unifi question

Q

QwertyJuan

[H]F Junkie
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Aug 17, 2000
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I have a bunch of clients connected... some have a blue N circle, and some have a gray circle with a little green "n" or lightning bolt coming out of the top of it.

What is the difference?? :confused::confused:
 
--snip--

What does the icon next to the signal strength mean?

The (b), (g), (n) icon indicates the type of client/connection (11b, 11g, 11n) When it turns gray with a lightening bolt, it means the device is currently in power-saving mode
 
Ok... begs the question. Power saving mode? :confused:

This is something the UniFi is doing, or the wifi device itself?
 
QwertyJuan said:
And why? :confused:

I am looking right now and my Boss' iMac is on power saving. Why does it do this, and how does the AP know this?
Click to expand...


Power saving mode is part of the 802.11 wireless specification. During association the client informs the AP that it will be using power saving mode. From that point instead of transmitting/receiving constantly, during idle periods the client radio will shut down both its transmitter and receiver for very short periods of time. During these shut downs, the Access Point will store any packets destined for the client. Periodically, the client will turn on just its receiver long enough to listen for announcements from the AP that there are packets waiting. If there are packets waiting, the client will wake back up to receive them.

These sleep periods are very short, on the order of around 100ms typically, but if the client is a battery powered device it can save a significant amount of power.
 
stevewm said:
Power saving mode is part of the 802.11 wireless specification. During association the client informs the AP that it will be using power saving mode. From that point instead of transmitting/receiving constantly, during idle periods the client radio will shut down both its transmitter and receiver for very short periods of time. During these shut downs, the Access Point will store any packets destined for the client. Periodically, the client will turn on just its receiver long enough to listen for announcements from the AP that there are packets waiting. If there are packets waiting, the client will wake back up to receive them.

These sleep periods are very short, on the order of around 100ms typically, but if the client is a battery powered device it can save a significant amount of power.
Click to expand...

So is this something that is unique to Unifi? Or would something like an Asus RT do the same thing?
 
Different APs have slightly differing implementations of the standards, but as a general rule, yes.
 
QwertyJuan said:
So is this something that is unique to Unifi? Or would something like an Asus RT do the same thing?
Click to expand...

It is not unique to Unifi at all. Basic power management is part of the WiFi standard. It would occur with ANY WiFi access point, including the Asus RT series.

But remember it is the CLIENT device that makes the choice to use it. Not the access point.
 
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