- Introduction
- Resolution
- Configuring a Hot Standby Access Point
- Problem Type
- Products
- SW Features
- Reference
Introduction
Need assistance enabling Hot Standby mode.
Resolution
Hot Standby mode designates an access point as a backup for another access point. The standby access point is placed near the access point it monitors, configured exactly the same as the monitored access point. The standby access point associates with the monitored access point as a client and sends IAPP queries to the monitored access point through both the Ethernet and the radio ports. If the monitored access point fails to respond, the standby access point comes online and takes the monitored access point's place in the network.
Except for the IP address, the standby access point's settings should be identical to the settings on the monitored access point. If the monitored access point goes offline and the standby access point takes its place in the network, matching settings ensures that client devices can switch easily to the standby access point.
The standby access point monitors another access point in a device-to-device relationship, not in an interface-to-interface relationship. For example, you cannot configure the standby access point's 5-GHz radio to monitor the 5-GHz radio in access point alpha and the standby's 2.4-GHz radio to monitor the 2.4-GHz radio in access point bravo. You also cannot configure one radio in a dual-radio access point as a standby radio and configure the other radio to serve client devices. Hot standby mode is disabled by default.
Note 
If the monitored access point malfunctions and the standby access point takes its place, repeat the hot standby setup on the standby access point when you repair or replace the monitored access point. The standby access point does not revert to standby mode automatically.
Note The MAC address of the monitored access point might change if a BSSID on the monitored unit is added or deleted. If you use multiple BSSIDs on your wireless LAN, check the status of the standby unit when you add or delete BSSIDs on the monitored access point. If necessary, reconfigure the standby unit to use the BSSID's new MAC address.
Configuring a Hot Standby Access Point
When you set up the standby access point, you must enter the MAC address of the access point that the standby unit will monitor. Record the MAC address of the monitored access point before you configure the standby access point.
The standby access point also must duplicate several key settings on the monitored access point. These settings are:
- Primary SSID (as well as additional SSIDs configured on the monitored access point)
- Default IP Subnet Mask
- Default Gateway
- Data rates
- WEP settings
- Authentication types and authentication servers
Check the monitored access point and record these settings before you set up the standby access point.
Note Wireless client devices associated to the standby access point lose their connections during the hot standby setup process.
Problem Type
Configure / Configuration issues
Products
Access point
SW Features
Hot standby
Reference
To quickly duplicate the monitored access point's settings on the standby access point, save the monitored access point configuration and load it on the standby access point. See the "Working with Configuration Files" section for instructions on uploading and downloading configuration files.
For more information, follow directions on Using Hot Standby Mode.