Using the Initial Setup Wizard

This chapter describes how to use the Initial Setup Wizard to bring up an access point (AP), with minimal configurations, to access the wireless network. When bringing up an AP for the first time, use the wizard to define the AP‘s basic, required settings, such as operational mode, deployment location, basic security, network and WLAN settings. Once the AP is up and running, use the AP's GUI to configure the remaining, advanced, user-interface functionalities.

To bring up an AP for the first time, follow the steps below:

  1. Install and power up the AP.
    For more information, see Connecting to Web UI.
  2. Point the Web browser to the AP's IP address.
    The AP's Web UI login screen displays.
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  3. Enter the default user name admin in the User name field.
  4. Enter the default password admin123 in the Password field.
    Note

    Note

    When logging in for the first time, you will be prompted to change the password. Set a new password and use it for subsequent logins.
    The AP's management interface UI displays, and the Initial Setup Wizard landing page pops up.
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    Note

    Note

    The Initial Setup Wizard displays the same pages and content for all the WiNG AP model types – the only difference being the number of radios supported on the AP.

    The landing page has the following elements:

    Introduction: Lists the tasks you can perform using this wizard.
    Navigation Panel: Provides links to configuration pages where you can perform the tasks listed in the Introduction pane.
    Choose One Type to Setup the Access Point Provides two AP setup wizards. The options are: Typical Setup and Advanced Setup. The links available on the Navigation Panel vary depending on the option you select.
  5. Selecting the Access Point Setup Wizard Type.

  6. Select one of the following AP setup wizards:
    • Typical Setup - Select this option to apply system-provided, default values on the AP. We recommend using this option because it simplifies the configuration process. This option is enabled by default.

      The Typical Setup → Navigation Panel lists the following configurable features:

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    • Advanced Setup - Select this option to configure user-specific values instead of applying default settings. This option provides additional configurable features, such as Radio Configuration, System Information, and WAN Configuration.

      The Advanced Setup → Navigation Panel lists the following configurable features:

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    A green check-mark to the left of a task, on the Navigation Panel, indicates that the minimum required configurations for that task have been set correctly. It is mandatory to have each task green check-marked to successfully complete the initial setup.

    A red X against a task indicates that at least one mandatory parameter is pending configuration.

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    Red, Green Check-marks
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  7. Select the Summary and Commit link, on the Navigation Panel, to view and commit your changes.
  8. Select Next to proceed to the next page.
    Select Back to revert to the previous page without saving your updates.

    Select Cancel to close the wizard without committing your changes.

    Select Save/Commit to save changes made to a page. We recommend that you save your updates before moving to the next page.

  9. Tasks Common to both Wizard Types.

    The following steps describe tasks that are common to both wizards.

  10. Click Next.
    The Access Point Settings page displays. Use this page to specify the AP's mode of functioning.
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  11. Configuring the Access Point Settings.

  12. Set the AP's mode of functioning as one of the following:
    • Virtual Controller AP - Select to configure the AP to function as a virtual controller (VC). In a multiple-AP network, you can configure one of the APs as the VC. For information on the adoption capabilities of the different WiNG AP model types, see Heterogeneous AP Management.
    • Virtual Controller AP Auto - Select to enable dynamic virtual controller (DVC) mode on the AP. When enabled, the AP on being elected as the RF Domain manager takes on the role of the VC. If you have deployed multiple APs in an RF Domain, you can enable DVC on more than one AP. However, only the current RF Domain manager AP has a running instance of the DVC.

      If enabling DVC, configure the AP's management interface settings:

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      • Use the Virtual Controller Management VLAN spinner control to set the management interface's virtual local area network (VLAN). This VLAN is exclusively used by the VC to broadcast MiNT packets, and to adopt APs. The default setting is VLAN 1.
      • Enter the management interface IP address and subnet in the Virtual Controller Management Interface IP field.

        Because of the random nature of DVC, specifying an explicit management interface IP address makes it easier to manage VCs. In case of failover, this IP address is installed as the secondary IP address on the new VC.

