Getting Started Guide Cisco Aironet 1530 Series Outdoor Access Points
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Table of Contents
Cisco Aironet 1530 Series Outdoor Access Points
Introduction to the Access Point
Becoming Familiar With the Access Point Antenna Mounting Configurations
Wall Mounting the Access Point with the Fixed Mounting Kit
Pole Mounting the Access Point with the Fixed Mount Kit
Avoiding Damage to Radios in a Testing Environment
Recording the Access Point MAC Address
Adding the Access Point MAC Address to the Wireless LAN Controller Filter List
Verifying Controller Association
Using a DHCP Server in a Layer 3 Mesh Network
Guidelines for Using the Access Point
Misconfigured Access Point IP address
Verifying the Controller MAC Filter List
Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory Information Cisco Aironet 1530 Series Outdoor Access Points
INCLUDING LICENSE AND WARRANTY
Introduction to the Access Point
Becoming Familiar With the Access Point
About this Guide
This guide is designed to familiarize you with your Cisco Aironet 1530 Series Outdoor Access Point and prepare it for use in your wireless network. For in-depth details on configuring a wireless mesh network, please see:
Detailed configuration information can also be found in the Cisco wireless LAN controller documentation for the controller and software release you are using. These documents are available on Cisco.com. Follow these steps to access these documents:
Step 1
Browse to http://www.cisco.com .
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Warnings
Safety warnings appear throughout this guide in procedures that may harm you if performed incorrectly. A warning symbol precedes each warning statement. The warnings below are general warnings that are applicable to the entire guide. Specific warnings are included in the sections to which they apply.
Warning This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the statement number provided at the end of each warning to locate its translation in the translated safety warnings that accompanied this device.
Statement 1071
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Warning Do not operate the unit near unshielded blasting caps or in an explosive environment unless the device has been modified to be especially qualified for such use.
Statement 364
Warning This equipment must be externally grounded using a customer-supplied ground wire before power is applied. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authority or an electrician if you are uncertain that suitable grounding is available.
Statement 366
Warning Read the installation instructions before connecting the system to the power source. Statement 1004
Warning Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this equipment. Statement 1030
Warning Ultimate disposal of this product should be handled according to all national laws and regulations. Statement 1040
Introduction to the Access Point
The Cisco Aironet 1530 Series Outdoor Access Point (hereafter called the access point or AP) is a rugged outdoor access point designed for service in outdoor and mesh networks. The 1530 series leverages 802.11n technology with integrated radio and internal/external antennas.
The 1530 contains a 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz radio with an option to configure in centralized, Flexconnect, or mesh mode. The 2.4-GHz radios are used primarily for local access, and the 5-GHz radios can be configured for both local access and/or wireless backhaul in the Mesh mode.
The access point is a standalone unit that can be wall, pole or tower mounted. The access point can also operate as a relay node for other access points not directly connected to a wired network. Intelligent wireless routing is provided by the Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol (AWPP). This enables each access point to identify its neighbors and intelligently choose the optimal path to the wired network by calculating the cost of each path in terms of signal strength and the number of hops required to get to a controller. The access point is configured, monitored, and operated through a Cisco wireless LAN controller (WLC), referred to as a controller in this document. The WLC is described in the appropriate Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide. The Cisco Mesh Networking Solution Deployment Guide describes how to plan and initially configure the Cisco mesh network, which supports wireless point-to-point and point-to-multipoint mesh deployments. The controllers use a browser-based management system, a command-line interface (CLI), or the Cisco Prime Infrastructure (CIP) network management system to manage the controller and the associated access points.
Unpacking the Access Point
Follow these steps to unpack the access point:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Optional Equipment
Depending on what you ordered, the following optional equipment may be part of your shipment:
- External antennas, depending on which ones you purchased (see “1532E Antennas” section for more information).
