Aruba 501 Instruction Manual

Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client
Bridge Configuration and
Administration Guide
Part Number: 5200-3856
Published: June 2017
Edition: 1

© Copyright 2015, 2017 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Chapter 1 Deploying the Aruba 501................................................................5
Connecting wired devices to a wireless network....................................................................................... 5
Connecting a wired device using MAC address cloning............................................................................ 5
Connecting a serial device to a wireless network...................................................................................... 6
Chapter 2 Managing the Aruba 501................................................................ 7
Configuring web server settings.................................................................................................................7
Web server configuration................................................................................................................ 7
Administrator login configuration.....................................................................................................8
Managing HTTP SSL certificates.................................................................................................... 8
Configuring a management access control list........................................................................................ 10
Configuring SNMP....................................................................................................................................11
Configuring SNMPv1 and SNMPv2...............................................................................................11
SNMPv3 configuration.................................................................................................................. 14
Supported MIBs............................................................................................................................ 16
Automatically configuring the Aruba 501................................................................................................. 17
Setting the system time............................................................................................................................18
Set system time.............................................................................................................................18
Daylight savings............................................................................................................................ 19
Chapter 3 Wireless configuration................................................................. 20
Wireless range......................................................................................................................................... 20
Configuring radio settings........................................................................................................................ 20
Basic settings................................................................................................................................ 22
Advanced radio settings................................................................................................................22
Using station profiles to establish a wireless link..................................................................................... 25
To add or edit a station profile....................................................................................................... 26
Security methods.......................................................................................................................... 28
Configuring wireless bridging features.....................................................................................................31
Configuring MAC address cloning.................................................................................................31
Redirecting unsupported traffic..................................................................................................... 32
Configuring frame processing settings..........................................................................................32
Viewing wireless information....................................................................................................................33
Viewing nearby APs...................................................................................................................... 33
Viewing wireless statistics for the radio.........................................................................................34
Viewing the MAC translation table................................................................................................ 35
Chapter 4 Network configuration..................................................................37
IP configuration........................................................................................................................................ 37
IPv4 configuration......................................................................................................................... 37
IPv6 configuration......................................................................................................................... 38
Manual link speed settings............................................................................................................39
Network 802.1X feature descriptions............................................................................................ 40
Viewing Ethernet statistics............................................................................................................ 41
TCP serial................................................................................................................................................ 41
TCP connection.............................................................................................................................41
Serial port settings........................................................................................................................ 42
Contents
Contents 3

Viewing TCP serial status and statistics........................................................................................43
LLDP configuration.................................................................................................................................. 44
Loop protection........................................................................................................................................ 45
Viewing loop protection statistics.................................................................................................. 45
Chapter 5 Maintenance.................................................................................. 47
Configuration file management................................................................................................................ 47
Software updates..................................................................................................................................... 48
System information.................................................................................................................................. 49
Chapter 6 Tools...............................................................................................50
System log............................................................................................................................................... 50
System log configuration...............................................................................................................50
Remote syslog configuration.........................................................................................................51
Events........................................................................................................................................... 52
RSSI log...................................................................................................................................................52
Syslog message list...................................................................................................................... 54
Email alert................................................................................................................................................ 56
General email alert configuration.................................................................................................. 57
Mail server configuration............................................................................................................... 58
Message configuration.................................................................................................................. 58
Sending a test message................................................................................................................58
Viewing email alert status..............................................................................................................59
Network trace configuration..................................................................................................................... 59
Overview....................................................................................................................................... 59
Packet trace configuration.............................................................................................................59
Packet file trace.............................................................................................................................60
Remote packet trace..................................................................................................................... 61
Packet trace status........................................................................................................................63
Packet trace file download............................................................................................................ 63
Ping..........................................................................................................................................................64
Iperf..........................................................................................................................................................65
Chapter 7 Websites........................................................................................ 67
Chapter 8 Support and other resources...................................................... 68
Accessing Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support...................................................................................... 68
Accessing updates...................................................................................................................................68
Remote support....................................................................................................................................... 68
Warranty information................................................................................................................................69
Regulatory information.............................................................................................................................69
Documentation feedback......................................................................................................................... 70
Resetting to factory defaults.........................................................................71
Factory reset procedures......................................................................................................................... 71
Using the reset button................................................................................................................... 71
Using the management tool.......................................................................................................... 71
4Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client Bridge Configuration and Administration Guide

