Beacon order refers to the order in which beacons are sent to the various WLAN networks. For example, if three logical WLAN networks are active and the beacon period is 100 Kµs, then the beacons will be sent to the three WLANs every 100 Kµs. Depending on the beacon order, the beacons are transmitted at times as follows
Telnet path:/Setup/Interfaces/WLAN/Beaconing
Possible values:
- Cyclic: In this mode the access point transmits the first beacon transmission at 0 Kµs to WLAN-1, followed by WLAN-2 and WLAN-3. For the second beacon transmission (100 Kµs) WLAN-2 is the first recipient, followed by WLAN-3 and then WLAN-1. For the third beacon transmission (200 Kµs) the order is WLAN-3, WLAN-1, WLAN-2. After this the sequence starts again.
- Staggered: In this mode, the beacons are not sent together at a particular time, rather they are divided across the available beacon periods. Beginning at 0 Kµs, WLAN-1 only is sent; after 33.3 Kµs WLAN-2, after 66.6 Kµs WLAN-3. At the start of a new beacon period, transmission starts again with WLAN-1.
- Simple burst: In this mode the access point always transmits the beacons for the WLAN networks in the same order. The first beacon transmission (0 Kµs) is WLAN-1, WLAN-2 and WLAN-3; the second transmission is in the same order, and so on.
Default: Cyclic
Note: Some older WLANs are unable to process the quick succession of beacons which occur with simple burst. Consequently these clients often recognize the first beacons only and can only associate with this network. Staggered transmission of beacons produces better results but increases load on the access point's processor. Cyclic transmission proves to be a good compromise as all networks are transmitted first in turn.