Cisco Mesh Access Points Quick reference guide

Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release
7.3
First Published: August 28, 2012
Americas Headquarters
Cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-1706
USA
http://www.cisco.com
Tel: [phone]
800 553-NETS (6387)
Fax: [phone]
Text Part Number: OL-27593-01

THE SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE PRODUCTS IN THIS MANUAL ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL STATEMENTS,
INFORMATION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS MANUAL ARE BELIEVED TO BE ACCURATE BUT ARE PRESENTED WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. USERS MUST TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR APPLICATION OF ANY PRODUCTS.
THE SOFTWARE LICENSE AND LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE ACCOMPANYING PRODUCT ARE SET FORTH IN THE INFORMATION PACKET THAT SHIPPED WITH
THE PRODUCT AND ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOFTWARE LICENSE OR LIMITED WARRANTY,
CONTACT YOUR CISCO REPRESENTATIVE FOR A COPY.
The Cisco implementation of TCP header compression is an adaptation of a program developed by the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) as part of UCB's public domain version
of the UNIX operating system. All rights reserved. Copyright ©1981, Regents of the University of California.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER WARRANTY HEREIN, ALL DOCUMENT FILES AND SOFTWARE OF THESE SUPPLIERS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS" WITH ALL FAULTS.
CISCO AND THE ABOVE-NAMED SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT OR ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE, OR TRADE PRACTICE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL CISCO OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO DATA ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS MANUAL, EVEN IF CISCO OR ITS SUPPLIERS
HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. To view a list of Cisco trademarks, go to this URL: http://
www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership
relationship between Cisco and any other company. (1110R)
Any Internet Protocol (IP) addresses used in this document are not intended to be actual addresses. Any examples, command display output, and figures included in the document are shown
for illustrative purposes only. Any use of actual IP addresses in illustrative content is unintentional and coincidental.
©2012 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS
Preface Preface xi
Audience xii
Organization xii
Conventions xii
Related Documentation xv
Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request xv
CHAPTER 1 Mesh Network Components 1
Mesh Access Points 1
Licensing for Mesh Access Points on a 5500 Series Controller 1
Access Point Roles 2
Network Access 3
Network Segmentation 4
Cisco Indoor Mesh Access Points 4
Cisco Outdoor Mesh Access Points 5
Cisco Aironet 1552 Mesh Access Point 6
Cisco 1522 Mesh Access Point 11
Cisco 1524PS Mesh Access Point 11
Cisco 1524SB Mesh Access Point 12
Ethernet Ports 14
Multiple Power Options 14
Battery Backup Module (Optional) 16
Reset Button 17
Resetting Access Point 18
Monitoring the LED Status 18
Serial Backhaul Access Point Guidelines for the Rest of the World (ROW) 21
Discontinuation of the 116 and 132 Channels from the UNII-2 Extended Band 23
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
OL-27593-01 iii

Frequency Bands 24
Dynamic Frequency Selection 25
Antennas 26
Antenna Configurations for 1552 31
Client Access Certified Antennas (Third-Party Antennas) 34
Maximum Ratio Combining 34
Cisco 1500 Hazardous Location Certification 37
Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers 40
Cisco Prime Infrastructure 40
Architecture 40
Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points 40
CAPWAP Discovery on a Mesh Network 40
Dynamic MTU Detection 41
XML Configuration File 41
Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol 42
Traffic Flow 43
Mesh Neighbors, Parents, and Children 44
Criteria to Choose the Best Parent 45
Ease Calculation 45
Parent Decision 45
SNR Smoothing 46
Loop Prevention 46
CHAPTER 2 Mesh Deployment Modes 47
Wireless Mesh Network 47
Wireless Backhaul 47
Universal Access 48
Point-to-Multipoint Wireless Bridging 48
Point-to-Point Wireless Bridging 48
Configuring Mesh Range (CLI) 49
Assumptions for the AP1522 Range Calculator 50
Assumptions for the AP1552 Range Calculator 50
CHAPTER 3 Design Considerations 51
Wireless Mesh Constraints 51
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
iv OL-27593-01
Contents

