BSS Coloring

BSS coloring

BSS coloring is a Wi-Fi 6 mechanism that

  • allows devices operating in the same frequency space to quickly distinguish between packets from their own BSS and packets from an Overlapping BSS (OBSS) by looking at the BSS color value in the HE PHY header

  • enables spatial reuse opportunities where devices can transmit simultaneously with OBSS packets instead of deferring transmissions due to legacy interference thresholds, and

  • increases power savings by allowing devices to drop non-BSS packets earlier without demodulating the entire packet.

BSS coloring background information

The 802.11 Wi-Fi standard minimizes the chance of multiple devices interfering with one another by transmitting at the same time. This carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) technology is based on static thresholds that allow Wi-Fi devices to avoid interfering with each other on air. However, with an increase in density and the number of Wi-Fi devices, these static thresholds often lead to CSMA/CA causing devices to defer transmissions unnecessarily.

For example, if two devices that are associated with different BSS, can hear every transmission from each other at relatively low signal strengths, each device should defer its transmission when it receives a transmission from the other. But if both the devices were to transmit at the same time, it is likely that neither would cause enough interference at the other BSS' receiver to cause reception failure for either transmission.

Devices today must demodulate packets to look at the MAC header in order to determine whether or not a received packet belongs to their own BSS. This process of demodulation consumes power, which can be saved if devices can quickly identify the BSS by looking at the PHY header alone, and subsequently drop packets that are from a different BSS. Prior to Wi-Fi 6, there was no provision for devices to do this.

The new 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standard addresses both of the issues discussed above, through the new BSS Coloring and Spatial Reuse mechanism. Since every Wi-Fi 6 device understands the BSS color, it can be leveraged to increase power savings by dropping packets earlier, and to identify spatial reuse opportunities.

BSS coloring

BSS coloring is a Wi-Fi 6 method that

  • differentiates between the BSS of access points and their clients on the same RF channel

  • enables each AP radio to assign a value (from 1 to 63), known as BSS color, to be included in the PHY header of all HE transmissions from devices in its BSS, and

  • allows devices to quickly and easily distinguish transmissions coming from their BSS from those of neighboring BSS.

Supported platforms

The following platforms support this feature:

  • Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers

  • Cisco Catalyst 9115 Access Points

  • Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series Access Points

  • Cisco Catalyst 9124AX Series Access Points

  • Cisco Catalyst 9130AX Access Points

OBSS-PD and spatial reuse

OBSS-PD is a Wi-Fi packet detection mechanism that

  • uses a more aggressive packet detect threshold for inter-BSS packets, typically higher than the legacy -82 dBm

  • identifies inter-BSS packets by comparing the BSS color in the HE PHY header with the device's BSS color, and

  • enables Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax devices to transmit over inter-BSS packets with RSSI below the OBSS-PD threshold to improve throughput and network efficiency.


Note

Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series Access Points do not support OBSS-PD.

Configure BSS color on AP (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Wireless > Access Points.

Step 2

Click the 5 GHz Radios section or the 2.4 GHz Radios section.

The list of the AP radios in the band is displayed.

Step 3

Click the required AP name.

The Edit Radios window is displayed.

Step 4

From the Edit Radios window, select the Configure tab.

The general information, Antenna Parameters, RF Channel Assignment, Tx Power Level Assignment, and BSS Color are displayed.

Step 5

In the BSS Color area and from the BSS Color Configuration drop-down list, choose Custom configuration

  • Custom: To manually select the BSS color configuration for the AP radio.

    1. Click the BSS Color Status field to disable or enable the feature.

    2. In the Current BSS Color field, specify a corresponding BSS color for the AP radio. The valid range is between 1 and 63.

Step 6

Click Update & Apply to Device.

Configure BSS color in the privileged EXEC mode

Procedure

Step 1

enable

Example:

Device> enable
Enables privileged EXEC mode. Enter your password, if prompted.

Step 2

ap name ap-name dot11 { 24ghz | 5ghz| 6ghz | dual-band [ slot slot-id ] } dot11ax bss-color <1-63>

Example:

Device#ap name apn dot11 24ghz slot 0 dot11ax bss-color 12
Sets the BSS color on the 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, 6-GHz, or dual-band radio, for a specific access point on the following slots:

  • 5 GHz: Slot 1 and 2

  • 2.4 GHz: Slot 0

  • 6-GHz: Slot 3

  • Dual-band: Slot 0

Use the no form of this command to disable BSS color.

Example:

Device#ap name apn no dot11 24ghz slot 0 dot11ax bss-color

Configure BSS color globally

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Radio Configurations > Parameters.

