The objective of this article is to answer some of the questions you might have on Cisco Business Wireless Networking. Topics covered include information on mesh networks, Primary APs, Mesh Extenders, compatibility, and management.
If you are unfamiliar with terms in this document, check out Cisco Business: Glossary of New Terms.
This toggled section highlights tips for beginners.
Log into the Web User Interface (UI) of the Primary AP. To do this, open a web browser and enter https://ciscobusiness.cisco. You may receive a warning before proceeding. Enter your credentials.You can also access the Primary AP by entering https://[ipaddress] (of the Primary AP) into a web browser.
If you have questions about a field in the user interface, check for a tool tip that looks like the following:
Navigate to the menu on the left-hand side of the screen, if you don’t see the menu button, click this icon to open the side-bar menu.
These devices have companion apps that share some management features with the web user interface. Not all features in the Web user interface will be available in the App.
The new Cisco Business Wireless access points are 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Wave 2) based, with internal antennas. These access points support the latest 802.11ac Wave 2 standard for higher performance, greater access, and higher-density networks.
The new Cisco Business Wireless access points have the ability to be configured for a traditional wireless or a wireless Mesh Network. If you would like to learn about the basics of Mesh Networking, check out Cisco Business: Welcome to Wireless Mesh Networking.
Mesh is a type of topology where the wireless access points connect to each other to relay information. These networks work dynamically to adjust the needs and maintain connectivity for all users.
The access points work together to create a strong and successful network. A wireless mesh infrastructure uses the same resources as a traditional wireless network. However, it is configured differently, using equipment that is mesh capable.
Mesh Wi-Fi networks have some advantages over traditional wireless networks. They don't create a separate network, so wherever you go in your house/office, WAPs are available for connection.
A mesh network is reliable and offers redundancy. When one node can no longer operate, the rest of the nodes can still communicate with each other, directly or through one or more intermediate nodes.
Mesh infrastructure carries data over large distances by splitting the distance into a series of short hops. Intermediate nodes not only boost the signal but cooperatively pass data from point A to point B by making forwarding decisions based on their knowledge of the network, i.e. perform routing by first deriving the topology of the network.
Mesh networks, by design, create multiple routes between its nodes. This means that if one network node fails, data moving across a network will have another path it can use. This also applies to wireless networks, as a wireless signal can take multiple routes to reach its destination.
A wireless mesh infrastructure uses the same resources as a typical wireless network. The difference lies mainly in its configuration, but that difference provides several noticeable benefits.
Traditional Wireless Network | Mesh Wireless Network |
---|---|
Traditional wireless network access relies on plugging access points and routers into a wired network. | The Primary access point and the Primary Capable AP (if applicable) needs to be wired. Some of the subordinate APs do not need to be wired to the network. The nodes connect wirelessly to each other. This opens up space for other necessary wired connections. |
Wireless range extenders, wireless bridging, and single-point setup are used in traditional networks. | None of these configurations are necessary. |
Need to avoid cross-coverage of access points to avoid unnecessary installations. | Benefits from having multiple nodes for a device to use. Allows a device to have multiple points of access as movement occurs or if an AP should fail. |
Perhaps you have tried to log into ciscobusiness.cisco, and are encountering problems. Check out these simple suggestions:
The Primary AP is the bridge to the rest of the external network, which is usually the Internet using an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The Primary AP directly links to the primary router which in turn routes traffic to the WAN ISP interface.
The Primary AP is the orchestrator of all the nodes providing wireless services within the mesh network. It manages information from the nodes on the network, gathering client connection quality and neighbor information in order to make the best decision on the best route for optimized wireless services out to the mobile client.
You can set a Preferred Primary in your network if there is a specific AP you would want to set as the Primary, otherwise, one is assigned automatically. If the Preferred Primary fails for some reason, another wired AP/Primary Capable AP will automatically take over. The new Primary AP will run unless it fails. In that case, the Preferred Primary (if configured) or another wired AP that is Primary Capable will take over the Primary AP role.
In order for an AP to be a Primary or a Primary Capable AP, there must be a wired connection. Mesh extenders are not Primary capable.
The 240AC AP is a higher performing model. It has more radios, a faster processor, and more Random-Access Memory (RAM). The 240AC contains one Ethernet port that can be used to connect additional devices.
