EquiFlex^TM is an AI-managed solution designed to optimize network efficiency and enhance user experience, particularly in high-density deployments with a high number of Wi-Fi clients.

In wireless networks, client devices regularly broadcast probe requests to discover and connect to available access points (APs). The APs, in turn, respond with probe responses, providing information about their presence and capabilities. However, in high-density environments where numerous APs are deployed, the constant transmission of probe responses can result in significant management traffic overhead and channel congestion. This can ultimately degrade network performance and cause suboptimal user connectivity experiences.

EquiFlex enables each AP to intelligently respond to probe requests. EquiFlex learns the RF environment around each AP, including neighboring APs, coverage between them, and deployment density (low or high). Using this data, EquiFlex determines the probability of an AP responding to probe requests at specific Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) levels and dynamically adjusts RF thresholds as network conditions change. Equipped with advanced AI capabilities to adapt to RF network requirements, APs use this information to collaborate with one another. That collaboration results in generating a probe response as per the probability calculation and achieving a network-wide optimization that balances cell coverage, client connectivity, and airtime congestion.

This optimization results in improved client connections at higher RSSI levels, while effectively suppressing unnecessary probe transmissions. This approach minimizes unnecessary signaling traffic while directing client devices to APs that offer better signal quality, thereby enhancing overall network performance.

EquiFlex recommendation, which is available as an intent in the IntentAI page, is triggered only in dense environments. EquiFlex operates at the WLAN level and, by default, the EquiFlex intent is applied to all WLANs within a zone. However, you have the option to exclude specific WLANs when applying the intent. EquiFlex is an AI evolution of the existing Airtime Decongestion feature available in the SmartZone and RUCKUS One management platforms. When EquiFlex is applied, Airtime Decongestion will be automatically disabled.

When a new EquiFlex recommendation is available, IntentAI allows you to choose your intent by specifying the network priority while applying the recommendation. For more information about the EquiFlex intent, network priority and scope, refer to AI Feature-specific Intents, Network Priorities, and Scope.

Once an EquiFlex intent is successfully applied, the system continuously monitors the RF environment for changes that may cause management traffic overhead and channel congestion. If such changes are detected, the EquiFlex algorithm automatically applies updated recommendations every 24 hours. Once the intent is applied, the KPI panel moves into the monitoring state for 24 hours where RUCKUS AI starts gathering feedback about the change that was recently applied. You can view the average management traffic per client before and after the intent was applied.

Requirements

This feature has no special hardware or software requirements for feature enablement or usage.

Considerations

When EquiFlex is applied, Airtime Decongestion will be automatically disabled.

Best Practices

This feature has no special recommendations for feature enablement or usage.

Prerequisites

The following are the fundamental prerequisites for EquiFlex:

• EquiFlex recommendations are generated only in dense environments with at least 4 APs.
• EquiFlex is supported in SmartZone controller release 7.0 (AP firmware version 7.0.0.0.1240) and later.

Benefits of EquiFlex

• Enhances airtime by reducing probe transmissions, which improves airtime usage of the available transmission channels.
• Improves first connection RSS by guiding clients to access points with stronger signal strength, ensuring reliable initial connections.
• Decreases network overhead by selectively suppressing unnecessary probe responses, minimizing unnecessary signaling traffic.
• Enhances network efficiency and performance by optimizing resource utilization and reducing congestion.

Note:

IntentAI - EquiFlex. This video provides an introduction to EquiFlex and demonstrates how to optimize Wi-Fi performance in high-density environments by applying EquiFlex intents.

Click to play video in full screen mode.