About this Guide

This guide provides instructions on how to install your Cisco Aironet 3800I and 3800E series access points and provides links to resources which can help you configure the access point. This guide provides mounting instructions and limited troubleshooting procedures.

The 3800 series access point is referred to as access point or AP in this document.

About the Access Point

The Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Wi-Fi access points provide 802.11ac Wave 2 with Multi User MIMO (MU MIMO). This AP series offers integrated and external antenna options, with a dedicated 5 GHz radio and a flexible radio that can be configured as a 2.4 GHz radio (default) or as an additional 5 GHz radio. This access point supports a greater overall High Density Experience (HDX) which provides mission-critical wireless to meet your performance needs. The access points support full interoperability with leading 802.11ac clients, and support a mixed deployment with other access points and controllers.

A full listing of the access point's features and specification are provided in the Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Point Data Sheet, at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/aironet-3800-series-access-points/datasheet-c78-736498.html

Access Point Features

The 3800 series access point is a wireless controller-based product and supports:

■Integrated antennas on the 3802I access point model (AIR-AP3802I-x-K9)

■External antennas on the 3802E and 3802P access point models (AIR-AP3802E-x-K9, AIR-AP3802P-x-K9)

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Note The ‘x’ in the model numbers represents the regulatory domain. For information on supported regulatory domains, see theAP Model Numbers and Regulatory Domains.

■Multigigabit Ethernet (mGig) support providing multiple Gigabit uplink speeds of 2.5 Gbps and 5 Gbps in addition to 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps speeds. All speeds are supported on Category 5e cabling, as well as 10GBASE-T cabling.

■Flexible Radio Assignment, allowing for either manual configuration or for the APs to intelligently determine the operating role of the integrated radios based on the available RF environment. The AP can operate in the following modes:

–2.4 GHz and 5 GHz role, where one radio serves clients in 2.4 GHz mode, while the other serves clients in 5 GHz mode.

–Dual 5 GHz radio role, with both radios operating in the 5 GHz band, actively serving client devices to maximize the benefits of 802.11ac Wave 2 and to increase client device capacity.

–Wireless Security Monitoring and 5 GHz role, where one radio serves 5 GHz clients, while the other radio scans both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for wIPS attackers, CleanAir interferers, and rogue devices.

■Multiuser Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) technology with 3 spatial streams.

■Cross-AP Noise Reduction, a Cisco innovation that enables APs to intelligently collaborate in real time about RF conditions so that users connect with optimized signal quality and performance.

■Optimized AP Roaming for ensuring that client devices associate with the AP in their coverage range that offers the fastest data rate available.

■Cisco ClientLink 4.0 technology for improved downlink performance to all mobile devices, including one-, two-, and three-spatial-stream devices up to 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2. The technology also improves battery life on mobile devices.

■Cisco CleanAir technology enhanced with 160MHz channel support. CleanAir delivers proactive, high-speed spectrum intelligence across 20-, 40-, and 80-, and 160-MHz-wide channels to combat performance problems arising from wireless interference.

■MIMO equalization capabilities, which optimize uplink performance and reliability by reducing the impact of signal fade.

The AP supports the following operating modes:

■Local—This is the default mode for the Cisco AP. In this mode, the AP does not serve clients.

■Flexconnect—Flexconnect mode for the Cisco AP.

■Monitor—This is the monitor-only mode for the Cisco AP.

■SE-connect—Spectrum expert-only connect mode allows the AP to perform spectrum intelligence.

■Sensor—Sensor mode for the Cisco AP.

■Sniffer—In the wireless sniffer mode, the AP starts sniffing the air on a given channel. It captures and forwards all the packets from the clients on that channel to a remote machine that runs Airopeek or Wireshark (packet analyzers for IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs). This includes information on the time stamp, signal strength, packet size, etc.

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Note In the sniffer mode, the server to which the data is sent should be on the same VLAN as the wireless controller management VLAN otherwise an error will be displayed.

AP Model Numbers and Regulatory Domains

You need to verify whether the AP model you have is approved for use in your country. To verify approval and to identify the regulatory domain that corresponds to a particular country, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/aironet/compliance. Not all regulatory domains have been approved. As and when they are approved, this compliance list will be updated.

