1. TPCv2 / RRM Note: View Notes Pages of PPT Slides
Presenter Name: James Noxon
TAC Content Reviewer:

2. Agenda – New Features
TPCv2
RF Profiles
Reference Materials

3. Transmit Power Control version 2

4. TPCv2 - Overview
TPCv1 is designed to provide strong signal coverage with a tendency to use higher Tx Power
As a result, escalation teams have reported customer cases suffering from overheating in densely deployed networks
TPCv2 will optimize the coverage and the interference in a coordinated way based on the measurement readings from APs
TPCv2 identifies the deployment density that each AP experiences, and determines TxPower for that AP considering:
The overlap area / the amount of interference that adjacent APs generate
The coverage area that each AP generates
A novel Co-channel interference metric.

5. TPCv2 - Overview Introduces two new features: Redundant AP List
TPCv2 algorithm detects APs that contribute more to interference than to coverage expansion and which be manually disabled without adversely impacting coverage
TPCv2 does not automatically disable / enable APs’s radios
Essentially a new proprietary metric for Co-Channel interference
Determines the number of excessive APs seen in the network
Memoryful evolution of the plan
Unlike TPCv1 where the channel plan is computed with each itineration of the algorithm implemented and then forgotten – Fire and Forget
TPCv2 finds a best plan, declared the Target Plan, and then deploys the Target Plan incrementally, but not abruptly allowing the network to evolve gradually – Gradual improvement over time
Once the network reaches the Target Plan, then TPCv2 reinstates a new TxPower plan
computation.

6. TPCv2 - Overview
For appropriate marketing purpose, we show AP Utility instead of actual redundant AP list
AP Utility represents the percentage of time (more precisely the percentage of RRM executions) during which the AP of interested was marked as non-redundant.
For Example - TPC runs 100 times after controller is reset and a particular AP was marked redundant 10 out of 100 times then the AP utility figure is 90%
AP utility information is only visible from the controller CLI using:
show advanced a summary
show advanced b summary
“show advanced a/802.11b txpower” will show quality measurements of past ten
TxPower plans. One can compare the quality of TPCv2 with previous version by changing the
TPC version in the middle after running ten consecutive TPCs.

7. TPCv2 - Caveats
TPCv2 inherits the same messaging path and the functional interfaces from TPCv1.
As a result, the change in the TPC algorithm remains quite transparent on the outside
However TPCv2 does require changes from previous releases, specifically in RRM messaging
Although the grouping algorithm will not be directly affected by these changes – TPCv1 and TPCv2 groups will not be interoperable

8. TPCv2 - Caveats
TPCv2 runs in a flexible manner and is skipped if the previous computation or deployment is still pending
The TPCv2 outcome controls the transmission power of the Beacons as well as downstream data packets.
Reduced Tx power implies less interference at neighboring cells and decreased RSSI at served clients within the cell.
The decreased RSSI may lead to:
Client drop out
Increased Packet Error Rate
A switch to a slow modulation speed.
This is a delicate balancing problem with no single solution. The right way to hit the balance is the optimization of the configuration through the simulation and the field test. .

9. TPCv2 – CLI Configuration Commands
To configure the TPC version in use by the WLC use:
config advanced a tpc-version <version>
config advanced b tpc-version <version>
To configure the TPCv2 algorithm parameters in use by the WLC use:
config advanced a tpcv2-thresh <thresh>
config advanced a tpcv2-per-chan <enable|disable>
config advanced b tpcv2-thresh <thresh>
config advanced b tpcv2-per-chan <enable|disable>

10. TPCv2 – CLI Verification Commands
To show the current TPC version and TxPower plan quality in use by the WLC use:
show advanced a txpower
show advanced b txpower
Example output
Overall quality, coverage, and Co-channel interference metrics
The closer to 0.0 these quality index's are – the closer the WLC is to having implemented the Target plan. Remember the goal of TPCv2 is the best coverage with the least amount of co-channel interference possible and the least number of redundant Aps
A very good read is EDCS the TPCv2 Design Specificaation

11. TPCv2 – CLI Verification Commands
To see the current TPC running configuration and the list of Redundant APs on the WLC use:
show advanced a summary
show advanced b summary
Example output
Here the AP named AP3502-CA shows as a Redundant AP which could have the 2.4GHz radio disabled

