Configuring Cisco 9130AX WAPs on Cisco 9800 Wireless Controller

Configuring Cisco 9130AX wireless access points (APs) on a Cisco 9800 wireless controller involves several steps, including preparing the controller, adding and configuring the APs, and setting up wireless networks.

In a previous post I explained how to configure a pair of Cisco 9800-CL controllers for HA SSO.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process:

1: Prepare the Wireless Controller

1. Access the Controller:
   • Use a web browser to access the Cisco 9800 wireless controller’s web interface via its management IP address.
   • Log in with your admin credentials.
2. Initial Setup:
   • If this is the first time setting up the controller, follow the initial setup wizard to configure the basic settings (management IP, hostname, etc.).

2: Configure the Controller for AP Registration

1. Add a DHCP Scope (if not already configured):
   • Navigate to Configuration > Layer 2 > DHCP > Pools.
   • Click Add to create a new DHCP scope.
   • Define the DHCP pool with the required IP range, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers.
   • Ensure option 43 is set to point to the IP address of the wireless controller.
2. Enable CAPWAP (Control And Provisioning of Wireless Access Points):
   • Ensure CAPWAP is enabled on the controller, which is typically enabled by default.

3: Add and Configure the Access Points

1. Connect the APs to the Network:
   • Connect the Cisco 9130AX APs to the network where they can obtain an IP address from the DHCP server and reach the wireless controller.
2. AP Discovery and Registration:
   • The APs should automatically discover and register with the wireless controller via the CAPWAP protocol.
   • Verify AP registration by navigating to Monitoring > Wireless > Access Points on the controller web interface.
3. Create a Site Tag (optional but recommended for better management):
   • Navigate to Configuration > Tags & Profiles > Tags > Site.
   • Click Add to create a new site tag.
   • Define the settings for the site tag (name, associated policies, etc.).
4. Create Policy and RF Tags:
   • Click on Configuration > Tags & Profiles > Tags > Policy to create a policy tag.
   • Navigate to Configuration > Tags & Profiles > Tags > RF to create an RF tag.
5. Assign Tags to APs:
   • SelectConfiguration > Wireless > Access Points.
   • Select the APs to configure, and click Edit.
   • Assign the appropriate site, policy, and RF tags to the selected APs.

4: Configure WLANs (Wireless LANs)

1. Create a New WLAN:
   • Navigate to Configuration > Wireless > WLANs.
   • Click Add to create a new WLAN.
   • Define the WLAN profile name, SSID, and other general settings.
   • Configure security settings (WPA2, WPA3, 802.1X, PSK, etc.) under the security tab.
2. Apply the WLAN to a Policy Profile:
   • Navigate to Configuration > Tags & Profiles > Policy > Profile Name.
   • Under the WLAN tab, add the newly created WLAN to the policy profile.

5: Verify the Configuration

1. Check AP Status:
   • Navigate to Monitoring > Wireless > Access Points to ensure all APs are online and functioning properly.
2. Test the WLAN:
   • Connect a wireless client to the newly configured SSID and verify connectivity, authentication, and network access.
3. Monitor Performance:
   • Use the monitoring tools on the controller to check the performance and status of the APs and clients.

6: Fine-Tuning and Maintenance

1. Adjust RF Settings:
   • Optimize the RF environment by adjusting channel and power settings if necessary.
2. Firmware Updates:
   • Keep the APs and the wireless controller firmware up to date for security and performance improvements.
3. Regular Monitoring:
   • Regularly monitor the network using the Cisco 9800’s monitoring tools to ensure optimal performance and quickly address any issues.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully configure Cisco 9130AX wireless access points on a Cisco 9800 wireless controller.