User's Manual

Table Of Contents
3/11/05 Cisco Wireless Control System
OL-7426-02
About the Cisco Wireless Control SystemCisco Wireless Control System
The Cisco Wireless Control System (Cisco WCS) is the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network
network management tool that adds to the capabilities of the Web User Interface
and the Command
Line Interface, moving from individual Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers to a network of Cisco Wireless
LAN Controllers. The Cisco Wireless Control System runs on Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and Red
Hat Enterprise Linux ES Server workstations.
The Cisco WCS includes the same configuration, performance monitoring, security, fault management,
and accounting options available at the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller level, but adds a graphical view of
multiple Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers and managed Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points.
The Cisco WCS consists of Cisco WCS modules which support different feature levels:
Cisco Wireless Control System, which includes wireless client data access, Rogue AP
containment functions, Cisco SWAN monitoring and control, and which allows Client and
Rogue AP location to the nearest Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access point.
Cisco Wireless Control System with Location Services, which performs the same functions as
the Cisco Wireless Control System
, and which allows high-accuracy Rogue AP and client
location to within 10 meters.
These features are listed in the following table:
Features
Cisco
WCS
Base
Software
Cisco
WCS
Location
Software
Location and Tracking:
• Low-Resolution Client Location Yes -
• High-Resolution Client Location - Yes
• Low-Resolution Rogue AP Location Yes -
• High-Resolution Rogue AP Location - Yes
Client Data Services, Security and Monitoring:
• Client Access via Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points Yes Yes
• Multiple WLANs (Individual SSIDs and Policies) Yes Yes
Rogue AP Detecting and Containing using Cisco 1000 Series lightweight
access points
Yes Yes
802.11a/b/g Bands Yes Yes
Radio Resource Management (RRM) (real-time assigning channels, and
detecting and containing rogue APs)
Yes Yes
Radio Resource Management (RRM) (real-time detecting and avoiding
interference, controlling transmit power, assigning channels, managing
client mobility, distributing client load, and detecting coverage holes)
Yes Yes
Automated Software and Configuration Updates Yes Yes
Wireless Intrusion Protection Yes Yes