Configuring Intelligent Power Monitoring for APs

The Intelligent Power Monitoring (IPM Intelligent Power Monitoring. IPM is a feature supported on certain APs that actively measures the power utilization of an AP and dynamically adapts to the power resources.) feature actively measures the power utilization of an AP and dynamically adapts to the power resources. IPM allows you to define the features that must be disabled to save power, allowing the APs to operate at a lower power consumption.

IPM dynamically limits the power requirement of an AP as per the available power resources. IPM applies a sequence of power reduction steps in a prioritized order until the AP functions within the power budget. This happens dynamically as IPM constantly monitors the AP power consumption and applies the next power reduction step in the priority list if the AP exceeds the power threshold. To manage this prioritization, you can create IPM policies to define a set of power reduction steps and associate each step with a priority. The IPM policies, when applied to the AP, are based on IPM priorities, where the IPM policy can be configured to disable or reduce certain features in a specific sequence to reduce the AP power consumption below the power budget. IPM priority settings are defined by integer values, where the lower values have the highest priority and are implemented first.

To configure Intelligent Power Monitoring, complete the following steps:

  1. In the Aruba Central app, set the filter to a group that contains at least one AP.
    The dashboard context for the group is displayed.
  2. Under Manage, click Devices > Access Points.
    A list of access points is displayed in the List view.
  3. Click the Config icon.
    The tabs to configure the access points are displayed.
  4. Click Show Advanced, and click the System tab.
    The System details page is displayed.
  5. Click the IPM accordion.
  6. Select the IPM Activation check box to enable IPM.
  7. Click the + icon in the IPM Power Reduction Steps With Priorities pane.
    The IPM Power Reduction Steps With Priorities window is displayed.
  8. In the IPM Step Priority field, enter a value from 1 to 16 to define IPM priority.

    The lowest values are highest in priority, and are implemented first.

  9. From the IPM Step drop-down list, select the desired IPM reduction step as described in Table 1.
  10. Click OK.

    The IPM Power Reduction Steps With Priorities table in the IPM section lists all the IPM settings.

  11. Click Save Settings.

The following figure shows the IPM steps and priorities listed in the IPM Power Reduction Steps With Priorities table.

Figure 1  IPM Steps and Priorities

Configuring Reduction Steps

The reduction steps and their order are configured using the IPM Power Reduction Steps with Priorities parameter in the WebUI. The reduction steps are associated with priority values, and the priority settings are defined by integer values, where the lower values have the highest priority and are implemented first. When triggered, the reduction steps are applied sequentially starting with the reduction step that is assigned the highest priority value. The reduction steps are applied only when the AP exceeds the power budget or high threshold temperature.

The following table describes the reduction steps and their corresponding WebUI parameters.

Table 1: IPM Reduction Step Parameters

Reduction Step

WebUI Parameter

Reduces the CPU Central Processing Unit. A CPU is an electronic circuitry in a computer for processing instructions. frequency to 25%

cpu_throttle_25

Reduces the CPU frequency to 50%

cpu_throttle_50

Reduces the CPU frequency to 75%

cpu_throttle_75

Disables the second Ethernet Ethernet is a network protocol for data transmission over LAN. port

disable_alt_eth

Disables the PSE port (applicable from AOS 10.0.0.0 to AOS 10.2.9.9)

disable_pse

Disables the first PSE port (AOS 10.3.0.0 or later versions)

disable_pse1

Disables the second PSE port (AOS 10.3.0.0 or later versions)

disable_pse2

Disables the USB Universal Serial Bus. USB is a connection standard that offers a common interface for communication between the external devices and a computer. USB is the most common port used in the client devices. port

disable_usb

Reduces radio 0 chains to 1x1

radio_0_chain_1x1

Reduces radio 0 chains to 2x2

radio_0_chain_2x2

Reduces radio 0 chains to 3x3

radio_0_chain_3x3

Reduces radio 0 chains to 4x4

radio_0_chain_4x4

Reduces radio 0 chains to 5x5

radio_0_chain_5x5

Reduces radio 0 chains to 6x6

radio_0_chain_6x6

Reduces radio 0 chains to 7x7

radio_0_chain_7x7

Disables radio 0

radio_0_disable

Reduces radio 0 power by 3 dB Decibel. Unit of measure for sound or noise and is the difference or ratio between two signal levels. from the maximum value

radio_0_power_3dB

Reduces radio 0 power by 6 dB from the maximum value

radio_0_power_6dB

Reduces radio 1 chains to 1x1

radio_1_chain_1x1

Reduces radio 1 chains to 2x2

radio_1_chain_2x2

Reduces radio 1 chains to 3x3

radio_1_chain_3x3

Disables radio 1

radio_1_disable

Reduces radio 1 power by 3 dB from the maximum value

radio_1_power_3dB

Reduces radio 1 power by 6 dB from the maximum value

radio_1_power_6dB

Reduces radio 2 chains to 1x1

radio_2_chain_1x1

Reduces radio 2 chains to 2x2

radio_2_chain_2x2

Reduces radio 2 chains to 3x3

radio_2_chain_3x3

Disables radio 2

radio_2_disable

Reduces radio 2 power by 3 dB from the maximum value

radio_2_power_3dB

Reduces radio 2 powerby 6 dB from the maximum value

radio_2_power_6dB

Radio Index

Starting from AOS 10.5.0.0, all references to the radio bands Band refers to a specified range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. (2.4 GHz Gigahertz., 5 GHz, secondary 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands) are removed and replaced with radio indices (1, 0, and 2) that are associated with radio power restrictions. Prior to AOS 10.5.0.0, the IPM radio power reduction steps referred to the operating bands of the radio.

The following table describes the radio bands supported till AOS 10.4.0.0, as well as their corresponding radio indices introduced in AOS 10.5.0.0.

Table 2: Radio Index Details

AP Type

Radio Band (Prior to AOS 10.5.0.0)

Radio Index (AOS 10.5.0.0 or later versions)

Non-Flex Dual Band Mode AP

 

 

 

2.4 GHz

1

5 GHz

0

Secondary 5 GHz

2

6 GHz

2

Flex Dual Band Mode AP

 

 

5GHz-and-2.4GHz

0, 1

5GHz-and-6GHz

0, 1

2.4GHz-and-6GHz

0, 1

Points to remember

  • By default, IPM is disabled.
  • When enabled, IPM enables all AP functionalities initially. IPM then proceeds to shut down or restrict the functionalities if the power usage of the AP goes beyond the power budget of the AP.
  • Although AOS 10.x allows flexible configuration of the radio band on some APs, the radio index always remains fixed.
  • Some reduction steps are available only for select AP platforms. For example, radio_2_disable step is applicable to any AP that has three radios such as AP-555 and AP-655, irrespective of the frequency band under which they operate.
  • To reduce the CPU power gradually, the smallest reduction is allocated a higher priority value so that the minimum reduction step is implemented first. For example, the cpu_throttle_50 parameter should have a higher priority value than the cpu_throttle_25 parameter, so that IPM gradually reduces the CPU throttle or power usage based on the priority list.