Configure and Troubleshoot AP Power Profile

Introduction

This document describes how to configure and troubleshoot AP Power Profile on Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC).

Components Used

The information in this document is based on these software and hardware versions:

• Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless LAN Controller
• Software Release 17.15.4d & 26.1.1
• C9130AXI-D
• CW9178I
• C9300-48UXM

The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

Overview

Access Point Power Save is a power management capability that:

• Reduces energy consumption during periods of inactivity
• Supports flexible scheduling and policy-driven low-power operation
• Optimizes network efficiency without compromising performance

Types of Power Profiles

1. Fixed Power Policy

The Fixed Power Policy defines predefined operating states for an AP. For each AP type, the state of interfaces (such as radios, USB, Ethernet and so on) is preconfigured under these conditions. The AP first applies the interface states based on the Fixed Power Policy before considering any configurations defined in the Calendar Profile.

2. AP Power Profile

The AP Power Profile allows users to define a prioritized list of rules that control power derating and behaviour during active calendar periods.

• Rules are applied sequentially until the AP’s power requirements are met
• The configuration is generic and applied at the AP profile level
• The AP profile is associated with a site tag

This profile determines how APs operate when the Power over Ethernet (PoE) budget from the switch is insufficient.

It also supports Green AP functionality, where the AP transitions into a low-power mode based on an associated calendar schedule (for example, after working hours).

3. Calendar Profile

The Calendar Profile enables time-based control of AP interface activity.

• Allows configuration of which interfaces remain active or inactive
• Applies settings based on defined time schedules

This helps automate power-saving operations without manual intervention.

Use Cases

1. Power Save Mode – Regular Power Profile

With the introduction of tri-radio and quad-radio Access Points, the power required for full functionality often exceeds what 802.3at can provide. However, many deployments still lack 802.3bt support.

Currently, AP behaviour (such as transmit power, radio chains, USB ports, SFP usage and so on ...) is statically defined when operating on lower power levels (non-802.3bt), and users have limited control over these parameters.

The Regular Power Profile addresses this by allowing controlled power derating based on available power.

2. Green / Eco Mode AP – Power Save Mode (Calendar Profile)

The Green AP feature provides an energy-saving mode where APs automatically enter low-power operation when there are no connected clients.

• When enabled, APs can transition into a sleep or reduced-power state during low-usage periods (for example, after office hours)
• If a client attempts to connect (based on configured thresholds), the AP automatically exits power save mode and switches to the appropriate Fixed Policy
• Once all clients disconnect, the AP returns to power save mode
• Only the AP handling the client connection exits low-power mode; other APs remain unaffected

The overall goal of the power policy is to allow users to efficiently allocate and manage the available power budget across different power sources such as: 802.3af, 802.3at, 802.3bt (multiple levels).

Configuration 

Use Case 1: Regular Power Profile

• The Regular Power Profile operates independently of the Calendar Profile
• The switch port must provide derated power for the profile to be applied on the AP

In the example below, the 9130AXI access point is operating in a degraded power state of 24,000 mW. Because the AP is receiving degraded power, the system automatically applies the standard power profile without the need of any calendar profile.

On AP 

xo9130#show cdp inline_power

Power_Requested(mW) Power_Available(mW) Power_request-ID Power_management-ID

              30000               24000             7114                   5

Regular Profile Mapping (CLI ) 

• Configure power profile as per the requirement and apply as regular profile.