- Wall/Pole mount bracket, available as an option or a spare (AIR-ACC1530-PMK1[=])
- Wall/Pole mount bracket with tilt mechanism, spare only (AIR-ACC1530-PMK2=)
- AP cover / Solar Shield for 1532, spare only (AIR-ACC1530-CVR=)
- AC/DC power adapter, spare only (AIR-PWRADPT-1530=)
- Spare Parts kit containing extra cable glands, power connector, ground lug, etc. (AIR-ACC1530-KIT1=)
Non-Cisco Antennas
Cisco does not support any third-party antennas. RF connectivity and compliance of third party antennas is the customer’s responsibility. Cisco does not recommend any third-party antennas, and Cisco Technical Assistance Center will not be able to provide any support for third-party antennas. Cisco’s FCC Part 15 compliance is only guaranteed with Cisco antennas or antennas that are of the same design and gain as Cisco antennas.
Radio Configuration
There are two radio configurations for the 1532 AP radio, the 2-GHz MIMO radio and the 5-GHz MIMO radio. The 2-GHz MIMO radio operates in 2.4 GHz ISM band. It supports up to 13 channels. The 5-GHz MIMO radio operates in the UNII-2 band (5.25 – 5.35 GHz), the UNII-2 Extended/ETSI band (5.47 – 5.725 GHz), and the upper ISM band (5.725 – 5.875 GHz). It supports up to 16 channels.
Refer to the data sheet for the number of channels that are supported for each regulatory domain.
Becoming Familiar With the Access Point
The following illustrations show the access point connections. Before you begin the installation process, use these illustrations to familiarize yourself with the access point.
Note
Figure 1 and Figure 3 shows the access point bottom and top connectors for model AP 1532I. Figure 2 shows the bottom connectors for model AP 1532E. Figure 4 and Figure 5 show the left and right side connectors for both AP 1532 models.
Figure 1 Access Point Bottom Connectors - AP 1532I
Figure 2 Access Point Bottom Connectors - AP 1532E
Figure 3 Access Point Top Connectors - AP 1532E
Figure 4 Access Point Left Side Connectors - Both AP 1532 Models
Figure 5 Access Point DC Power Connector and Ground Lug (Both AP 1532 Models)
Radio Operation and Antennas
The AP 1532I uses an Integrated Low Profile Dual-Band 2.4/5 GHz Dipole Antenna Array. The antenna contains an array of three dual-band dipole antennas. The three dipole antennas are contained within this single radome, thereby greatly reducing the antenna’s visual footprint, and greatly reducing the possibility of snagging the antenna on the cable bundle, the RF cable, or test cables. The antennas operate over both 2.4 GHz and 5.25 – 5.85 GHz bands. Each of the three dipole antennas is a dual-band antenna, covering both the 2.4 – 2.483 GHz band, and the 5.25 – 5.85 GHz bands. The antennas have a peak gain of about 3 dBi at 2.4 GHz and 5 dBi at 5 GHz. The antenna unit is gray weatherproof radome for outdoor operation.
The 1532I access point 802.11b/g/n radio is used primarily for local access and its 802.11a/n radio for wireless backhaul in the Mesh.
The 2-GHz b/g/n radio operates in 2.4 GHz ISM band. It supports channels 1-11 in US, 1-13 in Europe, and 1-13 in Japan. It has three transmitters with a maximum total output power of 29dBm for 802.11b/g/n operation. Output power is configurable for 8 levels in 3 dB steps. It has three receivers that enables maximum-ratio combining (MRC).
The 5 GHz a/n radio operates in the UNII-2 band (5.25 - 5.35 GHz), UNII-2 Extended/ETSI band (5.47- 5.725 GHz), and the upper ISM band (5.725 - 5.850 GHz). It has two transmitters with a maximum total output power of 27 dBm depending on the regulatory domain. The total maximum output power for the upper ISM band is 27 dBm for A-domain. Tx power settings will change depending on the regulatory domain. Output power is configurable in 3 dB steps. Its three receivers enable maximum-ratio combining (MRC).