Antennas and Radios

The 3800 series access point contains a dedicated 5 GHz radio and a flexible radio that can be configured as a 2.4 GHz radio (default) or as an additional 5 GHz radio. The 3800 series access point configurations are:

■AIR-CAP3802I-x-K9—One 2.4 GHz/5 GHz flexible radio and one 5 GHz radio.

■AIR-AP3802E-x-K9, AIR-AP3802P-x-K9—One 2.4 GHz/5 GHz flexible radio and one 5 GHz radio. The are 4 dual-band dipole and a Smart antenna connector.

Safety Instructions

Translated versions of the following safety warnings are provided in the translated safety warnings document that is shipped with your access point. The translated warnings are also in the Translated Safety Warnings for Cisco Aironet Access Points, which is available on Cisco.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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

Read the installation instructions before you connect the system to its power source. Statement 1004

Installation of the equipment must comply with local and national electrical codes. Statement 1074

This product relies on the building’s installation for short-circuit (overcurrent) protection. Ensure that the protective device is rated not greater than:
20A. Statement 1005

Do not operate your wireless network device near unshielded blasting caps or in an explosive environment unless the device has been modified to be especially qualified for such use. Statement 245B

In order to comply with FCC radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, antennas should be located at a minimum of 12 inches (30 cm) or more from the body of all persons.
Statement 332

The fasteners you use to mount an access point on a ceiling must be capable of maintaining a minimum pullout force of 20 lbs (9 kg) and must use all 4 indented holes on the mounting bracket.

This product and all interconnected equipment must be installed indoors within the same building, including the associated LAN connections as defined by Environment A of the IEEE 802.af Standard.

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Note The access point is suitable for use in environmental air space in accordance with section 300.22.C of the National Electrical Code and sections 2-128, 12-010(3), and 12-100 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, C22.1. You should not install the power supply or power injector in air handling spaces.

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Note Use only with listed ITE equipment.

Unpacking

To unpack the access point, follow these steps:

AP Views, Ports, and Connectors

Preparing the AP for Installation

Before you mount and deploy your access point, we recommend that you perform a site survey (or use the site planning tool) to determine the best location to install your access point.

You should have the following information about your wireless network available:

■Access point locations.

■Access point mounting options: below a suspended ceiling, on a flat horizontal surface, or on a desktop.

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Note You can mount the access point above a suspended ceiling but you must purchase additional mounting hardware: See Mounting and Grounding the Access Point for additional information.

■Access point power options: power supplied by the recommended external power supply (Cisco AIR-PWR-C), a DC power supply, PoE from a network device, or a PoE power injector/hub (usually located in a wiring closet).

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Note Access points mounted in a building’s environmental airspace must be powered using PoE to comply with safety regulations.

Cisco recommends that you make a site map showing access point locations so that you can record the device MAC addresses from each location and return them to the person who is planning or managing your wireless network.

Installation Overview

Installing the access point involves these operations:

Performing a Pre-Installation Configuration

The following procedures ensure that your access point installation and initial operation go as expected. This procedure is optional.

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Note Performing a pre-installation configuration is an optional procedure. If your network controller is properly configured, you can install your access point in its final location and connect it to the network from there. See the Deploying the Access Point on the Wireless Network for details.

The following Pre-Installation Configuration procedure given does not include configuring Link Aggregation. For information on configuring Link Aggregation, see the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide, Release 8.2, at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/8-2/config-guide/b_cg82.html

The pre-installation configuration setup is illustrated in Pre-Installation Configuration Setup.

Mounting and Grounding the Access Point

Cisco Aironet 3800 series access points can be mounted in several configurations – on a suspended ceiling, on a hard ceiling or wall, on an electrical or network box, and above a suspended ceiling.

Go to the following URL for access point mounting instructions:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/mounting/guide/apmount.html

The standard mounting hardware supported by the AP is listed in Brackets and Clips for Mounting the AP.

2.Mount the AP using no less than four screw holes on a bracket.

When mounting the AP in areas where there is a possibility of the AP being knocked off the mounting bracket, use the lock hasp on the back of the AP (see Locking the AP to the Bracket and Power Cable Routing) to lock it to the bracket. Also, see Locking the AP to the Bracket and Power Cable Routing to know how the power cable is to be routed.

Powering the Access Point

The AP can be powered using:

■802.3at Cisco Power Injector AIR-PWRINJ6=.