     

 (config)# wireless profile power simran-regular-profile-1

 (config-wireless-power-profile)# 10 ethernet GigabitEthernet0 speed 2500Mbps

 (config-wireless-power-profile)# 20 radio 24ghz state shutdown

 (config-wireless-power-profile)# 30 radio 5ghz spatial-stream 4

 (config-wireless-power-profile)# 40 radio 5ghz state shutdown

 (config-wireless-power-profile)# exit

 (config)# ap profile powermode

(config-ap-profile)# power-profile simran-regular-profile-1 

 (config-ap-profile)# end

• Show regular profile

#show ap profile name powermode detailed | sec Power profile

           Power profile name            : simran-regular-profile-1

Regular Profile Mapping (GUI ) 

• Configuration > Tags & profiles > Power Profile

• Apply and show regular profile 

Configuration > Tags & Profiles > AP JOIN > AP > Power Management

• Validate the Profile getting applied on AP 

Monitoring > Wireless > AP statistics

Configuration > Wireless > Access Points > Select the AP > Interfaces

Use Case 2: Green / Eco Mode (Calendar Profile)

• Multiple/different recurrent calendar power profiles can be applied.

• When the calendar schedule is active, APs enter power-saving mode. If a client connects (based on configured thresholds), the AP exits power save mode and applies the Fixed Policy. Once the client disconnects, the AP returns to power-saving mode
• Only the AP serving the client transitions out of power save mode.

Example 1: 

This example illustrates a power profile configuration that disables the secondary 5GHz radio and operates the primary 5GHz radio in 2x2 mode. This configuration is tied to a daily schedule running from 21:32:00 to 22:00:00. Similar profiles can be adapted to accommodate different network scenarios as needed.

Calendar Profile Mapping (CLI) 

Configure and map power and calendar profile

 (config)# wireless profile power simran-powerprofile1

 (config-wireless-power-profile)# 10 radio secondary-5ghz state shutdown

 (config-wireless-power-profile)# 30 radio 5ghz spatial-stream 2

 (config-wireless-power-profile)# exit

 (config)# wireless profile calender-profile name simran-calendar-daily1

 (config-calendar-profile)# recurrance daily

 (config-calendar-profile)# start 21:32:00 end 22:00:00

 (config-calendar-profile)# exit

 (config)# ap profile powermode

 (config-ap-profile)# calendar-profile simran-calendar-daily1

 (config-ap-profile-calendar)# action power-saving-mode po

 (config-ap-profile-calendar)# action power-saving-mode power-profile simran-powerprofile1

(config-ap-profile-calendar)# end

Calendar Profile Mapping (GUI) 

Configure Power Profile

Configuration > Tags & profiles > Power Profile

Configure Calendar Profile

Configuration > Tags & profiles > Calendar

Map the power profile & calendar profile to AP join profile

Configuration > Tags & profiles > AP Join > Select the AP join profile > AP > Power Management 

Validate the Profile getting applied on AP 

Monitoring > Wireless > AP Statistics > AP > Power

Console logs from AP when the calendar kicks in 

xo9130#[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1536] DOT11_CFG[1]: poe_power_mode: low_pwr_mode=5, allowed_tx_ant=3, allowed_rx_ant=3

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1615] DOT11_DRV[1]: Stop Radio1 - Begin

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1634] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (mon1) is down

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1647] DOT11_DRV[1]: Stop Radio1 - End

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1792] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (apr1v0) is down

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1840] DOT11_DRV[1]: Start Radio1 - Begin

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1852] wlan: [7277:I:ANY] ol_ath_set_config_param: OL_ATH_PARAM_RTT_SKIP_VDEV_RESTART: value: 1

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1870] wlan: [0:I:ANY] ol_ath_pdev_is_multi_band_supported: 2 GHz modes: 0, 5GHz/6GHz modes: 391f9001

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1876] wlan: [7277:I:ANY] ieee80211_ucfg_setparam_util: rtt_enable = 0 already configured, skip configuration

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1880] wlan: [7277:I:ANY] ieee80211_ucfg_setparam_util: KERN_DEBUG

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1880]  setting the lci enble flag

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.1896] DOT11_DRV[1]: Start Radio1 - End

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.2121] DOT11_DRV[2]: Stop Radio2 - Begin

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.2137] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (mon2) is down

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.2152] DOT11_DRV[2]: Stop Radio2 - End

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.2167] wlan: [0:E:ANY] mlme_ext_vap_up: VAP (mon1) is up, vdev_id:33 pdev_id:0 psoc_id:0

