Meru Troubleshooting: How do I stage a new AP?

[Andy_G]

Description
How do I stage a new AP?
Scope

KB ARTICLE TYPE: Troubleshooting

RELATED PRODUCTS: AP’s, Controllers

RELATED SOFTWARE VERSIONS: N/A

KEYWORDS: AP, Controllers, MAC address

Solution

ANSWER: The following procedures describe how to set an AP, in either a Layer 2 or a Layer 3 environment.

If the AP will be in a Layer 2 environment:

• Connect the AP to the same subnet as controller.
• Boot up the AP. It sends a MAC address broadcast discovery packet.
• One (or more) Meru controller(s) on that subnet respond with their MAC address. (Note: In high-availability mode, only the master controller will respond to discovery broadcasts.)
• The first controller to establish a link to the AP will download the default configuration.
• If it is necessary to associate the AP with another controller on the network, make the following changes from the Web Management Interface (web EMS interface):
• Click the Detailed tab.
• Click the Access Point AP Configuration link.
• From the list of APs, check the appropriate AP and click the Settings button.
• Click the Connectivity tab.
• Enter the preferred controller hostname, address, and DNS values.
• Click the OK button to save your changes.
• If required, move the AP to another subnet.

If the AP will be in a Layer 3 environment:

The network administrator needs to make a one-time DNS server entry for the Controller with the DNS name "wlan-controller" set to the appropriate IP address. (Note: For high-availability configuration, this means the virtual IP address.)

Once this is added to the DNS server, the sequence for staging an AP in L3 mode is as follows.

• If the AP boots up with default "L2 preferred" discovery mode, it sends a controller discovery broadcast but gets no response for a controller on same subnet.
• The AP then sends a DHCP request for the IP configuration.
• After the DHCP information is returned, the AP sends a DNS request for the device named "wlan-controller".
• The AP then sends a discovery packet to the IP address "wlan-controller".
• The controller responds and establishes a link with the AP and begins to download the configuration.
• If it is necessary to associate the AP with another controller on the network, make the following changes from the WMI (web EMS interface):
• Click the Detailed tab.
• Click the Access Point AP Configuration link.
• From the list of APs, check the appropriate AP and click the Settings button.
• Click the Connectivity tab.
• Enter the controller hostname/address values.
• Click the OK button to save your changes.
• If required, move the AP to another subnet.