User's Manual

AP-68 Series Wireless Access Point
Installation Guide
About the Aruba AP-68 Series
The Aruba AP-68 and AP-68P are single-radio, single-band wireless access points
that support the IEEE 802.11n standard for high-performance WLAN. These
access points deliver high-performance, 802.11n 2.4 GHz functionality while
simultaneously supporting existing 802.11b/g wireless services. The AP-68 Series
access points work only in conjunction with an Aruba Controller.
The Aruba AP-68 Series access point provides the following capabilities:
z Wireless transceiver
z Protocol-independent networking functionality
z IEEE 802.11b/g/n operation as a wireless access point
z IEEE 802.11b/g/n operation as a wireless air monitor
z Compatibility with IEEE 802.3af PoE
z Central management configuration and upgrades through an Aruba
Controller
Package Contents
z AP-68 or AP-68P access point
z Installation Guide
z 9/16-inch Ceiling Rail Adapter
z 15/16-inch Ceiling Rail Adapter
z Ceiling Rail Adapter Installation Guide
z 4x Rubber Feet
AP-68 Series Hardware Overview
Figure 1 Front (AP-68P Shown)
LEDs
z PWR: Indicates whether or not the AP-68 Series is powered-on
z ENET: Indicates the status of the AP-68 Series’s Ethernet port
z 11B/G/N: Indicates the status of the 802.11b/g/n radio
For information about the AP-68 Series’s LED behavior, see Table 1.
Figure 2 Rear (AP-68P Shown)
External Antenna Connector
The AP-68P is designed for use with an external antenna. The AP-68 is equipped
with internal antennas.
Figure 3 Bottom (AP-68P Shown)
Console Port
Use the console port to connect to a terminal for direct local management.
Ethernet Port
AP-68 Series is equipped with a single 10/100Base-T (RJ-45) auto-sensing, MDI/
MDX wired-network connectivity port. This port supports IEEE 802.3af Power
over Ethernet (PoE) compliance, accepting 48VDC as a standard defined
Powered Device (PD) from a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) such as a PoE
midspan injector, or network infrastructure that supports PoE.
DC Power Socket
If PoE is not available, an optional Aruba 12V AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold
separately) can be used to power the AP-68 Series.
Before You Begin
Pre-Installation Network Requirements
After WLAN planning is complete and the appropriate products and their
placement have been determined, the Aruba controller(s) must be installed and
initial setup performed before the Aruba APs are deployed.
For initial setup of the controller, refer to the ArubaOS Quick Start Guide for
the software version installed on your controller.
AP Pre-Installation Checklist
Before installing your AP-68 Series access point, be sure that you have the
following:
z CAT5 UTP cable of required length
z One of the following power sources:
 IEEE 802.3af-compliant Power over Ethernet (PoE) source
 Aruba AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately)
z Aruba Controller provisioned on the network:
 Layer 2/3 network connectivity to your access point
One of the following network services:
z Aruba Discovery Protocol (ADP)
z DNS server with an “A” record
z DHCP Server with vendor-specific options
Summary of the Setup Process
Successful setup of an AP-68 Series access point consists of five tasks, which
must be performed in this order:
1. Verify pre-installation connectivity.
2. Identify the specific installation location for each AP.
3. Install each AP.
4. Verify post-installation connectivity.
5. Configure each AP.
Verifying Pre-Installation Connectivity
Before you install APs in a network environment, make sure that the APs are
able to locate and connect to the controller after power on. Specifically, you
must verify the following conditions:
z When connected to the network, each AP is assigned a valid IP address
z APs are able to locate the controller
Refer to the ArubaOS Quick Start Guide for instructions on locating and
connecting to the controller.
Identifying Specific Installation Locations
You can mount the AP-68 Series access point on a wall or on the ceiling. Use the
AP placement map generated by Aruba’s RF Plan software application to
determine the proper installation location(s). Each location should be as close
as possible to the center of the intended coverage area and should be free from
obstructions or obvious sources of interference. These RF absorbers/reflectors/
interference sources will impact RF propagation and should have been
accounted for during the planning phase and adjusted for in RF plan.
Identifying Known RF Absorbers/Reflectors/Interference
Sources
Identifying known RF absorbers, reflectors, and interference sources while in
the field during the installation phase is critical. Make sure that these sources are
taken into consideration when you attach an AP to its fixed location.