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.2200] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (apr1v0) is down

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.2202] wlan: [0:I:ANY] ol_ath_pdev_is_multi_band_supported: 2 GHz modes: 0, 5GHz/6GHz modes: 391f9001

[*04/13/2026 21:35:31.2290] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (apr2v0) is down

On Switch 

##### Before applying power profile

Switch#show power inline tenGigabitEthernet 3/0/23 detail | i Meas

 Measured at the port: 11.8

##### After applying power profile

Switch#show power inline tenGigabitEthernet 3/0/23 detail | in Meas

 Measured at the port: 10.8

# Connected a client on the AP ; the AP automatically switches back to fixed policy 

Logs from AP 

[*04/13/2026 21:42:27.8792] DOT11_DRV[2]: Start Radio2 - Begin

[*04/13/2026 21:42:27.8802] wlan: [7277:I:ANY] ol_ath_set_config_param: OL_ATH_PARAM_RTT_SKIP_VDEV_RESTART: value: 1

[*04/13/2026 21:42:27.8820] wlan: [0:I:ANY] ol_ath_pdev_is_multi_band_supported: 2 GHz modes: 0, 5GHz/6GHz modes: 391f9001

[*04/13/2026 21:42:27.8827] wlan: [7277:I:ANY] ieee80211_ucfg_setparam_util: rtt_enable = 0 already configured, skip configuration

[*04/13/2026 21:42:27.8828] wlan: [7277:I:ANY] ieee80211_ucfg_setparam_util: KERN_DEBUG

[*04/13/2026 21:42:27.8828]  setting the lci enble flag

[*04/13/2026 21:42:27.8841] DOT11_DRV[2]: Start Radio2 - End

[*04/13/2026 21:42:27.8854] DOT11_CFG[2]: poe_power_mode: low_pwr_mode=5, allowed_tx_ant=15, allowed_rx_ant=15

[*04/13/2026 21:42:27.8974] wlan: [0:E:ANY] mlme_ext_vap_up: VAP (mon2) is up, vdev_id:50 pdev_id:2 psoc_id:0

On switch 

Power consumed after client is connected :

Switch#show power inline tenGigabitEthernet 3/0/23 detail | in Measu

 Measured at the port: 11.8

On WLC 

Disconnected the client, Ap switches automatically to power save mode :

From AP 

 xo9130#[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2003] DOT11_CFG[1]: poe_power_mode: low_pwr_mode=5, allowed_tx_ant=3, allowed_rx_ant=3

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2088] DOT11_DRV[1]: Stop Radio1 - Begin

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2106] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (mon1) is down

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2120] DOT11_DRV[1]: Stop Radio1 - End

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2264] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (apr1v0) is down

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2452] DOT11_DRV[1]: Start Radio1 - Begin

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2464] wlan: [7277:I:ANY] ol_ath_set_config_param: OL_ATH_PARAM_RTT_SKIP_VDEV_RESTART: value: 1

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2494] wlan: [0:I:ANY] ol_ath_pdev_is_multi_band_supported: 2 GHz modes: 0, 5GHz/6GHz modes: 391f9001

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2504] wlan: [7277:I:ANY] ieee80211_ucfg_setparam_util: rtt_enable = 0 already configured, skip configuration

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2506] wlan: [7277:I:ANY] ieee80211_ucfg_setparam_util: KERN_DEBUG

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2506]  setting the lci enble flag

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2522] DOT11_DRV[1]: Start Radio1 - End

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2637] wlan: [0:E:ANY] mlme_ext_vap_up: VAP (mon1) is up, vdev_id:33 pdev_id:0 psoc_id:0

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2676] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (apr1v0) is down

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2678] wlan: [0:I:ANY] ol_ath_pdev_is_multi_band_supported: 2 GHz modes: 0, 5GHz/6GHz modes: 391f9001

