Multiple SSIDs by Channels

[bemf]

Hi All,

What is the rule when creating a New FortiAP Profile, if you require multiple SSIDs to be added to the given Profile...how do you balance the SSIDs between the two Radios and Channels?

FortiAP = FAP220B.

SSIDs = Staff; Guests; Contractors; Auditors.

If I enable all of the above SSIDs for both Radio 1 (5GHz Band - All Channels) and Radio 2 (2.4GHz - All Channels) and Apply the New Profile to just one FortiAP...I see the FortiAP Broadcasts all SSIDs from one selected Channel out of the 5GHz available Channels and then one selected Channel out of the 2.4GHz available Channels.

Therefore its perfect that all of the SSIDs are available within the 5GHz Band and the 2.4GHz Band.

So I am seeing:

-FortiAP # 1-

Radio 1: SSID = Staff; Guests; Contractors; Auditors  - Channel = 36

Radio 2: SSID = Staff; Guests; Contractors; Auditors  - Channel = 12

But the question is, would there not be a conflict between the SSIDs broadcasting over the same Channels?

Conflict or interference in both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz Band?

Thanking you in advance for your responses.

[jane_FTNT · Accepted solution]

Hello 

Each SSID will be transmitted inside a beacon on each of the two channels at regular intervals. There is no interference but you definitely want to keep down the number of ssids as the beacons can take up a lot of the airtime. So with 4 SSIDs you have 4 sets of beacons going out on 2.4ghz and 4 sets on 5ghz.

Also if you are advertising your SSIDs at the lowest tx/rx rates (like 1mbs for 2.4) then be aware that you can get clients connected at these very low rates and they take up a lot of time transmitting and receiving.

Also multicasts and broadcasts have to then go out at these low rates, again consuming airtime

Regards