Users Guide

16 | Introduction Dell Networking W-AirWave 8.0 | User Guide
devices on local networks, remote networks, and networks using Network Address Translation (NAT). AirWave
communicates over-the-air or over-the-wire using a variety of protocols.
The power, performance, and usability of AirWave become more apparent when considering the diverse components
within a WLAN. Table 1 itemizes some example network components.
Component Description
Autonomous AP Standalone device which performs radio and authentication functions
Thin AP Radio-only device coupled with WLAN controller to perform authentication
WLAN Controller Used in conjunction with thin APs to coordinate authentication and roaming
NMS Network Management Systems and Event Correlation (OpenView, Tivoli, and so forth)
RADIUS
Authentication
RADIUS authentication servers (Funk, FreeRADIUS, ACS, or IAS)
RADIUS Accounting AirWave itself serves as a RADIUS accounting client
Wireless Gateways Provide HTML redirect and/or wireless VPNs
TACACS+ and LDAP Used to authenticate AirWave administrative users
Routers/Switches Provide AirWave with data for user information and AP and Rogue discovery
Help Desk Systems Remedy EPICOR
Rogue APs Unauthorized APs not registered in the AirWave database of managed APs
Table 1: Components of a WLAN
Administrative Roles
The flexibility of AirWave enables it to integrate seamlessly into your business hierarchy as well as your network
topology. AirWave facilitates various administrative roles to match each individual user's role and responsibility:
l A Help Desk user can be given read-only access to monitoring data without being permitted to make configuration
changes.
l A U.S.-based network engineer can be given read-write access to manage device configurations in North America,
but not to control devices in the rest of the world.
l A security auditor can be given read-write access to configure security policies across the entire WLAN.
l NOC personnel can be given read-only access to monitoring all devices from the Master Console.