■Cisco AIR-PWR-50, which is a 100-240VAC, 48VDC, 50W power supply.

■Any 802.3at (25.5 W) compliant switch port.

Usage of third-party USB modules with this Access Point is not supported. The behavior of such USB devices and the impact to the Access Point is not guaranteed. If Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be isolated due to the use of third-party USB modules installed by a customer or reseller, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or support program under contract. In the course of providing support for Cisco networking products, the end user may be required to install Cisco-supported USB modules in the event Cisco determines that removing third-party parts will assist Cisco in diagnosing the root cause for troubleshooting purposes. Cisco also reserves the right to charge the customer per then-current time and material rates for services provided to the customer when Cisco determines, after having provided such services, that the root cause of the defective product was caused by an unsupported device.

Configuring and Deploying the Access Point

This section describes how to connect the access point to a wireless LAN controller. Because the configuration process takes place on the controller, see the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide for additional information.

The information in this section does not include configuring Link Aggregation. For information on configuring Link Aggregation, see the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide, Release 8.2, at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/8-2/config-guide/b_cg82.html

The Controller Discovery Process

The access point uses standard Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points Protocol (CAPWAP) to communicate between the controller and other wireless access points on the network. CAPWAP is a standard, inter-operable protocol which enables an access controller to manage a collection of wireless termination points. The discovery process using CAPWAP is identical to the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) used with previous Cisco Aironet access points. LWAPP-enabled access points are compatible with CAPWAP, and conversion to a CAPWAP controller is seamless. Deployments can combine CAPWAP and LWAPP software on the controllers.

The functionality provided by the controller does not change except for customers who have Layer 2 deployments, which CAPWAP does not support.

In a CAPWAP environment, a wireless access point discovers a controller by using CAPWAP discovery mechanisms and then sends it a CAPWAP join request. The controller sends the access point a CAPWAP join response allowing the access point to join the controller. When the access point joins the controller, the controller manages its configuration, firmware, control transactions, and data transactions.

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Note For additional information about the discovery process and CAPWAP, see the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Software Configuration Guide. This document is available on Cisco.com.

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Note CAPWAP support is provided in controller software release 5.2 or later. However, your controller must be running the release that supports 3800 series access points, as specified in the access point data sheet.

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Note You cannot edit or query any access point using the controller CLI if the name of the access point contains a space.

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Note Make sure that the controller is set to the current time. If the controller is set to a time that has already occurred, the access point might not join the controller because its certificate may not be valid for that time.

Access points must be discovered by a controller before they can become an active part of the network. The access point supports these controller discovery processes:

■Layer 3 CAPWAP discovery—Can occur on different subnets than the access point and uses IP addresses and UDP packets rather than MAC addresses used by Layer 2 discovery.

■Locally stored controller IP address discovery—If the access point was previously joined to a controller, the IP addresses of the primary, secondary, and tertiary controllers are stored in the access point non-volatile memory. This process of storing controller IP addresses on an access point for later deployment is called priming the access point. For more information about priming, see the Performing a Pre-Installation Configuration.

■DHCP server discovery—This feature uses DHCP option 43 to provide controller IP addresses to the access points. Cisco switches support a DHCP server option that is typically used for this capability. For more information about DHCP option 43, see the Configuring DHCP Option 43.

■DNS discovery—The access point can discover controllers through your domain name server (DNS). For the access point to do so, you must configure your DNS to return controller IP addresses in response to CISCO-CAPWAP-CONTROLLER.localdomain, where localdomain is the access point domain name. Configuring the CISCO-CAPWAP-CONTROLLER provides backwards compatibility in an existing customer deployment. When an access point receives an IP address and DNS information from a DHCP server, it contacts the DNS to resolve CISCO-CAPWAP-CONTROLLER.localdomain. When the DNS sends a list of controller IP addresses, the access point sends discovery requests to the controllers.

Deploying the Access Point on the Wireless Network

After you have mounted the access point, follow these steps to deploy it on the wireless network:

 

Checking the Access Point LEDs

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Note Regarding LED status colors, it is expected that there will be small variations in 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.

The access point status LED indicates various conditions and are described in LED Status Indications.

