Users Guide

Dell PowerConnect W-AirWave 7.5 | User Guide Setting Up Dell PowerConnect-W Instant in AirWave | 309
Appendix A
Setting Up Dell PowerConnect-W
Instant in AirWave
This appendix describes the Dell PowerConnect W-Instant access point and Virtual Controller system, and the
procedure to integrate this system with AirWave. The appendix contains the following topics:
 “Overview of Dell PowerConnect W-Instant” on page309
 “Using Dell PowerConnect W-Instant with AirWave” on page309
 “Setting up Dell PowerConnect-W Instant” on page310
 “Remaining Manual Admin Tasks in AirWave” on page313
 “Adding Additional Instant APs to AirWave” on page315
 “Changing the Mode to Monitor Only for New Instant Devices” on page316
 “AirWave Pages with Instant-Specific Features” on page317
 “Other Available Features” on page317
 “Known Issues of the Dell PowerConnect-W Instant Integration with AirWave” on page317
Overview of Dell PowerConnect W-Instant
Dell PowerConnect W-Instant is a system of access points (W-IAP92, 93, 104, 105, 134, or 135) per Layer 2
subnet. Dell PowerConnect W-Instant IAPs are controlled by a single IAP that serves a dual role as a primary
Virtual Controller, eliminating the need for dedicated controller hardware. This system can be deployed through
a simplified setup process appropriate for smaller organizations, or for multiple geographically-dispersed locations
without an on-site administrator.
Only the first IAP/Virtual Controller you add to the network must be configured; the subsequent IAPs will all
inherit the necessary configuration information from the Virtual Controller. Dell PowerConnect W-Instant
continually monitors the network to determine which IAP should function as the Virtual Controller at any time,
and the Virtual Controller will move from IAP to IAP as necessary without impacting network performance.
The Virtual Controller technology in Dell PowerConnect W-Instant is capable of IAP auto discovery, 802.1X
authentication, role- and device-based policy enforcement, rogue detection, and Adaptive Radio Management
(ARM).
Using Dell PowerConnect W-Instant with AirWave
AirWave can be used to provision and manage a multi-site deployment of Instant networks. For example, if you
have 100 retail offices that require Instant to provide WLAN connectivity at each office, AirWave can be used to
provision all the 100 offices from a central site and also give the administrator the ability to monitor these
geographically dispersed Instant networks using an AirWave server (depending on the scalability
recommendations for AirWave).
With a distributed deployment where multiple locations each have an Dell PowerConnect W-Instant Virtual
Controller and IAPs, AirWave serves as a centralized management console. AirWave provides all functionality for
normal WLAN deployments including long-term trend reporting, PCI compliance, configuration auditing, role-
based administration, location services, RF visualization, and many other features.
Integrating Dell PowerConnect W-Instant systems into AirWave is unique from the setup of any other device
class due to the following considerations: