Enabling USB Port on Access Points

USB port as power source for access points

A USB port as power source for access points is a power feature that

  • provides up to 2.5W of power to connected USB devices

  • automatically shuts down when a device draws more than 2.5W to prevent overload, and

  • is available on select Cisco AP models as specified in their datasheets.

USB port power specifications

The USB port enables when the power draw is 2.5W and lower. Refer to the datasheet of your AP to check if the AP has a USB port that can act as a source of power.


Note

Both IW6300 and ESW6300 APs have a USB port that can act as a source of power up to 4.5W for some USB devices.

Note

The controller records the last five power-overdrawn incidents in its logs.

Caution

When unsupported USB device is connected to the Cisco AP, the following message is displayed:

The inserted USB module is not a supported device. The behavior of this USB device 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 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 an unsupported device caused the root cause of the defective product

Configure an AP profile (CLI)

Create and configure an AP profile to manage access point settings and behavior.
AP profiles allow you to define configuration parameters that can be applied to multiple access points, providing consistent settings and simplified management across your wireless network deployment.

Procedure

Step 1

Enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Step 2

Configure an AP profile and enter the AP profile configuration mode.

Example:

Device(config)# ap profile ap-profile

Example:

Device(config)# ap profile xyz-ap-profile

Note

 

When you delete a named profile, the APs associated with that profile will not revert to the default profile.

Step 3

Enable USB for each AP profile.

Example:

Device(config-ap-profile)# usb-enable

Note

 

By default, the USB port on the AP is disabled.

Use the no usb-enable command to disable USB for each AP profile.

Step 4

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Device(config-ap-profile)# end

Alternatively, you can also press Ctrl-Z to exit global configuration mode.

The AP profile is now configured and can be applied to access points to manage their USB settings and other profile-specific configurations.

Configure USB settings for an access point (CLI)

Enable and manage USB functionality on access points to support connected USB devices or modules.
USB ports on access points can be used for various purposes including storage, cellular modules, or other peripheral devices. This configuration allows administrators to control USB port functionality at the individual AP level.

Procedure

Step 1

Enter privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Device# enable

Step 2

Enable the USB port on the AP.

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name usb-module

Example:

Device# ap name AP44d3.xy45.69a1 usb-module

Use the ap name ap-name no usb-module command to disable the USB port on the AP.

Note

 

If you are using Cisco Catalyst 9105AXW AP and if you enable the USB port (.3at PoE-in), it is not possible to enable the USB PoE-out at the same time.

Step 3

Override USB status of the AP profile and consider the local AP configuration.

Example:

Device# ap name ap-name usb-module override

Example:

Device# ap name AP44d3.xy45.69a1 usb-module override

Use the ap name ap-name no usb-module override command to override USB status of the AP and consider the AP profile configuration.

Note

 

You can configure the USB status for an AP only if you enable USB override for it.
The USB settings are now configured for the specified access point, allowing control over USB port functionality and override behavior.

Configure USB settings for an access point (GUI)

Before you begin

Follow these steps to configure USB settings for an access point using the GUI:

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Wireless > Access Points.

Step 2

In the Access Points window, click the name of the AP.

Step 3

In the Edit AP window, click the Interfaces tab.

Step 4

In the USB Settings section, configure the USB Module State as either of the following:

  • ENABLED: Enables the USB port on the AP
  • DISABLED: Disables the USB port on the AP

Note

 

If you are using Cisco Catalyst 9105AXW AP and if you enable the USB port (.3at PoE-in), it is not possible to enable the USB PoE-out at the same time.

Step 5

Configure USB Override as either of the following:

  • ENABLED: Overrides USB status of the AP profile and considers the local AP configuration
  • DISABLED: Overrides USB status of the AP and considers the AP profile configuration

Note

 

You can configure the USB status for an AP only if you enable USB override for it.

Step 6

Click Apply & Update to Device.

USB configuration monitoring for access points (CLI)

Monitor USB configurations for access points using command-line interface commands to view inventory details, module summaries, configuration details, and status information.

  • To view the inventory details of APs, use this command:

    show ap name ap-name inventory

    The following is a sample output:

    Device# show ap name AP500F.8059.1620  inventory
NAME: AP2800    , DESCR: Cisco Aironet 2800 Series (IEEE 802.11ac) Access Point
PID: AIR-AP2802I-D-K9  ,  VID: 01,  SN: XXX1111Y2ZZZZ2800
NAME: SanDisk    , DESCR: Cruzer Blade
PID: SanDisk  ,  SN: XXXX1110010, MaxPower: 224

  • To view the summary of an AP module, use this command:

    show ap module summary

    This is a sample output:

    Device# show ap module summary
AP Name               External Module       External Module PID   External Module Description   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP500F.1111.2222      Enable                SanDisk               Cruzer Blade

  • To view the USB configuration details for each AP, use this command:

    show ap name ap-name config general

    This is a sample output:

    Device# show ap name AP500F.111.2222 config general

.
.
.
USB Module Type.................................. USB Module
USB Module Status................................ Disabled
USB Module Operational State..................... Enabled
USB Override …………………………….. Enabled

  • To view status of the USB module, use this command:

    show ap profile name xyz detailed

    This is a sample output:

    Device# show ap profile name xyz detailed
USB Module               : ENABLED