Essential items to create a wireless mesh network

I want to create two independent wireless networks (2 different SSIDs)
with 3 APs each one of the cisco 1552 series (outdoor Accesss Points) in a mesh topology.
The one network will have 3 1552s APs and the other 3 1552e APs
My question is which cisco items I need plus to the APs (except the antennas)
1. Wireless LAN Controller (which type? one or two?)
2. Wireless Control System Software (Is it essential?)
3. Other...

You would get two wlc to provide redundancy. You can look at the WLC2504 for smaller environments or else look at the WLC 5508 if think you will be growing. The WCS is end of sale and you would need to look at Prime Infrastructure 1.3. This is optional and is not required to have a wireless system up and functional. It does help in larger environments and for troubleshooting purposes.
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps12239/index.html
Thanks,
Scott
Help out other by using the rating system and marking answered questions as "Answered"

Similar Messages

*wireless mesh networking*

can a wireless mesh networking application be built using the sun java wireless toolkit??if yes ...then plz tell me how to do it..

The distance at 54 Mbps for 2.4 GHz side of the mesh (client access) is basically the same distance as it would be with most 2.4 GHz Access Points.
That said the "indoor range" being 90-100 Ft and outdoors being further because there are no obstructions. Now the Cisco Aironet 1500 does have an amplifier and a higher gain 2.4 GHz antenna enabling it to transmit further but how far that goes at 54 Mbps depends on the client being used (and the Access Point's ability to hear same).
remember just because the Access Point is improved (the client is typically operating at lower power and in some cases with an internal antenna so distance it really a matter of the client used and the environment it is used in. So there is no real exact answer as it varies but I'd expect to get at least 140 Ft or more outdoors at 54 Mbps. Again, you'd really have to test it with your specific client in your environment more more accurate numbers.

Creating a wireless guest network.

Good afternoon,
I'm trying to set up a guest network for my lad to use with his Xbox 360, laptop, iphone, etc.
At present I have my iMac, Airport Extreme Base Station, Airport Express all connected to my Sky broadband router. I also watch films on my 360 and AppleTV2 via iTunes.
Is there a way to create a network (to access the internet only) so my lad can't watch the films I have on iTunes? He'll also feel good as he'll have his own network (not realising I'm limiting his access;))
Thanks very much for any help in advance,
McFly.

Unfortunately, the Guest Network option is generally not available when the AirPort Extreme is used with another modem/router....in this case the Sky product.
You can check to see if your setup will allow this as follows:
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the AirPort Extreme icon, then click Edit
Click on the Wireless tab at the top of the window
Check to see if there is an option to Enable the Guest Network
If yes, assign a name to the network, security and and a password and click Update to save the new settings.
However......If the option to Enable the Guest Network does not appear (see example below), unfortunately you will not be able to setup another wireless network.

Creating a Wireless Distribution Network

Hello-
I recently moved into a new house and can not get my wireless signal to reach through the entire house... I have about 50% coverage as of right now.
Here is what I would like to do:
a) connect my cable internet modem via ethernet to my Time Capsule
b) put my Airport Express in another room across the house to expand the wireless network
c) when done, be able to connect to the wireless network via my laptop and XBox 360
Can I get advice on how to go about doing this? Any help would be much appreciated!!

Okay... So let me know if I have this right:
1) Connect cable modem via ethernet to Time Capsule
2) Plug-in Airport Express in other room
3) Choose "Participate in a WDS network" for the Time Capsule in the Airport utility
4) Set the MAC address of the Airport Express
Am I missing anything? Also, should I mess with the Dual Band or Radio Frequency setting?
Thanks again!

Wireless Internet Access (Cisco IP NGN or Cisco Wireless Mesh Networkin)??