        Configuring a management interface IP address is mandatory. However, VLAN configuration is optional. If you configure the IP address without specifying the VLAN, the system sets the specified IP address as secondary IP on VLAN 1.

    • Standalone AP - Select to deploy the AP as an independent AP, not managed by a VC, or adopted by a wireless controller/service platform. .
      Note

      Note

      If designating the AP as a Standalone AP, exclusively use the AP‘s UI, and not the CLI, to configure the AP's settings. The CLI allows you to define more than one profile, whereas the UI does not. Consequently, you might encounter problems if using both interfaces to manage profiles.
    • Adopted to Controller - Select to deploy the AP as a controller-managed, dependent AP.
      Note

      Note

      The Adopted to Controller option is available only on the Advanced Setup wizard.
      Note

      Note

      A controller-adopted AP obtains its configuration from a profile stored on its managing controller. Manual changes made on the AP are overwritten by the controller upon reboot.

      If enabling controller adoption, configure the following Adoption Settings:

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      • Select Automatic controller discovery (L2, DHCP or DNS based) to enable dynamic discovery and adoption of the AP by any controller within the same subnet. The AP is Layer 2 (L2) adopted to the controller.
      • Select Static Controller Configuration to manually configure the controller to which the AP should adopt. This is applicable only in case of Layer 3 (L3) adoption.

        If enabling L3 adoption:

        • Enter the IP address of the primary controller in the Controller 1 field.
        • Enter the IP address of the secondary controller in the Controller 2 field.

          When configured, the AP tries to adopt to Controller 1 first. If the controller is unreachable, the AP tries to adopt to Controller 2.

        • Select Use DHCP to enable dynamic network address assignment. If selected, the AP's IP address is provided by the local DHCP server resource.
        • Alternately, select the Static IP Address/Subnet option to manually configure the AP's network address.
        • Enter the Default Gateway IP address to enable the AP to forward traffic destined for other networks.
  13. Use the Country Code Selection spinner control to set the AP's country of deployment.
    Ensure that the country code is set correctly because parameters – for example, the available channels of operation and regulatory compliance rules – are country specific.

    This option is available only on the Typical Setup wizard.

  14. Select Next.
    The Networking Mode page displays. Use this page to define the AP's network-traffic handling mode.
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  15. Configuring the AP's Network Topology Settings.

  16. Set the AP's Networking Mode Selection as:
    • Router Mode - Select to enable the AP to function as a router. When enabled, the AP routes traffic between the local area network (LAN) and the Internet or external wide area network (WAN). We recommend using this option in single-AP supported deployments.
    • Bridge Mode - Select to enable the AP function as a bridge between the LAN and the Internet or WAN. When enabled, the AP uses an external router to bridge traffic. We recommend using this option in multiple-AP deployments, with APs supporting clients on both the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz radio bands.
      Note

      Note

      The Bridge Mode does not require WAN configurations on the AP. Therefore, if you select this option, the WAN configuration option is disabled.
  17. Select Next.
    The LAN Configuration screen displays. Use this screen to configure the AP's LAN address, DHCP server, and DNS server.
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  18. Configuring the AP's LAN Settings.

  19. Select one of the following options to configure the IP address of the AP's LAN interface:
    • Use DHCP - Select to enable dynamic IP address assignment. When selected, the local DHCP server resource, running on VLAN 1 (the default VLAN), assigns the IP address.
      Note

      Note

      If you select this option, the AP's VLAN 1 (the default VLAN interface of the AP) is dynamically assigned an IP address by the DHCP server running on VLAN 1. Therefore, if you select this option, ensure that a DHCP server is up and running on VLAN 1 and is reachable from the AP.
    • Static IP Address/Subnet - Select to manually configure the AP's IP address and subnet.
      • Enter the AP's LAN interface IP address and subnet in the Static IP Address/Subnet field.
      • Enter the default gateway's IP address in the Default Gateway field.
        Note