The 1532I access point is equipped with three integrated dual-band antennas with 3 dBi gain at 2 GHz and 5 dBi at 5 GHz.
Warning Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the antenna, take extreme care not to come into contact with such circuits, because they may cause serious injury or death. For proper installation and grounding of the antenna, please refer to national and local codes (for example, U.S.:NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Article 810, Canada: Canadian Electrical Code, Section 54). Statement 1052
Warning Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this equipment.
Statement 1030The 1532E is equipped with two N-type radio frequency (RF) connectors (antenna ports 1 and 2) on the bottom of the unit for external antennas to support multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation in dual-band mode, as shown in Figure 6 . The 1532E must always be operated with the two external antennas attached. When using the Cisco Aironet AIR-ANT2547V-N Dual-Band Omnidirectional Antenna, the 2.4- and 5-GHz antennas connect directly to the access point, as shown in Figure 7 . If the antennas are remotely located, an appropriate low-loss RF coax cable should be used.
The 1532E access point are equipped with 4 N-type radio frequency (RF) connectors (antenna ports 1 and 2 on the bottom of the unit for 2-GHz and antenna ports 3 and 4 on the top of the unit for 5-GHz) for external antennas to support multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation. The antenna ports located of top of the 1532E are shown in Figure 3 . The 1532E must always be operated with the appropriate external antennas attached. Ports 1 and 2 can be used for Dual Band operation with a software configuration.
Note
Figure 6 Access Point Bottom External Antenna Connectors - AP 1532E
Antenna Mounting Configurations
The selection of the antenna is determined in the configuration of the product. The 1532E antennas can be mounted on a wall, pole and/or tower mounted. See Antennas for a list of supported antennas.
Figure 7 Access Point Dual-Band Omnidirectional Antennas - Installed Only on AP 1532E
Antenna connected to antenna port 1(Type-N connector) (TX/RX)
Antenna connected to antenna port 2 (Type-N connector) (TX/RX)
Note
Power
Note
Warning Installation of the equipment must comply with local and national electrical codes. Statement 1074
Warning This equipment must be externally grounded using a customer-supplied ground wire before power is applied. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authority or an electrician if you are uncertain that suitable grounding is available. Statement 366
Warning Do not work on the system or connect or disconnect cables during periods of lightning activity. Statement 1001
The 1532E access point supports these power sources:
Caution Do not place the power injector in an unprotected outdoor environment because water could get into the power injector and cause a short circuit and possible fire.
Warning Connect the unit only to DC power source that complies with the Safety Extra-Low Voltage (SELV) requirements in IEC 60950 based safety standards Statement 1033
Power Injectors
The 1530 Series Access Points support the following power injectors:
- AIR-PWRINJ1500-2= — 100-240 VAC input, indoor use only
- AIR-PWRINJ-30= — 100-240 VAC input, indoor use only
Warning To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunication line cord. Statement 1023
Ethernet (PoE) Ports
The access point supports an Ethernet uplink port (PoE-In). The access point Ethernet uplink port uses an RJ-45 connector (with weatherproofing) to link the access point to the 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T or 1000BASE-T network. The Ethernet cable is used to send and receive Ethernet data and to optionally supply inline 56-VDC power from the power injector.
Tip The access point senses the Ethernet and power signals and automatically switches internal circuitry to match the cable connections.
Warning To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunication line cord. Statement 1023
The Ethernet cable must be a shielded outdoor rated Category 5e (CAT5e) or better cable. The access point senses the Ethernet and power signals and automatically switches internal circuitry to match the cable connections.
AP Pole/Wall Mount
This section provides instructions for installing your access point(s). Personnel installing the access point(s) must understand wireless access points and bridging techniques and grounding methods.
Caution All installation methods for mounting an access point on any wall surface is subject to the acceptance of local jurisdiction.Installation Options
Note
The 1530 Series Access Point can be wall, pole or tower mounted.There are two optional mounting kits: a fixed mounting kit (AIR-ACC1530-PMK1=) and a pivoting mounting kit (AIR-ACC1530-PMK2=).
