Cradlepoint AER 2100 User manual

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Quick Start Guide /AER2100 Series
AER2100 Series
Temporary, Pop-Up & Mobile Branch Networking
THANK YOU FOR
CHOOSING CRADLEPOINT
Cradlepoint is the leading provider of secure,
cloud-managed 3G/4G/LTE networking
solutions for the distributed enterprise with
hundreds or thousands of locations. Our
broad family of high-performance routers are
designed for deployment in mission-critical
applications that require 24x7 connectivity.
Always Connected. Always Protected.
+ Cloud-managed
+ Dual-modem, multi-
carrier support
+ Dual-band, dual-
concurrent WiFi
(802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)
+ WAN Diversity for
backup, hybrid, or
primary WAN
+ Industry-leading
4G failover
+ Advanced routing
& best-in-class,
cloud-based security
options
+ Extensible & easily
integrated enterprise
applications via an
open API
AER2100 Key Features:
Go to cradlepoint.com/aer2100 to learn more.
MC400 3G/4G Modem 12V 3A AC/DC
Power Adapter
Modem & WiFi
Antennas
Ethernet Cable Multipurpose
Retaining Tool
WHAT’S INCLUDED:

HARDWARE
Quick Start Guide /AER2100 Series
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2
LED Indicators
Power: The Cradlepoint AER2100 must be
powered using an approved 12V DC power source.
+ Green = Powered ON
+ No Light = Not receiving power. Check
the power switch and the power source
connection.
+ Amber = Attention. Open the administration
pages (see page 4) and check the router
status. The LED will show amber until the
user changes the default Administrator and
WiFi passwords. Default passwords must be
changed to secure the router.
Ethernet WAN: Indicates information about a
data source connected to the Ethernet WAN
port.
+ Blue = Connected to an active Ethernet WAN
interface.
WiFi Broadcast: These two LEDs indicate activity
on the WiFi broadcast for both the 2.4 GHz
and 5 GHz bands.
+ 2.4G (green) = 2.4 GHz WiFi is on and
operating normally.
+ 5G (blue) = 5 GHz WiFi is on and operating
normally.
Signal Strength: Blue LED bars indicate the
active modem’s signal strength.
+ 4 Solid Bars = Strongest signal
+ 1 Blinking Bar = Weakest signal. (A blinking
bar indicates half of a bar.)
External USB Modem: Indicates the status of
external USB modem. All modems have the
following LED indicators:
+ Green = Modem has established an active
connection.
(continued on page 3)

Quick Start Guide /AER2100 Series
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+ Blinking Green = Modem is connecting.
+ Amber = Modem is not active.
+ Blinking Amber = Data connection error.
No modem connection possible.
+ Blinking Red = Modem is in the process
of resetting.
Integrated Modem: Indicates the status of
integrated modems.
Additional LED Indications
+ Several different LEDs blink when the
factory reset button is detected.
+ Two of the modem LEDs blink red in
unison for 10 seconds when there is an
error during a NetCloud OS (firmware)
upgrade.
AER2100 DEVICE DETAILS
Accessories:
+ Additional MC400 integrated
4G LTE modem*
+ Power adapters and
international power cords
+ Rack mounting bracket
+ External modem antennas
and cabling
Model Numbers:
AER2100 S4A340A
Enterprise Support
For enhanced services including enterprise-level support,
extended warranties, site surveys, and expert installation,
learn more about Cradlepoint’s CradleCare suite of services at
cradlepoint.com/cradlecare.
*A Cradlepoint MC400 integrated 4G LTE modem comes standard with the AER2100.
Add a second integrated MC400 modem for a complete “Cut-the-Wire” 4G LTE
solution, fusing enterprise reliability with unparalleled agility.
AER2150 S4A345A

