Cisco 2505 User manual

GETTING STARTED GUIDE
Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controller
May 2011
Revised June 2, 2011
1About This Guide
2Unpacking and Preparing the Controller for Operation
3Installing the Controller
4Running the Bootup Script and Power-On Self Test
5Logging into the Controller
6Connecting to the Network
7What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation
8Translated Safety Warnings

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1 About This Guide
This guide is designed to help you install and minimally configure your Cisco 2504 Wireless Controller
(2504 controller), which is part of the Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers.
FCC Safety Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on.
Try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. (cfr reference 15.105)
Safety Information
Safety warnings appear throughout this guide in procedures that may harm you if performed
incorrectly. A warning symbol precedes each warning statement. The warnings below are general
warnings that are applicable to the entire guide. Translated versions of the safety warnings in this guide
are provided in the “Translated Safety Warnings” section on page 38.
Warning This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury.
Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical
circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the
statement number provided at the end of each warning to locate its translation in the
translated safety warnings that accompanied this device.
Statement 1071
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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Warning There is the danger of explosion if the battery is replaced incorrectly. Replace the battery
only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of
used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Statement 1015
Warning This equipment must be grounded. Never defeat the ground conductor or operate the
equipment in the absence of a suitably installed ground conductor. Contact the
appropriate electrical inspection authority or an electrician if you are uncertain that
suitable grounding is available. Statement 1024
Warning Ultimate disposal of this product should be handled according to all national laws and
regulations. Statement 1040
Safety Considerations
• Verify that the ambient temperature remains between 32 to 104° F (0 to 40° C), taking into
account the elevated temperatures when installed in a rack or enclosed space.
• When multiple 2504 controllers are mounted in an equipment rack, be sure that the power source
is sufficiently rated to safely run all the equipment in the rack (input: 100 to 240 VAC, 50–60 Hz,
output: 80 W per controller).
• Verify the integrity of the electrical ground before installing the controller.
Introduction to the Controller
The 2504 controller works in conjunction with Cisco lightweight access points and the Cisco Wireless
Control System (WCS) to provide system-wide wireless LAN functions. As a component of the Cisco
Unified Wireless Network (CUWN), the 2504 controller provides real-time communication between
wireless access points and other devices to deliver centralized security policies, guest access, Wireless
Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS), context-aware (location), award-winning RF management,
quality of services for mobility services such as voice and video, and OEAP support for the Teleworker
solution.
The 2504 controllers supports up to 50 lightweight access points in increments of 5 access points with
a minimum of 5 access points, making it a cost-effective solution for retail, enterprise branches, and
small and medium-sized businesses. The 2504 controller comes with four 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports.

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Note Direct connection of access points to Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers are not currently
supported.
The 2504 controller offers robust coverage with 802.11 a/b/g and delivers unprecedented reliability
using 802.11n with Cisco Next-Generation Wireless Solutions and Cisco Enterprise Wireless Mesh.
To best use this guide, you should have already designed the wireless topology of your network and
have a working knowledge of how controllers function in a wireless LAN network.
Figure 1 shows a 2504 controller network topology and network connections, showing the medium
dependent interface (MDI) Ethernet cables required. The controller has an auto MDI feature, so you
can use straight-through or crossover cables.
Figure 1 Typical Controller Topology and Network Connections
282297
10/100/1000BASE-T
MDI cables
10/100/1000BASE-T
MDI cable
Network
Distribution
system
connection
Access
point
connections
WAN or LAN
connection to
main office
Cisco Access Points
Null modem serial
c
able (DB-9 -> RJ-45)
t
o console connection LAN link for
management software
connections
Console emulator
for initial boot-up Cisco WCS software,
web user interface

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Figure 2 shows the front panel and location of the ports and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for the 2504
controller. Table 1 describes the components of the front panel.
Note It is expected that there will be small variations in LED color intensity and hue from unit to
unit. This is within the normal range of the LED manufacturer’s specifications and is not a
defect.
Figure 2 Front Panel and LEDs
Ta b l e 1 WLC2504 Front Panel Component Descriptions
Callout Port and LEDs State and Description
CONSOLE CPU console port The CPU console port is an RS-232 port that supports
a RJ-45 connector. At boot-up the controller configures
the RS-232 port as a console port with default settings
of 9600, N, 8, 1. The boot-loader supports baud rates
of 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and
115200. A default baud-rate recovery mechanism is not
available; however the bootloader ensures that the
stored baud rate setting matches one of the allowed
values before setting the baud rate. If a nonstandard
value is detected the baud rate will default to 9600.
282249
CISCO 2500 Series WIRELESS CONTROLLER
Model 2504
RESET
PWR SYS ALM
CONSOLE
1234
1CONSOLE 2 3-4 POE PWR ALM
SYS
RESET