Warning Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this equipment. Statement 1030
Warning Installation of the equipment must comply with local and national electric codes. Statement 1074
When mounting an access point on a horizontal or vertical surface, you must ensure that the access point is oriented with the LED indicators pointing down (see Figure 10). This positioning allows LEDs to be visible to someone on the ground below the access point.
You must also ensure the access point is mounted in such a way as to ensure that all anntenna ports and the console port are accessible for future use.
Wall Mounting the Access Point with the Fixed Mounting Kit
The optional fixed mounting kit contains a mounting bracket for wall mounting or pole mounting. You can use the mounting bracket as a template to mark the positions of the mounting holes for your installation. You then install the mounting plate, and attach the access point when you are ready. Table 1 lists the materials you will need to provide in addition to the fixed mounting kit.
Table 1 Material Needed to Mount Access Point to a Vertical Wall
Caution The mounting surface, attaching screws and optional wall anchors must be able to support a 50-lb (22.7 kg) static weight.To mount the access point on a vertical wall, follow these instructions:
Step 1
Figure 8 Mounting Bracket for Wall or Pole Mounting
Step 2
Note
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Pole Mounting the Access Point with the Fixed Mount Kit
The optional fixed mounting kit contains a mounting bracket for wall mounting or pole mounting.This kit can be used to install the access point on a pole, mast or streetlight. It supports metal, wood or fiberglass poles from 2 to 8 inches in diameter.
Table 2 Materials Needed to Mount the AP on a Vertical Pole
To mount the access point onto a vertical pole or streetlight pole, follow these steps:
Step 1
Note If you will be using a streetlight power tap adapter, position the access point within 3 ft (1 m) of the outdoor light control. The AC/DC adapter must be used with street light power tap.
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Note The access point should be positioned with the LEDs on the bottom to allow viewing from the ground.
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Figure 9 AP and Fixed Mount Kit Installed on a Pole
Grounding the Access Point
The access point must be grounded before connecting power.
Warning This equipment must be externally grounded using a customer-supplied ground wire before power is applied. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authority or an electrician if you are uncertain that suitable grounding is available. Statement 366
Warning Installation of the equipment must comply with local and national electrical codes. Statement 1074
In all outdoor installations and when powering the access point with AC power, you must follow these instructions to properly ground the access point:
Step 1
Step 2
Note The grounding lug and hardware used must comply with local and national electrical codes.
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Preparing the Access Point
The access point is a radio device which is susceptible to common causes of interference that can reduce throughput and range. Follow these basic guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:
- For information on planning and initially configuring your Cisco mesh network, refer to the Cisco Wireless Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.6. These documents are available on Cisco.com.
- Do not install the access point in an area where structures, trees, or hills obstruct radio signals to and from the access point.
- You can install the access point at any height, but best throughput is achieved when the access points are mounted at the same height.
Note
Note
Avoiding Damage to Radios in a Testing Environment
The radios on outdoor units (bridges) have higher transmit power levels than radios on indoor units (access points). When you test radios in a link, you must avoid exceeding the maximum receive input level of the receiver. At levels higher than the normal operating range and packet error rate (PER) performance of the receiver is degraded. At even higher levels, the receiver can be permanently damaged.
To avoid receiver damage and PER degradation, you can use one of the following techniques:
- Separate the omnidirectional antennas by at least 2 ft (0.6 m) to avoid receiver damage or by at least 25 ft (7.6 m) to avoid PER degradation.
- Reduce the configured transmit power to the minimum level.
- Cable the radios together using a combination of attenuators, combiners, or splitters to achieve a total attenuation of at least 60 dB.