The Aruba 501 securely connects legacy Ethernet or serial communications devices to a wireless local area
network (WLAN). It enables the deployment of legacy client devices, such as point-of-sale terminals, servers, and
printers, in any location where a WLAN signal is available, thus eliminating the need to install a cabling
infrastructure.
The following sections describe various deployment scenarios.
Connecting wired devices to a wireless network
In this scenario, the Aruba 501 connects two wired computers to a private network via a wireless connection. The
two computers are connected to a switch that is connected to the Ethernet port on the Aruba 501. A station profile
is defined on the Aruba 501 with the name of the wireless network provided by the upstream AP, and the required
credentials to log in. Once the Aruba 501 is connected to the private network, the computers obtain an IP address
from the DHCP server and can then communicate with resources on the private network.
For configuration instructions, see Using station profiles to establish a wireless link on page 25.
Connecting a wired device using MAC address cloning
In this scenario, the Aruba 501 makes a wired printer available to clients on the upstream wireless network. Prior
to this deployment, the printer’s MAC address was known by users from its previous placement on a wired
network. Although it is now available through a wireless connection, it is preferable for the wireless clients to
continue accessing the printer using the MAC address, so that they do not need to change any settings. The MAC
address cloning feature on the Aruba 501 is used to preserve the printer’s network identity. With MAC address
cloning, the Aruba 501 assigns the printer's MAC address to the Aruba 501 wireless port, making the Aruba 501
appear to be the printer on the upstream wireless network.
For configuration instructions, see Configuring MAC address cloning on page 31.
Chapter 1
Deploying the Aruba 501
Chapter 1 Deploying the Aruba 501 5

Connecting a serial device to a wireless network
TCP serial functionality allows devices that have no native Ethernet or wireless connectivity to access the network
through a serial port. In this scenario, the Aruba 501 enables a point-of-sale terminal to exchange traffic with a
remote host. The point-of-sale terminal is connected to the serial port on the Aruba 501. To connect it to a
wireless network, the Aruba 501 converts traffic between the serial data format and TCP/IP.
For configuration instructions, see TCP serial on page 41.
6Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client Bridge Configuration and Administration Guide

The Aruba 501 is managed via its web-based management tool using Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 or later or
Mozilla Firefox 17 or later. You can access the Aruba 501 management tool using either HTTP or HTTPS. Using
HTTPS is more secure but you will see a security warning until you purchase and install your own certificate. With
HTTPS, it is acceptable to choose the option that allows you to proceed through the security warning.
In a web browser, specify either: http://192.168.1.1 or https://192.168.1.1. (By default, HTTP access is disabled
and any access from HTTP is automatically redirected to HTTPS.)
For information on launching the management tool for the first time, see the Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client
Bridge Quickstart.
Configuring web server settings
Select Management > Management tool to open the Configure web server settings page.
You can configure the web server settings, change the user login name or password, and manage the certificate
file required for secure HTTP communication.
Web server configuration
Use this section to configure web access to the management tool.
HTTPS server status/HTTP server status
The Aruba 501 software includes HTTP and HTTPS functionality to enable communication with your web
browser. Unlike HTTP, HTTPS enables secure sessions using a digital certificate to encrypt data exchanged
between the Aruba 501 and your web browser. By default, HTTPS is enabled and HTTP is disabled. When HTTP
is disabled, requests from HTTP clients are redirected to use HTTPS.
The Aruba 501 supports only one management session at a time via HTTP or HTTPS.
HTTPS port/HTTP port
By default, the HTTP server uses the well-known logical port number 80 for communication with clients and the
HTTPS port uses port number 443. You can specify different port numbers in the range 1025 to 65535 if the
default ports are blocked or used for other protocols on your network.
Session timeout
If there is no activity on the management session for the specified time, then the administrator will be
automatically logged off. The default timeout is 5 minutes.
Chapter 2
Managing the Aruba 501
Chapter 2 Managing the Aruba 501 7

Administrator login configuration
The Aruba 501 supports one administrator login. Use this section to change the username and password.
Username
The default username is admin. The username can be from 1 to 32 alphanumeric characters including special
characters.
Current password
The default password is admin.
New password and Confirm password
Specify a new password for the Aruba 501 administrator account.
The administrator password can be from 1 to 32 alphanumeric characters including special characters. The
password cannot begin or end with a space. For security purposes, it is recommended that the password be at
least 6 characters.
If you forget the administrator password, the only way to access the administrator account is to reset
the Aruba 501 to factory default settings. See Resetting to factory defaults on page 71.
Managing HTTP SSL certificates
When HTTPS access is enabled, the Aruba 501 must be able to present a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate
to the web browser of a computer that attempts access to the management tool. The certificate assures that the
browser is accessing the Aruba 501 with the specified IP address. It also provides information that the Aruba 501
and management computer use to encrypt their communication.
A default certificate is present on the Aruba 501, based on the default device IP address 192.168.1.1. If you
change the Aruba 501 IP address, you must update the certificate to reflect the new address; otherwise, a
security warning will display at the start of each new management session. A certificate can also expire, requiring
you to obtain a new one.
8Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client Bridge Configuration and Administration Guide

