.5.
Note The Cisco 860 and Cisco 880 ISRs are shipped with a
fixed antenna that cannot be removed. The antenna gain
cannot be configured on these models.
Step 4 antenna receive Sets the receive antenna to diversity, left, or right.
{diversity | left | right}
Note For best performance with two antennas, leave the
receive antenna setting at the default setting, diversity.
For one antenna, attach the antenna on the right and set
the antenna for right.
Step 5 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 6 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Disabling and Enabling Aironet Extensions

By default, the wireless device uses Cisco Aironet 802.11 extensions to detect the capabilities of
Cisco Aironet client devices and to support features that require specific interaction between the wireless
device and associated client devices. Aironet extensions must be enabled to support these features:
• Load balancing—The wireless device uses Aironet extensions to direct client devices to an access
point that provides the best connection to the network on the basis of such factors as number of
users, bit error rates, and signal strength.
• Message Integrity Check (MIC)—MIC is an additional WEP security feature that prevents attacks
on encrypted packets called bit-flip attacks. The MIC, implemented on the wireless device and all
associated client devices, adds a few bytes to each packet to make the packets tamper-proof.
• Cisco Key Integrity Protocol (CKIP)—Cisco’s WEP key permutation technique is based on an early
algorithm presented by the IEEE 802.11i security task group. The standards-based algorithm,
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), does not require Aironet extensions to be enabled.
• World mode (legacy only)—Client devices with legacy world mode enabled receive carrier set
information from the wireless device and adjust their settings automatically. Aironet extensions are
not required for 802.11d world mode operation.
• Limiting the power level on associated client devices—When a client device associates to the
wireless device, the wireless device sends the maximum allowed power level setting to the client.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring the Ethernet Encapsulation Transformation Method

Disabling Aironet extensions disables the features listed above, but it sometimes improves the ability of
non-Cisco client devices to associate to the wireless device.
Aironet extensions are enabled by default. To disable Aironet extensions, follow these steps, beginning
in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. no dot11 extension aironet
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
The 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radio is radio 0.
Step 3 no dot11 extension aironet Disables Aironet extensions.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the dot11 extension aironet command to enable Aironet extensions if they are disabled.

Configuring the Ethernet Encapsulation Transformation Method

When the wireless device receives data packets that are not 802.3 packets, the wireless device must
format the packets to 802.3 by using an encapsulation transformation method. These are the two
transformation methods:
• 802.1H—This method provides optimum performance for Cisco wireless products.
• RFC 1042—Use this setting to ensure interoperability with non-Cisco wireless equipment.
RFC1042 does not provide the interoperability advantages of 802.1H but is used by other
manufacturers of wireless equipment.
To configure the encapsulation transformation method, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC
mode:

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Enabling and Disabling Public Secure Packet Forwarding

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. payload-encapsulation {snap | dot1h}
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radio is radio 0.
Step 3 payload-encapsulation Sets the encapsulation transformation method to RFC 1042
{snap | dot1h} (snap) or 802.1h (dot1h, the default setting).
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Enabling and Disabling Public Secure Packet Forwarding

Public Secure Packet Forwarding (PSPF) prevents client devices that are associated to an access point
from inadvertently sharing files or communicating with other client devices that are associated to the
access point. PSPF provides Internet access to client devices without providing other capabilities of a
LAN. This feature is useful for public wireless networks like those installed in airports or on college
campuses.

Note To prevent communication between clients associated to different access points, you must set up
protected ports on the switch to which the wireless devices are connected. See the “Configuring
Protected Ports” section on page 5-21 for instructions on setting up protected ports.

