Aironet 2602 - Operation when WLC fails?

[cm.netatvision]

Hi,

we are using a WLC2504 with several Aironet 2602 Access Points.

So far it is working fine but when I turn off the WLC all SSIDs disappear after some seconds as they couldn't find the controller anymore.

Is it somehow possible to configure the Access Points for some "Failsafe"-Mode so that operation is still possible in the case of a controller failure?

Thanks in advance,

Christoph

[Sandeep Choudhary]

As per my exp. answer is NO.

It's a lightweight AP and it can only managed by WLC.

Yes if you don't want to use WLC then convert AP to autonomous mode then it will without WLC but it's not recomondated.

Regards
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[cm.netatvision]

Hi, thanks for the fast answer!

So it's necessary to have a second controller for HA / Failover purposes?

[Sandeep Choudhary]

Yes it's always good to have a backup or secondary controller incase of any failure with first or primary controller.

You can buy the 2nd controller with HA-SKU licence(Means zero license) and it will work as standby controller. If dirst controller with valid AP license go down then standby controller will take over.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/7-5/High_Availability_DG.html

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/technology/hi_avail/N1_High_Availability_Deployment_Guide/N1_HA_Overview.html

Regards
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[Scott Fella]

I agree with Sandeep in regards to a backup WLC. That is true redundancy!!!! I do have customers who however don't want to spend the money and end up putting the AP's in FlexConnect mode instead if local mode which is default and what you have your AP's set at. In FlexConnect, the AP's can still be active but there are limitations also, but might work for you in the meantime. Take a look at the FlexConnect guide:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/solutions/Enterprise/Mobility/emob73dg/emob73/ch7_HREA.html

https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-24082

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[cm.netatvision]

Thanks, works like a charm, this is exactly what I wanted!

As there is also a branch office this configuration would have been necessary anyway.

[Scott Fella]

FlexConnect for remote offices is always the way to go. WLC redundancy is another thing you should look at. The 2504 HA sku WLC is a low cost redundancy because you don't have to purchase AP license. The HA WLC2504 will provide backup to up to 75 access points. It's pretty cheap:)

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[Abha Jha]

This is obvious when you have all the AP's managed by one WLC and you are switching of your WLC then all the SSID will disappear. AP takes its config from the controller... and hence  this is fact.

[manassin]

Hi Cristoph,

we are using a WLC2504 with several Aironet 2602 Access Points.

So far it is working fine but when I turn off the WLC all SSIDs disappear after some seconds as they couldn't find the controller anymore.

Well the LWAPs are dumb devices. We do not do any configuration on the AP. We configure the WLC and APs broadcast the ssids which are configured on the WLC. That is the reason why all the ssids disappear when you turn off the WLC.

We have the option of AP-SSO which is also called HA-SKU.

All the APs on the Active WLC will also be seen on the Secondary WLC via the CAPWAP mirror image.

It is really a good option but I guess it is not supported on the 2504 WLC. it is supported on 5508 WLCs.

Link for the HA is:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/7-5/High_Availability_DG.html

Thanks and regards,

Manas Pratap Singh.

[Scott Fella · Accepted solution]

The 2504 supports HA but in an N+1 configuration using an HA SKU 2504 WLC... FlexConnect is another option for redundancy.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/technology/hi_avail/N1_High_Availability_Deployment_Guide/N1_HA_Overview.html

Thanks,

Scott

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