Generate certificate
You can generate a new certificate directly using the Aruba 501 management tool, or you can upload a certificate
to the Aruba 501 from a computer or network location.
To generate a new certificate from the Management tool page, under Generate certificate, click Generate.
Certificate status
You can view the following information about the certificate in the Certificate status section of the Management
tool page:
Certificate file present
Indicates whether an HTTP SSL certificate file is present (yes or no).
Certificate expiration date
The date that the HTTP SSL certificate file will expire.
Certificate issuer common name
The common name attribute of the server certificate. The common name is often the fully qualified domain name
for the HTTP server, or the IP address equivalent.
Chapter 2 Managing the Aruba 501 9

Save certificate
You can save the current SSL certificate to a backup file.
Download method
Select a download method (HTTP or TFTP).
•HTTP: Select this option to save the certificate on a computer or network location.
•TFTP: Select this option to save the certificate on a TFTP server.
HTTP SSL certificate file
The file name of the certificate to be saved.
Server IP
The Server IP location to save the file.
Upload certificate
You can upload a new SSL certificate from another computer or network location:
Upload method
Select an upload method (HTTP or TFTP).
•HTTP: Choose this option if the certificate is located on a computer or network location.
•TFTP: Choose this option if the certificate is located on a TFTP server.
HTTP SSL certificate file
The file path and file name of the certificate to be uploaded.
Server IP
The Server IP location from which to upload the file.
Configuring a management access control list
You can create an access control list (ACL) that lists hosts that are authorized to access the Aruba 501
management tool. If this feature is disabled, anyone can access the management interface from any network
client by supplying the correct user name and password.
Procedure
1. Select Management > Management ACL to open the Management access control list configuration page.
10 Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client Bridge Configuration and Administration Guide

2. Under Management ACL control, select Enabled.
3. Under Allowed IPv4 addresses and Allowed IPv6 addresses, enter an IPv4 address or IPv6 address and
click Add. You can add up to five addresses to each list.
4. Click Save.
Configuring SNMP
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) defines a standard for recording, storing, and sharing information
about network devices. SNMP facilitates network management, troubleshooting, and maintenance. The Aruba
501 supports SNMP versions 1, 2, and 3.
Key components of any SNMP-managed network are managed devices, SNMP agents, and a management
system. The agents store data about their devices in management information bases (MIBs) and return this data
to the SNMP manager when requested. Managed devices can be network nodes such as APs, routers, switches,
bridges, hubs, servers, or printers.
Configuring SNMPv1 and SNMPv2
The Aruba 501 provides a robust SNMP v1/v2 implementation supporting both industry-standard MIB II objects
and Aruba-specific MIB objects. Read-only or read/write access is supported.
Select Management > SNMP to open the SNMP configuration page.
Chapter 2 Managing the Aruba 501 11

System settings
Under System settings, you can define basic properties of the Aruba 501 as an SNMP managed device.
System name
Enter a name to identify the Aruba 501 as an SNMP managed device (63 alphanumeric characters maximum).
The default SNMP name is the product serial number.
System location
Enter a description of the physical location of the device (255 alphanumeric characters maximum).
System contact
Specify an email address for a contact person for the Aruba 501 (255 alphanumeric characters maximum).
12 Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client Bridge Configuration and Administration Guide