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1GigE port and LED The Gigabit Ethernet port is an RJ-45 connector
form-factor. This port is designed so that 1500 VAC rms
isolation (per the 802.3 specification) is met between
chassis ground and any 48V/Ethernet signal.
LED description:
• Green or Blinking Green—Link activity
• Off—No link
2GigE port and LED The Gigabit Ethernet port is an RJ-45 connector
form-factor. This port is designed so that 1500 VAC rms
isolation (per the 802.3 specification) is met between
chassis ground and any 48V/Ethernet signal.
LED description:
• Green or Blinking Green—Link activity
• Off—No link
3 & 4 POE GigE Power-over-Ethernet
(POE) ports
The Gigabit POE ports are RJ-45 connector
form-factor. They provide a I2C communications
channel between the PSE controller and host CPU TWSI
bus #1. This interface supports the proper voltage
isolation as defined by 802.3. The POE controller is
configured to I2C address 0x40/41 (0100 000r/w).
The POE controller reset is driven from system reset. If
software needs to reset the POE controller, it can do so
over I2C.
LED description:
• Green or Blinking Green—Link activity
• Off—No link
Note Ports 3 and 4 are PoE only ports; do not
connect access point devices to these ports. The
ports can be used for infra-switch connection
using multiple an AP-Manager or data
interface.
Callout Port and LEDs State and Description

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Caution Do not connect a Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable to the console port. Doing so will
damage the controller.
RESET Reset button Pushing the Reset button reboots the system.
PWR Power LED The power LED light is on when all the power
conversion circuits are running normally.
LED description:
• Green—Power is on
• Off—No power to the system
SYS System LED The system LED determines if the system is powered up.
LED description:
• Blinking Amber—Boot-loader is active and waiting
for user input from the system console.
• Blinking Green—Boot-loader or booting.
• Green—Normal System Operation.
• Amber—System failed the bootup process or an
error caused the system to halt. A status or error
message is posted on the console screen.
• Off—System not receiving power.
ALM Alarm LED The alarm LED determines a status or error occurred.
The status or error is posted on the console screen.
LED description:
• Blinking Green—Controller image upgrading.
• Amber—Controller status activity, such as
firmware upgrade.
• Blinking Amber—Controller error. For example, a
temperature error exists.
Callout Port and LEDs State and Description

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Note Wait at least 20 seconds before reconnecting an access point to the controller. Otherwise, the
controller may fail to detect the device.
Figure 3 shows the back panel and identifies its components. Table 2 describes the back panel
components.
Figure 3 Controller Back Panel and Components
Ta b l e 2 Controller Back Panel and Component Descriptions
Ports and Slots State and Description
POWER 48VDC The 48 V input power is provided via an external
AC/DC adapter. Power is provided to the system board
from the 48 VDC input. There is enough power
available to power the system board plus two 802.3af
PoE devices.
Note The Cisco 2106 power adapter is not
compatible with a 2504 controller.
Cable Lock slot Security locking slot.
282250
POWER 48VDC
Cable Lock
Slot

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2 Unpacking and Preparing the Controller for Operation
Follow these steps to unpack the 2504 controller and prepare it for operation:
Step 1 Open the shipping container and carefully remove the contents.
Step 2 Return all packing materials to the shipping container and save it.
Step 3 Ensure that all items listed in the “Package Contents” section are included in the shipment.
Check each item for damage. If any item is damaged or missing, notify your authorized Cisco
sales representative.
Package Contents
Each 2504 controller package contains the following items:
• One Cisco 2504 Wireless Controller.
• One Power supply and power cord (power cord option configurable).
• Cisco 2504 Wireless Controller software pre-loaded on the controller (software option
configurable).
• Optional licenses will be pre-installed on controller at factory, if selected.
• Two Number 6 Phillips pan-head screws for mounting the controller on a desk, shelf, or wall.
• Two wall anchors.
• Strain relief clip and screw.
• Optional hardware will be included, if selected.
Required Tools and Information
You will need the following tools and information before you can install the controller:
• Wireless controller hardware
– Controller with factory-supplied power cord and mounting hardware
– Network, operating system service network, and access point cables as required
• Command-line interface (CLI) console
– VT-100 terminal emulator on CLI console (PC, laptop, or palmtop)
– Null modem serial cable to connect CLI console and controller

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• Local TFTP server (required for downloading operating system software updates). Cisco uses an
integral TFTP server. This means that third-party TFTP servers cannot run on the same
workstation as the Cisco WCS because Cisco WCS and third-party TFTP servers use the same
communication port.
Initial System Configuration Information
Obtain the following initial configuration parameters from your wireless LAN or network
administrator:
• A system (controller name), such as controller. The system name can contain up to 32 printable
ASCII characters.
• An administrative username and password, which can contain up to 24 printable ASCII
characters.
Note You must enter a username and password and the configured username and password cannot
be the same.
• A management interface (DS Port or network interface port) IP address, such as 10.40.0.4.
• A management interface netmask address, such as 255.255.255.0.
• A management interface default router IP address, such as 10.40.0.5.
• A VLAN identifier if the management interface is assigned to a VLAN, such as 40 or 0for an
untagged VLAN.
• A management interface port, such as 1.
• A management interface DHCP server IP address, such as 10.40.0.6 (the IP address of the default
DHCP server that will supply IP addresses to clients and the management interface.
• A virtual gateway IP address (a fictitious, unassigned IP address, such as 1.1.1.1, used by all Cisco
wireless controller Layer 3 security and mobility managers).
• A Cisco wireless controller mobility or RF group name, such as rfgrp40 if required. An RF group
name can contain up to 19 printable ASCII characters.
• An 802.11 network name (SSID), such as wlan1. An SSID can contain up to 32 printable,
case-sensitive ASCII characters.
• DHCP bridging
• Whether or not to allow static IP addresses from clients, either Yes or No.
– Yes is more convenient, but has lower security (session can be hijacked).
– No is less convenient, but has higher security and works well for Windows XP devices.