Dear Cisco Wireless Team
Please educate us on where to start, or the CISCO product we might need to purchase
We are trying to branch out a new Internet wireless access and wireless phone service business in our company, and presently looking for the right Cisco product solution to purchase to enable us offer this service in LAGOS, NIGERIA.
The service will be rendered in Africa, the country NIGERIA, and the city LAGOS.
We would like to mount or install the product in Lagos, Nigeria.
As we are new to this kind of service. We would appreciate if the Cisco wireless team can work with us in pointing or directing on the right product to purchase and what are required. We understand the Cisco Wireless Mesh Networking Solution, Cisco IP Generation Network, Cisco 12416 or 7600 Series Router might be the right products to purchase, but we are not sure on what needed or what are required to meet our service need.
Possibly we would like to offer Wireless Internet Access to unlimited subscribers, and also Wireless or Mobile Phone service to unlimited subscribers in Nigeria.
Anticipating your reply

I suppose Cisco Wireless Mesh Networking would be a good choice.The Cisco mesh architecture makes it easy to scale coverage as capacity needs dictate, including increasing access point density; adding wired connections, controllers, and radios; and using dual high-powered, high-sensitive radios and a selection of high-gain antennas.Refer the document for IP NGN in the following URL http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns537/networking_solutions_solution_category.html

Outdoor Wireless Mesh Design Question

Hi,
We have a wireless mesh network which currently is having some connectivity issues.
One of the main issues we are seeing is with RRM configured the Mesh Access points seem to all select Channel 11 on the 2.4ghz frequency.
I would ike to modify manually, although wondering if best practice is to use RRM or select manually.
Thanks
Brad

Hello Bradley,
We'll, if you have WCS then a mismatch would happen with the cnofig template on WCS (if you have one).
There could possibly be an AP template on the WCS to set the radio for the APs automatically.
This is from Configure -> AP Configuration Templates -> Lightwieght AP.
From this location you can configure a template with the AP settings and push it to the APs you want. You can also schedule the time at which the template will be applied. A recurrence also can be configured.
So make sure that:
- No mismatch between WCS and WLCS (you can go to Configure -> Controllers and try to audit differences between WLC and WCS).
- Save your configuraiton on WLC if you apply it from WLC.
- Make sure that there are no AP templates on WCS with recurrence configured.
To avoide any mismatch in the future, I suggest you do all your configuration from WCS. This way you'll save time (if you have more than one WLC) and you'll also make sure configuration is consistent among all controllers.
HTH
Amjad

Wireless Outdoor Networking

Hi Guys,
I have been doing a fair bit of work with indoor wireless networking. I was wondering if I could ask a couple of questions about outdoor wireless networks if I may :).
1. Wireless Mesh Networking. Is this really a solution to interconnect buildings over wireless with point-to-point connectivity?
2. How does a service provider like "the cloud" provide access over an area with wireless connectivity for end users? What kind of wireless network design would be employed here? Would they just have lots of APs in shopping malls that you would have like an indoor network, and how do they get the service coverage in open spaces, like roads, parks etc etc.
I am looking for info on both types of outdoor networks. Point to point only to connect buildings and flooding SSIDs within a large outdoor area in which customers can connect?
Can anyone help me, as this is a very interesting subject.
Also, have I got the term correct. A wireless Mesh network is for point to point wireless networks?
Many thx indeed,
Ken

Hi Ken,
Wireless Mesh is a different concept altogether, and it's really not intended to be used as a point-to-point bridge. Mesh is a way to deploy access points in an outdoor space or anywhere that's difficult to run a LAN cable to. This AP will use the 2.4GHz band for client connectivity, and it will send all backhaul traffic across the 5GHz link to another AP. As long as the 5GHz backhaul eventually finds a Mesh AP that is connected to the Ethernet network, it will have connectivity.
One of the best uses for Mesh is for large parking lots. You can mount an AP on a light pole, but you'd never want to run an Ethernet cable all the way out there. Instead, you'd use a Mesh AP and have the 5GHz radio pointed back at your office building, where another Mesh AP is plugged into the local network. So now your clients/customers can connect wirelessly to the AP in the parking lot, and the parking lot AP sends this data wirelessly to your building.
It's called Mesh because you can have a literal mesh of APs scattered across large regions, some of which are connected to the network, others of which are isolated with wireless backhauls. Cisco runs a proprietary algorithm for calculating the best path for traffic to flow to get to an AP with a network connection.
As for your question about a "cloud" company, it all depends on the design. You can install indoor APs that connect to antennas outside, and these can connect your clients. Mesh can be a better solution, but sometimes it's not needed when only small areas need to be covered. Plus, Mesh is far more expensive than a traditional design, especially since it requires wireless LAN controllers. But as for large areas like you're talking, such as roads and parks, Mesh is certainly the best way to go.
I hope that's more of what you're looking for. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Jeff

Create a wireless network AND Internet sharing?