SNMP configuration
You can configure the following settings in this section. Unless specifically noted, these configuration parameters
apply to SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c only.
SNMP
Select a button to enable or disable the SNMP agent. By default, the SNMP agent is enabled. If you disable the
agent, the Aruba 501 will not respond to SNMP requests.
Read-only community name
The community name acts as a simple authentication mechanism to restrict the devices on the network that can
request data from the device. The name functions as a password, and the request is assumed to be authentic if
the sender knows the password.
The valid range is 1 to 256 characters. The community name can be in any alphanumeric format. The default is
public.
Port number
By default, the Aruba 501 listens to requests from port 161 only. You can configure to another value in the range
of 1025 to 65535.
SNMP set requests
When SNMP set requests is enabled, SNMP manager devices on the network can make changes to the Aruba
501 configuration by issuing “set” requests for MIB objects. When disabled, SNMP manager devices can only
retrieve configuration information by issuing “get” requests for MIB objects. This is enabled by default.
Read-write community name
If you have enabled SNMP set requests, you can set a read-write community name.
Setting a community name is similar to setting a password. Only requests from devices that identify themselves
with this community name will be accepted.
The valid range is 1 to 256 characters. The community name can be in any alphanumeric format. The default is
private.
SNMP source enable
Select Enabled if you want to restrict the source of permitted SNMP requests to a specified IP address,
hostname, or subnet. When disabled, the Aruba 501 accepts requests from any device on the network that is
configured with the appropriate community name. It is disabled by default.
Hostname, address, or subnet
If you have enabled the SNMP source enable setting, specify the hostname or IPv4 address of a device to
enable it to execute get and set requests to the Aruba 501. Or, specify a subnet to enable SNMP access for any
device on that subnet.
The valid range is 1 to 256 characters.
As with community names, this setting provides a level of security on SNMP accesses. The SNMP agent accept
requests only from the specified device or subnet.
To specify a subnet, enter one or more subnetwork address ranges in the form address/mask_length, where
address is an IP address and mask_length is the number of mask bits. Both formats address/mask and
address/mask_length are supported. Individual hosts can also be specified in this manner. For example, a range
of 192.168.1.0/24 specifies a subnet with address 192.168.1.0 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. In this
example, devices with addresses from 192.168.1.1 through 192.168.1.254 can execute SNMP commands on the
Aruba 501. (The address identified by the suffix .0 is reserved for the subnet address, and the address identified
by .255 is reserved for the broadcast address).
Chapter 2 Managing the Aruba 501 13

As another example, if you enter a range of 10.10.1.128/25, machines with IP addresses from 10.10.1.129
through 10.10.1.254 can execute SNMP requests on managed devices. In this example, 10.10.1.128 is the
network address and 10.10.1.255 is the broadcast address. A total of 126 addresses are designated.
IPv6 hostname, address, or subnet
Specify the DNS hostname, address, or subnet of the IPv6 devices that can execute get and set requests to the
Aruba 501.
Trap destinations
The Aruba 501 generates and stores data about significant events, such as system errors and configuration
changes, in the form of SNMP traps. These traps can be forwarded to up to three SNMP manager devices, which
you can configure in the Trap destinations section of the page.
Community name for traps
Enter the global community string associated with SNMP traps. Traps sent from the device provide this value as a
community name.
The valid range is 1 to 256 characters. The community name can be in any alphanumeric format. Special
characters are not permitted.
Enabled
Enable this option to allow configuration of up to three devices to receive traps.
Host type
Select whether the devices use an IPv4 or IPv6 address.
Hostname or IP address
Specify the hostname or IP address of the selected type.
SNMPv3 configuration
SNMPv3 adds security in the form of configurable encryption of data and enhanced authentication of users. You
can configure security settings on a per-user basis. You can also configure a user as an SNMPv3 receiver, so that
the Aruba 501 sends SNMP trap messages to the user.
Configuring SNMPv3 users
The SNMPv3 users page enables the network administrator to define multiple user IDs with different privileges
and security levels. A user can be configured to have read or write access with either authentication or encryption
or both. Users can also be configured to receive SNMP notifications from the Aruba 501.
To configure SNMPv3 users:
Procedure
1. In the management tool, select Management > SNMPv3 users.
14 Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client Bridge Configuration and Administration Guide

2. Enter a Name. User names can contain up to 32 alphanumeric characters.
3. Select a Group level. The built-in group levels are read-only (RO) and read-write (RW).
4. Select the type of authentication to use on SNMP requests from the user:
•MD5: Require MD5 authentication on SNMPv3 requests from the user.
•None: SNMPv3 requests from this user require no authentication.
5. If you specified MD5 authentication, enter a value in Auth key box. The authentication key can be from 8 to 32
alphanumeric characters.
6. From the Encryption type list, select the type of privacy to use on SNMP requests from the user:
•DES: Use DES encryption on SNMPv3 requests from the user.
•None: SNMPv3 requests from this user are not encrypted.
7. If you specified DES encryption, enter a value in the Encryption key box. The encryption key can be from 8 to
32 alphanumeric characters.
8. Click Add. You can add up to eight SNMPv3 users.
9. When finished adding users, click Save.
To remove a configured SNMPv3 user, select the name in the SNMPv3 user list, and then click Remove.
Configuring SNMPv3 receivers
The Aruba 501 can send SNMP traps to configured SNMPv3 users. The eligible users must be configured on the
SNMPv3 users page. On the SNMPv3 receivers page, you provide IP information for the users you select to
receive traps.
To configure an SNMPv3 receiver:
• In the management tool, select Management > SNMPv3 receivers.
Chapter 2 Managing the Aruba 501 15