GETTING STARTED
Insert an Activated SIM
A wireless broadband data plan must be added to your Cradlepoint AER2100.
Wireless broadband data plans are available from wireless carriers such as
Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, EE, and Vodafone. The SIM must be provisioned with
the carrier. Contact your carrier for details about selecting a data plan and
about the process for provisioning your SIM.
Once you have an activated SIM, insert it into the integrated modem. Insert
the SIM card into the slot marked SIM 1 (use the other slot, SIM 2, for a
secondary/backup SIM). Be sure to insert the card with the notch-end first
and the gold contacts facing down—it will click into place.
Attach the Internal Modem
Follow these steps to attach the internal modem:
1. Remove the left side panel cover from the router. Use a Phillips
screwdriver to remove the screws, and use the Multipurpose Retaining
Tool (included in the router package) to remove the cover.
2. Slide the modem into the side of the router
(left slot first). The protruding section of the
modem fits into the groove.
3. Reattach the panel cover and screw it back on.
(When necessary, remove the cover and modem
using the Multipurpose Retaining Tool.)
Attach the WiFi & Modem Antennas
Attach the three included WiFi antennas and two included modem antennas to
the connectors. Antennas are jointed, which enables you to position them for
optimal signal. To attach, hold the antenna straight and twist the base of the
antenna to connect, folding the joint if needed.
When connecting the provided antennas, review the connection points.
+ WiFi antennas have flat circular bases (RSMA).
+ Modem antennas have protruding pins (SMA).
Care should be taken to ensure that the router antennas are not near metal or
other RF reflective surfaces.
Connect the Power Source
Plug the provided power supply (12V DC wall adapter) into an electrical outlet.
Then connect the power supply to the router. Ensure power is switched on.
When you set the power switch
to the ‘On’ position, watch for the
power LED to illuminate.
If you would like to secure the power
supply cord, attach the Multipurpose
Retaining Tool as shown. Secure with
included screws.
Quick Start Guide /AER2100 Series
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5
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Access the Administration Pages
To make configuration changes to your router, open
the AER2100’s GUI-based administration pages.
1. Connect to the router
via Ethernet or WiFi.
For WiFi, the default
SSID is found on the
product label on the
bottom of the router.
2. Open a browser
window and type
“cp/” or “192.168.0.1”
in the address bar and
press return/enter.
3. When prompted for the Administrator password,
type the default eight character password found
on the product.
4. Upon login for the first time, you are automatically
directed to the First Time Setup Wizard to configure
Admin Password, Time Zone, WiFi Security, and WAN
Failure Check.
Note: The power/attention LED will show amber until
the user changes the default Administrator and WiFi
passwords. Default passwords must be changed to
secure the router.
FIRST TIME SETUP WIZARD
When you log in to the local administration pages for
the first time, you will be automatically directed to the
First Time Setup Wizard, which will walk you through
basic steps to customize your Cradlepoint AER2100. You
have the ability to configure any of the following:
Quick Start Guide /AER2100 Series
+ Administrator
Password
+ Time Zone
+ WiFi Network Name
+ Security Mode
+ Access Point Name
(APN)
+ Modem Authentication
+ Failure Check
If you are currently using the router’s WiFi network,
you will need to reconnect your devices to the
network using the newly established wireless network
name and password.
To return to the First Time Setup Wizard after your
initial login, select ‘System’ on the left navigation bar
and First Time Setup from the Setup Wizards drop-
down menu.
To restore the router to its factory default settings,
press and hold the RESET button on the side of
the device for ten seconds. Reset returns the login
password to the default password and resets all
configuration changes.
Deploy and Manage the
Intelligent Network with
Cradlepoint NetCloud
Cradlepoint NetCloud is a network
management and application
platform that integrates cloud-
based, software-defined networking
with your Cradlepoint devices to
improve productivity, increase
reliability, and reduce costs.
NetCloud includes SD-WAN
capabilities and SD-Perimeter to
enhance the security and scalability
of your network and business
operations.
To learn more and begin a free
30-day trial:
cradlepoint.com/netcloud
Sales & Support: [phone]

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6
UPDATING NETCLOUD OS
Via NetCloud Manager
1. Log in at cradlepointecm.com using your
NetCloud Manager credentials.
2. Navigate to the Groups page. (This can also
be done for an individual device on the
Devices page.)
3. Select a group and click on the NetCloud OS
option in the top toolbar. In the dropdown menu
that opens, select the desired version.
4. Wait a moment while NetCloud OS is updated
and the router reboots.
Via the Local Administration Pages
1. Log into the local administration pages
(see page 5). You may have changed the
Administrator Password.
2. Select ‘System > System Control > System
NetCloud OS’.
3. If a new NetCloud OS version is available,
select ‘Automatic (Internet)’.
4. Wait a moment while NetCloud OS is updated
and the router reboots (do not close the
browser window when updating).
If you do not have an active Internet connection,
you may need to use the ‘Manual NetCloud OS
Upload’ option. To use this option, download a
new version of NetCloud OS to a local device and
then upload it to the router on the System >
System Control > System NetCloud OS page.
SETTING THE APN
Depending on your modem, you may need to
specify the APN (Access Point Name).
SELECT THE APN
1. Log into the administration pages (see page 5).
2. Select ‘Connection Manager’.
3. Select the modem you would like to manage.
Click ‘Edit’ to open the WAN Configuration
editor.
4. Select the ‘SIM/APN/AUTH Settings’ tab. In the
‘Access Point Configuration’ field, either select
the desired APN from the options displayed or
enter it manually.
5. Input the username and password for
authentication if required by your carrier.
6. Click ‘Submit’.
ROUTER COMMUNICATION /
DATA USAGE
The factory default configuration of the router
is set to communicate with Cradlepoint and
other resources at regular intervals to access the
latest NetCloud OS and modem updates, clock
synchronization (NTP), and NetCloud Manager
membership. Such communication may result
in data usage and applicable charges regardless
of whether the router uses a wired or wireless
Internet connection. To avoid such data usage and
potential charges, consult the following Knowledge
Base article:
http://knowledgebase.cradlepoint.com/articles/
support/router-communication-data-usage
Quick Start Guide /AER2100 Series