Cisco Systems 1240AG manual Basic Installation Guidelines

Chapter 2 Installing the Access Point

Basic Installation Guidelines

Basic Installation Guidelines

Because the access point is a radio device, it is susceptible to interference that can reduce throughput and range. Follow these basic guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:

•Ensure that a site survey has been performed to determine the optimum placement of access points.

•For lightweight access points, check the latest release notes to ensure that your controller software version supports the access points to be installed. You can find the controller release notes by selecting your controller under Wireless LAN Controllers at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/tsd_products_support_category_home.html

•Ensure that access points are not mounted closer than 20 cm (7.9 in) from the body of all persons.

•Do not mount the access point within 3 feet of metal obstructions.

•Install the access point away from microwave ovens. Microwave ovens operate on the same frequency as the access point and can cause signal interference.

•Do not mount the access point outside of buildings.

•Do not mount the access points on building perimeter walls unless outside coverage is desired.

Controller Discovery Process for Lightweight Access Points

The lightweight access point supports these controller discovery processes:

•DHCP server discovery—Uses DHCP Option 43 to provide controller IP addresses to the access points. Cisco switches support a DHCP server option. For additional information, refer to the “Configuring DHCP Option 43 for Lightweight Access Points” section on page G-1.

•DNS server discovery—The access point uses the name CISCO-LWAPP-CONTROLLER.<local domain> to discover the controller IP addresses from a DNS server. Where <local domain> is the access point domain name.

•Locally stored controller IP addresses—If the access point was previously associated to a controller, the IP addresses of the primary, secondary, and tertiary controllers are stored in the access point non-volatile memory. The process of storing controller IP addresses in access points for later deployment is called priming the access point. For additional information, refer to the “Priming Lightweight Access Points Prior to Deployment” section on page F-1.

You can also manually configure controller information using CLI commands on new (out-of-the-box) access points that are not connected to a controller. For additional information refer to the “Manually Configuring Controller Information Using the Access Point CLI” section on page 4-7.

Cisco recommends that you configure a DHCP server with Option 43 to provide the controller IP addresses to your access points. Cisco switches provide a DHCP server option that is typically used for this purpose.

Cisco Aironet 1240AG Series Access Point Hardware Installation Guide

2-4 OL-8371-05