3650 WLC

[khan300]

Dear Experts,

I know we can use the 3650 switch as a WLC but in my scenario my client has 4 different locations where he will have 4 3650 switches with 5 AP license each.

Can we combine the 4 3650 switches and have one common WLC interface ? or will it have 4 different WLC interfaces as they are in 4 different lcoations. Each location has its own WLC.

Thanks

[PETER MOOREY]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by 'one common WLC interface', can you expand on that? 

Converged Access is a distributed controller system, so it is not too realistic to expect a single point of configuration/management/monitoring.  

A solution like Cisco Prime Infrastructure goes hand in hand with Converged Access to centralize monitoring, and semi-automate configuration of the wireless functionality.  It makes managing a converged access network more scaleable.

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In terms of configuration, it is possible to use the feature 'Mobility Controller Managing Mobility Agent', however I don't believe this is recommended when the switches are in different locations, although I guess it depends on your definition of 'location'.

The concept is that you designate one or more switches as a 'mobility controller', this can then push the majority of the wireless related configuration to the other switches which have the 'mobility agent' role.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3650/software/release/37e/consolidated_guide/b_37e_consolidated_3650_cg/b_37e_consolidated_3650_cg_chapter_0101010.html#d190159e1777a1635

As I understand it this feature is intended for switches that are (for example) within a building and interconnected with a LAN so it probably isn't going to meet your requirement.

Hope this helps,

Pete

[Rasika Nayanajith · Accepted solution]

It's better to configure one of 3650 as Mobility Controller (MC) and keep license for all APs. Effectively that 3650 will be managing RF for your wireless.

All other 3650 can be configured as Mobility Agent (MA) and peer with your MC.

Configuration wise, you have to configure each 3650 in identical manner for WLANs. Either you can incorprate those wireless config on to your 3650 switch configuration template or use Prime Infrastructure (if you have) to push template configuration for these 3650.

Below post may help, in that setup I have configure a 5760 as MC, but in your case one of 3650 will be the MC.

http://mrncciew.com/2013/12/14/3850ma-with-5760mc/

HTH

Rasika

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[PETER MOOREY · Accepted solution]

It is not supported to use MC over the WAN, in the question it suggests multiple locations are involved.  

http://blogs.cisco.com/enterprise/converged-access-branch-design-mc-over-wan

[khan300]

So it means that MC and MA can be configured as long as they are on the LAN, be it different locations. if its a WAN 3650 wont support it, can we not use it with flexconnect option ? or is flexconnect not supported.

[Rasika Nayanajith]

No FlexConnect (or any other mode except Local mode) is supported in Converged Access.