Miscellaneous Usage and Configuration Guidelines

Using the Mode Button

Using the Mode button (see Ports and Connections on the Head of the AP) you can:

■Reset the AP to the default factory-shipped configuration

■Clear the AP internal storage including all configuration files

To use the mode button, press, and keep pressed, the mode button on the access point during the AP boot cycle. Wait until the AP status LED changes to Amber. During this, the AP console shows a seconds counter, counting the number of seconds the mode button is pressed. Then:

■To reset the AP to it’s default factory-shipped configuration, keep the mode button pressed for less than 20 seconds. The AP configuration files are cleared.

This resets all configuration settings to factory defaults, including passwords, WEP keys, the IP address, and the SSID.

■To clear the AP internal storage, including all configuration files, keep the mode button pressed for more than 20 seconds, but less than 60 seconds.

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Note If the mode button is pressed for more than 30 seconds but less than 60 seconds, the FIPS mode flag is also cleared during the full factory reset of the AP. The FIPS flag when set disables console access.

The AP status LED changes from Amber to Red, and all the files in the AP storage directory are cleared.

If you keep the mode button pressed for more than 60 seconds, the mode button is assumed faulty and no changes are made.

Troubleshooting the Access Point to Cisco Controller Join Process

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Note Ensure that your controller is running the latest Cisco Wireless Controller Software Release as specified in the access point data sheet.

Access points can fail to join a controller for many reasons: a RADIUS authorization is pending; self-signed certificates are not enabled on the controller; the regulatory domains of the access point and the controller don’t match, and so on.

Controller software enables you to configure the access points to send all CAPWAP-related errors to a syslog server. You do not need to enable any debug commands on the controller because all of the CAPWAP error messages can be viewed from the syslog server itself.

The state of the access point is not maintained on the controller until it receives a CAPWAP join request from the access point. Therefore, it can be difficult to determine why the CAPWAP discovery request from a certain access point was rejected. In order to troubleshoot such joining problems without enabling CAPWAP debug commands on the controller, the controller collects information for all access points that send a discovery message to it and maintains information for any access points that have successfully joined it.

The controller collects all join-related information for each access point that sends a CAPWAP discovery request to the controller. Collection begins with the first discovery message received from the access point and ends with the last configuration payload sent from the controller to the access point.

You can view join-related information for up to three times the maximum number of access points supported by the platform for the 2500 series controllers and the Controller Network Module within the Cisco 28/37/38xx Series Integrated Services Routers.

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Note The maximum number of access points varies for the Cisco WiSM2, depending on which controller software release is being used.

When the controller is maintaining join-related information for the maximum number of access points, it does not collect information for any more access points.

An access point sends all syslog messages to IP address 255.255.255.255 by default when any of the following conditions are met:

■An access point running software release 8.2.110.0 or later has been newly deployed.

■An existing access point running software release 8.2.110.0 or later has been reset after clearing the configuration.

If any of these conditions are met and the access point has not yet joined a controller, you can also configure a DHCP server to return a syslog server IP address to the access point using option 7 on the server. The access point then starts sending all syslog messages to this IP address.

When the access point joins a controller for the first time, the controller sends the global syslog server IP address (the default is 255.255.255.255) to the access point. After that, the access point sends all syslog messages to this IP address until it is overridden by one of the following scenarios:

■The access point is still connected to the same controller, and the global syslog server IP address configuration on the controller has been changed using the config ap syslog host global syslog_server_IP_address command. In this case, the controller sends the new global syslog server IP address to the access point.

■The access point is still connected to the same controller, and a specific syslog server IP address has been configured for the access point on the controller using the config ap syslog host specific Cisco_AP syslog_server_IP_address command. In this case, the controller sends the new specific syslog server IP address to the access point.

■The access point is disconnected from the controller and joins another controller. In this case, the new controller sends its global syslog server IP address to the access point.

■Whenever a new syslog server IP address overrides the existing syslog server IP address, the old address is erased from persistent storage, and the new address is stored in its place. The access point also starts sending all syslog messages to the new IP address provided the access point can reach the syslog server IP address.

You can configure the syslog server for access points and view the access point join information only from the controller CLI.

Important Information for Controller-based Deployments

Keep these guidelines in mind when you use 3802 series access points:

■The access point can only communicate with Cisco wireless LAN controllers.

■The access point does not support Wireless Domain Services (WDS) and cannot communicate with WDS devices. However, the controller provides functionality equivalent to WDS when the access point joins it.

