Installing the Access Point

This section explains installing the access point (AP).

Zero-Configuration of the Access Point

The AP supports zero-configuration under the following conditions:

  • The device must be in AP mode with background scanning on and without an SSID configured.
  • Set up a DNS entry for wifi-security-server on all the DNS servers. This entry should point to the IP address of the server. By default, the AP looks for the DNS entry wifi-security-server.
  • Place the AP on a DHCP-enabled subnet.

 

Important: If placing the device on a network segment separated from the server by a firewall, you must first open port 3851 for User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transport Control Protocol (TCP) bidirectional traffic on the firewall. This port number is assigned to Arista Networks. Zero-configuration does not support setting up multiple devices to connect to multiple servers. In this case, you must manually configure the APs. See the Access Point Configuration Guide on the Arista website at Product Documentation.

 

 

Assign a static IP to the AP or change the settings to DHCP. Make a note of the MAC address and the IP address of the AP in a safe place before installing it in a hard-to-reach location. Locate the MAC address of the AP on a label at the bottom of the product.

Use the following steps to install the device:

  1. Mount the AP
  2. Connect the AP to the network
  3. Power ON the AP

     

Mounting the Access Point

You can place the W-318 AP on a wall or on a table depending on your requirements.

Table Mounting the Access Point

Use the following steps to table mount the access point:
  1. Plug the network cable (Ethernet cable) into the WAN port (PoE++) located at the back of the AP, as shown below. If the network does not havePoE enabled, plug the Power Adaptor at the DC Input port, as shown.

     

    Figure 1. Attaching the cables to AP


     

  2. Flip the stand on the AP as shown, aligning the hooks on the stand to the grooves on the AP. Slide the hooks into the grooves to attach the AP to the stand.

     

    Figure 2. Attaching the stand to AP


     

  3. The spring-loaded pin automatically locks into the locking hole of the AP. If the pin does not align, pull the pin and align it to the locking hole.

     

    Note: To remove the AP from the stand, pull the pin and then remove the AP.

     

     

    Figure 3. The location of the spring-loaded pin

     

Use LAN 1, LAN 2, and LAN 3 ports at the bottom of the AP to connect to local devices.

Connecting the Access Point to the Network

To connect the access point (AP) to the network, perform the following steps:
  1. Install the AP on a network with a DHCP-enabled server.
  2. Add the DNS entry for the wifi-security-server on all DNS servers. This entry points to the server IP address. By default, the AP looks for the DNS entry, wifi-security-server.
  3. Verify the AP LED status as ON with green LEDs, indicating an operational AP connected to the server.
  4. Log on to the server using SSH and run the get sensor list command.

     

The command returns a list of all Arista devices recognized by the server. Single Sign-On users can go to the MONITOR > WiFi > Access Points tab in CloudVision Cognitive Unified Edge and check if the AP appears on the Access Points tab.

 

Note: If the zero configuration fails, you must manually configure the Access Point.

 

Important:If you do not have DHCP enabled on a subnet, the AP cannot connect to that subnet with zero configuration. If the DNS entry does not exist on the DNS servers or you do not have the DHCP server running on the subnet, you must manually configure the device. See the Access Point Configuration Guide.

Connecting the Access Point Using PoE

If you use a PoE injector, be sure to plug one of the connectors into the Uplink port of the AP and plug the other end into a suitable switch port with proper network connectivity.

 

Figure 4. Back Panel of the AP with the Network Ports

Power On the Access Point

Power on the access point (AP) by plugging one end of the Ethernet cable into the PoE (802.3af) switch or injector and the other end into the Ethernet/PoE port on the AP. Be sure to turn on the PoE source.

As an alternative to PoE, you can insert a compatible power adapter plug into an AC power outlet and the other end into the power input port on the AP.

 

Note: If not using PoE, use only an AC power adapter supported by the AP.

 

Using the Access Point with a Power Adapter

To power on the access point (AP) with a power adapter, perform the following steps:
  1. Plug the power cable into the DC power receptacle on the back of the AP.
  2. Plug the other end of the power cable into a110V~240V 50/60 Hz AC power source.
  3. Wait until the LED lights on the AP become active. Refer to the LED details table.