How to manage 240 AC wireless APs

[HostMaster62784]

Hello all - I manage a small business with 6 locations.  I currently have numerous access points at these locations and all AP's are Cisco WAP321's.  Instead of continuing to buy these EOL APs I decided to go with the new 240AC's and use the mesh extenders so I won't have to run more wires.  I bought a 240AC and also a mesh extender to do a PoC.  I was able to setup the AP using the built-in SSID and then went to connect to the IP address of the AP so I could manage it and add the mesh extender.  The only problem I am having is I cannot connect to the AP on the IP address.  I only have the PoE port plugged into the switch.  My question is if its possible to manage the AP without using the management port?  To have to run 2 network cables to be able to manage each of the APs that are not extenders seems rather ridiculous for a small business so I am hoping that is not the requirement.  I would also like to know if there is a way to configure the AP out of the box without having to connect to the SSID as I would like to ship the APs straight to the location and have a remote hands person just plug it into the network, just like I do with the 321s.  Thanks for any help!

[Martin Aleksandrov · Accepted solution]

Hello, 

Congratulations on your choice! 

There is non-mesh and mesh deployment options with the CBWs using mesh extenders. You can access the web interface of the Master AP by entering the management interface IP address of the Master AP or using https://ciscobusiness.cisco in your browser's address bar. To do so you have to enable first the HTTP/HTTPS access in the Managemet->Access menu. More information about how to configure the AP you can find in the administration guide https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/csbap/CBW_Admin/Admin/en_US/b_Cisco_AP_Admin_Guide.pdf (Management Section).

Regarding your second question, there is a simple and easy way to do this with the Cisco Business app available in Google Play and Appstore. You will just need to scan the QR code and follow the “Set up my network” steps in the app after download. 

More information here:

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/csbap/CBW240/QSG/78-101502-01A0_Final.pdf

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/small-business/networking/business-mobile-app.html 

Regards,

Martin

[HostMaster62784]

I am not sure what I missed but when I first configured the AP I wasn't able to connect via HTTPS to the IP address to manage the AP.  This is why I begin to incorrectly assume that I needed to use the management interface.  I just tried again today after your reply and had no issues connecting.  So all good there.

Thanks for the info on the second question, that will suffice for now but I sure would like to see that management interface open out of the box if its not already so I would not have to use the app. 

Thanks so much for your reply, I think I am all set now and looking forward to testing out the mesh function now!

[Martin Aleksandrov]

You are welcome!

Here is the landing page for the mesh extenders: 

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/smb/product-support/small-business/wireless-mesh-extenders-100-series.html?cachemode=refresh 

Mesh extenders can be extremely useful and easily rolled out in places where you need to expand the FiWi coverage and don't have structure cabling (ethernet wired connection). A couple of options there with three different models (CB141AC, CBW142AC and CBW143AC).

Regards,

Martin