Step 2

In the 11ax Parameters section, enable BSS color globally for the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz radios by checking the BSS Color check box.

Configure BSS color in the configuration mode

Enable 802.11ax BSS color functionality to improve spatial reuse and reduce interference in wireless networks.
BSS color is used in 802.11ax networks to distinguish between overlapping basic service sets, allowing devices to better manage interference and improve overall network performance.

Procedure

Step 1

Enable privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Device> enable
Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

Enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Step 3

Enable the 802.11ax BSS color on all radios for the specified frequency band.

Example:

Device(config)# [no] ap dot11 {24ghz | 5ghz | 6ghz} dot11ax bss-color

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 24ghz dot11ax bss-color

Use the no form of this command to disable BSS color.

BSS color is now enabled on the specified frequency band, improving spatial reuse and network efficiency for 802.11ax devices.

Configure overlapping BSS packet detect (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Radio Configurations > Parameters.

The parameters page is displayed where you can configure global parameters for 5 GHz Band and 2.4 GHz Band radios.

Step 2

In the 11ax Parameters section, check the OBSS PD check box to enable the overlapping BSS packet detect (OBSS PD) feature.

Step 3

In the Non-SRG OBSS PD Max Threshold field, enter the threshold in decibel-milliwatts. Value range is between -82 dBm and -62 dBm.

Configure OBSS-PD spatial reuse globally (CLI)

Enable 802.11ax OBSS-PD spatial reuse functionality to improve network efficiency by allowing concurrent transmissions when interference levels are acceptable.
OBSS-PD (Overlapping Basic Service Set Packet Detection) spatial reuse is an 802.11ax feature that improves network capacity by allowing access points to transmit simultaneously when the detected interference is below a specified threshold. Configure this feature globally across all radios of a specific frequency band.

Procedure

Step 1

Enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Step 2

Configure 802.11ax OBSS PD based spatial reuse on all 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radios.

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 {24ghz | 5ghz} dot11ax spatial-reuse obss-pd

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 24ghz dot11ax spatial-reuse obss-pd

Use the no form of this command to disable this feature.

Step 3

Configure 802.11ax non-SRG OBSS PD max on all 2.4-GHz or 5-GHz radios.

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 {24ghz | 5ghz} dot11ax spatial-reuse obss-pd non-srg-max threshold-value

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 24ghz dot11ax spatial-reuse obss-pd non-srg-max -62

The default value is -62. The valid range is -82 to -62 dBm.
OBSS-PD spatial reuse is now configured globally on the specified frequency band, allowing access points to optimize concurrent transmissions based on the configured interference threshold.

Configure OBSS PD in an RF profile (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Tags & Profiles > RF.

Step 2

On the RF Profile page, click Add to configure the following:

  • General

  • 802.11

  • RRM

  • Advanced

Step 3

In the Advanced tab, under the 11ax Parameters section, complete the following:

  1. Use the toggle button to enable or disable the OBSS PD field.

  2. In the Non-SRG OBSS PD Max Threshold (dBm), enter the threshold value. The default value is -62 dBm. Values range between -82 dBm and -62 dBm.

Step 4

Click Save & Apply to Device.

Configure OBSS-PD spatial reuse in the RF profile mode (CLI)

Enable OBSS-PD spatial reuse functionality on access points to improve network efficiency by allowing concurrent transmissions in overlapping basic service sets.
OBSS-PD spatial reuse is an 802.11ax feature that helps optimize spectrum utilization in dense wireless environments by dynamically adjusting transmission thresholds based on neighboring network activity.

Procedure

Step 1

Enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Step 2

Configure an RF profile and enter RF profile configuration mode.

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 {24ghz | 5ghz | 6ghz} rf-profile rf-profile-name

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 24ghz rf-profile rfprof24_1

Step 3

Configure 802.11ax OBSS PD based spatial reuse in the RF profile configuration mode.

Example:

Device(config-rf-profile)# dot11ax spatial-reuse obss-pd

Use the no form of this command to disable this feature.

Step 4

Configure 802.11ax non-SRG OBSS PD maximum threshold.

Example:

Device(config-rf-profile)# dot11ax spatial-reuse obss-pd non-srg-max threshold-value

Example:

Device(config-rf-profile)# dot11ax spatial-reuse obss-pd non-srg-max -62

The valid range is -82 to -62 dBm. The default value is -62.
OBSS-PD spatial reuse is configured on the RF profile and will be applied to all access points using this profile, enabling improved spectrum efficiency in overlapping coverage areas.

BSS color and OBSS-PD verification

This reference provides commands to verify if the global per-band BSS color and OBSS-PD are enabled, view RF profile OBSS-PD configuration, check BSS color configuration of all AP radios on a band, and examine BSS color configuration and capability of specific AP radios.

