Wi-Fi 7 Operations

The Cisco Wireless 9176I Wi-Fi 7 AP, Cisco Wireless 9176D1 Wi-Fi 7 AP, Cisco Wireless 9178I Wi-Fi 7 AP, and Cisco Wireless 9172I Wi-Fi 7 AP, are an enterprise-class tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) APs. The APs support full interoperability with leading 802.11ax and 802.11ac clients and a hybrid deployment with other APs and controllers. The AP hardware is supported on Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco Catalyst stack, and Meraki cloud-based stack


Note

Split-PHY mode is supported in Cisco Wireless 9172I Series Wi-Fi 7 Access Points (CW9172I) radio. The radio on Cisco Wireless 9172i AP operates in the following modes:

  • 5-GHz 4x4 (single-PHY)

  • 5-GHz 2x2 + 6-GHz 2x2 (split-PHY)

The default mode is 5-GHz 2x2 or 6-GHz 2x2. If the AP operates in a regulatory domain where 6-GHz is not supported, then it will operate in the 5-GHz 4x4 mode.

Note

If the AP radio power is off, then 802.11be capability of the radio is switched off. For the AP to be 802.11e capable, all radios have to be switched on.

The details of the features supported by the Wi-Fi 7 APs are discussed in the following topics.

Preamble Puncturing

Introduction to Preamble Puncturing

Preamble puncturing allows Extremely High Throughput (EHT) stations to transmit and receive Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) efficiently by omitting signals in unused 20-MHz subchannels, even with bandwidth interference like rogue APs. This technique, standardized for EHT PPDUs with a minimum resolution of 20-MHz and up to 120-MHz for 320-MHz bandwidth PPDUs, ensures puncturing does not occur for the primary 20 MHz channel.

Preamble puncturing enables selective signal omission within a PPDU's bandwidth, allowing for no signal in specific 20 MHz subchannels. For EHT PPDUs, the resolution is set at 20-MHz, and for 320-MHz PPDUs, it is 40-MHz. The 802.11be standard specifies this technique for bandwidths of 80-MHz and above, with configurations including 20-MHz puncturing for 80-MHz, 20-MHz or 40-MHz for 160-MHz, and 40MHz, 80-MHz, or 120-MHz for 320-MHz bandwidths.

Use Cases

The 802.11be standard mandates preamble puncturing for 80 MHz or wider bandwidths, specifically outlining puncturing scenarios for 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 320 MHz bandwidths. Key applications include the following.

  • Maximizing 5-GHz Channel Re-Use: RRM punctures secondary channels upon radar detection to maintain connectivity or switches channels to avoid OBSS interference. Note that static puncturing has not been tested for interoperability in the 5-GHz band. Static puncturing is not supported upon radar detection in the 5-GHz band or for standard power with AFC in the 6-GHz band.

  • More 240 MHz Channel Options at 6 GHz: Preamble puncturing increases the availability of 240 MHz channels, offering more flexibility for network deployments.

Overall, preamble puncturing is a tactical method for optimizing spectrum use, increasing network adaptability to interference, and enhancing bandwidth efficiency, leading to a more reliable wireless network.

Preamble Puncturing in the Controller

The option to configure preamble puncturing is integrated into the RF profile configuration. The preamble puncturing configuration is relevant only for the 5-GHz and 6-GHz band profiles. By default, preamble puncturing is disabled within the RF profile settings. Note that these configurations are not transmitted to APs through CAPWAP payloads. Instead, the configuration details are visible when executing the detailed show command for the RF profile.

It is important to note that these configurations will not be transmitted to APs through CAPWAP payloads. Instead, the configuration details will be visible when executing the detailed 'show' command for the RF profile.

Configuring Preamble Puncturing (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Tags & Profiles > RF/Radio.

The RF window is displayed with list of profiles.

Step 2

Click Add.

The Add RF Profile window is displayed.

Step 3

Click the 802.11be tab.

Step 4

Toggle the button to enable Preamble Puncturing.

Step 5

Click Apply to Device.

Configuring Preamble Puncturing (CLI)

You can configure Preamble Puncturing only in the 5-GHz and 6-GHz bands. By default, Preamble Puncturing is disabled in the RF profile.

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 2

ap dot11 {24ghz | 5ghz | 6ghz} rf-profile rf-preamble-name

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 6ghz rf-profile rf-preamble-name

Configures an RF profile and enters RF profile configuration mode.

Step 3

preamble puncturing

Example:

Device(config-rf-profile)# preamble puncturing

Configures preamble puncturing.

Configuring 802.11be Network Parameters (CLI)

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 2

ap dot11{ 24ghz| 5ghz| 6ghz } shutdown

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 6ghz shutdown

Disables the 802.11b/g network, if you use 2.4-GHz.

Disables the 802.11a network, if you use 5-GHz.

Disables the 802.11 6GHz network, if you use 6-GHz.

Step 3

ap dot11{ 24ghz| 5ghz| 6ghz } dot11be

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 6ghz dot11be

Configures the 802.11be network.

Step 4

no ap dot11{ 24ghz| 5ghz| 6ghz } shutdown

Example:

Device(config)# no ap dot11 6ghz shutdown

Enables the 802.11b/g network, if you use 2.4-GHz.

Enables the 802.11a network, if you use 5-GHz.

Enables the 802.11 6GHz network, if you use 6-GHz.

Configuring 802.11be Network Parameters (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Radio Configurations > High Throughput.

Step 2

Click the 6 GHz Band, 5 GHz Band or 2.4 GHz Band tab.

  1. Check the check box to enable 802.11be.

  2. In the A-MPTDU Tx section, check the check boxes to set the desired priority levels.

  3. In the A-MSDU Txsection, check the check boxes to set the desired priority levels.

Step 3

Click the 5 GHz Band tab and in the A-MPTDU Tx section, complete the following:

  1. Enter the value in the field to set the Window Size.

  2. Toggle the button to enable the Aggregation Scheduler.

  3. In the Frame Burst drop-down list, select either Automatic, Enabled, or Disabled.

  4. Enter the value in the Realtime Traffic Timeout field. The default value is 10.

Step 4

Click the 2.4 GHz Band tab.

Step 5

In the A-MPTDU Tx section complete the following.

  1. Enter the value in the field to set the Window Size.

  2. Toggle the button to enable the Aggregation Scheduler.

  3. Enter the value in the Realtime Traffic Timeout field. The default value is 10.

Step 6

Click Apply.

Configuring A-MPDU Window Size in RF Radio Profile (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Tags & Profiles > RF/Radio.

The RF window is displayed with list of profiles.

Step 2

Click Add.

The Add RF Radio Profile window is displayed.

Step 3

In the General tab, enter an RF profile name.

Step 4

Click the Advanced tab.

Step 5

In the A-MPDU Window Size field enter the value. The valid range is between 1 and 255 and 255 is the default value.

Step 6

Click Apply to Device.

Configuring A-MPDU Window Size in RF Radio Profile (CLI)

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 2

ap dot11 {24ghz | 5ghz | 6ghz} rf-profile rf-profile-name

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 6ghz rf-profile block-ack-rf-profile

Configures an RF profile for 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, or the 6-GHz band.

Step 3

dot11 a-mpdu tx block-ack window-size window-size

Example:

Device(config-rf-profile)# dot11 a-mpdu tx block-ack window-size 255

Configures 802.11 transmit A-MPDU window size.

Enabling or Disabling Client Serving on Access Point (GUI)

Before you begin

Change the access point AP mode to Client Serving.

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Wireless > Access Points.

Step 2

On the Access Points page, click the AP name from the 6 GHz, 5 GHz, or 2.4 GHz list.

Step 3

In the Role Assignment section, select the Assignment Method as Client Serving.

Step 4

In the RF Channel Assignment section, configure the following:

Note

 

You can edit this section only if the Assignment Method is set to Custom.

  • From the RF Channel Width drop-down list, select the Channel Width.

  • From the Assignment Method drop-down list, choose the the type of assignment.

Note

 

If you choose Custom, you must select a channel width and specify an RF channel number to the access point radio. A 320 MHz channel width is supported from Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1 onwards.

Step 5

Click Update & Apply to Device.

Configuring 802.11be MCS Rates (CLI)

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 2

ap dot11 {24ghz | 5ghz | 6ghz} dot11be

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 6ghz dot11be

Configures the 802.11be parameters.

Step 3

ap dot11 {24ghz | 5ghz | 6ghz} dot11be mcs tx index {11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 9} spatial-stream spatial-stream-value

Example:

Device(config)# ap dot11 6ghz dot11be

Enables the 802.11be 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, or 6-GHz band modulation and coding scheme (MCS) transmission rates.

Configuring 802.11be Radio Parameters Frequencies (GUI)

You can configure 802.11be for the frequencies, 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz.

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Radio Configurations > High Throughput.

Step 2

Choose the 6 GHz Band or 5 GHz Band or 2.4 GHz Band tab.

  1. Expand the 11be section.

  2. Check the Enable 11be check box, if required.

  3. Check either the Select All check box to configure all the data rates or select the desired options from the available data rates list.

Step 3

Click Apply.

Configuring Multi BSSID 802.11be Parameters (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Tags & Profiles > Multi BSSID.

Step 2

Click Add.

The Add Multi BSSID Profile window is displayed.

Step 3

In the 802.11be section, enable or disable the following parameters:

  • OFDMA Downlink

  • OFDMA Uplink

  • MU-MIMO Downlink

  • MU-MIMO Uplink

  • OFDMA Multi-RU

Note

 

OFDMA Downlink and OFDMA Uplink are enabled by default.