• In the IPv4/IPv6 address field, enter the IP address where the trap will be sent.
• In the Port box, enter the logical UDP port number to associate with SNMP receiver messages.
• From the Users list, select the user to associate with this IP address and port, and then click Add. You can
add up to eight receivers.
• When you are finished adding receivers, click Save.
To remove a configured SNMPv3 receiver, select the name in the SNMPv3 receiver list, and then click Remove.
Supported MIBs
The Aruba 501 supports the following MIBs and MIB objects:
Standard MIBs
The following standard MIBs are supported:
• BRIDGE-MIB (802.1d)
• ENTITY-MIB (RFC 2737)
• IANAifType-MIB
• IEEE802dot11-MIB
• IF-MIB
• INET-ADDRESS-MIB
• RFC1155-SMI
• RFC1213-MIB
• RFC1215
• SNMP-FRAMEWORK-MIB
• SNMP-NOTIFICATION-MIB
• SNMP-TARGET-MIB
• SNMP-USM-DH-OBJECTS-MIB
• SNMPv2-CONF
• SNMPv2-MIB (RFC 2418)
• SNMPv2-SMI
• SNMPv2-TC
• SNMPv2-TM
• RFC4688
• IP-MIB
• TCP-MIB
• UDP-MIB
• UCD-SNMP-MIB
Private MIBs
The Aruba 501 supports a private MIB named HP-WLAN-ACCESS-POINT-MIB, with the following organization
and contact information:
ORGANIZATION:
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
CONTACT-INFO:
Hewlett Packard Enterprise, 8000 Foothills Blvd. Roseville, CA 95747
16 Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client Bridge Configuration and Administration Guide

This private MIB is linked to the product MIB tree at:
1.3.6.1.4.1.11.2.14.11.6.4.5.1
(iso(1).org(3).dod(6).internet(1).private(4).enterprises(1).hp(11).nm(2).icf(14).hpicfObjects(11).hpi
cfAccess(6).hpWireless(4).hpWlanProducts(5).hpWlanProduct(1)).
The Aruba 501 sysOID value is:
1.3.6.1.4.1.11.2.3.7.11.162.1
(iso(1).org(3).dod(6).internet(1).private(4).enterprises(1).hp(11).nm(2).hpSystem(3).netElement(7) .hpEtherSwitc
h(11). hpWlan(162).hpWlanClientBridge501(1)).
Automatically configuring the Aruba 501
This task explains how to automatically configure an Aruba 501 at startup with no user intervention using DHCP
options 43 and 60. Automatic configuration is supported via both the Ethernet port and wireless port.
Prerequisites
• DHCP server that supports options 43 and 60.
• TFTP server.
Procedure
1. Login to the management interface on the Aruba 501 and define the configuration settings needed to
successfully deploy the Aruba 501 on your network. (You can further customize these settings later by directly
editing the configuration file.)
2. Select Maintenance > Config file and save the configuration file to your computer.
3. Edit the configuration file to customize settings as required. The configuration file is an XML document and can
be edited with an ASCII text editor (or XML editor, if you have one). If you alter the structure of the file, or
define settings that are invalid, the file will be rejected and the configuration settings ignored when it is
downloaded by the Aruba 501. A message is written to the log indicating the errors that occur. The following
configuration settings are not overwritten when the new configuration file is loaded:
• serial number
• mac address
• system name
• hostname
4. Configure the DHCP server as follows:
• Set the Vendor Class Identifier to Aruba 501 Wireless Client Bridge.
• Set sub-option 4 to the IP address of the TFTP Server.
• Set sub-option 5 to the full path and filename of the configuration file on the TFTP server.
5. Copy the configuration file to the TFTP server in the appropriate directory.
6. Connect the Aruba 501 to the same network as the DHCP server via either the Ethernet port or a wireless
connection. To use a wireless connection, you must define a station profile that matches the settings on the
wireless network. The Aruba 501 ships with a default network profile that automatically connects to a wireless
network with SSID Aruba 501 and WPA2/PSK key Aruba 501 Client Bridge. To modify the default station
profile, see Using station profiles to establish a wireless link on page 25.
7. Restart the Aruba 501.
a. On start up, the Aruba 501 sends an optional parameter, called the Vendor Class Identifier (Option 60) in its
DHCP request with a value of Aruba 501 Wireless Client Bridge. This request is sent on the Ethernet port
and the connected wireless network.
b. The DHCP Server checks its configuration settings to find a match for the Option 60 value. If found, it sends
a DHCP reply with the name of the configuration file and the IP address of the TFTP server on which it is
stored (as part of Option 43).
Chapter 2 Managing the Aruba 501 17

