Optimizing Links
You can configure and optimize operation of the link metric algorithm via the mesh radio profile. These
configurable mesh link trigger thresholds can determine when the uplink or mesh path is dropped and another
is chosen, provide enhanced network reliability, and contain flapping links. Although you can modify the
behavior of the link metric algorithm, It is recommended to follow the default values for most deployments.
For information, see Metric algorithm on page 615.
Understanding Mesh Profiles
Mesh profiles help define and bring-up the mesh network. The following sections describe the mesh cluster,
mesh radio, and mesh recovery profiles in more detail.
The complete mesh profile consists of a mesh radio profile, RF management (802.11a and 802.11g) radio
profiles, a high-throughput SSID profile (if your deployment includes 802.11n-capable APs), a mesh cluster
profile, and a read-only recovery profile. The recovery profile is dynamically generated by the master switch;
you do not explicitly configure the recovery profile.
Alcatel-Lucent provides a “default” version of the mesh radio, RF management, high-throughput SSID and
cluster profiles with default values for most parameters. You can use the “default” version of a profile or create
a new instance of a profile which you can then edit as you need. You can change the values of any parameter in
a profile. You have the flexibility of applying the “default” versions of profiles in addition to customizing
profiles that are necessary for the AP or AP group to function.
If you assign a profile to an individual AP, the values in the profile override the profile assigned to the AP group
to which the AP belongs. The exception is the mesh cluster profile: you can apply multiple mesh cluster profiles
to individual APs, as well as to AP groups.
Mesh Cluster Profiles
Mesh clusters are grouped and defined by a mesh cluster profile, which provides the framework of the mesh
network. Similar to virtual AP profiles, the mesh cluster profile contains the MSSID (mesh cluster name),
authentication methods, security credentials, and cluster priority required for mesh nodes to associate with
their neighbors and join the cluster. Associated mesh nodes store this information in flash memory. Although
most mesh deployments require only a single mesh cluster profile, you can configure and apply multiple mesh
cluster profiles to an AP group or an individual AP. If you have multiple cluster profiles, the mesh portal uses
the profile with the highest priority to bring up the mesh network. Mesh points, in contrast, go through the list
of mesh cluster profiles in order of priority to decide which profile to use to associate themselves with the
network. The mesh cluster priority determines the order by which the mesh cluster profiles are used. This
allows you, rather than the link metric algorithm, to explicitly segment the network by defining multiple cluster
profiles.
Since the mesh cluster profile provides the framework of the mesh network, you must define and configure
the mesh cluster profile before configuring an AP to operate as a mesh node. You can use either the default
cluster profile or create your own. If you find it necessary to define more than one mesh cluster profile, you
must assign priorities to each profile to allow the Mesh AP group to identify the primary and backup mesh
cluster profile(s). The primary mesh cluster profile and each backup mesh cluster profile must be configured to
use the same RF channel. The APs may not provision correctly if they are assigned to a backup mesh cluster
profile with a different RF channel than the primary mesh cluster profile.
If the mesh cluster profile is unavailable, the mesh node can revert to the recovery profile to bring-up the mesh
network until the cluster profile is available. You can also exclude one or more mesh cluster profiles from an
individual access point, this prevents a mesh cluster profile defined at the AP group level from being applied to
a specific AP.
AOS-W 6.5.3.x | User Guide Secure Enterprise Mesh | 599
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