To verify if the global per-band BSS color and OBSS-PD are enabled, use the following show command: 

Device# show ap dot11 24ghz network
802.11b Network                           : Enabled
11gSupport                                : Enabled
11nSupport                                : Enabled
.
.
.
802.11ax                                  : Enabled
  DynamicFrag                             : Enabled
  MultiBssid                              : Enabled
  Target Wakeup Time                      : Enabled
  Target Wakeup Time Broadcast            : Enabled
  BSS Color                               : Enabled
  OBSS PD                                 : Enabled
  Non-SRG OBSS PD Max                     : -62 dBm
802.11ax MCS Settings:
  MCS  7, Spatial Streams = 1             : Supported
.
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To view the RF profile OBSS-PD configuration, use the following show command:
Device# show ap rf-profile name rf-profile-name detail
Description                       : pre configured rfprofile for 5gh radio
RF Profile Name                   : rf-profile-name
Band                              : 5 GHz
Transmit Power Threshold v1       : -65 dBm
Min Transmit Power                : 7 dBm
Max Transmit Power                : 30 dBm
.
.
.
802.11ax
  OBSS PD                         : Enabled
  Non-SRG OBSS PD Max             : -62 dBm 
NDP mode                          : Auto
To view the BSS color configuration of all the AP radios on a band in the summary list, along with Channel, TX Power and so on, use the following show command:
Device# show ap dot11 24ghz summary extended
AP Name                           Mac Address     Slot    Admin State    Oper State    Width  Txpwr           Channel                        BSS Color
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       
Ed2-JFW-AP1                       84b2.61ba.4730  1       Enabled        Up            40     1/6 (17 dBm)    (136,132)*                                        
11AX-9120-AP1                     d4ad.bda2.3fc0  1       Enabled        Up            20     1/8 (23 dBm)    (36)                           30         
Ed2-JFW-AP2                       f8c2.8885.59f0  1       Enabled        Up            20     1/5 (15 dBm)    (40)
To view the BSS color configuration and the capability of an AP radio, use the following show commands: 
Device# show ap name AP7069.5A74.816C config dot11 24ghz
Cisco AP Identifier                             : 502f.a876.1e60
Cisco AP Name                                   : AP7069.5A74.816C
Attributes for Slot 0
  Radio Type                                    : 802.11b
  Radio Mode                                    : REAP
  Radio Role                                    : Auto
  Radio SubType                                 : Main
  Administrative State                          : Enabled
  Operation State                               : Up
  .
  .
  .
Phy OFDM Parameters
    Configuration                               : Automatic
    Current Channel                             : 6
    Channel Width                               : 20 MHz
    TI Threshold                                : 1157693440
    Antenna Type                                : External
    External Antenna Gain (in .5 dBi units)     : 8
    .
    .
    .
  !BSS color details are displayed below:        
  802.11ax Parameters
    HE Capable                                  : Yes
    BSS Color Capable                           : Yes
    BSS Color Configuration                     : Customized
    Current BSS Color                           : 34

Device# show ap name AP70XX.5XX4.8XXX config slot 0
Cisco AP Identifier                             : 502f.a876.1e60
Cisco AP Name                                   : AP70XX.5XX4.8XXX
Country Code                                    : US
AP Country Code                                 : US  - United States
AP Regulatory Domain                            : -A
MAC Address                                     : 7069.5a74.816c
IP Address Configuration                        : DHCP
IP Address                                      : Disabled
.
.
.
Attributes for Slot 0
  Radio Type                                    : 802.11n - 2.4 GHz
  Radio Role                                    : Auto
  Radio Mode                                    : REAP
  Radio SubType                                 : Main
  Administrative State                          : Enabled
.
.
.
  Phy OFDM Parameters
    Configuration                               : Automatic
    Current Channel                             : 6
    Channel Assigned By                         : DCA
    Extension Channel                           : NONE
    Channel Width                               : 20
    Allowed Channel List                        : 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11
    TI Threshold                                : 1157693440
    DCA Channel List                            : 
    Antenna Type                                : EXTERNAL_ANTENNA
    External Antenna Gain (in .5 dBi units)     : 8
Diversity                                       : DIVERSITY_ENABLED
    802.11n Antennas
      A                                         : ENABLED
      B                                         : ENABLED
      C                                         : ENABLED
      D                                         : ENABLED
  .
  . 
  . 
  !BSS color details are displayed below:
  802.11ax Parameters
    HE Capable                                  : Yes
    BSS Color Capable                           : Yes
    BSS Color Configuration                     : Customized
    Current BSS Color                           : 34
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