Objective

This article will explain the configuration tasks that can disrupt wireless on a Cisco Business Wireless (CBW) network.

Applicable Devices | Firmware Version

- CBW 140AC (Data Sheet) | 10.6.1.0 (Download latest)

- CBW 145AC (Data Sheet) | 10.6.1.0 (Download latest)

- CBW 240AC (Data Sheet) | 10.6.1.0 (Download latest)

- CBW 141ACM Mesh Extender (Data Sheet) | 10.6.1.0 (Download latest)

- CBW 142ACM Mesh Extender (Data Sheet) | 10.6.1.0 (Download latest)

- CBW 143ACM Mesh Extender (Data Sheet) | 10.6.1.0 (Download latest)

Introduction

Keeping your network up and running is important, but sometimes configurations need to change. This may cause an interruption of service.

In the tables below, an asterisk (*) is shown when it is neccesary for the Web User Interface (UI) to be in Expert View. To enable the Expert View options, log into the Web UI of your CBW Primary AP. Click on the light green arrows in the upper right-hand corner of the Web UI to enter Expert View.

Configuration tasks that cause wireless network disruption

The following configurations will cause a brief interruption of service.

Configuration Change

Location on Web UI

Result

Editing WLAN configuration

Wireless Settings > WLANs

Clients connected to the WLAN will experience network disruption.

Editing AP configuration

Wireless Settings > Access Points

Clients connected to the AP will experience network disruption

Enabling Fastlane on a WLAN

Wireless Settings > WLANs > edit WLAN > Traffic Shaping tab

All WLANs (not just the one being edited) will be disabled and re-enabled after applying the configuration.

Enabling Multicast Direct

*Services > Media Stream

All WLANs will be disabled and re-enabled after applying the configuration.

Changing AP Group membership

*Wireless Settings > Access Points Groups

Clients connected to the AP will experience network disruption.

Applying new RF Configuration

*Advanced > RF Optimization

All WLANs will be disabled and re-enabled after applying the configuration.

Mapping RF profile for an AP group

*Wireless Settings > Access Points Groups > edit group > RF Profile tab

Will cause momentary disruption of WLANs in the AP Group.

*Available in Expert View only.

Configuration changes that cause or require an AP reboot

The following configurations will cause an interruption of service for customers with at least one device needing a reboot. If possible, you may want to perform these tasks when the office is closed.

If you need to manually reboot the Primary IP (notated with **), wait until updates are complete. Navigate to Advanced > Primary AP Tools > Restart Primary AP.

Configuration Change

Location on Web UI

Result

Global Mesh enable/disable

Wireless Settings > Mesh

Primary AP will not reboot, but all subordinate APs will auto reboot.

Backhaul Client Access enable/disable

Wireless Settings > Mesh

All APs will auto reboot.

Software Update

Management > Software Update

All APs will auto reboot if Auto Restart checkbox is selected.

**Otherwise, perform a manual reboot of the Primary AP.

All other APs will then auto reboot to change firmware images to match the version running on the Primary AP.

Interchange Image

Monitoring > Access Points > per AP view > Tools

**Manual reboot of Primary AP is needed.

Configuration file upload to Primary AP

Advanced > Primary AP Tools > Configuration Management

Primary AP will auto reboot, which will disrupt client connections to that AP. Other APs will continue to serve clients normally, but no new client authentications can occur until the Primary AP has finished rebooting.

Change the Primary AP

Wireless Settings > Access Points > edit a Primary-capable AP

Current Primary AP will auto reboot, disrupting connections to that AP. The new Primary AP will start up the virtual controller process to take the Primary AP role; new client authentications will not occur until this is done.

Secure Web Auth enable/disable

Management > Access

**Manual reboot of Primary AP is needed.

Custom WebAuth/WebAdmin certificate upload to Primary AP

Advanced > Primary AP Tools > Upload File

**Manual reboot of Primary AP is needed.

Moving a Mesh Extender to a new AP group

* Wireless Settings > Access Points > Groups

The Mesh Extender will auto reboot.

Changing the AP role of a Primary-capable AP

* Wireless Settings > Access Points > Edit AP >Mesh tab > AP Role menu

Primary-capable AP will auto reboot.

*Available in Expert View only.

Conclusion

There you go! You now know some configuration changes that may cause a disruption of service.

Want to learn more about your CBW network? Check out any of the following links below for more information.

Intro to Mesh             Mesh FAQ             Cisco Business Wireless Model Decoder             Reboot Tips             Reset to Factory Default             Day Zero:Configure Via App / Web             Mobile App vs Web UI             Best Practices for a Cisco Business Wireless Mesh Network              Allow Lists              Update Software             Get Familiar with the CBW App             Troubleshooting             Time Settings             Troubleshoot Red LED             Bridge Group Names