To enable and disable PSPF using CLI commands on the wireless device, you use bridge groups. For a
detailed explanation on bridge groups and instructions for implementing them, see the Configuring
Transparent Bridging chapter of Cisco IOS Bridging and IBM Networking Configuration Guide, Release
12.2 at the following link:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios/12_2/ibm/configuration/guide/bcftb_ps1835_TSD_Products
_Configuration_Guide_Chapter.html
PSPF is disabled by default. To enable PSPF, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Enabling and Disabling Public Secure Packet Forwarding

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. bridge-group group port-protected
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radio is radio 0.
Step 3 bridge-group group port-protected Enables PSPF.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the no form of the bridge group command to disable PSPF.

Configuring Protected Ports

To prevent communication between client devices that are associated to different access points on your
wireless LAN, you must set up protected ports on the switch to which the wireless devices are connected.
To define a port on your switch as a protected port, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC
mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface interface-id
3. switchport protected
4. end
5. show interfaces interface-id switchport
6. copy running-config startup-config

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring the Beacon Period and the DTIM

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface interface-id Enters interface configuration mode.
• Enter the type and number of the switch port interface to
configure, such as wlan-gigabitethernet0.
Step 3 switchport protected Configures the interface to be a protected port.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 show interfaces interface-id Verifies your entries.
switchport
Step 6 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

To disable protected port, use the no switchport protected command.

For detailed information on protected ports and port blocking, see the “Configuring Port-Based Traffic
Control” chapter in Catalyst 3550 Multilayer Switch Software Configuration Guide, 12.1(12c)EA1 at the
following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3550/software/release/12.1_12c_ea1/
configuration/guide/3550scg.html

Configuring the Beacon Period and the DTIM

The beacon period is the amount of time between access point beacons in kilomicroseconds
(Kmicrosecs). One Kmicrosec equals 1,024 microseconds. The data beacon rate, always a multiple of
the beacon period, determines how often the beacon contains a delivery traffic indication message
(DTIM). The DTIM tells power-save client devices that a packet is waiting for them.
For example, if the beacon period is set at 100, its default setting, and if the data beacon rate is set at 2,
its default setting, then the wireless device sends a beacon containing a DTIM every 200 Kmicrosecs.
The default beacon period is 100, and the default DTIM is 2. To configure the beacon period and the
DTIM, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. beacon period value
4. beacon dtim-period value
5. end
6. copy running-config startup-config

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configure RTS Threshold and Retries

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radio is radio 0.
Step 3 beacon period value Sets the beacon period.
• Enter a value in kilomicroseconds.
Step 4 beacon dtim-period value Sets the DTIM.
• Enter a value in kilomicroseconds.
Step 5 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 6 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Configure RTS Threshold and Retries

The request to send (RTS) threshold determines the packet size at which the wireless device issues an
RTS before sending the packet. A low RTS threshold setting can be useful in areas where many client
devices are associating with the wireless device or in areas where the clients are far apart and can detect
only the wireless device and not detect each other. You can enter a setting ranging from 0 to 2347 bytes.
The maximum RTS retries is the maximum number of times the wireless device issues an RTS before
stopping the attempt to send the packet over the radio. Enter a value from 1 to 128.
The default RTS threshold is 2347 for all access points and bridges, and the default maximum RTS
retries setting is 32.
To configure the RTS threshold and maximum RTS retries, follow these steps, beginning in privileged
EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. rts threshold value
4. rts retries value
5. end
6. copy running-config startup-config

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring the Maximum Data Retries

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 2.4-GHz and the 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radios are radio
0.
Step 3 rts threshold value Sets the RTS threshold.
• Enter an RTS threshold from 0 to 2347.
Step 4 rts retries value Sets the maximum RTS retries.
• Enter a setting from 1 to 128.
Step 5 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 6 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the no form of the rts command to reset the RTS settings to defaults.

