Need to create WLAN ID > 16

[JEFF SPRADLING]

We have a 2504 controller running version 7.4.130.  Need to create a new WLAN that is NOT put in the default AP group and broadcast on all AP's, but the 2500 is restricted to 16 WLANs, can only use ID's 1 through 16, the first 16 WLAN IDs are automatically put in the default AP Group, and you CANNOT remove them from the default AP group.

All those restrictions sort of tie our hands.  Does anyone know if this is addressed in a later version or if there is a work around for this?  We really don't want to advertise this SSID from all the AP's associated with the controller.  

[Leo Laohoo]

Hi Jeff, 

Go to WLAN > Create New.  

Enter your new WLAN Profile Name.  Enter the SSID.  Do you see a box called "ID"?  If you do, then choose a number >17.  

Once the SSID has been create (and all the settings done) go to the WLAN > Advanced > AP Groups and create your new AP group for the new SSID.

[JEFF SPRADLING]

Hi Leo,

Thanks for the response, but I don't have a choice of number > 17.  It allows 1 through 16, only.  Attempt to create from the CLI gets and error, "WLAN ID not in valid range 1-16".  

Regards.

[Leo Laohoo]

Jeff, 

I am mistaken and you are right.  WLC 2K-series will only support up to 16 SSID and WLAN ID.  You cannot configure any more than that.

[JEFF SPRADLING]

See answer above

[Scott Fella · Accepted solution]

What you need to do here is not use the default group. Instead create multiple groups and place the AP's in that group. This is best practice for not just the 2504, but other platforms. The default group tends to make things difficult later when making changes or growing your network.  The newer code with Out of Box is also useful to place new access points in that group which disables all the radios. Out of Box along with AP Groups makes thing much more scalable. 

-Scott

[JEFF SPRADLING]

I opened a ticket with TAC, and the answer is to create the new AP groups, assign the WLAN's to the groups, then add the AP's to the groups needed.  Once an AP is added to an AP group, it is removed from the default AP group, so it's really a non-issue.

[Scott Fella]

Just remember that if you add any new AP's, by default it goes into the default group. Also if you have multiple controllers and an ap in an ap group moves to a different controller that doesn't have that ap group defined, it will also default to the default group. Out of Box helps for the new access points but ap groups not defined when using multiple controllers, will be placed in the default group.

-Scott