Help needed setting up access point to public network

glenn.pearce · ‎11-10-2012

Hi from a newbie,

Assuming they are suitable, I want to use one (or two) AP1232AG-E-K9 access points for Internet connection through a public wireless network (BTFON), where wire broadband is not an option. I've downloaded what I think is the correct manual for the APs and I'm now scratching my head as to where and how to start setting them up. I want to use these Cisco APs in the hope they will give me better wireless performance than I'm currently getting, which is frequently flakey.

I've tried to reset the APs to the factory default but there seem to be different ways of doing this depending on what you want and what you've got. I made up a console cable to access the console but there even appear to be different versions of this so I'm not sure if the cable I have is the correct one.

I have setup and used lower end wireless devices in the past but these Cisco units seem real complicated and I'm going to need help in getting them working.

Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Glenn.

glenn.pearce · ‎11-10-2012

If this posting is in the wrong place please relocate it and let me know where is has been moved to.

Thanks

kcnajaf · ‎11-10-2012

Hi Geln,

Please let us know how exactly you are planning to connect this AP to provide internet? Are you planning to bridge the wireless connection from BTFON? Have you mange to get console access to the device now?

Regards

Najaf

glenn.pearce · ‎11-10-2012

I hoped I could connect the AP directly to a laptop or desktop via the Rj45 wired network ports as per the drawing below, however, I'm open to suggestions.

As I said before I'm not sure the manual(s) I downloaded or the console cable i've made up are the correct ones. The manuals I found are:

Cisco Aironet 1200 Series Access Point Hardware Installation Guide, OL-2155-02.Text Part Number: OL-7043-02
Cisco Aironet 1200 Series Access Point Hardware Installation Guide. December 2006. Text Part Number: OL-8370-04

I also found reference to AP1230 series devices but which is the correct one I don't know. Perhaps you could advise or point me in the direction of the correct manual.

I'm wary of using the console cable I made up because it differs from other pinout arrangements I've found as shown below. Once again perhaps you could advise or point me in the direction of the correct pinout.

The pinout for the console cable I made up is the same as that shown in the 1200 series manuals and is as follows:

Rj45	9Pin (subD)
Pin 3 (TXD)	2 (RXD)
Pin 4 (GND)	5 (GND)
Pin 5 (GND)	5 (GND)
Pin 6 (RXD)	3 (TXD)

Other pinouts found use the same basic 4 connections as above but also have additional pins connected and are:

RJ45		DB9
RTS	1	8	CTS
DTR	2	6	DSR
TXD	3	2	RXD
GND	4	5	GND
GND	5	5	GND
RXD	6	3	TXD
DSR	7	4	DTR
CTS	8	7	RTS

and

	DB-9	RJ-45
Receive Data	2	3
Transmit Data	3	6
Data Terminal Ready	4	7
Ground (use as shield)	5	5
Ground (use as shield)	5	4
Data Set Ready	6	2
Request to Send	7	8
Clear to Send	8	1

I've edited this post to remove some errors.

kcnajaf · ‎11-10-2012

Hi Glenn,

As far as my understanding goes you could get your above requirment fulfilled if you configure your Cisco AP as a work group bridge.

Please flow below link for the configuration guide.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps430/products_configuration_example09186a00805b9b87.shtml

Also please find the pin out diagram which would be used by Cisco devices for console connectivity. My understanding all console cables have the same standard.

Use this cable to configure a Cisco router through the Console port at the router.

9 PIN D-SUB FEMALE to the Computer

RJ45 MALE CONNECTOR to the Cisco router

RJ45		DB9
RTS	1	8	CTS
DTR	2	6	DSR
TXD	3	2	RXD
GND	4	5	GND
GND	5	5	GND
RXD	6	3	TXD
DSR	7	4	DTR
CTS	8	7	RTS

Regards

Najaf

glenn.pearce · ‎11-11-2012

I've modified my console cable to give the same pinout as in the table above. As far as I'm aware I can now access the console.

At the moment the AP is connected via the console cable and has a hard wired connection to a Wireless Broadband Router (which has it's wireless disabled) and I can access the APs GUI. Here is the System Software page info:

Product/Model Number:	AIR-AP1232AG-E-K9
Top Assembly Serial Number:	FCZ1033Z24A
System Software Filename:	c1200-k9w7-tar.123-8.JA2
System Software Version:	12.3(8)JA2
Bootloader Version:	12.3(2)JA4

Where do I go from here? Presumably I need to reset the AP to its factory defaults? so that I can start afresh?

Cheers.

kcnajaf · ‎11-11-2012

Hi Glenn,

Good to know that you now have console access to the device. You could reset the device with "write erase" command from console and issue "reload" which will then re-boot with default configuration.

Regards

Najaf

glenn.pearce · ‎11-12-2012

How do I do these 2 things?

I've started HyperTerminal then switched on the AP and watched it boot in the terminal window, pressed enter and the terminal window command prompt now sits at 'ap>'

Regards,

Glenn

kcnajaf · ‎11-12-2012

Hi Glenn,

From ap>enable

Password:Cisco

AP# Write Erase

AP# Reload

Regards

Najaf

glenn.pearce · ‎11-12-2012

Thanks Najaf.

