Wireless controller for Branches

[battanc]

I have a central office (with 6 or 7 AP) and some Branche office (with 1 or 2 AP each).

The connection is based on poorly performing lines (mostly VPN).

I want to optimize and centralize the entire wireless network, converting the existing stand-alone AP to managed AP.

In the central Office I will use a copy of 2500 series controller or a virtual, in the Branches must I install a controller in each, or are there cheaper solutions?

To manage all, I also thought to WCS software.

Thanks

Claudio

[Sandeep Choudhary · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You can use HREAP / Flexconnect philosophy to implement at Central and remote.

In this type you only need to have controller on centrel site and remote location just need Access Points.

Here are the mode.

H-REAP Modes of Operation Configuration Example

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/81680-hreap-modes.html

H-Reap Design and Deployment Guide

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/5500-series-wireless-controllers/71250-h-reap-design-deploy.html

Yes you can also buy WCS and the  you can manage WLC and APs though it.

Regards

Dont forget to rate helpful posts

[battanc]

Thanks for solution.

Two more questions:

- Do Aironet 600 Series support H-REAP ?

- Do the Virtual Controller support H-REAP ?

The document you linked are very interessant, but - I think - a little bit old related to the new AP and new controller.

And on the Data Sheets of this "new" products I can't fin out if they support H-Reap.

Best regards

Claudio

[Sandeep Choudhary]

Hi,

- Aironet 600 Series support H-REAP ?

No, Monitor, H-REAP, Sniffer, Rogue Detection, Bridge and SE-Connect modes are not supported on the 600 Series and are not configurable.

- The Virtual Controller support H-REAP ?

Yes, but there are few limitation:  FlexConnect Mode: Central and Local Switching. Only FlexConnect Central  and Local Switching APs are supported, Local Mode AP will only join the  controller but will not associate the clients. So once AP joins the  controller we can change the mode from Local mode to Flexconnect mode.

**** As per cisco these controller supported HREAP:

Cisco 5500, 4400, 2100, 2500, and Flex 7500 Series           Controllers

Hreap AP supported:

1130AG, 1140, 1240, 1250, 1260, AP801, AP 802, 1040, and AP3550           APs

Which new product tell me the name...I will tell u ..its supported or not.

Regards

Dont forget to rate helpful posts

[battanc]

Thanks,

The Aironet 1600 Series do support H-REAP ?

About the controller: mostly of the lines are poor lines (VPN); I can suppose that the AP have to switch "automatically" to Local Mode when the line "go down" and the main controller is no more reachible, and switcing back to Controller Mode when the line return UP.

In this scenario, do you suggest to choose a cople of 2500 Controllers instead of a Virtual one ?

Regards,

Claudio

[Sandeep Choudhary]

The Aironet 1600 Series do support H-REAP ?

Yes 1600 AP supports H-REAP.

Here is the FLexconnect matrix:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/5500-series-wireless-controllers/112042-technote-product-00.html

I will recommand to use from these controller not vWLC.

Cisco Flex 8500 and 7500, Cisco 5500, 4400, and 2500 Series Controllers

Regards

Dont forget to rate helpful posts