c. The Aruba 501 uses the Option 43 values to download the new configuration file.
d. The Aruba 501 checks that the new configuration file has a different name than the one currently installed,
and that it is valid. If so, the Aruba 501 reboots and starts up using the new configuration settings.
Each time you edit the configuration file to implement new configuration settings, you must
change the filename of the configuration file on the TFTP server and in the Option 43 definition on
the DHCP server. If the filename is not changed, the Aruba 501 will not install the new
configuration file.
Setting the system time
Correct system time is important for proper operation of the Aruba 501, especially when using the logs to
troubleshoot.
Select Management > System time to open the System time page. This page enables you to configure time
server and time zone information.
Set system time
This section displays the current system time. You can configure the time manually or have it automatically
configured by a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server.
Manually
Select the date, time (in 24-hour notation), and time zone.
Using network time protocol (NTP)
18 Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client Bridge Configuration and Administration Guide

NTP servers transmit Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to their
client systems. NTP sends periodic time requests to servers, using the returned time stamp to adjust its clock.
The timestamp is used to indicate the date and time of each event in log messages.
When you select this option, a field displays for you to specify the NTP server. You can specify the NTP hostname
or IP address, although it is recommended that you not use the IP address, as these are more likely to change. If
you specify a hostname, note the following requirements:
• The length must be from 1 to 63 characters.
• Upper and lower case characters, numbers, and hyphens are accepted.
• The first character must be a letter (a to z or A to Z), and the last character cannot be a hyphen.
An actual NTP server host name, pool.ntp.org, is configured by default and provides the time when the Aruba
501 is connected to the Internet.
Daylight savings
Use this section to enable support for daylight savings time, if required for your location. When you select Adjust
time for daylight savings, additional fields display to enable you to configure the starting and ending dates and
times, and the DST offset.
The DST offset specifies how many minutes to move the clock forward for daylight savings time.
Chapter 2 Managing the Aruba 501 19

Wireless range
At high power, the Aruba 501 can communicate with APs that are up to about 300 feet away. The achievable
range can vary widely depending on the antenna selected, the radio mode, and environmental and other
circumstances.
The following factors can affect wireless performance:
•Radio power: More radio power means better signal quality and the ability to create bigger wireless cells.
However, cell size should generally not exceed the range of transmission supported by client stations. If it
does, wireless clients (such as the Aruba 501) can receive signals from the AP, but might not be able to reply,
rendering the connection useless.
Governmental regulations in different parts of the world determine the maximum power output of the Aruba
501 radio.
•Antenna configuration: Antennas play an important role in determining the shape of the wireless cell and
transmission distance. Consult the specifications for the antennas you are using to determine how they affect
wireless coverage.
•Interference: Interference is caused by other APs or devices (cordless phones, microwaves) that operate in
the same 2.4 GHz frequency band as the Aruba 501 when it is set to a 2.4 GHz mode. Such interference can
substantially affect throughput. A smaller, but growing number of devices are potential sources of interference
in the 5 GHz band.
Information provided by the management tool can help you diagnose interference problems as they occur.
◦ Select Wireless > Neighborhood to view detailed information about all wireless APs operating in the
immediate area so that you can effectively set the operating frequencies.
◦ Select Status > Wireless to view detailed information about packets sent and received, transmission
errors, and other low-level events.
•Physical characteristics of the location: Radio waves have a limited ability to penetrate metal. The steel
reinforcing found in concrete walls and floors can block transmissions or reduce signal quality. However, the
Aruba 501 is able to transmit through wood or plaster walls and closed windows. To maximize the range of the
wireless cell, the Aruba 501 is best installed in an open area with as few obstructions as possible.
Configuring radio settings
To configure the Aruba 501 radio, select Wireless > Radio. The Modify radio settings page appears.
Chapter 3
Wireless configuration
20 Aruba 501 802.11ac Wireless Client Bridge Configuration and Administration Guide