Concept Guide

Dell Networking W-Series Instant 6.4.3.1-4.2.0.0 | User Guide W-IAP Management and Monitoring | 296
Chapter 21
W-IAP Management and Monitoring
This chapter provides information on managing and monitoring W-IAPs from the the W-AirWave management
server.
Managing a W-IAP from W-AirWave
W-AirWave is a powerful tool and easy-to-use network operations system that manages Dell wireless, wired,
and remote access networks, as well as wired and wireless infrastructures from a wide range of third-party
manufacturers. With its easy-to-use interface, W-AirWave provides real-time monitoring, proactive alerts,
historical reporting, and fast, efficient troubleshooting. It also offers tools that manage RF coverage,
strengthen wireless security, and demonstrate regulatory compliance.
The W-IAPs communicate with W-AirWave using the HTTPS protocol. This allows a W-AirWave server to be
deployed in the cloud across a NAT device, such as a router. The W-AirWave features available in the Instant
network are described in the following sections.
Image Management
W-AirWave allows you to manage firmware updates on WLAN devices by defining a minimum acceptable
firmware version for each make and model of a device. It remotely distributes the firmware image to the WLAN
devices that require updates, and it schedules the firmware updates such that updating is completed without
requiring you to manually monitor the devices.
The following models can be used to upgrade the firmware:
l Automatic— In this model, the Virtual Controller periodically checks for newer updates from a configured
URL and automatically initiates upgrade of the network.
l Manual— In this model, the user can manually start a firmware upgrade for each Virtual Controller or set
the desired firmware preference per group of devices.
Resetting a W-IAP
A W-IAP device can be reset through W-AirWave in the Managed mode.
1. Under Modify Devices, choose the W-IAP devices you want to factory reset by selecting the check box
next to it.
2. Frpm the Change Device Group Folder dropdown, select Factory Reset selected devices.
3. Click the Factory Reset tab.
On resetting the W-IAP device from W-AirWave, all the configuration values will be set to default except for the
per-ap-settings and VCKey value.
W-IAP and Client Monitoring
W-AirWave allows you to find any W-IAP or client on the wireless network and to see real-time monitoring
views. These monitoring views can be used to aggregate critical information and high-end monitoring
information.
In the W-AirWave User Interface (UI), you can select either Manage Read/Write or Monitor-
only+Firmware Upgrades as management modes. When the Management level is set to Manage