Configuring Wireless

LANs

BCMSN Module 6 Lesson 6

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Objectives
List the different methods that can be used to configure
autonomous access points
Describe the role performed by autonomous access points and
bridges in a radio network
Describe how to configure an autonomous access point
Describes how to configure a wireless LAN controller
Describe how to perform the initial configuration of wireless LAN
controllers via the command line and Web browser
Describe how to configure wireless LAN controllers via the Web
browser

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Autonomous Access
Point Configuration

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Autonomous Access Point Configuration

Configuration
Web browser (preferred)
Cisco IOS command line

Serial console
Telnet or SSH
CiscoWorks WLSE (optional)

IP address required except

for serial console

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Autonomous Access Point IP Address

Set IP address on access point
DHCP (default)
Serial console

Find IP address of access point

DHCP server
Serial console
CDP (switch)
Other access point

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Role of Autonomous AP in Radio

Network
Cisco Aironet 1100, 1200, and 1300 Series
Access Point (Fallback to Radio Island)
Access Point (Fallback to Radio Shutdown)
Access Point (Fallback to Repeater)
Repeater (Non-Root access point)
Root Bridge
Non-Root Bridge
Root Bridge with Wireless Clients
Non-Root Bridge with Wireless Clients
Workgroup Bridge
Scanner

Bridge modes not supported on the Cisco 1100 Series

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Autonomous Access Point Homepage

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Express Setup

Initial configuration of access point: hostname, IP address, SNMP

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Self Check
1. Name 3 methods of configuring an autonomous
access point.
2. Identify 4 methods to discover the IP address of an
autonomous access point.
3. What type of devices can root devices accept
associations from?

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Centralized WLAN
Configuration

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10

Getting started
The bulk of the configuration tasks required to setup a
Centralized WLAN solution are performed on the
Wireless LAN Controller.
Lightweight Access Points are designed to be zero
touch and are not directly configured by the
administrator.
The very basic configuration tasks required on the WLC
are done via CLI, while more complex tasks are
completed after the web interface is accessible.

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WLC and Lightweight AP Configuration

These are the basic steps to getting the controller and
APs online:
Have a DHCP server present so that the APs can
acquire a network address.
Note: Option 43 is used if the APs reside in a different subnet.

Configure the WLC for basic operation.

Configure the switch for the WLC.
Configure the switch for the APs.
Register the lightweight APs to the WLCs.

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Lightweight WLAN Controller

Configuration
Initial setup
Command line via serial console

Ongoing configuration*
Web browser
Command line via serial console, Telnet,
or SSH
Cisco WCS (optional)
*Requires IP address to be configured on controller

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13

Configuration Example

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WLAN Controller Boot Menu

Cisco Bootloader (Version 3.2.78.0)
.o88b. d888888b .d8888.
d8P Y8
`88'
88' YP
8P
88
`8bo.
8b
88
`Y8b.
Y8b d8
.88.
db
8D
`Y88P' Y888888P `8888Y'

.o88b.
d8P Y8
8P
8b
Y8b d8
`Y88P'

.d88b.
.8P Y8.
88
88
88
88
`8b d8'
`Y88P'

Model WLC2006
Booting Primary Image...
Press <ESC> now for additional boot options...
Boot Options
Please choose an option from below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Run primary image (Version 3.2.78.0) (active)

Run backup image (Version 3.1.105.0)
Manually upgrade primary image
Change active boot image
Clear Configuration

Please enter your choice:_

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15

CLI Wizard Configuration Tool

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Switch configuration for WLC

The 802.1Q switch port configuration is:
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
description Trunk Port to Cisco WLC switchport
trunk encapsulation dot1q switchport trunk
allowed vlan 2-4,60 switchport mode trunk

no shutdown

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Switch configuration for APs

This is an example VLAN interface configuration from
the Catalyst 3750:
interface VLAN5
description AP VLAN
ip address 10.5.5.1 255.255.255.0

This is an example switch port configuration from the

Catalyst 3750:
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/22
description Access Port Connection to LWAPP AP
switchport access vlan 5
switchport mode access
no shutdown
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AP Registration to WLC
As soon as the controller is activated, it starts listening
for access points on all connected ports.
As it detects access points, it records their MAC
addresses in its database.
The Radio Resource Management (RRM) function then
automatically configures the access points to start
transmitting and start allowing clients to connect
through the Cisco WLAN Solution.

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Self Check
1. How are lightweight access points configured?
2. What methods can be used to configure the WLAN
controller?
3. Which WLAN controller interface is the only
consistently pingable interface from outside the WLC?
4. What mode should the switchport be in for connection
to the WLC?
5. What mode should the switchport be in for connection
to an access point?

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WLC Web User

Interface

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WLAN Controller Web Login

https://<ip-addr>

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WLAN Controller Web Menu Bar

WLANs
Provides WLAN
configurations
such as SSIDs
and security
policies for all
user groups

MONITOR
Provides a view
of this controller,
its access points,
and wireless
clients

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WIRELESS
Provides access
point
configurations,
clients
management,
and various RF
settings

CONTROLLER
Provides controllerwide configurations
such as Layer 2/3
mode, Multicast,
and mobility
settings

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MANAGEMENT
Provides
integration into
the network such
as IP addressing
and SNMP

SECURITY
Provides
integration into
security structure
such as RADIUS
connectivity

COMMANDS
Provides
administrative
options such as
upgrades and
backups

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Monitor > Summary

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WLC 2006: Monitor > Statistics > Ports

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WLC 2006: Monitor > Ports > View Stats

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WLANs

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WLANs > Edit

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Controller > General

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Controller > Interfaces

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Interfaces > Edit

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Wireless > All APs

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Wireless > All APs > AP Detail

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Wireless > All APs > AP Detail (Cont.)

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Access Points > 802.11b/g Radios

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Access Points > 802.11b/g > Configure

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Management

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Commands

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Summary
Autonomous access points can be configured via
console, CLI, Web browser and management system.
An autonomous access points can act as a bridge,
repeater, access point, or scanner.
Autonomous access points can be configured easily via
a web browser.
Wireless LAN controllers can be initialized via CLI or
Web browser.
Wireless LAN controllers can be configured via CLI or
Web browser.

Wireless LAN configuration include SSIDs, VLANs,

access points, security, and management.
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Resources
Lightweight Access Point FAQs (Requires CCO login)
http://cisco.com/en/US/partner/products/ps6306/products_qand
a_item09186a00806a4da3.shtml

Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers Q&A (Requires CCO

login)
http://cisco.com/en/US/partner/products/ps6366/products_qand
a_item0900aecd802570be.shtml

Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) Troubleshoot FAQ

(Requires CCO login)
http://cisco.com/en/US/partner/products/ps6366/products_qand
a_item09186a008064a991.shtml

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