Wireless

Cisco Wireless 521 Access Point configuration for open event

2009-05-06T15:23:04Z

The Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point is single-band 802.11g access points equipped with integrated antennas. These access points are ideal for delivering standards-based security and high-performance wireless connectivity for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with carpeted offices and similar environments.
At my church, Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point and Cisco 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controllers were installed since Sprint 2008. It is very stable and well handled all the traffic thru out the whole campus and buildings. End of 2008, we had an event to support seniors for renewal Medicare-D program. Church Wireless network was main interface to all volunteer's notebooks and laptops. About 40 wireless connections were linked to one of Cisco 521 Wireless Access point where is closest.

Default password for Cisco AP 521

2009-05-06T15:14:31Z

I had a hard time to find out default password for my new cisco gear, Access Point 521. This device is kinds of new product line. So, I couldn't find much help and documentation. (I am not kinds of guy who calling vendor often.)

Finally, i figured what is Default password for Cisco Access Point 521 is "Cisco"

If you are using CCA(Cisco Configuration Assistant), user name will be "admin" and password is "Cisco"

I hope thi tips save your time.

Configuring Web Authentication page on Cisco WLC 526

2009-05-06T15:07:02Z

Web Authentication is normally used by customers who want to install a guest-access network. In a guest-access network, there is initial user name and password authentication, but security is not required for the subsequent traffic. Typical deployments can include "hot spot" locations such as Starbucks or campus atmosphere where the only concern is the connectivity.

Web authentication provides simple authentication without a supplicant or client. Also, it doesn't provide any data encryption. Cisco WLC 526 is simple built-in Web authentication function that can be enable just like that.

Below instruction will provide how to setup web authentication page for Cisco unified system with Cisco WLC 526 and Cisco Wireless Express Access Point 521.

How to convert Cisco AP521 back into stand alone mode

2009-05-06T14:52:32Z

Are you sure you can convert Cisco AP521 Controller-based mode back to Standalone mode ?
Cisco said once you convert to Standalone mode, you cannot go back to Controller-based mode. yes that's true.

From Cisco website;
**Note; The CCA Converson process is one-way. Once the conversion takes palce, you cannot restore the access porint to autonmous operation

Probably, my way won't be recommended by Cisco. Well, they might have better way to convert it back to Standalone mode, but I couldn't find one and breaking sequence was not even easy.

I learned this way while I was playing with my new WLC526 and 4 of Cisco AP521 for last few weeks.

Yes, this is definitely works!, but try it own your risk.

There are two modes ;

Controller-based mode—These 521 access points are directly connected to the wired infrastructure via a 526 controller to provide wireless connectivity to users in the areas they cover. Controller-based 521 access points are also known as lightweight access points because configuration and management are performed through a single interface.

Standalone mode—These 521 access points are directly connected to the wired infrastructure and provide high-speed wireless connectivity to users in the areas they cover. Standalone 521 access points are also known as autonomous access points because configuration and management are performed locally at the individual access point level.

Once Cisco AP521 has converted to Stand alone mode, control level is very limited. You cannot change password or hostname thru console port. You can control it by WCL526 only.

1. Install tftp server s/w on your PC or make your tftp server's IP to 10.0.0.2/8 (mask 255.0.0.0)

2. You should have Cisco AP 521 IOS for stand alone version. Copy to tftp server. (ex c520-k9w7-tar.124-10b.JX.tar)

3. Access your AP521, and type dir from enable prompt. Now, start delete directory that is named like IOS. I know it is scary part, but it's okay. I did it more than 7 times.

4. Once you deleted main IOS files, then type "reload". System will be rebooting slowly.

5. Now, you can see below prompt

ap:

6. Then type below

ap: flash_init
ap : ether_init
ap : tftp_init

7. Type "set"

ap: set BOOT=flash:/
DEFAULT_ROUTER=10.0.0.1
ENABLE_BREAK=no
IP_ADDR=10.0.0.1
MANUAL_BOOT=no
NETMASK=255.255.255.224
RELOAD_REASON=9
TERMLINES=0

8. Let's copy stand alone IOS to the system

ap: tar -xtract tftp://10.0.0.2/c520-k9w7-tar.124-10b.JX.tar flash:

9. set new IOS as boot system

ap: set BOOT flash:/c520-k9w7-mx.124-10b.JX/c520-k9w7-mx.124-10b.JX

10. Type "set"

ap: set
BOOT=flash:/c520-k9w7-mx.124-10b.JX/c520-k9w7-mx.124-10b.JX
DEFAULT_ROUTER=10.0.0.1
ENABLE_BREAK=no
IP_ADDR=10.0.0.1
MANUAL_BOOT=no
NETMASK=255.255.255.224
RELOAD_REASON=9
TERMLINES=0

11. reboot the system with new IOS

ap: boot

12. now you can see Cisco AP521 with stand alone mode.

AP default password when you execute Cisco Configuration Assistant
admin/Cisco

How to configure Cisco WLC(Wireless Controller) 526?

2009-05-06T14:15:37Z

If you are looking for reliable and powerful wireless network for your company? Budget is kinds of tight? If you are willing to spend about $3500(U.S), this solution would be fit for your company needs. Cisco 500 Series Wireless Express Mobility System is the one that made us so impressed.

Cisco Wireless Controller WLC526 = $2500 (x1)
Cisco Wireless Access Point AP521 = $250 (x4)

You can check Cisco website to see more details what coverage of 4 x APs would be, performance and reliability. Here is brief scale of actual site that is running by Cisco Wireless Express Mobility System.

• About 2 Acre (40000Sq, 2nd floor building)
• 20~50 concurrent wireless users
• VLANs - Regular user traffic must be separated from guest traffic
• Many security features and options such as strong Encyption and controlling traffic by layers.