Step 4

Click Apply to Device.

Configuring Multi BSSID 802.11be Parameters (CLI)


Note

Multi BSSID profile configuration overwrites the 802.11be profile configuration for 6-GHz band.

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 2

wireless profile multi-bssid default-multi-bssid-profile

Example:

Device# wireless profile multi-bssid default-multi-bssid-profile

Configures the multi BSSID profile. Enters the multi BSSID profile configuration.

Step 3

dot11be {downlink-mumimo | downlink-ofdma | ofdma-multi-ru | uplink-mumimo | uplink-ofdma}

Example:

Device# dot11be uplink-mumimo

Configures the 802.11be parameters.

Configuring 802.11be Parameters (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Tags & Profiles > 802.11be.

The different user profiles are listed.

Step 2

Click the required profile.

Edit 802.11be Profile window is displayed.

Step 3

In the Edit 802.11be Profile window, click to Enable or Disable the OFDMA Downlink, OFDMA Uplink, MU-MIMO Downlink, MU-MIMO Uplink, and OFDMA Multi-RU.

Step 4

Click Update and Apply to Device.

Monitoring 5 GHz Radio WLAN Slot Data (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Monitoring > Wireless > Radio Statistics.

Step 2

Click the 5 GHz Radios tab and select the required AP.

Step 3

In the WLAN Slot Data section, verify the WLAN ID, BSSID MAC, and MLD MAC.

The 5 GHz Band window is displayed.

Step 4

Click OK.

Monitoring 802.11be Radio Parameters (GUI)

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Monitoring > Wireless > Radio Statistics.

Step 2

Click the 6 GHz Radios tab and select the required AP.

Step 3

In the 11be Parameters section verify the following to monitor preamble puncturing:

  1. Puncture Reason

  2. Punctured Channels

Step 4

Click OK.

Verifying 802.11be Parameters

Verifying 802.11be Profile Details

To display the 802.11be profile details, run the following command:

Device# show dot11be profile detailed
Dot11be profile name : sample_11be_profile
-------------------------------------------------------------
Description : sample_11be_profile
802.11be parameters
OFDMA Downlink : Enabled
OFDMA Uplink : Enabled
OFDMA Multi-RU : Enabled
MU-MIMO Downlink : Enabled
MU-MIMO Uplink : Enabled
.
.
.

Verifying 802.11 Profile Summary

To display the 802.11be profile summary, run the following command:

Device# show dot11be profile summary
Number of dot11be profiles: 1
Dot11be profile name              Description                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
default-dot11be-profile           Default 802.11be profile

Verifying 320 MHz Details (GUI)


Note

  • 320 MHz is supported only on 6-GHz band.

  • By default, the Dynamic Channel Assignment (DCA) maximum bandwidth is 160 MHz. Users need to enable 320 MHz in the 6-GHz RF Profile to utilize it.

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Monitoring > Wireless > AP Statistics.

Step 2

Select General.

A list of APs under the General tab is displayed.

Step 3

Select the required profile from the list.

General window is displayed.

Step 4

Select AFC and then choose Request.

Step 5

Verify the 320 MHz Channel Request Data from the Channel Request Data table.

Step 6

Select AFC and then choose Response.

Step 7

Verify the 320 MHz Channel Response Data from the Channel Response Data table.

Verifying Multi BSSID Details

Verifying Multiple Link Device (MLD) MAC Details

To display the 802.11be profile details, run the following command:

Device# show ap name cisco-ap wlan dot11 5ghz
-------------------------------------------------------------
Slot id : 1
WLAN ID BSSID MLD
---------------------------------------------------
9 0aef.2500.010f 0aef.2501.0001
2 0aef.2500.010e 0aef.2501.0002
3 0aef.2500.010d 0aef.2501.0003
4 0aef.2500.010c 0aef.2501.0004
12 0aef.2500.010b 0aef.2501.0005
14 0aef.2500.010a 0aef.2501.0006
16 0aef.2500.0109 NA

Verifying Multi BSSID Set ID and Tx VAP Indicator Details for 6-GHz Radio

To display the 802.11be profile details, run the following command:

Device# show ap name WSIM-AP-0001 wlan dot11 6ghz
-------------------------------------------------------------
Slot id : 3
WLAN ID BSSID MLD MBSSID Set ID
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 0aef.2500.0108 0aef.2501.0001 1*
2 0aef.2500.0109 0aef.2501.0002 1
3 0aef.2500.010a 0aef.2501.0003 1
4 0aef.2500.010b 0aef.2501.0004 1
12 0aef.2500.010c 0aef.2501.0005 NA (11be WLAN not 6GHz compliant)
14 0aef.2500.010d 0aef.2501.0006 2*
16 0aef.2500.010e NA 3* (11ax 6GHz WLAN)
18 0aef.2500.010f NA NA (11ax non-6GHz WLAN)