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Advanced Configuration

Introduction​

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about configuring WiFi access points for optimal performance in hospitality environments. Whether you're setting up a single access point or deploying a property-wide network, this guide will help you achieve reliable, high-performance WiFi coverage.

Before beginning configuration, ensure you have all necessary hardware components. Refer to our Package Contents Guide to verify your UniFi AP-AC-Lite package is complete.

Understanding WiFi Fundamentals​

WiFi Standards​

Modern access points support multiple WiFi standards:

  • 802.11n (WiFi 4): Up to 600 Mbps, 2.4/5 GHz
  • 802.11ac (WiFi 5): Up to 3.5 Gbps, 5 GHz
  • 802.11ax (WiFi 6): Up to 9.6 Gbps, 2.4/5 GHz
  • 802.11ax (WiFi 6E): Extends WiFi 6 to 6 GHz band

Frequency Bands​

2.4 GHz Band

  • Longer range, better wall penetration
  • More susceptible to interference
  • 3 non-overlapping channels (1, 6, 11)
  • Suitable for IoT devices and basic connectivity

5 GHz Band

  • Shorter range, less wall penetration
  • Less interference, more channels
  • Higher speeds possible
  • Ideal for streaming and high-bandwidth applications

6 GHz Band (WiFi 6E)

  • Newest spectrum, minimal interference
  • Very high speeds
  • Limited device support currently
  • Future-proof investment

Planning Your WiFi Network​

Site Survey​

Conducting a proper site survey is crucial:

  1. Predictive Survey

    • Use floor plans to model coverage
    • Identify potential interference sources
    • Plan preliminary AP placement

  2. Active Survey

    • Test with actual equipment
    • Measure signal strength throughout property
    • Identify dead zones and interference

  3. Post-Installation Survey

    • Verify coverage meets requirements
    • Document final configuration
    • Create heat maps for reference

Capacity Planning​

Calculate required capacity:

Total Bandwidth = (Number of Devices) × (Bandwidth per Device) × (Concurrency Factor)

Example:
- 50 rooms × 3 devices per room = 150 devices
- 5 Mbps per device average
- 60% concurrency factor
- Total: 150 × 5 × 0.6 = 450 Mbps

Access Point Placement​

Optimal placement guidelines:

  1. Coverage Overlap

    • 20-30% overlap between APs
    • Ensures seamless roaming
    • Prevents dead zones

  2. Mounting Height

    • Ceiling: 8-12 feet optimal
    • Wall: 6-8 feet optimal
    • Avoid mounting too high

  3. Spacing

    • Indoor: 50-70 feet apart
    • Outdoor: 150-300 feet apart
    • Adjust based on construction materials

Configuration Best Practices​

Network Architecture​

Single SSID vs Multiple SSIDs

Single SSID Advantages:

  • Simplified user experience
  • Better roaming
  • Easier management

Multiple SSID Use Cases:

  • Guest/Staff separation
  • IoT device isolation
  • Bandwidth management

Security Configuration​

Authentication Methods

  1. WPA2-Personal

    Security: WPA2-PSK
    Encryption: AES
    Password: Complex, 15+ characters

  2. WPA2-Enterprise

    Security: WPA2-Enterprise
    Authentication: 802.1X
    RADIUS Server: Required
    Certificate: Recommended

  3. WPA3 (Recommended)

    Security: WPA3-Personal or WPA3-Enterprise
    Enhanced Protection: Enabled
    Transition Mode: Enable for compatibility

Channel Configuration​

2.4 GHz Channel Selection

  • Use only channels 1, 6, or 11
  • Avoid overlap with neighboring APs
  • Static assignment recommended

5 GHz Channel Selection

  • Use DFS channels if supported
  • 80 MHz channel width for performance
  • 40 MHz for high-density deployments

Channel Assignment Example

AP1: 2.4 GHz - Channel 1, 5 GHz - Channel 36
AP2: 2.4 GHz - Channel 6, 5 GHz - Channel 149
AP3: 2.4 GHz - Channel 11, 5 GHz - Channel 44
AP4: 2.4 GHz - Channel 1, 5 GHz - Channel 157

