Wireless
WiFi Channel Planner
Plan optimal WiFi channel assignments for your access points. Avoid interference by properly distributing channels across 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
Channel Configuration
Use radar detection channels (52-144)
Access Points (3)
Channel Analysis
2.4GHz Band
1
0 APs
6
0 APs
11
0 APs
No co-channel conflicts detected
5GHz Band (40MHz)
36
-
40
-
44
-
48
-
149
-
153
-
157
-
161
-
No channel conflicts detected
5GHz Channel Groups
UNII-1 (36-48)Indoor, no DFS
UNII-2A (52-64)DFS required
UNII-2C (100-144)DFS required
UNII-3 (149-165)Outdoor OK, no DFS
Best Practices
- 2.4GHz: Only use channels 1, 6, 11 (non-overlapping)
- 5GHz: Use 40MHz for density, 80MHz for throughput
- DFS: More channels but may cause brief outages
- Co-channel: Better than adjacent channel overlap
Channel Width Comparison
| Width | Throughput | Channels (Non-DFS) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 MHz | ~86 Mbps (WiFi 5) | 9 channels | High density, many APs |
| 40 MHz | ~200 Mbps (WiFi 5) | 4 channels | Balanced performance |
| 80 MHz | ~433 Mbps (WiFi 5) | 2 channels | Low density, high speed |
| 160 MHz | ~866 Mbps (WiFi 5) | 1 channel | Single AP, max throughput |
Throughput values are theoretical maximums for WiFi 5 (802.11ac). Actual speeds depend on client capabilities and environment.
2.4GHz Limitations
- Only 3 channels: 1, 6, and 11 don't overlap
- 22 MHz wide: Each channel uses 22 MHz of spectrum
- Interference: Microwaves, Bluetooth, baby monitors
- Better range: Lower frequency penetrates walls better
DFS Considerations
- More channels: 15+ additional channels available
- Radar detection: Must vacate channel if radar detected
- CAC time: 60-second scan before using channel
- Client support: Some older devices don't support DFS