AireOS WLC Commands

This guide explains the AireOS WLAN Controller system, local mode, flexconnect mode and many WLC CLI commands.

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Introduction

Local Mode & FlexConnect

CAPWAP

Mobility Groups

System Commands

Initial Configuration

Introduction

A Cisco WLAN Controller is a hardware device or virtual appliance that manages the deployment and configuration of wireless access points (APs) in a Cisco wireless LAN (WLAN) network. The WLAN Controller provides central management of wireless network functions, including security, quality of service (QoS), mobility, and network access control. This centralization simplifies network administration and helps ensure consistent security and performance policies across multiple APs.

Description

Centralized Management: The Cisco WLC acts as a centralized management point for wireless networks. It provides a single interface through which administrators can configure and monitor the entire wireless infrastructure.

Access Point Control: The WLC is responsible for managing and controlling Cisco wireless access points (APs). It handles tasks such as AP registration, firmware updates, and the distribution of configuration settings to APs.

Wireless Client Management: Manages the association and disassociation of wireless clients with the network. It is responsible for authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functions for client devices connecting to the wireless network.

Security Features: Implements security measures for the wireless network, including encryption, authentication protocols, and intrusion prevention features. It ensures a secure communication environment for wireless clients.

Roaming Support: Facilitates seamless roaming for wireless clients as they move between different areas covered by access points. The WLC ensures that the handover process is smooth and uninterrupted.

Quality of Service (QoS): Manages and enforces QoS policies for wireless traffic, prioritizing certain types of data to ensure optimal performance for applications like voice and video.

Guest Access Control: Provides features for secure guest access, allowing organizations to create isolated and controlled access for visitors without compromising the security of the main network.

Monitoring and Reporting: Offers tools for monitoring the health and performance of the wireless network. It provides real-time statistics, logs, and reporting features to help troubleshoot issues and optimize network performance.

FlexConnect and Mesh Networking: Supports FlexConnect mode, allowing some functions to be performed locally at the access point, reducing the need for back-and-forth communication with the controller. Additionally, it supports mesh networking for wireless connectivity in challenging environments.

Integration with Network Infrastructure: Integrates with the broader network infrastructure, including routers, switches, and other networking components. This integration ensures seamless communication between the wireless and wired segments of the network.

Scalability and High Availability: Designed to scale to accommodate growing network needs. Multiple WLCs can be deployed for redundancy and high availability, ensuring continuous operation even if one controller fails.

Local Mode & FlexConnect

Local Mode is a deployment approach where access points (APs) act as lightweight devices primarily handling radio functions, while most control and management functions are centralized in a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC). In this mode, user data traffic is sent from APs to the WLC, which manages quality of service (QoS), VLAN assignments, and other aspects of wireless traffic. Roaming decisions, configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting are also handled centrally. Local Mode is suitable for environments with sufficient bandwidth between APs and the central WLC, providing a unified and centrally managed wireless infrastructure. Local Mode ist mostly used in LAN enviromnets where the WLC and the APs belong to the same local network of an organization.

Local Mode

Traffic Handling: In Local Mode, the APs forward both user data traffic and control plane traffic (management, authentication, etc.) to the centralized WLC.

Centralized Control: The WLC is responsible for most aspects of traffic management, including data forwarding, VLAN mapping, and QoS. The APs act as a bridge, forwarding user traffic to the WLC for processing.

Use Case: Local mode is commonly used in centralized WLAN deployments where all traffic is backhauled to the central controller. It's suitable for environments where WAN bandwidth is not a constraint.

Key Consideration: Since all traffic is sent to the central controller, the network design must account for sufficient WAN bandwidth between APs and the controller.

FlexConnect is a feature in Cisco wireless LAN (WLAN) networks that allows for decentralized network management of wireless access points (APs) while still providing centralized control and management capabilities. This allows APs to operate in a standalone mode, with local authentication and data forwarding, while still being centrally managed and configured. In FlexConnect mode, APs can maintain a local copy of the network configuration and security policies, allowing for faster data forwarding and reduced network latency. This can be particularly beneficial in situations where the WLAN network is spread out over a large geographic area, or where network connectivity is unreliable. FlexConnect also supports local switching of data, allowing for traffic to be processed locally at the AP, rather than being sent back to a central controller for processing. This can help reduce network congestion and improve overall network performance.

FlexConnect

Local Switching: In FlexConnect mode, APs have the capability to locally switch user data traffic. This means that user traffic stays local to the site, and not all data needs to be backhauled to the central controller.

Centralized Control Plane: Control plane functions, such as authentication and association, remain centralized. The WLC manages these functions, but user data is switched locally at the site.

Use Case: FlexConnect mode is ideal for branch office deployments or scenarios where backhauling all user data traffic to the central controller is impractical due to limited WAN bandwidth or other considerations.

Key Features: FlexConnect supports local VLANs, allowing local segmentation of user traffic. It also supports Dynamic VLAN Assignment and FlexConnect Groups to facilitate efficient management.