12. RF Profiles

13. RF Profiles - Overview
Common for area’s requiring conflicting coverage to border one another
For example – A large conference room bordered by open cubicle space
Providing adequate coverage in high density areas typical entails deploying a high number of APs
Generally requiring manipulation of both data rates and transmit power levels
Raising the cell density while still managing co-channel interference issues
Adjacent areas requiring normal coverage are adversely impacted by these same changes – typically showing up as a loss in coverage
While RF Groups have always been available 7.2 introduces RF profiles to overcome these problems
The combination of RF Profiles and Groups allow administrators to optimize the RRM settings for groups of AP’s operating in different coverage models
In today’s corporate environment, administrators are facing an ever-increasing demand for Wireless LAN services. It is also quite common for area’s requiring conflicting coverage goals to border one another because in reality, most deployments have varying density of coverage requirements in various areas. For example, a business may have both areas where a high number of users will meet and congregate. Such as a large conference room or Presentation Theater, as well as open cubicle spaces spread across multiple floors. In order to provide adequate coverage in the high-density areas a high number of APs is typically deployed. This generally requires manipulation of both data rates and power to raise the Cell density while managing co-channel interference. While in directly adjacent areas – normal coverage is provided and such manipulation would result in a loss of coverage. Using RF Profiles, and AP Groups provides for this solution.

14. RF Profiles - Overview
RF Profiles allow the administrator to tune groups of AP’s sharing a common coverage zone together.
Selectively changing how RRM will operate the AP’s within that coverage zone
RF Profiles are created for either the 2.4 GHz radio or 5GHz radio
Profiles are applied to groups of AP’s belonging to an AP Group, in which all AP’s in the group will have the same Profile Settings
There are two components to this feature:
RF Groups – Existing capability – No impact on channel selection algorithms
RF Profile – New in 7.2 providing administrative control over:
Min/Max TPC values
TPCv1 Threshold
TPCv2 Threshold
Data Rates
(NOTE: only one version of TPC can be operable for RRM on a given controller, and Version 1 and Version 2 are NOT interoperable within the same RF group)
(NOTE: If you select a threshold value for TPCv2 and it is not the chosen TPC algorithm for the RF group – this value will be ignored)

15. RF Profiles - Overview
Application of an RF profile does not change the assigned AP’s status within RRM (RF Group assignment)
It is still in Global mode controlled by RRM– and all AP’s remain part of the same original RF Group.
CAUTION – AP Groups and RF Profiles can get complex quickly
Most installations have only a couple of different coverage zones that will benefit from having this feature
In most cases RRM is doing an adequate job already
In order for RF Profiles to work:
ALL AP’s assigned must have their channel and power managed by RRM
An AP that has a custom power setting applied for AP Power is not in Global Mode
An RF Profile will have no affect on this AP.

16. RF Profiles - Implementing
RF Profile configuration and administration are supported via the:
WLC –CLI
WLC – GUI
Cisco Prime NCS version 1.1
Exercise caution when implementing and changing RF Profiles as they can be client impacting
Changing the data rates of an AP radio requires the affected network be disabled
Applying an RF Profile to an AP Group that changes the data rates will require that the affected network (2.4 /5 GHz) be disabled
You can create RF Profiles and apply them to a New or empty AP group (no AP’s assigned) without either requiring the network to be disabled or rebooting the AP.

17. RF Profiles - Implementing
Once you have created an AP Group and applied RF Profiles the new settings are in effect and the following rules around changes become effective:
RF Profiles must be applied and present on every controller that you intend to also apply the AP Group containing them to – or the action will fail for that controller.
Once you assign an RF Profile to an AP Group you can not make changes to that RF Profile – Even if there are no AP’s assigned. The assumption is that there are or could be active AP’s assigned on the profile. You will receive an error –
You must change the AP Group RF Profile settings to none in order to change the RF Profile – then add it back to the AP Group.
You can also work around this restriction by disabling the network that will be affected by the changes you will be making – either a or b.
You can assign the same RF Profile to more than one AP Group – just as you can a WLAN
Within the AP Group – changing the assignment of an RF Profile on either band causes the AP to reset (re-boot) – you will be warned.
You can not delete an RF Profile that is applied to an AP Group
You cannot delete an AP Group that has AP’s assigned to it.

18. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration via CLI
CLI - Commands used to Create and Configure RF Profiles:
802.11a profile creation (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile create a <name>
802.11a profile configuration (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile description <desc> <rf profile name> <name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile tx-power-control-thresh-v <profile_name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile tx-power-max 22 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile tx-power-min 14 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 54 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 48 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 36 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 24 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 18 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 12 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 9 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 6 <profile name>

19. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration via CLI
802.11b profile creation (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile create b <name>
802.11b profile configuration (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile description <desc> <rf profile name> <name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile tx-power-control-thresh-v <profile_name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile tx-power-max 11 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile tx-power-min -1 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 1 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 2 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 5.5 <profile name> (Cisco Controller) >config rf-profile data-rates disabled 11 <profile name>

20. RF Profiles – Verification via CLI
Display RF Profiles present on this controller:
(Cisco Controller) >show rf-profile summary Number of RF Profiles RF Profile Name Band Description NCS_HD_a GHz HD configs for a NCS_HD_b GHz HD config for b test GHz test test GHz test3

21. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration via CLI
Display detailed information about a specific RF Profile:
(Cisco Controller) >show rf-profile details NCS_HD_a Description HD configs for a Radio policy GHz Transmit Power Threshold v dBm Transmit Power Threshold v dBm Min Transmit Power dBm Max Transmit Power dBm a Operational Rates a 6M Rate Mandatory a 9M Rate Supported a 12M Rate Mandatory a 18M Rate Supported a 24M Rate Mandatory a 36M Rate Supported a 48M Rate Supported a 54M Rate Supported

22. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration via CLI
Show configured AP Groups – and which RF Profiles have been applied:
(Cisco Controller) >show wlan apgroups
Total Number of AP Groups
Site Name default-group
Site Description <none>
RF Profile
2.4 GHz band <none>
5 GHz band <none>
WLAN ID Interface Network Admission Control Radio Policy
management Disabled None
management Disabled None
vlan Disabled None
AP Name Slots AP Model Ethernet MAC Location Port Country Priority
AP0022.bd18.da AIR-CAP3502E-A-K :22:bd:18:da:96 default location US
AP0022.bd18.ab AIR-CAP3502E-A-K :22:bd:18:ab:11 default location US
AP0022.bd18.87c AIR-CAP3502E-A-K :22:bd:18:87:c0 default location US
AP0022.bd18.a AIR-CAP3502E-A-K :22:bd:18:a6:42 default location US
 <SNIP>

23. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration via CLI
<SNIP>
Site Name Test3
Site Description Test3
Venue Name Not configured
Venue Group Unspecified
Venue Type Unspecified
Language Code Not configured
RF Profile
2.4 GHz band <none>
5 GHz band Test3
WLAN ID Interface Network Admission Control Radio Policy
management Disabled None
AP Name Slots AP Model Ethernet MAC Location Port Country Priority

24. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration GUI
From the Controller GUI select
Wireless=>RF Profiles
Select “New”, this opens the profile creation dialogue
In order to crate a profile you will assign a name to the profile and select the band that you wish to create it for
Select Apply, and the profile dialogue opens to allow customization of the power parameters

25. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration GUI
Add a description
Select if required the minimum and/or Maximum TPC settings – the minimum or maximum power that the AP’s this profile is assigned to will be allowed to use
Select a custom TPC power threshold for either Version 1 or Version 2 of TPC

26. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration GUI
Select Apply
Select the data rates to be applied to the AP’s you will select to have this profile

27. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration GUI
To apply the newly created profiles to groups of AP’s:
Select WLANs=>Advanced=>AP Groups
Selecting the group – opens the configuration dialogue
For release 7.2 there are two new Tab’s added to the dialogue under AP Group

28. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration GUI
Select RF Profile screen to access the RF Profile configuration. You can select an RF Profile for each band, a/802.11b or you can select just one or none to apply through this group
NOTE: Until you select AP’s and add them to the new group – no configurations will take place and you can save the new group configuration as is. Once you select AP’s and apply, the process of moving the AP’s into the new group will reboot the AP’s and the configurations for the profiles will be applied.

29. RF Profiles – Creation/Configuration GUI
Choose the APs tab and select the AP’s that you wish to have use the new RF profiles – keep in mind when configuring this that AP’s can not belong to two AP Groups at once.
Select APs to add
Once you select the “Add APs” button in the upper right corner of the dialogue box. The following warning will be displayed
The process is the same for existing groups with release 7.2 controllers
Select OK to continue

30. RF Profiles – NCS Configuration
Add Pats config slides here

31. References

32. Additional Information
Mail Lists
@cisco.com
Additional Documentation
EDCS TPCv2 Functional Specification
EDCS TPCv2 Design Specification
EDCS Cisco Co-Channel Interference Metric
Cisco CUWN WLC 7.2 RRM Beta Guide