A Cisco Wireless LAN controller acts as a centralized device in the network that is used in combination with the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) for the management of numerous lightweight access points (AP). In this guide, we will see different configurations of Cisco WLC Release 8.0.

The following information is helpful to set up a wireless controller in small, medium, and large network wireless environment.

4 Different Ways to Configure Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers

The different types of configuration of Cisco Wireless LAN controllers are:

  1. Setting up Cisco WLC using Cisco WLAN Express (Wired Procedure)
  2. Setting up Cisco WLC using Cisco WLAN Express (Wireless Procedure)
  3. Setting up Cisco WLC using Configuration Wizard
  4. Setting up Cisco WLC using traditional CLI

In this blog, we will discuss only the above two methods.

Before jumping directly to the configuration, take a look at the checklist that will help make your installation easy and smooth. So, ensure that you have the following before proceeding with the configuration:

  1. Requirements for Network Switch:
  • Assigned controller switch port number
  • Controller assigned switch port
  • Whether the switch port is configured as trunk or access
  • Whether there is VLAN management and if there is, keep the Management VLAN ID
  1. Controller Settings:
  • Latest name and password of admin account
  • Controller’s system name
  • Current time zone
  • If there is an NTP server available and if yes, note NTP Server IP address
  • Controller management interface: IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default gateway
  • Management VLAN ID
  1. Corporate wireless network name or SSID
  2. Now if you will require a RADIUS server
  3. Which security authentication option to select? Is it WPA/WPA2 Personal, Corporate passphrase (PSK), WPA/WPA2 Enterprise, or RADIUS server IP address and shared secret
  4. Is the DHCP server known? Note its IP address
  5. Details of Guest Wireless Network (optional)
  6. Whether to configure RF parameters for Client Density in a Low, Medium or High

#1 Setting up Cisco WLC using Cisco WLAN Express (Wired Procedure)

Step 1: Connect the wired Ethernet port of laptop to the controller’s Service port.

Note that it may take several minutes for the controller to fully power on for you to see the GUI. Do not auto-configure the controller.

If the LEDs on the front panel is off, it means the controller is not ready. If it is solid green, it means the controller is ready.

Step 2: Configure the DHCP option on the laptop that is connected to the Service port of the controller. This assigns an IP address to the laptop from the Service port 192.168.1.X. Alternatively, you can also assign static IP address 192.168.1.X to the laptop to access the controller GUI.

Step 3: Open the web browser (Upgraded version of Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or Apple Safari) and type http://192.168.1.1 in the address bar. This feature is not supported for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.

Step 4: Create an administrator account by assigning the name and password and click Start to continue.

Step 5: Enter the details in the Set Up Your Controller box: System name for the controller, current time zone, NTP Server, Management IP address, Subnet mask, Default gateway, and management VLAN ID – if it is unchanged or set to 0, the network switch port must be configured with native VLAN ‘X0’.

Note that time zone must be correct because access points rely on correct clock settings to join the controller.

Step 6: Go to the Create Your Wireless Networks box in the Employee Network area. Enter the Network name/SSID, security, passphrase if Security is set WPA/WPA2 Personal and DHCP Server IP address. If DHCP field is left empty, DHCP processing will be connected to the management interface.

Step 7: Go to the Advanced Setting box and take the following steps in the RF Parameter Optimization area:

  • Select the client density.
  • Configure RF parameters for RF traffic Type, such as Data and Voice.
  • If necessary, change the Service port IP address and subnet mask.
  • Click Next.

Step 8: Review all the Settings and then click Apply to confirm.

Remember that the controller reboots automatically. Once it is done, you will be notified or prompted that the controller is configured and will be restarted. However, sometimes, you may not get this message. In this case, you need to take the following steps:

  • Disconnect the laptop from the service port of the controller.
  • Connect the laptop to the switch port.
  • Now, connect the controller’s port 1 to the switch-configured trunk port.
  • Connect APs to the switch if they are not already connected.
  • Then, wait until the access points join the controller completely.

#2 Setting Up Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Using Cisco WLAN Express (Wireless)

This method is applicable to only Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers.

Step 1: Connect a Cisco AP to any one of the ports of the Cisco 2500 Series controller. In case you don’t have separate power supply for the AP, you can use Port 3 or 4 as they support PoE.

Step 2: Once the access point boots up, it associates with the controller and downloads the WLC software.

Step 3: The AP provisions a WPA2-PSK SSID “CiscoAirProvision” with the “password”.

Step 4: Now, associate a client device to the CiscoAirProvision SSID and the client device is assigned an IP address in the range of 192.168.x.x.

Step 5: Go to the web browser of the client device, and type http://192.168.1.1 to open the GUI configuration wizard.

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