Cisco Systems 3.2 manual Cisco Wireless LAN Solution Overview

Chapter 1 Overview

Cisco Wireless LAN Solution Overview

Cisco Wireless LAN Solution Overview

The Cisco Wireless LAN Solution is designed to provide 802.11 wireless networking solutions for enterprises and service providers. The Cisco Wireless LAN Solution simplifies deploying and managing large-scale wireless LANs and enables a unique best-in-class security infrastructure. The operating system manages all data client, communications, and system administration functions, performs Radio Resource Management (RRM) functions, manages system-wide mobility policies using the operating system Security solution, and coordinates all security functions using the operating system security framework.

The Cisco Wireless LAN Solution consists of Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers and their associated lightweight access points controlled by the operating system, all concurrently managed by any or all of the operating system user interfaces:

•An HTTP and/or HTTPS full-featured Web User Interface hosted by Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers can be used to configure and monitor individual controllers. See the “Web User Interface and the CLI” section on page 1-25.

•A full-featured command-line interface (CLI) can be used to configure and monitor individual Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers. See the “Web User Interface and the CLI” section on page 1-25.

•The Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS), which you use to configure and monitor one or more Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers and associated access points. WCS has tools to facilitate large-system monitoring and control. WCS runs on Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES servers.

•An industry-standard SNMP V1, V2c, and V3 interface can be used with any SNMP-compliant third-party network management system.

The Cisco Wireless LAN Solution supports client data services, client monitoring and control, and all rogue access point detection, monitoring, and containment functions. The Cisco Wireless LAN Solution uses lightweight access points, Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers, and the optional Cisco WCS to provide wireless services to enterprises and service providers.

Note This document refers to Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers throughout. Unless specifically called out, the descriptions herein apply to all Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers, including but not limited to Cisco 2000 Series Wireless LAN Controllers, Cisco 4100 Series Wireless LAN Controllers, Cisco 4400 Series Wireless LAN Controllers, and the controllers on the Wireless Services Module (WiSM).

Figure 1-1shows the Cisco Wireless LAN Solution components, which can be simultaneously deployed across multiple floors and buildings.

Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide

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