Wireless Backhaul Data Rate 51
ClientLink Technology 55
Configuring ClientLink (CLI) 56
Commands Related to ClientLink 58
Controller Planning 58
CHAPTER 4 Site Preparation and Planning 61
Site Survey 61
Pre-Survey Checklist 61
Outdoor Site Survey 62
Determining a Line of Sight 62
Weather 63
Fresnel Zone 63
Fresnel Zone Size in Wireless Mesh Deployments 64
Hidden Nodes Interference 65
Functional Routing of Three Radio MAPs 66
Slot Bias Options 66
Disabling Slot Bias 67
Commands Related to Slot Bias 67
Preferred Parent Selection 68
Preferred Parent Selection Criteria 68
Configuring a Preferred Parent 69
Related Commands 69
Co-Channel Interference 70
Wireless Mesh Network Coverage Considerations 71
Cell Planning and Distance 71
Assumptions for the AP1522 Range Calculator 83
Assumptions for the AP1552 Range Calculator 84
Collocating Mesh Access Points 86
Special Considerations for Indoor Mesh Networks 87
Wireless Propagation Characteristics 89
CleanAir 89
CleanAir AP Modes of Operation 90
Pseudo MAC (PMAC) and Merging 91
Event Driven Radio Resource Management and Persistence Device Avoidance 92
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
OL-27593-01 v
Contents

CleanAir Access Point Deployment Recommendations 92
CleanAir Advisor 93
Enabling CleanAir 94
Licensing 94
Wireless Mesh Mobility Groups 94
Multiple Controllers 95
Increasing Mesh Availability 95
Multiple RAPs 96
Indoor Mesh Interoperability with Outdoor Mesh 97
CHAPTER 5 Connecting the Cisco 1500 Series Mesh Access Points to the Network 99
Adding Mesh Access Points to the Mesh Network 100
Adding MAC Addresses of Mesh Access Points to MAC Filter 101
Adding the MAC Address of the Mesh Access Point to the Controller Filter List
(GUI) 101
Adding the MAC Address of the Mesh Access Point to the Controller Filter List
(CLI) 102
Defining Mesh Access Point Role 102
General Notes about MAP and RAP Association With The Controller 102
Configuring the AP Role (GUI) 103
Configuring the AP Role (CLI) 104
Configuring Multiple Controllers Using DHCP 43 and DHCP 60 104
Backup Controllers 105
Configuring Backup Controllers (GUI) 106
Configuring Backup Controllers (CLI) 107
Configuring External Authentication and Authorization Using a RADIUS Server 109
Configuring RADIUS Servers 110
Adding a Username to a RADIUS Server 111
Enabling External Authentication of Mesh Access Points (GUI) 112
Enable External Authentication of Mesh Access Points (CLI) 112
View Security Statistics (CLI) 113
Configuring Global Mesh Parameters 113
Configuring Global Mesh Parameters (GUI) 113
Configuring Global Mesh Parameters (CLI) 116
Viewing Global Mesh Parameter Settings (CLI) 117
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
vi OL-27593-01
Contents

Universal Client Access 118
Configuring Universal Client Access (GUI) 119
Configuring Universal Client Access (CLI) 119
Universal Client Access on Serial Backhaul Access Points 119
Configuring Extended Universal Access (GUI) 120
Configuring Extended Universal Access (CLI) 122
Configuring Extended Universal Access from Cisco Prime Infrastructure 123
Configuring Local Mesh Parameters 124
Configuring Wireless Backhaul Data Rate 124
Configuring Ethernet Bridging 131
Enabling Ethernet Bridging (GUI) 133
Configuring Bridge Group Names 133
Configuring Bridge Group Names (CLI) 134
Verifying Bridge Group Names (GUI) 134
Configuring Public Safety Band Settings 134
Configuring Interoperability with Cisco 3200 136
Enabling AP1522 to Associate with Cisco 3200 (GUI) 138
Enabling 1522 and 1524PS Association with Cisco 3200 (CLI) 138
Configuring Power and Channel Settings 139
Configuring Power and Channel Settings (GUI) 139
Configuring the Channels on the Serial Backhaul (CLI) 140
Configuring Antenna Gain 141
Configuring Antenna Gain (GUI) 141
Configuring Antenna Gain (CLI) 141
Backhaul Channel Deselection on Serial Backhaul Access Point 141
Configuring Backhaul Channel Deselection (GUI) 142
Configuring Backhaul Channel Deselection (CLI) 143
Backhaul Channel Deselection Guidelines 146
Configuring Dynamic Channel Assignment 147
Configuring Advanced Features 149
Using the 2.4-GHz Radio for Backhaul 150
Configuring Ethernet VLAN Tagging 151
Ethernet Port Notes 152
Ethernet VLAN Tagging Guidelines 153
VLAN Registration 154
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
OL-27593-01 vii
Contents