Configuring the Maximum Data Retries

The maximum data retries setting determines the number of attempts that the wireless device makes to
send a packet before it drops the packet. The default setting is 32.
To configure the maximum data retries, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. packet retries value
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz radio is radio 0.
Step 3 packet retries value Sets the maximum data retries.
• Enter a setting from 1 to 128.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the no form of the packet retries command to reset the setting to the default.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring the Fragmentation Threshold

Configuring the Fragmentation Threshold

The fragmentation threshold determines the size at which packets are fragmented (sent as several pieces
instead of as one block). Use a low setting in areas where communication is poor or where there is a great
deal of radio interference. The default setting is 2346 bytes.
To configure the fragmentation threshold, follow these steps, beginning in privileged EXEC mode:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. configure terminal
2. interface dot11radio {0}
3. fragment-threshold value
4. end
5. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1 configure terminal Enters global configuration mode.
Step 2 interface dot11radio {0} Enters interface configuration mode for the radio interface.
• The 802.11g/n 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz radios are radio 0.
Step 3 fragment-threshold value Sets the fragmentation threshold.
• Enter a setting from 256 to 2346 bytes for the 2.4-GHz
radio.
• Enter a setting from 256 to 2346 bytes for the 5-GHz radio.
Step 4 end Returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Use the no form of the fragment-threshold command to reset the setting to the default.

Enabling Short Slot Time for 802.11g Radios

You can increase throughput on the 802.11g 2.4-GHz radio by enabling short slot time. Reducing the
slot time from the standard 20 microseconds to the 9-microsecond short slot time decreases the overall
backoff, which increases throughput. Backoff, which is a multiple of the slot time, is the random length
of time that a station waits before sending a packet on the LAN.
Many 802.11g radios support short slot time, but some do not. When you enable short slot time, the
wireless device uses the short slot time only when all clients associated to the 802.11g 2.4-GHz radio
support short slot time.
Short slot time is supported only on the 802.11g 2.4-GHz radio. Short slot time is disabled by default.
In radio interface mode, enter the short-slot-time command to enable short slot time:
ap(config-if)# short-slot-time

Use the no form of the short-slot-time command to disable short slot time.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Performing a Carrier Busy Test

Performing a Carrier Busy Test

You can perform a carrier busy test to check the radio activity on wireless channels. During the carrier
busy test, the wireless device drops all associations with wireless networking devices for 4 seconds while
it conducts the carrier test and then displays the test results.
In privileged EXEC mode, enter this command to perform a carrier busy test:
dot11 interface-number carrier busy

For interface-number, enter dot11radio 0 to run the test on the 2.4-GHz radio.
Use the show dot11 carrier busy command to redisplay the carrier busy test results.

Configuring VoIP Packet Handling

You can improve the quality of VoIP packet handling per radio on access points by enhancing 802.11
MAC behavior for lower latency for the class of service (CoS) 5 (Video) and CoS 6 (Voice) user
priorities.
To configure VoIP packet handling on an access point, follow these steps:

Step 1 Using a browser, log in to the access point.

Step 2 Click Services in the task menu on the left side of the web-browser interface.
Step 3 When the list of Services expands, click Stream.
The Stream page appears.
Step 4 Click the tab for the radio to configure.
Step 5 For both CoS 5 (Video) and CoS 6 (Voice) user priorities, choose Low Latency from the Packet Handling
drop-down menu, and enter a value for maximum retries for packet discard in the corresponding field.
The default value for maximum retries is 3 for the Low Latency setting (Figure 5-1). This value indicates
how many times the access point will try to retrieve a lost packet before discarding it.

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Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring VoIP Packet Handling

Figure 5-1 Packet Handling Configuration

Access point 11 a Root bridge Access point

mode 11 a non-root
Fast Ethernet bridge mode

11 a Root 11 b/g root

bridge mode access point
mode

Clients
Access point

146930
Note You may also configure the CoS 4 (Controlled Load) user priority and its maximum retries value.

Step 6 Click Apply.

You can also configure VoIP packet handling using the CLI. For a list of Cisco IOS commands for
configuring VoIP packet handling using the CLI, consult Cisco IOS Command Reference for
Cisco Aironet Access Points and Bridges.

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 Chapter 5 Configuring Radio Settings
Configuring VoIP Packet Handling

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