MSM7xx Controllers Configuration Guide v6.4.0

Add the IP address for each controller that is active on the network. When working with a
controller team you should add the IP address of each team member.
This list is sent to all devices that request an IP address, encoded as DHCP option 43
(Vendor-specific information). However, this information is only interpreted by HP APs that are
operating in controlled mode. Controlled mode APs use these addresses to connect with the
controllers in the order that they appear in the list.
• If an external DHCP server is used, it must have Option 43 configured. For examples on how
to configure some popular third-party DHCP servers, see “DHCP servers and Colubris vendor
classes” (page 558).
DNS discovery
DNS discovery is attempted using UDP unicast discovery requests which are issued by the AP to
the following default controller names:
• cnsrv1
• cnsrv2
• cnsrv3
• cnsrv4
• cnsrv5
This method enables discovery across various network configurations. It requires that at least one
controller name is resolvable via a DNS server.
The AP appends the default domain name returned by a DHCP server (when it assigns an IP address
to the AP) to the controller name. For example, if the DHCP server returns mydomain.com, then
the AP will search for the following controllers in this order:
• cnsrv1.mydomain.com
• cnsrv2.mydomain.com
• cnsrv3.mydomain.com
• cnsrv4.mydomain.com
• cnsrv5.mydomain.com
Discovery using specific IP addresses
Provisioned APs can be configured to connect with a controller at a specific IP address. A list of
addresses can be defined, allowing the AP to search for multiple controllers.
This can also be used to strengthen the security on a local network to make sure that the AP goes
to a specific controller for management.
Discovery order
Discovery occurs differently for unprovisioned and provisioned APs.
150 Working with controlled APs