Power Settings​

Transmit Power Optimization

  • Start with medium power (50-75%)
  • Increase only if coverage gaps exist
  • Too high causes interference
  • Balance coverage and capacity

Dynamic Power Adjustment

{
  "min_power": 10,  // dBm
  "max_power": 20,  // dBm
  "auto_adjust": true,
  "adjustment_interval": 3600  // seconds
}

Advanced Features​

Band Steering​

Force capable devices to 5 GHz:

{
  "band_steering": {
    "enabled": true,
    "rssi_threshold": -75,  // dBm
    "probe_suppression": 3,
    "auth_rejection": 2
  }
}

Load Balancing​

Distribute clients across APs:

{
  "load_balancing": {
    "enabled": true,
    "utilization_threshold": 75,  // percent
    "rssi_difference": 10,  // dB
    "max_clients": 50
  }
}

Roaming Optimization​

802.11k - Neighbor Reports

  • Helps devices discover nearby APs
  • Reduces scanning time
  • Improves roaming decisions

802.11r - Fast BSS Transition

  • Reduces roaming time to < 50ms
  • Critical for VoIP applications
  • Requires client support

802.11v - BSS Transition Management

  • Network-assisted roaming
  • Suggests better AP to clients
  • Improves load distribution

Configuration example:

{
  "roaming": {
    "80211k": true,
    "80211r": true,
    "80211v": true,
    "ft_over_ds": true,
    "mobility_domain": "1234"
  }
}

Guest Network Configuration​

Isolation and Security​

{
  "guest_network": {
    "client_isolation": true,
    "uplink_only": true,
    "multicast_filtering": true,
    "arp_proxy": true
  }
}

Bandwidth Management​

Per-client limits:

{
  "bandwidth_limits": {
    "per_client_down": 10,  // Mbps
    "per_client_up": 2,     // Mbps
    "burst_allowed": true,
    "burst_duration": 30    // seconds
  }
}

Captive Portal​

Basic configuration:

{
  "captive_portal": {
    "enabled": true,
    "auth_type": "click_through",
    "session_timeout": 86400,  // 24 hours
    "idle_timeout": 3600,      // 1 hour
    "terms_required": true,
    "custom_splash": "/portal/welcome.html"
  }
}

Quality of Service (QoS)​

Application Prioritization​

{
  "qos_rules": [
    {
      "name": "VoIP",
      "priority": "high",
      "dscp": 46,
      "protocols": ["sip", "rtp"]
    },
    {
      "name": "Video Streaming",
      "priority": "medium",
      "dscp": 34,
      "ports": ["80", "443", "1935"]
    },
    {
      "name": "General Traffic",
      "priority": "normal",
      "dscp": 0,
      "default": true
    }
  ]
}

Airtime Fairness​

Ensure equal airtime for all clients:

{
  "airtime_fairness": {
    "enabled": true,
    "mode": "strict",
    "legacy_boost": false
  }
}

Monitoring and Maintenance​

Key Metrics to Monitor​

  1. Client Metrics

    • Connected clients per AP
    • Client signal strength (RSSI)
    • Data rates
    • Retransmission rates

  2. Network Health

    • Channel utilization
    • Interference levels
    • AP CPU and memory usage
    • Uptime

  3. Performance Indicators

    • Average throughput
    • Latency
    • Packet loss
    • Roaming events

Automated Alerts​

Configure alerts for:

{
  "alerts": [
    {
      "type": "high_channel_utilization",
      "threshold": 80,
      "duration": 300
    },
    {
      "type": "ap_offline",
      "duration": 60
    },
    {
      "type": "high_client_count",
      "threshold": 75
    },
    {
      "type": "interference_detected",
      "threshold": -70  // dBm
    }
  ]
}

Regular Maintenance Tasks​

Daily

  • Monitor dashboard for alerts
  • Check AP status
  • Review client connectivity issues

Weekly

  • Analyze usage patterns
  • Review performance metrics
  • Check for firmware updates

Monthly

  • Conduct spot coverage tests
  • Review and optimize channel assignments
  • Analyze interference sources
  • Clean log files

