Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)

Topic

This article describes the Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) feature on Datto Access Points.

Environment

  • Datto AP42 Access Points
  • Datto AP62 Access Points

Description

What is DFS?

Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) automatically switches your 5 GHz WiFi device to a less congested channel within the 5 GHz band when it detects priority traffic, such as radar signals, on the current channel. You can configure DFS on Datto Access Points from within Datto Network Manager.

Where is DFS available?

DFS is currently available in the USA, Canada, Australia, and throughout Europe. The feature will be enabled in additional countries as Datto Access Points receive the appropriate certifications.

If your Datto Access Points are in a country where DFS is not yet available, Datto Network Manager will grey out the DFS configuration options.

Technical considerations

  • This feature requires your access point to have firmware version 6.5.2 or higher installed.
  • When you enable DFS on an access point, the device's radio will immediately shut off as the configuration changes. Consider scheduling a maintenance window if you have business-critical endpoints that will be impacted by a temporary network interruption.
  • Enabling DFS will extend the access point's boot time by up to 4 minutes.

Enabling DFS

1. Click Access Points in Datto Network Manager's Navigation menu.

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Figure 1: The Navigation menu

2. Click the device name of the access point you wish to configure.

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Figure 2: The Access Points page

3. Click the Enable DFS Channels slider.

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Figure 3: Device configuration

4. The access point will scan for DFS channels. Once they populate, select a DFS channel in the 5GHz heading under the Radio section, then click the Save Changes button to commit the settings. Channels 52-64 and 100-140 are valid DFS channels.

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Figure 4: DFS channel selection for a Datto AP62 Access Point