Reduced WAN Dependency: FlexConnect reduces dependence on the WAN link for user data, improving performance and reducing latency for locally switched traffic.

Local mode and FlexConnect mode are two deployment options for Cisco wireless access points (APs) within a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) environment. These modes determine how traffic is managed and processed, especially in scenarios where the APs need to handle user data and control plane functions differently.

Operation modes

Connected - When there is a connection to remote WLC (DTLS tunnel)

Standalone - If connection to remote WLC is lost, automatically

Switching modes

Central switching - Traffic travels back through WAN to the remote WLC and back

Local switching - AP does the switching, save WAN bandwith

Authentication modes

Central - Supplicant authenticates with the remote WLC, traffic over WAN

Local - Supplicant authenticates with the AP, save WAN bandwith

CAPWAP

CAPWAP (Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points) is a protocol that is used to manage and control wireless access points (APs) in a wireless LAN (WLAN) network. It provides a standard way for wireless controllers to communicate with APs and manage the configuration and deployment of wireless network resources. CAPWAP allows for the centralization of network management and configuration, which can simplify network administration and improve network security. In a CAPWAP network, the wireless controller acts as the central management point for the wireless network, while APs are responsible for providing wireless coverage and forwarding data between wireless clients and the wired network. The wireless controller and APs communicate using CAPWAP to exchange information and control messages, allowing for centralized management of wireless network functions such as security, quality of service (QoS), mobility, and network access control. CAPWAP is an industry standard and is supported by multiple vendors, allowing for interoperability between different types of wireless network devices. This makes it a popular choice for wireless network deployments in enterprise, service provider, and government environments.

Description

A CAPWAP tunnel is a secure communication channel established between a wireless access point (AP) and a wireless controller in a CAPWAP (Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points) network. The tunnel provides a way for the AP and controller to exchange management and control information, such as configuration data, security policies, and network statistics.

The CAPWAP tunnel is encrypted, providing a secure and reliable method for exchanging sensitive information between the AP and controller. The tunnel also allows for the centralization of network management and control functions, which can simplify network administration and improve network security.

The CAPWAP tunnel is created when the AP joins the network, and it remains active as long as the AP is connected to the network. If the connection between the AP and controller is lost, the AP will attempt to reestablish the tunnel, allowing for seamless operation of the wireless network.

Mobility Groups

Cisco Mobility Groups are a feature in Cisco wireless LAN (WLAN) networks that allow for the central management of multiple wireless controllers and access points (APs). This allows for the creation of a single, unified wireless network, even when the network is spread out over multiple physical locations. In a Cisco Mobility Group, all wireless controllers are aware of each other and can exchange information, allowing for centralized management of wireless network functions such as security, quality of service (QoS), mobility, and network access control. This can simplify network administration and improve network security. When a wireless client roams from one AP to another, the APs communicate with each other through the Mobility Group to ensure a seamless transition of the client’s connection. The Mobility Group also provides centralized mobility management, allowing for the management of wireless clients across multiple physical locations from a single point. Cisco Mobility Groups can also be used to provide redundancy and failover protection, ensuring that if one wireless controller fails, another controller can take over and maintain wireless network operations. This helps ensure high availability and reliability of the wireless network. In summary, Cisco Mobility Groups provide a centralized and scalable solution for wireless network management, allowing for the creation of a unified wireless network across multiple physical locations.

Description

Inter-Controller Communication: Mobility Groups enable communication and coordination between different WLCs within a network. These WLCs can be part of the same or different physical locations.

Seamless Roaming: The primary purpose of Mobility Groups is to facilitate seamless roaming for wireless clients. As clients move across the coverage areas managed by different WLCs, the Mobility Group ensures that the transition is smooth without disruptions.

Database Synchronization: WLCs in a Mobility Group synchronize important information such as client association details, security credentials, and other context information. This ensures that as a client roams from one AP to another under the jurisdiction of a different WLC, the new WLC has the necessary information to seamlessly take over the client session.

Load Balancing: Mobility Groups also support load balancing capabilities. This means that as clients connect to the network, the WLCs within the Mobility Group can work together to distribute the client load more evenly, optimizing network performance.

Fast Roaming and Preauthentication: Mobility Groups support fast roaming mechanisms, reducing the time it takes for a client to reconnect when moving between APs under different WLCs. Additionally, preauthentication enables a client to authenticate with the target WLC before it moves into the new coverage area, further enhancing roaming efficiency.

Configuration Consistency: WLCs in a Mobility Group can share certain configurations, ensuring consistency across the wireless network. This includes settings related to security, VLANs, and other parameters that affect the behavior of wireless clients.

Redundancy and High Availability: Mobility Groups contribute to the redundancy and high availability of the wireless network. If one WLC fails, clients can seamlessly transition to another WLC within the Mobility Group without losing connectivity.

Interoperability: Mobility Groups facilitate interoperability between different Cisco WLC models and versions, allowing for a more flexible and scalable wireless network architecture.

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