You don’t have to set a preferred AP, by default a Primary AP is automatically assigned, and if the Primary fails, another Primary capable AP automatically takes over. However, if one of the wired AP/Primary Capable AP is in a distant location or is not desirable for some reason, you might want to assign a preferred AP to a more desirable AP.
The PoE Ethernet Uplink Port on the Primary AP can ONLY be used to provide uplink to the LAN, and NOT to connect to any other Primary capable or mesh extender devices.
Believe it or not, all you have to do is plug it in! As long as all the APs are on the the same VLAN/subnet you are set. The firmware on the new AP will be updated automatically and then it will join the network.
More details for the Mesh Extenders can be found in the following table:
A MAC address includes numbers and letters in pairs, separated by colons.
On most APs, including the 141ACM, the MAC address can be found on the outside of the actual AP. On the 142ACM and 143ACM you need to slide out the power apparatus to view the MAC address. To do this, apply light pressure on the AP where the arrows indicate. Slide and lift the power component out.
On the 142ACM and 143ACM, you will see the MAC address in the locations pointed out below.
To remove a mesh extender from your current WLAN, under expert view, navigate to Wireless Settings > Access Points. Click on the edit icon of the AP you want to edit. Click the Mesh tab and simply change the Bridge Group Name for deployment in another LAN. Be sure to click Apply.
It's easy peasy if you already have a mesh extender on your network. All you need to do is add the new MAC address to the Allow list, using the the QR code with the mobile app (Overview > Add Mesh Extender) or Web UI (Wireless Settings > WLAN Users > Local MAC Addresses) and plug in the mesh extender within range of a CBW AP. The firmware on the new mesh extender will be updated automatically by pulling it from another mesh extender and then it will join the network.
Since the mesh extender you are adding doesn't have another mesh extender, you need to update the firmware. Updating via cisco.com should work, but if not you can download the update file to a PC and apply the ap1g5-capwap file using the HTTP update method. You can also use a TFTP or SFTP server. For step-by-step instructions, check out Update Software of a Cisco Business Wireless Access Point. This process may take a while or may not work on the first attempt, please be patient.
No, Mobility Express needs to be on a separate LAN or you need to migrate from Mobility Express to A2.
To enjoy the full benefits that the new access points provide, it is best to use only the equipment listed in these tables for your wireless portion of a mesh network.
The following CBW Access Points have the ability to be a Primary AP or a Primary Capable AP:
Primary AP / Primary Capable AP |
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Cisco Business 140AC Access Point |
Cisco Business 145AC Access Point |
Cisco Business 240AC Access Point |
These Access Points can be used for either a mesh or a traditional wireless network.
The following CBW Access Points have the ability to be a Mesh Extender:
Mesh Extender |
---|
Cisco Business 141AC Mesh Extender |
Cisco Business 142AC Mesh Extender |
Cisco Business 143AC Mesh Extender |
These Access Points will only function in a mesh network.
SMB WAPs, like the WAP125, WAP571, and WAP351 are not compatible, as these APs use different technology. They must be on their own subnetworks to work properly.
The following chart lists the expected coverage areas in an open space. If you deploy your network in an area that is not open, reduce these values by 20-30%.
There can be up to 50 depending on the configuration and environment.
There can be up to 25 depending on the configuration and environment.
There can be up to 200 depending on the configuration and environment.
There can be up to 1000 in a full network depending on the configuration and environment.
Up to 2500 square feet, but this depends largely on the configuration and environment.
Coverage should overlap at least 10%-20%.
You can create up to 16 different separate SSIDs for business and guest access.
For management, you can use the Web User Interface (UI) or the Cisco Business Wireless application.
The configuration can be cloned from the Primary AP. You must enter the MAC address of all Mesh Extenders that you want to use in the mesh network on the Primary AP. You can add a Mesh Extender through the Web UI or through the mobile app.
By default, the standard view is enabled. To have access to all the menu options, click on the arrow icon on the top-right menu of the Web UI. This enables Expert View. This needs to be enabled to set up various options including Umbrella, Interference, RF Optimization and more.
Now that you have all this knowledge, you must be pretty excited to get your network up and running. Want to learn more? Click on the article topics below.