OK done that. However, the rebot log shows some errors, are they a problem. If not, where do I go from here?

Below is the boot log.

Thanks again,

Glenn.

ap>enable

Password:

ap#Write Erase

Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all configuration files! Continue? [con

firm]

[OK]

Erase of nvram: complete

ap#

*Mar 1 02:32:32.002: %SYS-7-NV_BLOCK_INIT: Initialized the geometry of nvram#

ap#Reload

Proceed with reload? [confirm]

*Mar 1 02:32:53.354: %SYS-5-RELOAD: Reload requested by console. Reload Reason:

Reload command.Xmodem file system is available.

flashfs[0]: 148 files, 7 directories

flashfs[0]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories

flashfs[0]: Total bytes: 7741440

flashfs[0]: Bytes used: 4948480

flashfs[0]: Bytes available: 2792960

flashfs[0]: flashfs fsck took 13 seconds.

Reading cookie from flash parameter block...done.

Base ethernet MAC Address: 00:18:b9:0f:ed:d8

Initializing ethernet port 0...

Reset ethernet port 0...

Reset done!

ethernet link up, 100 mbps, full-duplex

Ethernet port 0 initialized: link is up

Loading "flash:/c1200-k9w7-mx.123-8.JA2/c1200-k9w7-mx.123-8.JA2"...#############

################################################################################

################

File "flash:/c1200-k9w7-mx.123-8.JA2/c1200-k9w7-mx.123-8.JA2" uncompressed and i

nstalled, entry point: 0x3000

executing...

Restricted Rights Legend

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is

subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph

(c) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted

Rights clause at FAR sec. 52.227-19 and subparagraph

(c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer

Software clause at DFARS sec. 252.227-7013.

cisco Systems, Inc.

170 West Tasman Drive

San Jose, California 95134-1706

Cisco IOS Software, C1200 Software (C1200-K9W7-M), Version 12.3(8)JA2, RELEASE S

OFTWARE (fc1)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Compiled Tue 30-May-06 18:07 by pwade

Image text-base: 0x00003000, data-base: 0x00692480

Initializing flashfs...

flashfs[1]: 148 files, 7 directories

flashfs[1]: 0 orphaned files, 0 orphaned directories

flashfs[1]: Total bytes: 7741440

flashfs[1]: Bytes used: 4948480

flashfs[1]: Bytes available: 2792960

flashfs[1]: flashfs fsck took 2 seconds.

flashfs[1]: Initialization complete....done Initializing flashfs.

This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United

States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and

use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply

third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.

Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for

compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you

agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable

to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:

http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to

export@cisco.com.

cisco AIR-AP1232AG-E-K9 (PowerPC405GP) processor (revision A0) with 15038K/13

36K bytes of memory.

Processor board ID FOC103125KJ

PowerPC405GP CPU at 196Mhz, revision number 0x0145

Last reset from reload

1 FastEthernet interface

1 802.11 Radio(s)

32K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.

Base ethernet MAC Address: 00:18:B9:0F:ED:D8

Part Number : 73-8704-12

PCA Assembly Number : 800-23211-13

PCA Revision Number : A0

PCB Serial Number : FOC103125KJ

Top Assembly Part Number : 800-23304-13

Top Assembly Serial Number : FCZ1033Z24A

Top Revision Number : B0

Product/Model Number : AIR-AP1232AG-E-K9

%Error opening tftp://255.255.255.255/network-confg (Socket error)

%Error opening tftp://255.255.255.255/cisconet.cfg (Socket error)

Press RETURN to get started!

*Mar 1 00:00:04.077: %SOAP_FIPS-2-SELF_TEST_IOS_SUCCESS: IOS crypto FIPS self t

est passed

*Mar 1 00:00:05.214: %SOAP_FIPS-2-SELF_TEST_RAD_SUCCESS: RADIO crypto FIPS self

test passed on interface Dot11Radio 0

*Mar 1 00:00:07.307: %SYS-6-LOGGERSTART: Logger process started

*Mar 1 00:00:07.309: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface FastEthernet0, changed state to

up

*Mar 1 00:00:08.309: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface FastEthern

et0, changed state to down

*Mar 1 00:00:16.228: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface FastEthern

et0, changed state to up

*Mar 1 00:00:21.399: %SYS-4-CONFIG_RESOLVE_FAILURE: System config parse from (t

ftp://255.255.255.255/network-confg) failed

*Mar 1 00:00:21.484: %SYS-4-CONFIG_RESOLVE_FAILURE: System config parse from (t

ftp://255.255.255.255/cisconet.cfg) failed

*Mar 1 00:00:26.394: %LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface Dot11Radio0, changed state to a

dministratively down

*Mar 1 00:00:26.478: %SYS-5-RESTART: System restarted --

Cisco IOS Software, C1200 Software (C1200-K9W7-M), Version 12.3(8)JA2, RELEASE S

OFTWARE (fc1)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Compiled Tue 30-May-06 18:07 by pwade

*Mar 1 00:00:26.478: %SNMP-5-COLDSTART: SNMP agent on host ap is undergoing a c

old start

*Mar 1 00:00:27.394: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface Dot11Radio