Quarterly

  • Full site survey
  • Performance baseline comparison
  • Security audit
  • Documentation update

Troubleshooting Guide​

Common Issues​

Slow Speeds

  1. Check channel utilization
  2. Verify channel width settings
  3. Look for interference
  4. Review client density
  5. Check backhaul capacity

Connection Drops

  1. Review roaming settings
  2. Check DHCP pool size
  3. Verify authentication timeouts
  4. Look for power save issues
  5. Check for firmware bugs

Cannot Connect

  1. Verify SSID broadcast
  2. Check security settings match
  3. Review MAC filtering
  4. Ensure DHCP is working
  5. Check RADIUS if using 802.1X

Diagnostic Commands​

Channel Scan

# Show channel utilization
show wlan channel-util

# Display interference sources
show wlan interference

Client Diagnostics

# Show client details
show client detail <mac-address>

# Display client statistics
show client statistics

Performance Testing

# Run throughput test
test throughput <target-ip>

# Check latency
ping -s 1400 <target-ip>

Security Hardening​

Management Interface​

  1. Change Default Credentials

    Username: custom_admin
    Password: Complex#Pass123!

  2. Enable HTTPS Only

    {
      "management": {
        "https_only": true,
        "ssl_version": "TLS1.2",
        "certificate": "custom"
      }
    }

  3. Access Control Lists

    {
      "management_acl": [
        "192.168.1.0/24",
        "10.0.0.0/8"
      ]
    }

Wireless Security​

  1. Disable WPS
  2. Hide SSID (for management networks)
  3. Enable Management Frame Protection
  4. Regular Security Audits

Performance Optimization​

High-Density Deployments​

For areas with many clients:

  1. Reduce Channel Width

    • Use 20 MHz on 2.4 GHz
    • Use 40 MHz on 5 GHz

  2. Lower Power Settings

    • Create smaller cells
    • Reduce co-channel interference

  3. Enable Load Balancing

    • Distribute clients evenly
    • Prevent AP overload

  4. Increase Minimum Data Rate

    {
      "minimum_data_rate": {
        "2.4ghz": 12,  // Mbps
        "5ghz": 24     // Mbps
      }
    }

Outdoor Deployments​

Special considerations:

  1. Weather Protection

    • Use outdoor-rated equipment
    • Proper cable management
    • Lightning protection

  2. Extended Range

    • Higher power settings
    • Directional antennas
    • Mesh backhaul

  3. Environmental Factors

    • Temperature extremes
    • Moisture ingress
    • Physical security

Integration with SendSquared​

API Configuration​

{
  "sendsquared_integration": {
    "api_endpoint": "https://api.sendsquared.com/v1/wifi",
    "api_key": "your_api_key",
    "property_id": "prop_123",
    "sync_interval": 300
  }
}

Guest WiFi Analytics​

Track and analyze:

  • Guest connection patterns
  • Device types
  • Session duration
  • Bandwidth usage
  • Location analytics

Marketing Integration​

Leverage WiFi for:

  • Email capture
  • Survey distribution
  • Promotional offers
  • Loyalty program enrollment

Future-Proofing Your Network​

WiFi 6E Preparation​

  1. Infrastructure Readiness

    • Multi-gigabit switches
    • CAT6A cabling
    • PoE++ support

  2. Spectrum Planning

    • 6 GHz channel allocation
    • Automated frequency coordination
    • Power spectral density limits

  3. Client Transition

    • Maintain backward compatibility
    • Plan for gradual adoption
    • Monitor 6 GHz utilization

IoT Considerations​

  1. Dedicated IoT Network

    • Separate VLAN
    • Limited bandwidth
    • Enhanced security

  2. Protocol Support

    • WiFi 6 Target Wake Time
    • Power save optimization
    • Multicast efficiency

Conclusion​

Proper WiFi configuration is critical for guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. By following this guide and regularly maintaining your network, you can provide reliable, high-performance WiFi that meets the demands of modern hospitality environments.

For additional support or advanced configurations, contact SendSquared support at wifi-support@sendsquared.com or visit our documentation portal at docs.sendsquared.com/wifi.