        Note

        The AP routes inter-VLAN traffic through the default gateway.
    Note

    Note

    If you configure a static IP and subnet for the AP, also enable it to function as an on-board DHCP. Therefore, if you select this option, configure the DHCP server and DNS server settings. For DHCP server configurations, move to step 15. For DNS server configurations, move to step 16.
  20. Set the following DHCP Server settings:
    1. Select the Use on-board DHCP server to assign IP addresses to wireless clients option to enable the AP to function as the on-board DHCP server resource.
      When this option is enabled, the AP provides its IP address to requesting wireless clients on the LAN interface.
    2. Enter the starting and ending IP addresses in the Range fields.
      The AP assigns IP addresses to authenticated wireless clients from the specified range.
      Avoid assigning IP addresses from x.x.x.1 - x.x.x.10 and x.x.x.255, as they are often reserved for standard network services.
    3. Enter the IP address of the default gateway, in the Default Gateway field.
  21. Select one of the following options to configure the Domain Name Server :
    • Select the DNS Forwarding option to enable DNS forwarding on the AP. This option is enabled by default.

      DNS forwarding is useful when a request for a domain name is made, but the DNS server responsible for resolving the name into its corresponding IP address cannot locate the matching IP address.

      Note

      Note

      Disabling DNS Forwarding enables the Primary DNS and Secondary DNS fields.
    • Configure the following external DNS server resource parameters:
      • Enter the Primary DNS server resource IP address. When specified, the AP forwards DNS resolution requests to the specified resource.
      • Enter the Secondary DNS server resource IP address.
  22. Configuring the AP's WAN settings.

  23. Select Next.
    The WAN Configuration page displays. Use this page to define network address settings for the AP's WAN interface. The WAN interface connects the AP to the wired local area network or backhaul.
    Note

    Note

    The WAN Configuration option is enabled only if you set the AP in Router Mode on the Networking Mode page (see step 11 ).
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  24. Select one of the following options to configure the AP's WAN interface's IP address:
    • Use DHCP - Select to enable dynamic IP address assignment. When selected, an external DHCP server resource, located on the WAN side of the network, assigns an IP address to the AP‘s WAN interface.
    • Static IP Address/Subnet - Select to manually configure IP address and subnet for the AP's WAN interface.
      • Enter the AP's WAN interface IP address and subnet in the Static IP Address/Subnet field.
      • Enter the default gateway's IP address in the Default Gateway field.

        The Default Gateway is a router that serves as the gateway to other networks.

  25. Select Next.
    The Wireless LAN Setup page displays. Use this page to configure the AP's Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) settings.
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    A WLAN is a means of flexibly extending the functionality of a wired LAN. A WLAN links two or more computers or devices using spread-spectrum or OFDM modulation based technology. WLANs do not require lining up devices for line-of-sight transmission, and are thus desirable for wireless networking. Roaming users can be handed off from one AP to another, as with a cellular phone system. WLANs can therefore be configured around the needs of specific user groups, even when they are not in physical proximity.

  26. Configuring the WLAN Settings.

    Note

    Note

    You can configure up to two (2) WLANs for the AP.

  27. Set the following WLAN parameters:
    1. Enter the WLAN's SSID.
    2. Select the WLAN Type.
      The WLAN Type defines the encryption and authentication modes used with the WLAN.
    • No Authentication and No Encryption – Select to configure a network without any authentication or encryption.
      Note

      Note

      When selected, any device can access the network. Data transmitted through the network is in plain text.
    • Captive Portal Authentication and No Encryption – Select to configure a network using Captive Portal (Web page) based authentication.
      Note

      Note

      When selected, the network serves a Web page (internally or externally hosted) to wireless clients requesting network access. The clients enter their login credentials on this Web page. These credentials are authenticated by a RADIUS server. On successful authentication clients are granted access. Once on the network, the data transmitted through the network is in plain text.
      Note

      Note

      If selecting this option, move to step 21 to configure the RADIUS server details.
    • PSK authentication, WPA2 encryption – Select to configure a network that uses PSK authentication and WPA2 encryption.
      Note

      Note

      When selected, wireless clients are granted network access only if the pre-shared key (PSK) configured on the AP matches the PSK configured on the client.
      Note

      Note

      If selecting this option, move to step 22 to configure the PSK.
  28. Configuring RADIUS server for the Captive Portal Authentication and No Encryption network.