Enabling Ethernet VLAN Tagging (GUI) 155
Configuring Ethernet VLAN Tagging (CLI) 156
Viewing Ethernet VLAN Tagging Configuration Details (CLI) 156
Workgroup Bridge Interoperability with Mesh Infrastructure 157
Configuring Workgroup Bridges 158
Guidelines for Configuration 161
Configuration Example 162
WGB Association Check 164
Link Test Result 166
WGB Wired/Wireless Client 167
Client Roaming 168
WGB Roaming Guidelines 168
Configuration Example 169
Troubleshooting Tips 170
Configuring Voice Parameters in Indoor Mesh Networks 170
Call Admission Control 171
Quality of Service and Differentiated Services Code Point Marking 171
Guidelines For Using Voice on the Mesh Network 176
Voice Call Support in a Mesh Network 178
Viewing the Voice Details for Mesh Networks (CLI) 179
Enabling Mesh Multicast Containment for Video 182
Enabling Multicast on the Mesh Network (CLI) 183
IGMP Snooping 183
Locally Significant Certificates for Mesh APs 184
Guidelines for Configuration 184
Differences Between LSCs for Mesh APs and Normal APs 185
Certificate Verification Process in LSC AP 185
Getting Certificates for LSC Feature 185
Configuring a Locally Significant Certificate (CLI) 187
LSC-Related Commands 189
Controller GUI Security Settings 191
Deployment Guidelines 192
CHAPTER 6 Checking the Health of the Network 193
Show Mesh Commands 193
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
viii OL-27593-01
Contents

Viewing General Mesh Network Details 194
Viewing Mesh Access Point Details 195
Viewing Global Mesh Parameter Settings 196
Viewing Bridge Group Settings 197
Viewing VLAN Tagging Settings 197
Viewing DFS Details 197
Viewing Public Safety Setting 198
Viewing Security Settings and Statistics 198
Viewing Mesh Statistics for a Mesh Access Point 199
Viewing Mesh Statistics for a Mesh Access Point (GUI) 199
Viewing Mesh Statistics for an Mesh Access Point (CLI) 202
Viewing Neighbor Statistics for a Mesh Access Point 203
Viewing Neighbor Statistics for a Mesh Access Point (GUI) 203
Viewing the Neighbor Statistics for a Mesh Access Point (CLI) 204
CHAPTER 7 Troubleshooting 207
Installation and Connections 207
Debug Commands 208
Remote Debug Commands 209
AP Console Access 209
Cable Modem Serial Port Access From an AP 210
Configuration 210
Mesh Access Point CLI Commands 212
Mesh Access Point Debug Commands 213
Defining Mesh Access Point Roles 213
Backhaul Algorithm 214
Passive Beaconing (Anti-Stranding) 215
Dynamic Frequency Selection 216
DFS in RAP 216
DFS in MAP 217
Preparation in a DFS Environment 218
Monitoring DFS 219
Frequency Planning 219
Good Signal-to-Noise Ratios 220
Access Point Placement 220
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
OL-27593-01 ix
Contents

Check Packet Error Rate 220
Bridge Group Name Misconfiguration 220
Misconfiguration of the Mesh Access Point IP Address 222
Misconfiguration of DHCP 223
Identifying the Node Exclusion Algorithm 223
Throughput Analysis 225
CHAPTER 8 Managing Mesh Access Points with Cisco Prime Infrastructure 227
Adding Campus Maps, Outdoor Areas, and Buildings with Cisco Prime Infrastructure 227
Adding Campus Maps 228
Adding Outdoor Areas 228
Adding a Building to a Campus Map 229
Adding Mesh Access Points to Maps with Cisco Prime Infrastructure 230
Monitoring Mesh Access Points Using Google Earth 232
Launching Google Earth in Cisco Prime Infrastructure 232
Viewing Google Earth Maps 233
Adding Indoor Mesh Access Points to Cisco Prime Infrastructure 236
Managing Mesh Access Points with Cisco Prime Infrastructure 237
Monitoring Mesh Networks Using Maps 237
Monitoring Mesh Link Statistics Using Maps 237
Monitoring Mesh Access Points Using Maps 238
Monitoring Mesh Access Point Neighbors Using Maps 239
Monitoring Mesh Health 240
Viewing Mesh Statistics for a Mesh Access Point 242
Viewing the Mesh Network Hierarchy 247
Using Mesh Filters to Modify Map Display of Maps and Mesh Links 248
Monitoring Workgroup Bridges 250
Multiple VLAN and QoS Support for WGB Wired Clients 251
Workgroup Bridge Guidelines 252
Configuring VLAN and QoS Support (CLI) 252
Workgroup Bridge Output 253
WGB Detail on Controller 255
Troubleshooting Tips 256
Viewing AP Last Reboot Reason 257
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
xOL-27593-01
Contents