Nortel Networks 2300 manual Configuring a Template for Automatic AP Configuration

Configuring AP access points 251

Configuring a Template for Automatic AP Configuration

You can use a configuration template to deploy unconfigured Distributed APs. A Distributed AP that does not have a configuration on an WSS switch can receive its configuration from the template instead.

The template assigns a Distributed AP number and name to the AP, from among the unused valid AP numbers available on the switch. The template also configures the AP with the AP and radio parameter settings in the template. The AP and radio parameter settings in the template are configurable. (See “Configuring a Template” on page 252.)

The template does not control SSIDs, encryption parameters, or any other parameters managed by service profiles. You still need to configure a service profile separately for each SSID.

An WSS switch can have one template.

How an Unconfigured AP Finds an WSS Switch To Configure It

The boot process for a Distributed AP that does not have a configuration on an WSS switch is similar to the process for configured Distributed APs. After the AP starts up, it uses DHCP to configure its IP connection with the network. The AP then uses the IP connection to contact an WSS switch.

The WSS switch contacted by the AP determines the best switch to use for configuring the AP, and sends the AP the IP address of that switch. The best switch to use for configuring the AP is the switch that has a template with a high bias setting. If more than one WSS has a template with a high bias setting, the switch that has the greatest capacity to add new unconfigured APs is selected.

An WSS switch’s capacity to add new unconfigured Distributed AP’s is the lesser of the following:

•Maximum number of APs that can be configured on the switch, minus the number that are configured

•Maximum number of APs that can be active on the switch, minus the number that are active

For example, suppose the Mobility Domain has two WSS switches, with the capacities and loads listed in Table 13.

Table 13: Example WSS-2360 AP Capacities and Loads

	WSS-2360 A	WSS-2360 B
Maximum Configured	30	30
Maximum Active	12	12
Number Currently Configured	25	20
Number Currently Active	8	12

For WSS-2360 A:

•The Number of APs that can be configured on the switch, minus the number that are configured, is 30 - 25 = 5.

•The Number of APs that can be active on the switch, minus the number that are active, is 12 - 8 = 4.

•The lesser of the two values is 4. The switch can have up to 4 more APs.

Nortel WLAN Security Switch 2300 Series Configuration Guide