User's Manual

3/11/05 Master Cisco Wireless LAN Controller
OL-7426-02
• As new clients associate, they are load balanced across grouped Cisco 1000 Series lightweight
access points reporting to each Cisco Wireless LAN Controller. This is particularly important
when many clients converge in one spot (such as a conference room or auditorium), because
Radio Resource Management (RRM) can automatically force some subscribers to associate with
nearby APs, allowing higher throughput for all clients.
• Automatically detects and configures new Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points as they
are added to the network. The Radio Resource Management (RRM) automatically adjusts
nearby Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points to accommodate the increased coverage
and capacity.
• Automatically detects and configures new Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers as they are added to
the network. The Radio Resource Management (RRM) automatically distributes associated Cisco
1000 Series lightweight access points to maximize coverage and capacity.
• Detects and reports coverage holes, where clients consistently connect to a Cisco 1000 Series
lightweight access point at a very low signal strength.
• Automatically defines Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Groups within operator-defined Controller
Mobility Groups.
The Radio Resource Management (RRM) solution thus allows the operator to avoid the costs of
laborious historical data interpretation and individual Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access point
reconfiguration. The power control features of Radio Resource Management (RRM) ensure client satis-
faction, and the coverage hole detection feature can alert the operator to the need for an additional (or
relocated) Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access point.
Note that the Radio Resource Management (RRM) uses separate monitoring and control for each of the
deployed networks: 802.11a and 802.11b/802.11g. Also note that the Radio Resource Management
(RRM) is automatically enabled, but can be customized or disabled for individual Cisco 1000 Series
lightweight access points.
Finally, for operators requiring easy manual configuration, the Radio Resource Management (RRM) can
recommend the best Cisco Radio settings, and then assign them on operator command.
The Radio Resource Management (RRM) controls produce a network that has optimal capacity, perfor-
mance, and reliability. The Radio Resource Management (RRM) functions also free the operator from
having to continually monitor the network for noise and interference problems, which can be transient
and difficult to troubleshoot. Finally, the Radio Resource Management (RRM) controls ensure that
clients enjoy a seamless, trouble-free connection through the Cisco SWAN 802.11 network.
About the Master Cisco Wireless LAN ControllerMaster Cisco Wireless LAN Controller
When you are adding Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points to a Multiple-Cisco Wireless LAN
Controller Deployments network configured in Appliance Mode, it is convenient to have all Cisco 1000
Series lightweight access points associate with one Master Cisco Wireless LAN Controller on the same
subnet. That way, the operator does not have to log into multiple Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers to find
out which Cisco Wireless LAN Controller newly added Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points asso-
ciated with.
One Cisco Wireless LAN Controller in each subnet can be assigned as the Master while adding Cisco
1000 Series lightweight access points. As long as a Master Cisco Wireless LAN Controller is active on
the same subnet, all new Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points without a Primary, Secondary,
and Tertiary Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers assigned automatically attempt to associate with the Master
Cisco Wireless LAN Controller. This process is described in Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Failover
Protection.
The operator can monitor the Master Cisco Wireless LAN Controller using the Web User Interface
or the
Cisco Wireless Control System
GUI, and watch as Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points associate
with the Master Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers configuration and assign a Primary, Secondary, and