02-12-2014 11:45 AM - edited 07-05-2021 12:10 AM
Hi There,
We plan to move our office to a new building. In the new building I expect to have 4 or 5 Access Points (Because of the layout of the building)
All of my switches are Cisco
Would you please let me know which model is better than the others
Thank you in Advance.
IT Guy
02-12-2014 12:03 PM
Well I would look at getting a WLC instead of standalone access points. WLC 2504 with 5 AP license. Maybe also look at the 2602's if cost is an issue. If you want the latest and greatest 802.11ac them look at the 3700's. There are other out there that are cheaper but you have to look at what you want and your budget.
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/access-points/index.html
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02-12-2014 12:32 PM
Hello,
Thank you so much for your reply.
I looked at your recommendation. It seems it comes with 5 ans 15 accesspoint License.
What does that mean?
I mean if I buy a "Cisco 2504 Wireless Controller with 5 Access Point License", I can have only 5 Access point or 5 SSIDs?
it seems it has only two POE ports.
What model of access point shall I buy?
I find out ppeople are buying Csco Air-LAP 1041N-A-K9 Aironet 1040, shall I buy 5 of them?
Thank you in Advance for your time
02-12-2014 12:41 PM
The license is for ap count not SSIDs. Total SSIDs is 16 in those and best practice is to have 4 or less. The PoE ports shouldn't be used, you need to buy a switch that has PoE, not recommended to use the PoE or non PoE ports on the 2504. I wouldn't go with the 1040's, look at the 2600's or 1600's.
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02-28-2014 08:32 AM
Hello Scott,
Thank you so much for your reply.
Based on your recommendation I decided to go with CT2504 Wireless LAN Controller and four or Five Aironet 1602i Controller-based - wireless access point
I looked at the installation instruction for the access points in the link below:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/1600/quick/guide/ap1600getstart.pdf
Step 1-d of the instruction says
Make sure DHCP is enabled on the network
The picture below shows the infrastructure setup in my current network
The ASA modele is ASA5510
I have a Layer 3 WS-C3650x-48P-s and have three V-LANs on it
1- Servers and Printers (All static) Subnet: 100
2- Workstations (DHCP) Subnet: 110
3- Wi-Fi (DHCP) Subnet: 120
All Exp-500 switches are for the voice
I have a plan to add the new devices in the network
I am going to replace the current access points with the new ones
As I mentioned before I have a plan to have two SSIDs in my network (Guest and Private)
For the setup
I am going to add new subnet in my net work for my Wi-Fi Guest (let's call it 130).
I am going to assign 4 ports in the layer 3 switch to my new access points and set them as Trunk.
Now my questions:
1- Based on the instruction, where shall I connect the new Wi-Fi controller in my network? (it should see my network as well)
my guess is a trunk port in the Layer 3 switch (am I correct)?
2- My current access points have a static IP address from the subnet 120, but I am confuse with the IP address of the new access points, would you please advise me?
Thank you in Advance for your time
Amir
02-28-2014 09:09 AM
HI Amir,
You can connect wlc to core switch(layer 3) and create a DHCP pool for APs to get IP from pool and try to be on same subnet as your WLC.
Connect AP at your distribution swicthes but make sure you allowed the vlans.
AP must be connected to access ports(Not trunk)
Regards
02-28-2014 09:32 AM
Hello Sandeep,
Thank you so much for your reply.
Let me re-phrase your description to be sure I understand it correctly.
I am not very well in the networking but I have started to get my CCNA and I am in the middle of the course.
As I need to have two separate Wi-Fis, I have to define two DHPC Pools (Let's say 192.168.120.0/24, 192.168.130.0/24) on the Layer 3 switch
ip dhcp pool WiFi-P
network 192.168.120.0 255.255.255.0
default-router 192.168.120.253
dns-server 192.168.100.5 192.168.100.7
ip dhcp pool WiFi-G
network 192.168.130.0 255.255.255.0
default-router 192.168.130.253
dns-server 192.168.100.5 192.168.100.7 (Do I need to have this line for My guest Wi-Fi subnet? because the subnet should have access to internet only not any device in my network)
interface Vlan 120
description "Wi-Fi - Private"
ip address 192.168.120.253 255.255.255.0
description "Wi-Fi - Guess"
ip address 192.168.130.253 255.255.255.0
then for the APs (Let's consider I am going to connect them to the ports 40 ~ 43)
int range Gig 0/40 - 0/43
description Wi-Fi
Switchport access vlan 120
Switchport access vlan 130
What will be the setting for the port which I am going to connect the WLC on the Layer 3 switch?
Thank you in advance for your time
Amir
02-28-2014 10:11 AM
Hi Amir,
First connect WLC to trunk port on layer 3 switch.(Example: 100)
Config for WLC:
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/6 description *** Trunk Port to Cisco WLC *** switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q switchport trunk allowed vlan 100,120,130 switchport mode trunkno shutdown
Now you want to connect AP: Connect AP on access port to your layer 2 device or distribution switch.
Config for AP:
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/22 description ***Access Port Connection to Cisco Lightweight AP *** switchport access vlan 100 switchport mode access no shutdown
You can create dhcp pool for vlan 120 and 130 on WLC itself.
1. Configure dynamic interface for vlan 120 and vlan 130
check here: http://rscciew.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/configure-dynamic-interface-on-wlc/
2. Then create a wlan and then assign the dynamic interface to respective wlan.
3. Create DHCP pool for each wlan.
here is the config guide:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/7-0/configuration/guide/c70.html
Please check.
Let me now if you any questions.
Regards
02-28-2014 12:27 PM
Hello Sandee,
Thank you so much for your time.
I will receive my devices in the next week or early following week. I wanted to be ready for them first.
Let me receive them I will setup them and let you know about the result.
Again thank you so much for you time
Amir
02-28-2014 12:33 PM
Hi,
I really recommend the Cisco Cloud Networking Access Points!
I also thought you might be interested in a webinar about cloud networking from Cisco Meraki. Quite a few of my other customers rely on Meraki solutions with easy centralized cloud management of their entire wired and wireless networks.
Cisco Meraki webinars include a live demo of this cloud management platform and you get a free Meraki access point for attending. I think Meraki would be a good match for you. You can sign up for a webinar here:
http://www.meraki.com/company/webinars?ref=14RJ4vK
Let me know what you think!
– Sven Kutzer
02-28-2014 12:36 PM
Hello Sevn,
thank you so much.
There is an issue on Meraki access points, they have an annual fees which I do not want to have the cost on my expenses.
Amir
02-28-2014 01:20 PM
Hi,
then I also recommend the Cisco vWLC:
Minimize hardware costs while optimizing wireless network performance with centralized control. The Virtual Wireless Controller can cost-effectively manage, secure, and optimize the performance of local and branch wireless networks. Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses, the Virtual Wireless Controller facilitates server consolidation and improves business continuity in the face of outages.
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