  29. Specify the RADIUS Server type as one of the following:
    • External RADIUS Server - Select to use an externally hosted RADIUS server for user authentication. This is the default setting.
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      • Enter the external RADIUS server resource IP address in the RADIUS Server IP address field.
      • Enter the shared secret needed to access the RADIUS server, in the RADIUS Shared Secret field.
    • Onboard RADIUS Server – Select to configure the AP as the RADIUS server that performs user authentication. A RADIUS Server Configuration window is displayed, where you add users to the RADIUS server database.
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      • Click Add User to add a new user. The Add User dialog displays.
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        User name Enter the client's user name.
        Password Enter the password associated with the specified user name.
        Confirm Password Re-enter the password.
        Description Enter a short description for the user.
      • Click Create to add the new user and continue adding other users.
      • Click Create & Close to add the new user and close the dialog.
      • To modify an existing user in the RADIUS server database, select the user from those listed and click Modify User. In the Modify User dialog, make the required changes and click Modify User.
        Note

        Note

        You cannot modify the Username. However, Password and Description can be modified.
      • To delete an existing user in the RADIUS server database, select the user from those listed and click Delete User. A confirmation dialog displays. Click Yes to confirm deletion.
  30. Configuring PSK for the PSK authentication, WPA2 encryption network.

  31. To specify the PSK needed for client authentication:
    1. Use the drop-down menu to specify the PSK type as ASCII or HEX.
    2. Enter the PSK in the WPA Key field.
      Provide a 64-character HEX key or an 8-63 character ASCII key, based on the PSK type you have selected.
  32. Advanced Setup-specific Tasks.

    The following steps describe the tasks specific to the Advanced Setup wizard.

  33. Click Next.
    The Radio Configuration page displays. Use this page to set the radio's mode of operation. The radio can be set to transmit data to and from wireless clients, or it can be configured to function as a dedicated sensor.
    Note

    Note

    The number of configurable radios displayed depends on the AP's model type.

    The following image shows an AP with two radios:

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  34. Configuring the AP's Radio Interface.

  35. Set the following parameters for each radio:
    1. Configure as a Data Radio - Select to dedicate the radio to WLAN client support in the 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz radio bands.
    2. Power Level - Use the spinner control to select a 1 - 23 dBm minimum power level to assign to this radio. 1 dBm is the default setting.
    3. Channel Mode - Set the channel selection mode to one of the following:
      Random Select to use with 802.11n radios. In the European Union, to comply with Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) requirements, the 802.11n radio uses a randomly selected channel each time the AP is powered on.
      Best Select to enable the AP to scan non-overlapping channels and listen for beacons from other APs. After the channels are scanned, the AP selects the channel with the fewest APs. In case of multiple APs on the same channel, it selects the channel with the lowest average power level. Selecting Best enables the Constantly Monitor option. Select this option to enable the AP to continuously scan the network for excessive noise and sources of interference.
      Static Select to assign the AP a permanent channel and scan for noise and interference only when initialized.
    4. Configure as a Sensor Radio - Select to dedicate the radio to sensor support exclusively. A sensor radio scans all channels within the 2.4 and 5.0 GHz bands to identify potential threats. If you are dedicating the radio to sensor support, also configure a primary and secondary ADSP server, that receives and analyses inputs from the sensor radio.
    5. Disable the Radio - Select to disable the radio. When disabled, the radio goes offline. Verify this course of action with your network administrator before rendering the radio offline.
  36. Click Next.
    The Summary and Commit page displays.
    Note

    Note

    This page is available on both the Typical Setup and Advanced Setup wizards.
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    Use this page to review and validate the AP's configuration.
    • If the AP's configuration warrants additional changes, click Back, navigate to the desired page, and make the changes.
    • After you have validated the configurations, click Save/Commit to apply the changes.