Hi all,
I own a MacBook Pro and an iPhone, and currently live at a state university. The problem is that the wireless network won't allow communication between devices, only to the internet, and you aren't allowed to have a wireless router. You are, by some strange loophole, allowed to share an internet connection from a computer. My problem is that I either can share the Internet (which doesn't allow me to use apps that use WiFi to communicate with my Mac, like iDisplay) or create a wireless network (which means I can't connect to the internet via WiFi on my phone). So here's my question:
How can I share my internet connection with my iPhone as well as be able to use apps that communicate with my mac, such as iDisplay?
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Your Mac is already using the Wifi to connect to the network, you don't have control over the router can't have one, so you can't make any changes to have your iPhone use the router to communicate with your Mac.
They likely already have enough bandwidth issues as it is to allow streaming between devices on the local network too.
Open Mesh with Internet Sharing via the Mac's Ethernet port and a Cat5 cable?

Dual RAP Mesh Network vs PTP Wireless Ethernet Bridging to provide link redundancy

Currently looking at a few options to optimize a current point-to-point wireless LAN-to-LAN connectivity shot for a wired customer site for better redundancy (hardware diversity and/or logical path diversity). Currently the customer is fed via an older solution, using two Cisco 1522 APs with Cisco Aironet 14-dBi Path Antennas (AIR-ANT5114P-N) for a 5-GHz PTP wireless ethernet bridge (under 3km), in which one 1552AP hangs off a L3/L2 Distro switch and the customer's 1522AP hangs off a 3750X switch, which has another access switch hanging off it via a fiber run of about 2km, which is exposed in parts and can't be re-run again due some limitations.The customer doesn't utilize any wireless services. Due to their location, we can't connect them to our wired distro infrastructure directly via fiber.
Looking at setting up two wireless shots (instead of just one currently used); 5-GHz point-to-point bridges using upgraded gear: Cisco 1552EU APs with Cisco Aironet 14-dBi Path Antennas (AIR-ANT5114P2M-N) or straight Exalt r5005 solution. The PTP shot will hang off two seperate distro switches for redundancy purposes, pointing toward the customer site at two seperate locations, spaced apart by approximately 1 to 1.5 km, so that they aren't at the mercy of being isolated on one side if they have another fiber cut which connects their two main access switches together. If need be, we can hang two main APs on one distro facing two APs at the customer site, since this would create some redundancy, just not the same level as above.
The below is what I'm really unsure on.
Possibly looking at setting up a mesh network using Cisco 1552E APs with 2.4 GHz Omni-directional antennas (either a 2.4/5GHz Terrawave MIMO Omnidirectional antenna or Cisco AIR-ANT2547V-N antennas, which ever is best) with two RAPs, one RAP hanging off one distro and the other RAP hanging off another distro for hardware diversity, both under the same bridge group name and both RAPs hanging off the same WLAN management SVI subnet on the distros. The customer site will have two 1552E MAPs located at two seperate sites, as pointed out above. I don't think a third AP would be needed, since they don't use wireless services. Since there would be only two RAPs, not three, would it be best two set-up this with both RAPs on the same channel to minimize convergence time should the mesh transfer from one RAP to the other RAP, as long as both RAPs are spaced apart under ???? distance to avoid interference/other issues? Looking at some documenation, it appears you can have a MESH network, as long as your MAPs and RAPs fall within a 2 mile range area, preferably closer to a 1 mile range area (for better bandwidth & reliability). This solution has been brought up as possible dual-homed solution in theory, by virtue of having two more more MESH APs fall within the range listed above, to the RAPs. From a layer 3 perspective, I'm not sure what the most optimal idea to run with in this scenario set-up would be. Possibly set-up two seperate user SVI VLANs (for their data services), one placed on each access switches these MAPs will hang off at the customer site, & using the same management SVI subnets as the RAPs for the wireless managment side (for accessing the APs). From my understanding, the user data SVI doesn't matter from the perspective of when the mesh transfers from one RAP to another, it should be transparent to them. The distro switches will just have the management SVIs placed on them for the RAPs, the user SVIs will be placed local on the access switches only. And all APs will hang off access ports set to the management VLAN ID.
In my opinion, the PTP 5-GHz, dual distro homed solution makes the most since for wired client access, but since the latter option was brought up, it has to be weighed - plus I'm curious if it can work.

