Installing the Access Point

This chapter contains the procedure to install 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 a configured SSID.
  • 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 subnet with DHCP-enabled.

     

Refer to these articles to understand how APs communicate with the server, and the network ports to open for enabling the communication:
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 Arista 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 devices:
  1. Ceiling Mounting the Access Point or Wall Mounting the Access Point
  2. Connecting the Access Point to the Network
  3. Powering On the Access Point

Ceiling Mounting 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 becomes parallel to an arm of the T-grid. Be sure 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 on to the lower notch of the bracket. Rotate the AP so the center mounting post fits in to 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 mounts properly.

     

    Mounting Instructions using the Silhouette/Interlude Bracket Mount: The standard package does not include the Silhouette/Interlude mounting bracket and must be procured separately. The mounting instructions for the Silhouette/Interlude Bracket Mount contain steps similar to the Standard Package Content mounting instructions.
    Note: As a best practice, label the APs using MAC addresses or your own convention. For example, use AP serial numbers so that you can easily identify the APs.

Wall Mounting 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 article.

Connecting External Antennas to Access Point

Connect the external antennas to antenna ports available on the left and right of the AP. Use RP-SMA type connectors for the antennas. All the ports support multi-band connectivity - 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz.

Figure 1. Right Panel Antenna Ports

Antenna ports towards the side of the AP

 

 

Figure 2. Left Panel Antenna Ports

1 Multi-band antenna for 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands. 2 Multi-band antenna for 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands. 3 Multi-band antenna for 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands.