Wireless LAN Controller

Setting up a basic wireless environment with Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) and Access Points (APs) involves several steps. Here’s a simplified example configuration:

1. Initial Setup of WLC:

   • Connect to the WLC using a console cable or through SSH.
   • Enter the initial configuration wizard (if available) to configure basic settings like management IP, hostname, etc.

2. Configure Management Interface:

   • Assign an IP address to the management interface of the WLC.
   • Ensure the management interface is reachable from your network.

3. Create WLANs (Wireless LANs):

   • Define WLANs on the WLC for different SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers).
   • Configure security settings (WPA2, etc.) and other parameters for each WLAN.

4. Configure Interface Groups:

   • Define interface groups on the WLC to map WLANs to physical or virtual interfaces.
   • Assign VLANs and other network parameters to interface groups.

5. AP Join Configuration:

   • Configure the WLC to allow APs to join by specifying an AP join username/password or using other authentication methods.

6. Deploy Access Points:

   • Physically install APs in desired locations.
   • APs will discover the WLC using a discovery mechanism (e.g., DHCP option, DNS, static IP, etc.).
   • Ensure APs can reach the WLC management interface.

7. AP Provisioning:

   • APs will join the WLC and download their configuration.
   • Verify APs are successfully provisioned and appear as “registered” in the WLC.

8. Fine-tune Radio Settings:

   • Adjust radio settings such as transmit power, channel assignment, etc., based on your environment and requirements.

9. Verify Wireless Connectivity:

   • Test wireless connectivity using client devices across different SSIDs.

Here’s a basic configuration example using CLI commands on the Cisco WLC:

# Configure Management Interface
config interface address management <IP address> <subnet mask> <default gateway>

# Create WLAN
config wlan create <SSID> <WLAN ID>

# Configure Security for WLAN
config wlan security wpa enable <WLAN ID>
config wlan security wpa akm dot1x enable <WLAN ID>

# Assign Interface Group to WLAN
config wlan interface <WLAN ID> <interface group name>

# Configure AP Join Settings
config ap username <username> password <password>

# Verify AP Join Configuration
show ap join stats

# Fine-tune Radio Settings (Example: Adjust Transmit Power)
config 802.11b txpower <power level>
config 802.11a txpower <power level>

Please note that this is a simplified example, and actual configurations may vary depending on your specific requirements, network setup, and Cisco WLC/AP model. Always refer to Cisco documentation or consult with a qualified network engineer for detailed configuration guidance.