The Exalt r5005 works great for redundancy PTP links. You have to use the sync cable between the two co-located bridges and also set the polarization on the bridges. You can then use routing or spanning tree to decide traffic path. With mesh, you will have to make sure you set the parent or else the maps will keep switching perhaps.

Time Capsule - Can it run as DHCP router, create a wireless network and plug into switch for wired network all at the same time?

I have a closet with Wired connections from all over the house terminating in it. I also have the internet modem and a switch in this closet. My old setup was a netgear in the closet creating a wireless network and also feeding the Ethernet ports all over the house. In my room, I had an Airport express (a month old) bridging the wifi to make the wifi network larger. The Express was hard wired from the wall and my mac mini was using it's wifi (printer was plugged into other ethernet port). Everything was working great.
Fast forward to last week. My Netgear died. So, I bought a time capsule. My plan was to move the Express to the closet and have it create the wifi network and also then run cat 5 cord from express to the switch to feed all the wired wall plugs. Reset it and set it up to create the wifi network as well as DCHP NAT. Wireless was running great on it. Then I plugged in the Cat 5 in the second Ethernet Port to the switch. Wifi stopped working and none of the computers would connect using wired connections either. They would see a 'network' but nothing would work. I would unplug the Cat 5 feeding the swtich and the wireless would start working again. Plug the Cat 5 back in and wireless would stop.
So I thought I would try the Time Capsule in the closet and see if I could get it to work. Pretty much the same thing, except at this point I figured out if I went in and told it NOT to create a wifi network the wired portion worked fine and all the wired computers in the house worked fine. Of course, then I didn't have Wifi.
I'm not clueless when it comes to networking, but I can NOT figure this out! Can either the Time Capsule or Express Create the wifi network AND also feed the data to the switch for all the wired computers?
To simplify this is what I want my end result to be. I prefer the Time Capsule to be the wireless connection extender, but if I have to have the Express do it, I'm fine with that.
1. Express in the closet creating the wifi network as well as feeding the data to the wired connections via my switch.
2. have the Time capsule in my room at the opposite end of the house plugged into the hard wired connection to extend the wrieless network as well as have wired connections such as my printer and my Mac Mini.
If I can get #1 to work, I don't think I'll have any problems with #2. Help!

I have an equally complex setup with a managed switch actually but I have never seen the TC have this kind of issue.
What I do notice is you have changed the TC from defaults.. you are using a non-default IP range.
I have run across issues like this where people move things from default.
I would like you to start over.. factory reset the TC. That will set it back to default router mode.
Do the min setup on the TC..
1. Change all names from what you were using. That includes the TC name and wireless name/s
Make them short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric because that is the correct way to network. Apple default names with spaces and apostrophes are fundamentally bad.
2. With just the TC plugged into the switch.. and a single computer connected by ethernet. Power cycle the whole network.. this allows the switch to clear all the old MAC address.
3. Test on the computer just ethernet. Turn the wireless off.
The computer must use dhcp and must get an ip from the TC.
It has to get the correct Router.. ie Gateway.. I wish apple could stick with proper network terminology.
And it must get same address or valid DNS server address/es.
If it fails.. please plug ethernet directly to the TC.. bypassing the switch.
You should get the standard IP addressing and internet connection.
If not please post the screenshot from the Mac of the network preferences showing the ethernet setup.
I need to see what address it does get. I need you to make sure the ethernet is the TOP of the list. So rearrange the order of network connection. With the airport off it should just go to the top of the list.
If it appears to be working .. but a browser cannot connect, open a terminal and ping an internet address.
Ping the actual gateway address the ISP gives you and ping the ISP dns address.