■CAPWAP does not support Layer 2. The access point must get an IP address and discover the controller using Layer 3, DHCP, DNS, or IP subnet broadcast.

■The access point console port is enabled for monitoring and debug purposes. All configuration commands are disabled when the access point is connected to a controller.

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Note The AP may face issues while booting if you use an unterminated console cable (not plugged into any device or terminal) or a console cable that is more than one meter in length.

Configuring DHCP Option 43

You can use DHCP Option 43 to provide a list of controller IP addresses to the access points, enabling them to find and join a controller.

The following is a DHCP Option 43 configuration example on a Windows 2003 Enterprise DHCP server for use with Cisco Aironet lightweight access points. For other DHCP server implementations, consult product documentation for configuring DHCP Option 43. In Option 43, you should use the IP address of the controller management interface.

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Note DHCP Option 43 is limited to one access point type per DHCP pool. You must configure a separate DHCP pool for each access point type.

The 3800 series access point uses the type-length-value (TLV) format for DHCP Option 43. DHCP servers must be programmed to return the option based on the access point DHCP Vendor Class Identifier (VCI) string (DHCP Option 43). The VCI string for the 3800 series access point is:

Cisco AP c3800

The format of the TLV block is listed below:

■Type: 0xf1 (decimal 241)

■Length: Number of controller IP addresses * 4

■Value: List of WLC management interfaces

To configure DHCP Option 43 in the embedded Cisco IOS DHCP server, follow these steps:

FAQs

What is Flexible Radio Assignment?

The Flexible Radio Assignment (FRA) feature automatically detects when a high number of devices are connected to a network and changes the dual radios in the access point from 2.4 GHz/5 GHz to 5 GHz/5 GHz to serve more clients. The access point performs this function while still monitoring the network for security threats and RF Interference that may affect performance. Flexible Radio Assignment improves mobile user experience for high-density networks.

FRA has the different modes of operation:

•Default operating mode—Serving Clients on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

•Dual 5 GHz Mode—Serving clients on both 5 GHz Radios

•Wireless Security Monitoring—Scanning both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for security threats while also serving 5 GHz clients

What is a Smart Antenna connector?

The 3802E model has a Smart antenna connector (see Smart Antenna Connector 3802E Model), which is connected directly to the flexible radio. Without a supported external antenna connected to the Smart Antenna connector, the flexible radio can stay only in 2.4 GHz mode. If an external antenna is connected, the flexible radio can be used in the full Flexible Radio Assignment mode, allowing dual 5 GHz and Wireless Security Monitoring modes.

To connect to any supported RP-TNC connector-type external antenna to the Smart antenna connector, use the DART cable connector AIR-CAB002-DART-R= (see AIR-CAB002-DART-R= DART Connector), which is to be procured separately from Cisco.

Related Documentation

All user documentation for the Cisco Aironet 3800 series access point is available at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/wireless/aironet-3800-series-access-points/tsd-products-support-series-home.html

For detailed information and guidelines for configuring and deploying your access point in a wireless network, see the following documentation:

■Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide, Release 8.2, at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/8-2/config-guide/b_cg82.html

■Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Point Deployment Guide, at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-3/b_cisco_aironet_series_2800_3800_access_point_deployment_guide.html

Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory Information

This section provides declarations of conformity and regulatory information for the Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points. You can find additional information at this URL:

www.cisco.com/go/aironet/compliance

Manufacturers Federal Communication Commission Declaration of Conformity Statement

 

 

Manufacturer:

Cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-1706
USA

This device complies with Part 15 rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a residential environment. This equipment generates, uses, and radiates radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to correct the interference by one of the following measures:

■Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

■Increase separation between the equipment and receiver.

■Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from which the receiver is connected.

■Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician.

The Part 15 radio device operates on a non-interference basis with other devices operating at this frequency when using the integrated antennas. Any changes or modification to the product not expressly approved by Cisco could void the user’s authority to operate this device.

VCCI Statement for Japan

 

	This is a Class B product based on the standard of the Voluntary Control Council for Interference from Information Technology Equipment (VCCI). If this is used near a radio or television receiver in a domestic environment, it may cause radio interference. Install and use the equipment according to the instruction manual.

Guidelines for Operating Cisco Aironet Access Points in Japan

This section provides guidelines for avoiding interference when operating Cisco Aironet access points in Japan. These guidelines are provided in both Japanese and English.

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