AP group settings

Introduction

AP groups can be used to configure and manage a batch of APs collectively. APs inherit their group's settings to simplify configuration. In large-scale wireless networks, an AC can manage up to several thousand APs. Configuring each AP individually will greatly complicate network management. Use AP groups to reduce the operational cost of configuring each AP individually. Users can create multiple groups and configure different AP settings for each group as needed.

All APs belong to the default group by default. The group is named default-group. It does not require creation and cannot be deleted. Also, you cannot configure any rules for APs to join this group.

You can specify the following types of joining rules for a non-default AP group: AP name, AP serial number, AP MAC address, and IP subnet. The priorities of these grouping rules are in descending order:

1. AP name grouping rule.

2. AP serial number grouping rule.

3. AP MAC address grouping rule.

4. IP subnet grouping rule.

If an AP does not match any grouping rules, the AP will be added to the default group.

Application scenarios

AP group configuration is suitable for scenarios involving large-scale deployment, unified configuration, flexible configuration, and simplified management. By configuring and managing a group of APs in bulk, you can enhance network management efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Restrictions and guidelines

An AP must belong to one AP group and can only belong to one AP group. If you delete an AP grouping rule, the AC will rematch APs against existing rules based on the grouping rule priorities.

You cannot delete AP groups that contain auto or manual APs. However, you can delete an AP group that is configured with grouping rules but does not contain any APs.

When you configure AP grouping rules, follow these restrictions and guidelines:

• You cannot configure the same rule for different AP groups. If you do so, the most recent configuration takes effect and the previously configured rule is deleted.

• You can configure up to 32 IPv4 subnet grouping rules for an AP group. The IPv4 subnets configured for one group or different groups must not overlap or contain each other.

Configuration guide

Analysis

Configure an AP group as shown in the following figure:

Basic configuration

1. From the left navigation pane, select Configure > AP Config > AP Group > AP Group Settings.

2. To edit the basic configuration or advanced configuration of an AP group, click the Edit icon in the Actions column for the AP group.

3. In the Basic Configuration section, edit the description information, and then click Submit.

Advanced configuration

1. From the left navigation pane, select Configure > AP Config > AP Groups > AP Group Settings.

2. To edit the basic configuration or advanced configuration of an AP group, click the Edit icon in the Actions column for the AP group.

3. In the Advanced Configuration section, configure the region code, LED mode, and AP connection priority as needed.

Specify the region code

Select the region code. A region code determines the working frequency bands, channels, transmit power levels, and other radio parameters available for use. When configuring WLAN devices, you must set the region code correctly to ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements.

Set the LED mode

The following LED modes are available:

• Quiet: The LED is off. To avoid disturbance during rest, you can set this mode.

• Awake: The LED flashes once per minute. To locate a specific AP among multiple APs, you can set this mode for the target AP.

• Always-On: The LED is steady on.

• Normal: In this mode, the LED status indicates the AP running state. To monitor the running state of the AP in real-time, you can set this mode.

If you set the LED mode to Awake or Always-On in AP group view, the configuration takes effect only on APs in the group that support this mode.

Configure the AC-AP connection

1. Set the AP connection priority. When an AP receives responses from multiple ACs, it prefers to connect to the AC with the highest connection priority.

2. Configure AC-AP version consistency:

   • During the CAPWAP tunnel establishment process, if this feature is enabled, the AC compares the software version of the AP with the compatible hardware and software version of the AP model saved on the AC. If the software versions are the same, the AC allows the CAPWAP tunnel to be established. If the software versions are different, the AC informs the AP of the inconsistency. After receiving a message about version inconsistency, the AP requests the new version from AC, performs a version upgrade, and then establishes the CAPWAP tunnel with the AC.

   • With this feature disabled, the AC establishes a CAPWAP tunnel with an AP without comparing the AP's current software version.

   As a best practice to enhance network performance, increase security, and improve the overall stability and reliability of the network system, enable this feature.

Configure AP maintenance

• Interval for an AP to Report Statistics to the AC: Interval for APs to report statistics to the AC. The statistics include information on APs, radios, and wired ports.

• In-Depth Client Analysis: Helps administrators clearly view the packet interaction process and interaction time before and after clients come online. The events currently supported for in-depth analysis include association events, association failure events, and DHCP renewal events.

Configure the NAS ID

The NAS-ID and NAS-Port-ID are mainly used to identify the client's access location and distinguish the source of traffic.

• NAS-ID:

  • When a client comes online, the system identifies the client access location based on the NAS-ID attribute carried in the RADIUS requests sent to the RADIUS server.

  • You can configure this item globally, for an AP group, for an AP, or when binding a wireless service template. The priorities of the following configurations are in descending order: Configuration during binding of wireless service template, AP-based configuration, AP group-based configuration, global configuration.

  • The device also supports configuring the NAS-ID through other methods, but these methods have a lower priority.

  • The priorities for configurations made through the following methods are in descending order: NAS-ID bound to the user access VLAN configured for the NAS-ID Profile, and NAS-ID configured for the ISP domain. If no NAS-ID is configured, the configured device name will be used as the NAS-ID.

• NAS-Port-ID:

  • When a client comes online, it transmits a RADIUS request with the NAS-Port-ID attribute carried to the RADIUS server to identify the client access location.

  • You can configure this item globally, for an AP group, for an AP, or when binding a wireless service template. The priorities of the following configurations are in descending order: Configuration during binding of wireless service template, AP-based configuration, AP group-based configuration, global configuration.

Configure Remote AP

With this feature enabled, an AP can continue to provide services to clients even if the tunnel between the AP and the AC is disconnected.

Switch the operating mode

AP operating mode switchover supports the following operations:

• Switch from fit mode to cloud mode.

• Switch from cloud mode to fit mode.

Changing the working mode of an AP causes the AP to restart. Before proceeding, make sure the corresponding version file exists on the AC or AP.