404| AccessPoints ( APs) DellPowerConnect W- Series ArubaOS 6.2 | User Guide
Deploying APs
Dell APs andA Msare designed to require only minimalsetup to make them operational in an user-centricnetwork.
OnceA Ps have established communication with the controller, you can apply advanced configuration to individual
APs or groups of APs in the network using the WebUI on the controller.
Deploy APs on your network using the following steps:
1. R un the Java-basedRF Plan tool to help position A Ps and import floorplans for your installation.
2. P rior to installation, configurefirewall settings and enable controller discovery so the APs can locate and identify
the controller.
3. E nsurethat APs wi llbe able to obtain an IP address once they areconnected to the network.
NOTE:If you are deploying APs in a mesh networking environment, best practices are to define the mesh cluster profile and mesh
radio profiles
before
youinstall and provision the AP as a mesh portal or mesh point. Note that this step is required only if you are
configuring a mesh node. For furtherinformation on configuri ng a Meshnetwork, see "Se cure Enterprise Mesh" onpage 439
4. I nstallthe AP s by connecting the AP to an Ethernet port on the controller.If the AP does not use Power over
Ethernet (PoE) is not used, connect the A P to a power source.
5. On the controller, provision the installed APs.
The followingsect ions explain eacho f the above steps.

Running the RF Plan

The Java-basedRF P lantoo li s an application that allows you to determine AP placement based on your specified
coverage andcapaci ty requirementsw ithout impacting the live network. For more information about using RF Plan,
see the
RFPlan Installation and User Guide
.

Verifying that A Ps Can Con nect to the Contro ller

Beforey ou install APs in a network environment, you must ensure that the APs are able to locate and connect to the
controller.Specifically, you must ensure the following:
lWhenconnected to the network, each AP is assigned a valid IP address
lAPs are able to locate the controller
NOTE:In a network with a master and local Dell controllers,an AP wi ll initially connect to the master controller. Alternatively, you
cani nstructyour AP to download its configuration (and ArubaOS) from a local controller (see AddingLocalControllers on page
664for details).

Configuring Firewall Set tings

APs use Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) during their initial boot to grab their software image and
configuration fromthe controller. After the initial boot, the APs use FTP t o grabtheir software images and
configurations fromt heco ntroller.
In many deployment scenarios, an externalfirewall is sit uated between various Dell devices. External Firewall
Configuration on page 507 describes the network ports that must be configuredo nt heexternal firewall to allow
properoperatio n of the network.