I have Fios. I have the TC connected via ethernet to the Fios router. TC WAN port ethernet to Fios Lan port. Then I just have the TC create a wireless network that is different than the Fios wireless network. How do I set up an Airport Extreme to the TC?

The Airport Extreme is a 4th Gen unit. I just want to keep the TC wireless name to go further through my house.

The Ethernet connection will be from one of the LAN <-> ports on the TC to the WAN port (circle of dots icon) on the AirPort Extreme.
Then you can use AirPort Utility - Manual Setup to configure the AirPort Extreme as follows:
Click the Wireless tab located just below the row of icons
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network (Not "extend a wireless network" as many users incorrectly think)
Wireless Network Name = Same name as your TC network
No check mark needed next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Radio Mode = Automatic
Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = Same setting as the TC network
Wireless Password = Same setting as the TC network
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon
Click the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings and restart the entire network
Computers on the TC network will now be able to move to the area where the AirPort Extreme is located and not have to "switch" networks. This is known as a "roaming" network.

How can I create a wireless network in my office for my itouch?

I am in an office Windows environment with a G3 Mac that is connected to the internet via the Ethernet port. I can get to the internet with my Mac through a Proxy server. I have tried to setup up Airport to get through the firewall without any success. Is it possible to create a wireless network for my itouch if I install an Airport card in the Mac, start Internet Sharing and install Airport Express? I have no experience with the Internet Sharing options in OSX. I am assuming that my Mac with an Airport card would pass the internet connection to Airport Express. Airport Express would then create a wireless network for my itouch to connect to the internet. Any advice is appreciated as I would really like to get to the internet with my itouch.

You don't need the AirPort Express to do this.
You can set your Mac to share it's wired connection over the wireless port and the iTouch can connect directly to the Mac.
You could also do it with the AirPort Express, but you don't need to - it's overkill for what you've described.

I am using a verizion jetpack to wireless connect to an airport express next i want to connect a Airport extreme wired from toe express to create a second private network that has internet access via the jetpack

Thanks for the help after looking over your sugesstion I did some additional troubleshooting which i should have done in the beginning and heres what i found
Airport express is joined to and existing wireless network and i have internet access....all good
I set up my Airport Extreme as follows:
                    Connect using :ethernet
              Ethernet Wan Port : automatic
              Connetion Sharing : Share a public IP address
Tcpip      Configue IPv4: Using DHCP
DHCP                   Begin address: 172.16.22.200
                           Ending address: 172.16.22.254
Wireless    Create a wireless network
                         Wireless network name Test1
                          wpa2 security
This is needed due to set ip address of device on this private network did not address NAT
Conneted Express ethernet port to Extreme wan port
All wired devices have internet access and i get a double nat status which ignore
however my wireless device will not connect.... sometimes they will they want
any suggestions

Here are sceeen shots of the Express

I have a canon scanner MP560 wireless. Needed to create new wireless network and now my computer can't find the scanner/fax..

My iMac doesnt' see my Canon MP560 wi fi scanner ever since I created a wireless network in my house. Can't find a way to change whatever settings i need to to connect the scanner. help.

Well let's see if we can help you get set up. Have you got any 2.4 GHz cordless phones in the house and if so try unplugging them and do a hard reset of the express.
1. unplug the express
2. press the reset button
3. while pressing the reset button plug in the base station
4. keep holding the rest button till you see 4 green lights flash
you may have to hold it for 30 seconds or so
if this doesn't work try plugging the express in right beside the computer and then going through the airport setup assistant
Good luck
Let me know
iMac G5 iSight 17" Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Can't create a wireless network without a wireless card on my Mac