RF absorbers include:
z Cement/concrete—Old concrete has high levels of water dissipation, which
dries out the concrete, allowing for potential RF propagation. New concrete
has high levels of water concentration within the concrete, blocking RF
signals.
z Natural Items—Fish tanks, water fountains, ponds, and trees
z Brick
RF reflectors include:
z Metal Objects—Metal pans between floors, rebar, fire doors, air conditioning/
heating ducts, mesh windows, blinds, chain link fences (depending on
aperture size), refrigerators, racks, shelves, and filing cabinets.
z Do not place an AP between two air conditioning/heating ducts. Make sure
that APs are placed below ducts to avoid RF disturbances.
RF interference sources include:
z Microwave ovens and other 2.4 or 5 GHz objects (such as cordless phones)
z Cordless headset such as those used in call centers or lunch rooms
Installing the AP
Using the Integrated Wall-Mounting Slots
The keyhole-shaped slots on the back of the AP can be used to attach the device
upright to an indoor wall or shelf. When you choose the mounting location, allow
additional space at the right of the unit for cables.
1. At the mounting location, install two screw on the wall or shelf, 2.1 inches
(5.3 cm) apart. If you are attaching the device to drywall, Aruba recommends
using appropriate wall anchors (not included).
2. Align the mounting slots on the rear of the AP over the screws and slide the
unit into place.
Figure 4 Mounting AP-68 on a Wall
Using the Integrated Ceiling Tile Rail Slots
The snap-in tile rail slots on the rear of the AP can be used to securely attach the
device directly to a 15/16" wide, standard ceiling tile rail.
1. Pull the necessary cables through a prepared hole in the ceiling tile near
where the AP will be placed.
2. If necessary, connect the console cable to the console port on the bottom of
the AP.
3. Hold the AP next to the ceiling tile rail with the ceiling tile rail mounting slots
at approximately a 30-degree angle to the ceiling tile rail (see Figure 5). Make
sure that any cable slack is above the ceiling tile.
4. Pushing toward the ceiling tile, rotate the AP clockwise until the device
clicks into place on the ceiling tile rail.
Figure 5 Orienting the Ceiling Tile Rail Mounting Slots
NOTE
The Aruba AP-68 Series requires ArubaOS 6.0 or later.
NOTE
Inform your supplier if there are any incorrect, missing, or damaged parts. If
possible, retain the carton, including the original packing materials. Use
these materials to repack and return the unit to the supplier if needed.
AP-68_001
PWR
ENET
11B/G/N
!
CAUTION
FCC Statement: Improper termination of access points installed in the
United States configured to non-US model controllers will be in violation of
the FCC grant of equipment authorization. Any such willful or intentional
violation may result in a requirement by the FCC for immediate termination
of operation and may be subject to forfeiture (47 CFR 1.80).
!
CAUTION
EU Statement:
Lower power radio LAN product operating in 2.4 GHz band. Please refer to
the ArubaOS User Guide for details on restrictions.
Produit réseau local radio basse puissance operant dans la bande
fréquence 2.4 GHz. Merci de vous referrer au ArubaOS User Guide pour les
details des restrictions.
Low Power FunkLAN Produkt, das im 2.4 GHz Band arbeitet. Weitere Infor-
mationen bezlüglich Einschränkungen finden Sie im ArubaOS User Guide.
Apparati Radio LAN a bassa Potenza, operanti a 2.4 GHz. Fare riferimento
alla ArubaOS User Guide per avere informazioni detagliate sulle restrizioni.
AP-68_002
Antenna Connector
(AP-68P Only)
AP-68_003
CONSOLE
ENET
Po wer
Connector
Antenna
Connector
NOTE
It is important that you verify the items listed under AP Pre-Installation
Checklist before you attempt to set up and install an AP-68 Series access
point.
NOTE
Aruba Networks, Inc., in compliance with governmental requirements, has
designed the AP-68 Series access points so that only authorized network
administrators can change the settings. For more information about AP
configuration, refer to the ArubaOS Quick Start Guide and ArubaOS User
Guide.
!
CAUTION
Access points are radio transmission devices and as such are subject to
governmental regulation. Network administrators responsible for the con-
figuration and operation of access points must comply with local broadcast
regulations. Specifically, access points must use channel assignments
appropriate to the location in which the access point will be used.
NOTE
Service to all Aruba Networks products should be performed by trained
service personnel only.
!
CAUTION
Make sure the AP fits securely on the ceiling tile rail when hanging the
device from the ceiling; poor installation could cause it to fall onto people
or equipment.
AP-68_004
AP-68_005