Data gathering to enable the optimization of distributed Wi-Fi networks

An access point in a Wi-Fi system configured to gather data for optimization, the access point comprising:

• a plurality of radios communicating on the Wi-Fi system;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of radios and configured to:
• periodically or based on command from a cloud-based system cause the one or more radios to i) obtain on-channel scanning data while operating on a home channel and ii) switch off the home channel and obtain off-channel scanning data for one or more off-channels;
• provide measurement data based on the on-channel scanning data and the off-channel scanning data to the cloud-based system for use in the optimization of the distributed Wi-Fi system, wherein the measurement data comprises raw data and processed data;
• and
• determine a division of time on the home channel that the access point spends in a plurality of categories based on a combination of direct measurements and computations based on the direct measurements, to determine an effective data rate of the access point for the optimization, wherein the plurality of categories include transmitting, receiving, busy, and idle.

A cloud-based system configured to obtain data from a Wi-Fi system for optimization, the cloud-based system comprising:

• a network interface communicatively coupled to the Wi-Fi system comprising a plurality of access points communicatively coupled to one another and at least one access point communicatively coupled to a gateway providing external communication to the cloud-based system;
• one or more processors communicatively coupled to the network interface;
• and
• memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to:
• receive periodically or based on command from the cloud-based system i) on-channel scanning data while an access point is operating on a home channel and ii) off-channel scanning data for one or more off-channels where the access point switches off the home channel;
• analyze measurement data based on the on-channel scanning data and the off-channel scanning data for use in the optimization of the Wi-Fi system, wherein the measurement data comprises raw data and processed data, and wherein the measurement data is analyzed from the plurality of access points;
• and
• determine a division of time of the home channel that the access point spends in a plurality of categories based on a combination of direct measurements and computations based on the direct measurements, to determine an effective data rate of the access point for the optimization, wherein the plurality of categories include transmitting, receiving, busy, and idle.