For a radiated test bed, the following equation describes the relationships among transmit power, antenna gain, attenuation, and receiver sensitivity:
For a conducted test bed, the following equation describes the relationships among transmit power, antenna gain, and receiver sensitivity:
Caution Under no circumstances should you connect the antenna port from one access point to the antenna port of another access point without using an RF attenuator. If you connect antenna ports you must not exceed the maximum survivable receive level of 0 dBm. Never exceed 0 dBm or damage to the access point can occur. Using attenuators, combiners, and splitters having a total of at least 60 dB of attenuation ensures that the receiver is not damaged and PER performance is not degraded.Before You Begin
Warning Read the installation instructions before connecting the system to the power source. Statement 1004
Before you begin the installation process:
- Become familiar with the procedures for mounting the access point (see the AP Pole/Wall Mount).
- Become familiar with the access point connections ( Figure 1 , Figure 4 , and Figure 5 ).
- Verify that the switch you are using to connect the controller is configured properly.
Deploying the Access Point
The following portions of this manual address how to deploy the Access Point. There are several deployment methods.
Warning Do not operate the unit near unshielded blasting caps or in an explosive environment unless the device has been modified to be especially qualified for such use. Statement 364
Controller-based Deployments
The access point is deployed on Layer 3 networks. Layer 3 is the default mode for a newly configured wireless LAN controller. This guide assumes that you will be deploying your access point on a Layer 3 network and a DHCP server is available.
Before deploying the access point, make sure the controller to which the access point will associate is properly configured by performing the following operations:
Recording the Access Point MAC Address
Use a text file to record the MAC address of all the access points you intend to deploy in your network. Having a file of the access point MAC addresses will be of considerable value for future testing. While you are compiling the list, you might want to change the name of the access point to something you can easily remember. The name can contain up to 32 characters. The following example, fisher_street:ea:co contains the last four HEX characters of the access point MAC address.
Adding the Access Point MAC Address to the Wireless LAN Controller
Filter ListThe wireless LAN controller maintains an access point authorization MAC address list and responds to discovery requests from access points on that list. To add the access point MAC address (or MAC addresses) to the Wireless LAN controller filter list, follow these steps:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 10
Note You can also use the controller CLI command config macfilter add to add a MAC filter entry on the controller.
Step 11
Verifying Controller Association
To verify that your access point is associated to the wireless LAN controller, perform these steps:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Using a DHCP Server in a Layer 3 Mesh Network
To use a DHCP server in a Layer 3 mesh network, you must configure DHCP option 43 on the DHCP server. After the controller is restarted, the access point receives IP addresses from the DHCP server.
Configuring DHCP Option 43
You can use DHCP Option 43 to provide a list of controller IP addresses to the access points, enabling each access point to find and join a controller. This section contains a DHCP Option 43 configuration example on a Microsoft Windows 2003 Enterprise DHCP server for use with Cisco Aironet lightweight access points.
Additional information about Microsoft DHCP Option 43 is available on Cisco.com at the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk722/tk809/technologies_configuration_example09186a00808714fe.shtml
DHCP Option 43 server implementation information for Cisco IOS is available at cisco.com at the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/technology/controller/deployment/guide/dep.html#wp1068287
Note
Note
Cisco 1532 access points use the type-length-value (TLV) format for DHCP Option 43. DHCP servers must be programmed to return the option based on the DHCP Vendor Class Identifier (VCI) string (DHCP Option 60) of the access point. The VCI string for the Cisco 1532 access point is
Cisco AP c1530.The format of the TLV block for the 1532 access point is listed below:
Configuring Option 43 for Cisco 1532 Access Points
To configure DHCP Option 43 for Cisco 1532 access point in the embedded Cisco IOS DHCP server, follow these steps:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
For the VCI string, use the value from Configuring DHCP Option 43 . The quotation marks must be included.
Step 4
The hex string is assembled by concatenating the TLV values shown below:
Type is always f1(hex) . Length is the number of controller management IP addresses times 4 in hex. Value is the IP address of the controller listed sequentially in hex.
