Installing the Access Point

This chapter contains the stepwise procedure to install the access point (AP).

Zero-Configuration of the Access Point

Zero-configuration supports the following conditions:

  • The device must be in AP mode with background scanning on and without a configured SSID.

  • Set up a DNS entry for the 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 subnet with DHCP-enabled.

 

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. Ceiling Mount the Access Point or Wall Mount the Access Point
  2. Connecting External Antennas to Access Point
  3. Connecting the Access Point to the Network
  4. Power the Access Point On

Ceiling Mount the Access Point

Mounting the access point (AP) on the ceiling consists of the following steps:

  1. Attach the bracket to the T -grid: Use the mounting bracket to install the AP on the ceiling. Attach the bracket to the T-grid and rotate the bracket so that it snaps on the T-grid. The bracket is now parallel to an arm of the T-grid. Ensure the bracket properly snaps to the T-grid, as shown below.

     

  2. Mounting the AP on the bracket: Place the first mounting post on the rear-side of the AP onto the lower notch of the bracket. Rotate the AP so that the center mounting post fits into the center notch on the bracket. Be sure all the mounting posts on the rear-side of the AP snap into the respective notches on the bracket. The mounting posts now properly fit in the respective notches of the bracket, and the AP mounted properly.

     

    Mounting Instructions using the Silhouette/Interlude Bracket Mount: The Silhouette/Interlude mounting bracket is not a part of the standard package and must be procured separately. The mounting instructions for the Silhouette/Interlude Bracket Mount are similar to the Standard Package Content's mounting instructions.
     
    Note: You should label the APs using MAC addresses or your convention. For example, use the AP serial numbers to easily identify the APs.

Wall Mount the Access Point

 

Note: The wall mounting accessory SKU (MNT-AP-FLAT-14CM) can be ordered and purchased separately.

For instructions on wall mounting the access point, refer to Wall Mount the Access Point.

Connecting External Antennas to Access Point

Connect the external antennas to their respective ports using RP-SMA type connectors.

 
1 Access radio. Dual-band antenna, 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz bands. 2 Access radio. 5 GHz antenna. 3 Access radio. Dual-band antenna, 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz bands.
4 Scanning radio. Dual-band antenna, 2.4 GHz,and 5 GHz bands. 5 Access radio. 5 GHz antenna. 6 Scanning radio. Dual-band antenna, 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz bands.

Connecting the Access Point to the Network

To connect the access point (AP) to the network, perform the following steps:
  1. Be sure you have an available DHCP server on the network to enable network configuration of the AP.
  2. Add the DNS entry for the wifi-security-server on all DNS servers. This entry must point to the IP address of the server.
  3. Be sure the subnet with the connected AP uses DHCP.
  4. Check the LEDs on the AP to ensure you have a connection to the server.
  5. Log into 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 tab in CloudVision Cognitive Unified Edge and check if the device appears on the Monitor tab.

The AP is connected and operational.

 

Note:If zero configuration fails, the AP must be configured manually.

 

Important:If the subnet does not support DHCP , the AP cannot connect to that subnet with zero-configuration. If the DNS entry does not exists on the DNS servers, or if you do not have the DHCP server running on the subnet, you must manually configure the AP. For details on configuring an AP manually, see the Access Point Configuration guide on our website at Arista Product Documentation.

Connecting the Access Point using PoE

If you use a PoE injector, be sure to plug the data connection into a suitable switch port with proper network connectivity.

For PoE port details, see the Rear Panel section.

Power the Access Point On

You can power the access point (AP) on by plugging one end of the Ethernet cable into the PoE 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 you do not power the AP with PoE, use only an AC power adapter supported by the AP.

Using the Access Point with Power Adapter

Use a compatible power adapter (Arista SKU: PWR-AP-W4) to power the C-230E.

 

Warning: The C-230E is intended to be supplied with a UL-listed PoE power source suitable for use at 40ºC and whose output meets LPS requirements or PS2, with a rating of 48V DC(0.5A minimum). If you do not use PoE+, use only an AC power adapter supported by the C-230E access point (AP). This product is intended to be supplied by a Listed Direct Plug-In Power Unit marked “Class 2”, Listed Power Adapter, or DC power source marked “L.P.S.” (or “Limited Power Source”) and rated from 12 V DC, 2.5A minimum.

To power up the device with a power adapter, perform the following steps:
  1. Plug the power cable into the DC power receptacle at the rear of the device.
  2. Plug the other end of the power cable into a 110V~240V 50/60 Hz AC power source.
  3. Wait until the device is ready. Refer to the LED status table.