Users Guide

68 | Configuring and Using Device Groups Dell PowerConnect W-AirWave 7.5 | User Guide
 PTMP—This page defines settings specific to Proxim MP devices when present. As such, this page is only
available when a Proxim MP device is added to this group. Refer to “Configuring Group PTMP Settings” on
page95.
 Proxim Mesh—This page defines mesh AP settings specific to Proxim devices when present. Refer to
“Configuring Proxim Mesh Radio Settings” on page95.
 MAC ACL—This page defines MAC-specific settings that apply to Proxim, Symbol, and ProCurve 520 devices
when present. Refer to “Configuring Group MAC Access Control Lists” on page97.
 Firmware—This page manages firmware files for many devices. “Specifying Minimum Firmware Versions for
APs in a Group” on page97.
 Compare—This page allows you to compare line item-settings between two device groups. On the Groups >
List
page, select the Compare two groups link, select the two groups from the drop-down menus, then select
Compare. “Comparing Device Groups” on page98.
This chapter also provides the following additional procedures for group-level configurations:
 “Deleting a Group” on page99
 “Changing Multiple Group Configurations” on page99
 “Modifying Multiple Devices” on page101
 “Using Global Groups for Group Configuration” on page104
AirWave Groups Overview
Enterprise APs, controllers, routers, and switches have hundreds of variable settings that must be configured
precisely to achieve optimal performance and network security. Configuring all settings on each device
individually is time consuming and error prone. AirWave addresses this challenge by automating the processes of
device configuration and compliance auditing. At the core of this approach is the concept of Device Groups, with
the following functions and benefits:
 AirWave allows certain settings to be managed efficiently at the Group level, while others are managed at an
individual device level.
 AirWave defines a Group as a subset of the devices on the wireless LAN, ranging in size from one device to
hundreds of devices that share certain common configuration settings.
 Groups may be defined based on geography (such as “5th Floor APs”), usage or security policies (such as
“Guest Access APs”), function (such as “Manufacturing APs”), or any other appropriate variable.
 Devices within a group may originate from different vendors or hardware models, but all devices within a
Group share certain basic configuration settings.
Typical group configuration variables include the following settings:
 Basic settings - SSID, SNMP polling interval, and so forth
 Security settings - VLANs, WEP, 802.1x, ACLs, and so forth
 Radio settings - data rates, fragmentation threshold, RTS threshold, DTIM, preamble, and so forth.
When configuration changes are applied at a group level, they are assigned automatically to every device within
that group. Such changes must be applied with every device in Managed mode. Monitor mode is the more
common mode.
CAUTION: Always review the Audit page before pushing configuration to a device or group.