Cisco Aironet 2800 AP AUX port - Can it be used for management?

[juandcc2014]

Hello, everyone.

I am currently setting up a massive network composed of at least 16 access points, all of them being Cisco Aironet 2800 Access Points. I am trying to implement a management network(switch) where all the networking devices are connected for management via SSH or some other protocol. My question is: Can I use the AUX port for management rather than just LAG? Or should I just get a terminal server like the Cisco 2621 router with NM-32A? Or is there any other options? I am fairly new to this field of networking.

[Leo Laohoo]

AUX port in those generation of APs are only for daisy-chain.

[marce1000 · Accepted solution]

   -  FYI : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/8-7/config-guide/b_cg87/m_ap_power_and_lan_connections.html#converting-aux-to-lan-port

  M.

[juandcc2014]

Wow! Thank you for this source, I appreciate it. This will definitely help me on this issue. 

Now, I have quick question: When it comes to managing network devices, would this method of using a Ethernet/LAN port + a management switch be better than just using a Terminal Server like the Cisco 2621? I am looking to be able to backup the configs on an FTP server so I am not sure which method is better. However I am currently leaning a bit more on the first method since you gave a good source on it, but still split.

[marce1000 · Accepted solution]

  - @juandcc2014   The more fundamental and better solution is to have the AP's  managed by a controller; where this is then a
                               topic for the controller and you only need a one time backup (periodic) of the wireless controller's configuration,

  M.

[Rich R]

@juandcc2014 You're talking AUX port and terminal server - implying you want a serial console port.  The AP already has a CONSOLE port for that:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/2800/quick/guide/ap2800iegetstart.html#pgfId-80622

I think you've misunderstood how these APs work,  You can always enable AP SSH (on the controller which controls the AP) and then SSH to the AP IP address directly so nothing special required for that.

As @marce1000 says the AP will need to be connected to a controller.  That can be a dedicated controller (WLC) like Cisco 9800 series WLC or the 2800 supports Mobility Express where one (or more) of the APs run an extra virtual machine which is a basic controller so the AP is both an AP (for serving clients) and a WLC (for configuring and controlling the APs).  You can convert a regular AP (CAPWAP mode) to ME.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/wireless/mobility-express/series.html

Generally speaking you should not need a console connected to every AP.  It might be useful but it's a lot of extra cabling and effort for something that will rarely, if ever, be used.   You can use PoE on the switch to power cycle the APs if necessary and all normal config is done on the controller.  If you need the AP CLI then you just SSH to it.