Chapter 6 Tutorial

6.5.4 Configure Your NWA in Controller AP Mode

The NWA is set to Standalone AP mode by default. After you have made sure you have the correct configuration (see Section 23.8 on page 272) in the NWAs (A and E) of the 1st floor, you need to set both of them to controller AP mode, one will serve as your main controller while the other works as your backup.

Note: If your NWA is in controller AP mode, it serves as an access point for other APs in managed mode as well as for wireless clients in the network. That is, it still functions like a regular access point on top of being a controller AP. If you enable a SSID profile for it, the controller AP can still appear in the list of available wireless networks for wireless clients. However in case you have both primary and secondary controller APs in the network, the secondary controller AP’s WLAN radio is turned off as long as the primary controller AP is turned on.

1Access the Web Configurator of the NWA. Go to MGNT MODE to open the following screen.

Figure 63 Tutorial: MGNT Mode (AP Controller)

2Select AP Controller and click Apply.

3The device reboots. You need to log in again to the Web Configurator.

6.5.4.1 Secondary AP Controller

The secondary AP controller is simply a backup of the primary AP controller. It takes over the management of APs covered by the primary controller AP as soon as the secondary controller AP fails to detect the primary AP controller’s presence. This happens when the primary controller AP is disconnected from the network, rebooting or turned off.

Note: While the primary controller AP is online, the secondary controller AP cannot configure any of the managed APs. However, it still has to be turned on to synchronize with the primary controller AP’s latest settings.

 

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NWA-3500/NWA-3550 User’s Guide