0, changed state to down

*Mar 1 00:00:27.427: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface BVI1, chan

ged state to up

*Mar 1 00:00:36.936: %DHCP-6-ADDRESS_ASSIGN: Interface BVI1 assigned DHCP addre

ss 192.168.1.72, mask 255.255.255.0, hostname ap

ap>

Where do I go from here?

kcnajaf · ‎11-12-2012

Hi,

That looks fine. Please provide below out put.

ap>enable

Password:Cisco

ap# sh ip int brief

ap# sh run

Regards

Najaf

glenn.pearce · ‎11-12-2012

Najaf results as requested,

ap>enable

Password:

ap#sh ip int brief

Interface IP-Address OK? Method Status Prot

ocol

BVI1 192.168.1.72 YES DHCP up up

Dot11Radio0 unassigned YES unset administratively down down

FastEthernet0 unassigned YES other up up

ap#sh run

Building configuration...

Current configuration : 1141 bytes

!

version 12.3

no service pad

service timestamps debug datetime msec

service timestamps log datetime msec

service password-encryption

!

hostname ap

!

enable secret 5 $1$vvzL$U4MLOAVd7z26FL5l4U0Zc0

!

ip subnet-zero

!

no aaa new-model

!

username Cisco password 7 112A1016141D

!

bridge irb

!

interface Dot11Radio0

no ip address

no ip route-cache

shutdown

speed basic-1.0 basic-2.0 basic-5.5 6.0 9.0 basic-11.0 12.0 18.0 24.0 36.0 48.0

54.0

station-role root

bridge-group 1

bridge-group 1 subscriber-loop-control

bridge-group 1 block-unknown-source

no bridge-group 1 source-learning

no bridge-group 1 unicast-flooding

bridge-group 1 spanning-disabled

!

interface FastEthernet0

no ip address

no ip route-cache

duplex auto

speed auto

bridge-group 1

no bridge-group 1 source-learning

bridge-group 1 spanning-disabled

hold-queue 160 in

!

interface BVI1

ip address dhcp client-id FastEthernet0

no ip route-cache

!

ip http server

no ip http secure-server

ip http help-path http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/779/smbiz/prodconfig/help/eag

!

control-plane

!

bridge 1 route ip

!

line con 0

line vty 0 4

login local

!

end

kcnajaf · ‎11-12-2012

Hi,

What is your public wireless network SSID? Does this use any sort of authetication?

Regards

Najaf

glenn.pearce · ‎11-12-2012

The BTFON public wireless network SSID can change depending on which Hotspot your looking at . It appears there are several Hotspots with the same SSID all of which you can pick up if your AP is in range. In the area I want to use the AP there are at least 4 different BTFON Hotspots with different SSIDs including:

BT Openzone

BT WiFi

BT Fon

BT WiFi with Fon.

plus serveral with the same SSID.

BT WIFI and BT WIFI with FON superceed the other two which I guess will be phased out at sometime.

There does not seem to be any authentication required except ones own login details which should work for all of the BTFON hotspots all over the country.

Regards,

Glenn.

kcnajaf · ‎11-12-2012

Ok Fine.

Try applying below configuration

conf terminal

interface Dot11Radio0

ssid XXXXX (pick one of the SSID which have good signal and replace with XXXXX)

!

station-role workgroup-bridge

no shut

!

dot11 ssid XXXXX

authentication open

!

exit

After applying this please provide output of below command. Ensure that cable is removed from Fastethernet0 interface

ap#sh ip int brief

ap#sh dot11 ass

Regards

Najaf

RJ45		DB9
RTS	1	8	CTS
DTR	2	6	DSR
TXD	3	2	RXD
GND	4	5	GND
GND	5	5	GND
RXD	6	3	TXD
DSR	7	4	DTR
CTS	8	7	RTS

RJ45		DB9
RTS	1	8	CTS
DTR	2	6	DSR
TXD	3	2	RXD
GND	4	5	GND
GND	5	5	GND
RXD	6	3	TXD
DSR	7	4	DTR
CTS	8	7	RTS

RJ45		DB9
RTS	1	8	CTS
DTR	2	6	DSR
TXD	3	2	RXD
GND	4	5	GND
GND	5	5	GND
RXD	6	3	TXD
DSR	7	4	DTR
CTS	8	7	RTS

RJ45		DB9
RTS	1	8	CTS
DTR	2	6	DSR
TXD	3	2	RXD
GND	4	5	GND
GND	5	5	GND
RXD	6	3	TXD
DSR	7	4	DTR
CTS	8	7	RTS

RJ45		DB9
RTS	1	8	CTS
DTR	2	6	DSR
TXD	3	2	RXD
GND	4	5	GND
GND	5	5	GND
RXD	6	3	TXD
DSR	7	4	DTR
CTS	8	7	RTS

RJ45		DB9
RTS	1	8	CTS
DTR	2	6	DSR
TXD	3	2	RXD
GND	4	5	GND
GND	5	5	GND
RXD	6	3	TXD
DSR	7	4	DTR
CTS	8	7	RTS