Wireless Access

I am a K12.

I have a building that is used as a business site with two schools that are separated by the business areas.  So I use three AP-groups coming off of 3 separate controllers in a master local environment.  Am I getting the best optimization in this situation with ARM Mode Aware running?  

ARM mode-aware is an old command that is used to turn off APs when there is too much density.  It is very difficult to achieve predictable results and should not really be used.

I am not in a position to move from the 6 environment to the 8 AOS.  Can you give me some options here?  I have 149 sites with an AP in every classroom.  Some high schools with 100+ APs .  I can’t turn off the 2.4 because management will not listen when it comes to old devices on the network.  When you say do not use it.  Am I looking at problems?

I guess The question is why do you need mode aware?  Is it because of too much 2.4ghz coverage?  If yes, I would just lower the 2.4ghz band to 9 min and max in the ARM profile.

Also k-12 here and same problem management will not listen to any restriction on devices of any kind.  Still have garbage 2.4 ghz devices coming in to the network.

I keep 2.4 at low power and force as much as possible to 5ghz band.  AOS 8 does a decent job of keeping power low and channels balanced (as well a you can with 3 channels anyway).  As long as the bulk to client devices are on 5ghz you will be ok.  Just resign yourself to the 2.4 metrics always being bad lol

Thanks 

It is good to hear that i am not fighting is battle alone.

Thanks for all suggestions 

Would you suggest I turn Mode Aware off and turn the Tx rate to 9?

Or do both?

Tx down for sure.  Even at 9 there is still a whole bunch of overlap.  It just makes it less chaotic hahaha.  My schools the "resting" overhead on 2.4 is still like 15-20% airtime utilization.  Just looked at it now and that's where it is hovering on most AP's.  Leave 2 ghz running everywhere.  Airmatch does a good job of keeping it all running.  Use the power of those controllers let them handle it.