Running Ethernet Cable from the WLC to the Switch

[okoroji80]

Dear All,

I have a situation where my Cisco 5508 did not come with SFP by default.

Can i use the SERVICE PORT to connect the WLC to the Switch

1. the controller has 8-SFP Slots

2. one service Port

3. On redundant Port

[David Watkins]

The quick answer is yes you "can" connect your service port and simply "manage" your WLC via the service port interface, but APs will not be able to communicate to/through this interface to join the WLC or function.  Also, client traffic cannot be assigned to use this interface.  This is an out-of-band management interface "only".

The redundant port is reserved specifically for High Availability configurations and cannot be used for anything else, including management.

The WLCs Service port is designed for out-of-band management and "can" be used to manage your WLC, but again this is all you will be able to do; access the GUI, configured your WLC, but no APs can join or clients communicate through this port.

Please note when ordering your SFPs the "supported' models...

• Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) options (only Cisco SFPs supported): GLC-T, GLC-SX-MM, GLC-LH-SM

- taken from 5508 Data Sheet.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps6302/ps8322/ps10315/data_sheet_c78-521631.html

[okoroji80]

Thanks David,

Now how many SFPs do i need to be able to connect 20 units of APs to 5508 wlc

And how do i need to configure this SFPs on the WLC and to the Switch-Port

[David Watkins]

You can use anywhere from 1-8; the choice is yours and depends on your client load, applications in use etc.  Only 1 will work just fine, but you can add addtional ports and bundle using LAG.  I would suggest using LAG to take advantage of the 5508s potential throughput (when adding additional interfaces) unless you "require' physical separation of interfaces/networks.

I would suggest reading through the config guide to get the best explanation to your configuration.  There are various ways this can be done so I would start here:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/7.2/configuration/guide/cg_ports_interfaces.html#wp1277659

*note: Also make sure the switch port you're connecting your WLC is a Gigabit interface.  The WLCs data interfaces do not perform negotiation and will simply be dead in the water if plugged in to a 10/100 link.

[David Watkins]

And since you asked about it.  "If" you're going to setup of the service-port interface to poke around the GUI and play with the WLC prior to production and your SFPs arriving, the service port simply needs to be placed in an access port for the respective VLAN you address it with.

Please also note, once you get your SFPs and configure an actual Management interface, your service-port "address" should not reside on the same supernet as your production interfaces/management.  The easiest way to do this, if you're running a Class A network scheme, place the service port in a Class B or C network; if you're class B, place it in A or C, etc.

[okoroji80]

Thanks David,

think will need to go for 2 port and use LAG.

I would also need your advice and directive on how to set up LAG on the Switch and WLC to achieve two way traffic.

Thanks

[David Watkins]

You're welcome.  The link I sent you walks through this configuration step by step.  From your WLC you will want to globally enable LAG (CONTROLLER > General) and reboot your WLC.

There is no SFP/"port" configuration "on the WLC", only your management and dynamic interfaces configurations.

The document describes creating a port-channel interface and adding the desired switchports to the bundle (channel-group mode on)

Just coninue reading through the document I sent you and it should answer all of your concerns.

  Configuring Neighbor Devices to Support Link Aggregation

The controller's neighbor devices must also be properly configured to support LAG.

•Each neighbor port to which the controller is connected should be configured as follows:

interface GigabitEthernet 

     switchport

     channel-group  mode on

     no shutdown

•The port channel on the neighbor switch should be configured as follows:

interface port-channel 

     switchport

     switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q

     switchport trunk native vlan 

     switchport trunk allowed vlan 

     switchport mode trunk

     no shutdown

[okoroji80]

Thanks David,

You ve been very helpful.

with just one SFP , What do i need to configure on the Core ( 3560x ) switch to which the WLC is to be connected

[Scott Fella]

Just configure what David mentioned in his post. You can eliminate this command if you want or just keep it there in case you want to add more ports to the etherchannel.

channel-group mode on

Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPhone App

[okoroji80]

Thanks Scott.

My controller is up but yet to be associated with the APs

I also need to setup more than one SSID /AUTHENTICATION PASSWORD FOR USERS on the APs. how do i acheive that from the controller GUI when the APs are fully associated

[David Watkins]

I would highly suggest starting with reading the Configuration Guide for your specifc WLC release.

Here is a 7.3 config guide:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/7.3/configuration/guide/b_wlc-cg_chapter_010.html

Here is a 7.2 config guide:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/7.2/configuration/guide/cg_controller_setting.html

We're here to help with specific questions or problems you encounter, but I suggest reading through the config guide to answer these broad types of inquiries.

[okoroji80]

Thanks David,

Maybe a schematics of my network diagram could assist in your suggestion for me   why the APs are not associating with the controller.

The configuration on the Core switch (3560x)  where the WLC is connected is as follows:

switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q

switchport trunk native vlan 22

  switchport mode trunk