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2729] DOT11_DRV[2]: Stop Radio2 - Begin

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2744] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (mon2) is down

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2760] DOT11_DRV[2]: Stop Radio2 - End

[*04/13/2026 21:46:47.2895] wlan: [0:I:CMN_MLME] mlme_ext_vap_down: VAP (apr2v0) is down

On WLC 

Example 2: 

This test validates the AP power and calendar profile for the CW9178I access point. The power profile is configured to disable both 5GHz radios while enabling the 2.4GHz and 6GHz radios in a 1x1 spatial stream (SS) mode. This configuration is governed by a daily schedule active from 13:35:18 to 20:00:00. These profiles can be adapted to accommodate various network requirements as needed.

Calendar Profile Mapping (CLI) 

Configure and map power and calendar profile

(config)#wireless profile power test
(config-wireless-power-profile)#0 radio 6ghz spatial-stream 1
(config-wireless-power-profile)#10 radio 5ghz state shutdown
(config-wireless-power-profile)#20 radio secondary-5ghz state shutdown
(config-wireless-power-profile)#30 radio 24ghz spatial-stream 1
(config-wireless-power-profile)# exit
(config)# wireless profile calender-profile name test
(config-calendar-profile)# recurrance daily
(config-calendar-profile)# start 13:35:18 end 20:00:00
(config-calendar-profile)# exit
(config)# ap profile powertest
(config-ap-profile)# calendar-profile test
(config-ap-profile-calendar)# action power-saving-mode power-profile test
(config-ap-profile-calendar)# end

Calendar Profile Mapping (GUI) 

Configure Power Profile

Configuration > Tags & profiles > Power Profile

Configure Calendar Profile

Configuration > Tags & profiles > Calendar

Map the power profile & calendar profile to AP join profile

Configuration > Tags & profiles > AP Join > Select the AP join profile > AP > Power Management 

Validate the Profile getting applied on AP 

Monitoring > Wireless > AP Statistics > AP > Power

On Switch 

##### Before applying power profile

Switch#show power inline twoGigabitEthernet 1/0/2 detail | i Mea
Measured at the port(watts) (Alt-A,B): 16.5

##### After applying power profile

Switch#show power inline twoGigabitEthernet 1/0/2 detail | in Mea
Measured at the port(watts) (Alt-A,B): 14.8

Validation 

On Wireless LAN Controller (WLC)

• show ap profile name default-ap-profile detailed
• show ap name <ap-name> power-profile summary
• show wireless profile power summary
• show wireless profile power detailed <power-profile-name>
• show wireless profile calendar-profile summary

On Access Point 

• show ap power policy config
• show ap power policy status
• show ap power calendar config

On Switch

To verify actual power consumption:

• show power inline gig <interface> detail | include Measured

Troubleshooting 

On AP 

#Console logs

#debug capwap client payload

#debug powerpolicy logging level trace

#debug powerpolicy logging level info

#debug powerpolicy logging console enable

#terminal monitor

On WLC 

#RA Traces (AP Radio MAC)

#  WNCD Logs at debug level :

 #set platform software trace wncd <0/1/2/3> chassis active/Standby R0 ap-pwr-prof-main debug`
`#set platform software trace wncd <0/1/2/3> chassis active/Standby R0 ap-pwr-prof-db debug`
`#set platform software trace wncd <0/1/2/3> chassis active/Standby R0 ap-pwr-prof-wcnm debug`
`#set platform software trace wncd <0/1/2/3> chassis active/Standby R0 apcfg-profile-db debug`
`#set platform software trace wncd <0/1/2/3> chassis active/Standby R0 apmgr-db debug`

Known Issues 

• Unexpected "Insufficient De-rating" seen for AP power profile status: CSCwf92519   
• "Regular Power Profile" feature not yet support for 17.9 but "Regular Power Profile" appears on GUI : CSCwi51691   

Revision History

Revision	Publish Date	Comments
1.0	22-May-2026	Initial Release