User's Manual

Table Of Contents
3/11/05 About the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network
OL-7426-02
About the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware NetworkAbout the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network
The Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network is designed to provide 802.11 wireless networking
solutions for enterprises and service providers. The Cisco SWAN simplifies deploying and managing
large-scale wireless LANs and enables a unique best-in-class security infrastructure. The Operating
System manages all data client, communications, and system administration functions, performs Radio
Resource Management (RRM) functions, manages system-wide mobility policies using the Operating
System Security solution, and coordinates all security functions using the Operating System Security
framework.
The Cisco SWAN consists of:
Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers:
- Cisco 2000 Series Wireless LAN Controllers
- Cisco 4100 Series Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco 1000 Series IEEE 802.11a/b/g lightweight access points (Cisco 1000 Series IEEE
802.11a/b/g Lightweight Access Points) controlled by the Operating System, all managed by
any or all of the Operating System user interfaces.
An HTTP and/or HTTPS full-featured Web User Interface hosted by Cisco Wireless LAN
Controllers, running on any workstation with a supported Web browser can be used to configure
and monitor individual Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers. See the Web User Interface section.
A full-featured CLI (command line interface) can be used to configure and monitor individual
Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers. Refer to the Command Line Interface section.
The Cisco Wireless Control System uses the Cisco WCS User Interface:
- Cisco Wireless Control System (Cisco Wireless Control System)
- Cisco Wireless Control System with Location Services (Cisco Wireless Control System
with Location Services)
is used to configure and monitor one or more Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers and associated
Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points, and has tools to facilitate large-system monitoring
and control. The Cisco Wireless Control System runs on Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES Server workstations.
An industry-standard SNMP V1, V2c, and V3 interface can be used with any SNMP-compliant
third-party network management system.
The Cisco SWAN supports client data services, client monitoring and control, and all Rogue AP detec-
tion, monitoring and containment functions. The Cisco SWAN uses Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access
points, and optional Cisco Wireless Control System or Cisco Wireless Control System with Location
Services to provide wireless services to enterprises and service providers.
The following figure shows the Cisco SWAN components, which can be simultaneously deployed across
multiple floors and buildings.
Note: This document refers to Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers throughout. Refer to
the Cisco 2000 Series Wireless LAN Controllers and Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
sections for more information.