For example, suppose that there are two controllers with management interface IP addresses, 10.126.126.2 and 10.127.127.2. The type is f1(hex). The length is 2 * 4 = 8 = 08 (hex) . The IP addresses translate to 0a7e7e02 and 0a7f7f02 . Assembling the string then yields f1080a7e7e020a7f7f02. The resulting Cisco IOS command added to the DHCP scope is listed below:
Autonomous Mode Configuration
The 1530 Series allows the Unified (controller-based) and Autonomous mode software to be loaded at the factory on the same hardware part number. This eliminates the need for separate part numbers for controller-based units and autonomous mode units.
At boot-up, the default mode is controller-based. The 1530 will power up and begin searching for a controller. Once it joins the controller, it will download the active Unified image from the controller. This is the same operation as other Cisco controller-based APs.
For Autonomous mode, the user should take the following steps:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 5
Step 6
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/15-3-3/configuration/guide/cg15-3-3.html
In Case of Difficulty
Help is available from Cisco should you experience difficulties; however, before contacting Cisco, look for a solution to your problem in the following places:
- The Troubleshooting section of this guide
- The Troubleshooting a Mesh Network troubleshooting guide found on cisco.com at
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps8368/prod_troubleshooting_guides_list.html- The Tools and Resources section on the Technical Support and Documentation page at cisco.com
Follow these steps to contact the Technical Assistance Center on cisco.com:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Note Click My Tech Support if you are a registered user.
Step 4
Troubleshooting
This section provides troubleshooting procedures for basic problems with the access point. For the most up-to-date, detailed troubleshooting information, refer to the Cisco Support website at cisco.com.
Guidelines for Using the Access Point
You should keep these guidelines in mind when you use the access point:
- The access point supports Layer 3 CAPWAP communications with the controllers. In Layer 3 operation, the access point and the controller can be on the same or different subnets. The access point communicates with the controller using standard IP packets. Layer 3 operation is scalable and is recommended by Cisco. Unless it has a static IP address, a Layer 3 access point on a different subnet than the controller requires a DHCP server on the access point subnet and a route to the controller. The route to the controller must have destination UDP ports 12222 and 12223 open for CAPWAP communications. The routes to the primary, secondary, and tertiary controllers must allow IP packet fragments.
- Before deploying your mesh access points ensure that the following has been done:
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Checking the LEDs
One LED is located between the LAN and PoE-In connectors. It indicates the status of the access point power, uplinks and radios. Figure 10 identifies and describes the LED functions. Table 3 provides additional LED signal information.
Figure 10 Access Point LEDs –Shown on the Bottom of AP 1532E
Table 3 Access Point LED Signals
Note
Misconfigured Access Point IP address
IP address misconfiguration can occur when you are re-addressing a segment of your mesh network and you start at the mesh access point connected to the wired network (RAP). To avoid this problem, always start the IP address changes from the farthest access point and work your way back to the root access point. This problem might also happen if you move equipment such as uninstalling amesh access point and then redeploying with a different IP subnet in another physical location on the mesh network.
Another option to fix this misconfigured IP address is to physically take a controller in Layer 3 mode with a root access point to the location of the misconfigured mesh access point. Set the bridge group name for the root access point to match the misconfigured access point. Add the access point MAC address to the filter list of the controller. When the misconfigured access point appears in the Summary page of the controller, configure the access point with an IP address.
If you are using a static IP address on the access point and plan on redeploying the access point on another subnet, perform a clear config command from the controller for that access point while it is joined before you remove it from the network.
Verifying the Controller MAC Filter List
Prior to activating your access point, you must ensure that the access point MAC address has been added to the controller MAC Filter list and that Mac Filter List is enabled. To view the MAC addresses added to the controller MAC filter list and ensure the MAC filter list is enabled, you can use the controller CLI or the controller GUI.
Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory Information
For the declarations of conformity and regulatory information for the Cisco 1532 Access Point, see the Appendix Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory Information in the Cisco Aironet 1530 Series Outdoor Access Point Hardware Installation Guide.
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