Help!
O.k. I tried searching the forums for an answer but the odd nature of my problem, and the immense database of topics made it very difficult to find a similar post.
The general issue/idea:
Run a wireless network using Airport Extreme - Connect desktop mac via ethernet and Roku player via wi-fi. Can't get the desktop mac to connect via ethernet when I restart the network/Airport Extreme.
My Father in law has my old computer; It's a PowerMac G5 (Dual 1.8GHz CPUs) running OS 10.5.8), connected to internet via cable (TimeWarner) modem. It does NOT have an Airport or Airport Extreme card installed. The computer works fine, and I don't believe that I 'need' an Airport Card in order to use the Airport Extreme (it's a brand new/refurbished model) in the manner described below.
I would like to use the Airport Extreme to generate/run a wireless network (Do I need an Airport Card in order to generate/run a wireless network? Doesn't the AE actually do that?), connect the desktop Mac to the network via Ethernet (I shouldn't need an Airport Card to do that, should I?) and connect a 'Roku Player (802.11g capable) to the network via wi-fi.
As far as I know, this should be possible.
Basic steps/as I understand them:
A. Connect ethernet from cable modem to AE.
B. Connect ethernet from AE to desktop Mac.
C. Create the wireless network using desktop Mac and Airport Utility.
D. Restart AE to start the wireless network running.
E. Connect Roku to wireless network over wi-fi.
I have no problems with A & B. Once the AE is connected to the desktop Mac, I'm able to get internet via ethernet as it passes through the AE. I can then create a wireless network (step C.) using the Airport Utility (and setup assistant). The problem starts after I've configured the wireless network.
Once I've configured the wireless network, the Airport Utility software prompts me to restart the AE in order to start the wireless network.
As soon as I restart the AE, my desktop Mac tries to connect to the 'wireless' network, even though it's already connected via ethernet. I don't have a wireless card in the Mac, and I don't want to connect the desktop using wi-fi/wireless. It's connected via ethernet, works fine during configuration, and I don't ever anticipate a desire to connect the desktop via wi-fi.
No matter what I do, I can't get the desktop to connect via ethernet. The only network connection option I'm offered is 'Rescan'. O.k. the desktop can't find the wireless network (because it doesn't have a wireless card), and I'm unable to continue with the Airport Utility. I can't make any further changes to the network (the options to manually change the network configuration are not available as the desktop Mac cannot currently talk to the AE - It's still trying to connect wirelessly), and the desktop has no internet connection as it's trying to connect wirelessly.
*How can I...*
*Setup/run a wireless network, while keeping the desktop Mac connected via ethernet?*
I'm perfectly willing to factory reset the AE and start over.
Any help appreciated.
Thwarted by the network.
- Robert

My Father in law has my old computer; It's a PowerMac G5 (Dual 1.8GHz CPUs) running OS 10.5.8), connected to internet via cable (TimeWarner) modem. It does NOT have an Airport or Airport Extreme card installed. The computer works fine, and I don't believe that I 'need' an Airport Card in order to use the Airport Extreme (it's a brand new/refurbished model) in the manner described below.
That is correct, you could connect the PowerMac G5, via Ethernet, to the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) or any other wired router for Internet access. You do NOT need an AirPort Card for wired access ... ONLY if you want the G5 to connect to a wireless network.
I would like to use the Airport Extreme to generate/run a wireless network (Do I need an Airport Card in order to generate/run a wireless network? Doesn't the AE actually do that?)
That is correct, the AEBS is a wireless router that can provide a wireless network. The AirPort Card, on the other hand is a wireless adapter used to allow a Mac to connect to a wireless network, created by any wireless router ... not just those provided by Apple.
As far as I know, this should be possible.
Basic steps/as I understand them:
A. Connect ethernet from cable modem to AE.
B. Connect ethernet from AE to desktop Mac.
C. Create the wireless network using desktop Mac and Airport Utility.
D. Restart AE to start the wireless network running.
E. Connect Roku to wireless network over wi-fi.
Yes, these are all good assumptions.
As soon as I restart the AE, my desktop Mac tries to connect to the 'wireless' network, even though it's already connected via ethernet. I don't have a wireless card in the Mac, and I don't want to connect the desktop using wi-fi/wireless.
Do you actually have an AirPort Card installed in the G5 now? If so, then it might be possible that the "firing order" for network connectivity has AirPort at the top of the list under System Preferences > Network. Just change the order to have Ethernet at the top and disable AirPort to ensure that the G5 connects by Ethernet only.

Essential items to create a wireless mesh network

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for