Configure RF Domain Overrides

Each WLAN provides associated wireless clients with an SSID (Service Set Identifier). This has limitations, because it requires wireless clients to associate with different SSIDs to obtain QoS and security policies. However, a WiNG managed RF Domain can have WLANs assigned and advertise a single SSID, but allow users to inherit different QoS or security policies. Use the Override SSID tab to assign WLANs an override SSID for the RF Domain, as needed.

Controllers and service platforms allow the mapping of a WLAN to more than one VLAN. When a wireless client associates with a WLAN, it is assigned a VLAN in such a way that users are load balanced across VLANs. The VLAN is assigned from the pool representative of the WLAN. Clients are tracked per VLAN, and assigned to the least used/loaded VLAN. Client VLAN usage is tracked on a per-WLAN basis.

Use this procedure to define an override SSID and override VLAN configuration used with an RF Domain.

  1. Go to Site > Overrides.
  2. Select the Override SSID tab, and create a new SSID override:
    1. Select Add.
    2. Select an existing WLAN to be assigned an override SSID.
      If a WLAN configuration has not been defined, see Wireless Configuration for detailed information on the steps required to create a WLAN.
    3. Enter the name of the SSID to use with this WLAN.
    4. Proceed to the final step in this procedure or continue with configuration.
  3. Select the Override WPA2 Key tab.
    The Override WPA2 Key tab enables an administrator to configure an override of a WLAN‘s existing WPA2 PSK at the RF Domain level (not the profile level).
    1. Select Add to add an override.
    2. Configure the parameters for the Override WPA2 Key as described in Override WPA2 Key Parameters.
      Table 1. Override WPA2 Key Parameters
      Parameter Description
      WLAN Select an existing WLAN to override its key at the RF Domain level.
      WPA2 Key Enter either an alphanumeric string of 8 to 64 ASCII characters or 64 HEX characters as the primary string both transmitting and receiving authenticators must share in this new override PSK. The alphanumeric string allows character spaces. The string is converted to a numeric value. This pass phrase saves the administrator from entering the 256-bit key each time keys are generated.
    3. Proceed to the final step in this procedure or continue with configuration.
  4. Select the Override WEP128 Keys tab.

    The Override WEP128 Keys screen enables an administrator to override a WLAN‘s existing WEP 128 Keys at the RF Domain level (not the profile level). WEP 128 uses a 104 bit key which is concatenated with a 24-bit IV (initialization vector) to form the RC4 traffic key. WEP may be all a small-business user needs for the simple encryption of wireless data on the WLAN. However, networks that require more security are at risk from a WEP flaw. WEP is only recommended if there are client devices incapable of using higher forms of security. The existing 802.11 standard alone offers administrators no effective method to update keys.

    Note

    Note

    After a WEP 128 key override is configured, it cannot be modified. It can only be deleted.
    1. Select to add an override.
    2. Configure the parameters for the WEP 128 key override as described in Override WEP128 Keys Parameters.
      Table 2. Override WEP128 Keys Parameters
      Parameter Description
      Generate Keys Specify a 4- to 32-character RF Domain override Pass Key and select Generate. The pass key can be any alphanumeric string. Wireless devices and their connected clients use the algorithm to convert an ASCII string to the same hexadecimal number. Clients without adapters need to use WEP keys manually configured as hexadecimal numbers.
      Keys 1-4 Use the Key #1-4 areas to specify key numbers. For WEP 128 (104-bit key), the keys are 26 hexadecimal characters in length. Select one of these keys for default activation by clicking its radio button. Selecting Show displays a key in exposed plain text.
      WEP Keys Enter 26 HEX or 13 ASCII characters representing WEP 128 Keys. Default WEP 128 keys are as follows:
      • Key 1 8bc9b8ea08534f3636b320afcc
      • Key 2 db9d5afe707faec43efc86c8e4
      • Key 3 5cd34cecd69b0a3c5aac22d3cb
      • Key 4 697001201997e0577c49ba2793
    3. Proceed to the final step in this procedure or continue with configuration.
  5. Select the Override VLAN tab.
    1. Select to add an override.
    2. Select an existing WLAN from the Name drop-down list.
    3. Set the override VLAN to a value in the range 1 – 4094.
    4. Define the client user limit for the VLAN. Set the Wireless Client Limit to a value in the range 0 – 8192.
    5. Proceed to the final step in this procedure or continue with configuration.
  6. Select the Override WLAN Shutdown tab.
    1. Select Add to add an override.
    2. Select an existing WLAN from the Name drop-down list.
    3. Select the check box to Enable the override.
    4. Proceed to the final step in this procedure or continue with configuration.
  7. After you have completed configuring the settings, choose from the following actions:
    1. Select Apply to commit the configured settings.
      Note

      Note

      This does not save the settings you configured; it provides a preview of your applied settings. To undo the settings you applied, select Revert.
    2. Select Save to commit and save the configured settings.
      Note

      Note

      If you do not select Save, the settings that you configured are not saved when you move away from the configuration window.

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