Installing the Access Point

Installing an AP involves the following high-level tasks.

Unpacking the Package

Package Contents

Each AP package contains the following items:

  • One CW9178I AP

  • Orderable mounting brackets: AIR-AP-BRACKET-1= and AIR-AP-BRACKET-2=

  • Orderable ceiling rail clips: AIR-CHNL-ADAPTER, AIR-AP-T-RAIL-F=, and AIR-AP-T-RAIL-R=

Unpacking the Access Point

Procedure

Step 1

Unpack and remove the access point and the selected mounting accessory kit from the shipping box.

Step 2

Return the packing material to the shipping container and save it for future use.

Step 3

Verify that you have received all the items you ordered. If any item is missing or is damaged, contact your Cisco representative or reseller for instructions.

Cisco Orderable Accessories

You can order the following accessories separately, from Cisco:

  • AP-mounting brackets to mount the AP

    Mounting Brackets

    Description

    AIR-AP-T-RAIL-R=

    Recessed ceiling grid clip

    AIR-AP-T-RAIL-F=

    Flush ceiling grid clip

    AIR-CHNL-ADAPTER=

    T-RAIL channel adapter

  • Power injectors when Power over Ethernet (PoE) is not available

    Power Supply

    Description

    CW-INJ-8

    Meraki 802.3bt PoE injector

    Power Specifications: 60W, 10 Gbps Ethernet

    For more information, see power injector data sheet.

    AIR-PWRINJ7=

    Mid-span power injector AIR-PWRINJ7= when (PoE) is not available

    Power specifications: 50W, 56VDC

    For more information, see the power injector data sheet.

    AIR-PWRINJ6=

    A 802.3at power injector when PoE is not available

    Power Specifications: 30W, 55VDC

    For more information, see the power injector data sheet.

    MA-INJ-6-x

    Meraki 802.3bt PoE injector

    Power Specifications: 60W, 55VDC

    For more information, see the power injector data sheet.

Performing a Preinstallation Configuration

The following procedures describe the processes to ensure that your AP installation and initial operation go as expected.


Note
Performing a preinstallation configuration is an optional procedure. If your network controller is properly configured, you can install your AP in its final location and connect it to the network from there. For more information, see Deploying the Access Point on a Wireless Network.
The following illustration shows the preinstallation configuration setup:

Perform the following steps:

Before you begin

Ensure that the Cisco Controller Distribution System (DS) port is connected to the network. Use the procedure for CLI or GUI, as described in the release-appropriate Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller Software Configuration Guide.

  • Enable Layer 3 connectivity between APs, Cisco Controller Management, and AP-Manager interface.

  • Configure the switch to which your AP has to attach. See the Cisco Wireless Controller Configuration Guide for the release you are using, for additional information.

  • Ensure that the DHCP is enabled on the network. The AP must receive its IP address through DHCP.


    Note
    An AP is assigned an IP address from the DHCP server only if a default router (gateway) is configured on the DHCP server (enabling the AP to receive its gateway IP address) and the gateway ARP is resolved.

  • CAPWAP UDP ports must not be blocked in the network.

  • The AP must be able to find the IP address of the controller. This can be accomplished using DHCP, DNS, or IP subnet broadcast. This guide describes the DHCP method to convey the controller IP address. For other methods, see the product documentation. See also Configuring DHCP Option 43 for more information.


    Note

    • The AP requires a 10G Ethernet link to prevent the Ethernet port from becoming a bottleneck for traffic.

Procedure

Step 1

Power the AP using a supported power source.

See Powering the Access Point.

  • The AP checks for cloud connectivity and attempts to connect to the Meraki dashboard.

  • If the AP is unable to find cloud connectivity, it uses fast offline migration to look for a Cisco Catalyst 9800 Controller. The AP uses DHCP, DNS, and L2 discovery mechanisms for the migration. For more information, see Global Use Access Points.

    Note

     

    The AP should not have cloud connectivity from its subnet if it intends to connect to a controller. If the AP joins a Meraki Dashboard, it can be later migrated to a controller.

Once the AP discovers the controller, it performs a firmware image download and reboots.

Step 2

If the preinstallation configuration is successful, the Status LED is green, indicating normal operation. Disconnect the AP and mount it on the location at which you intend to deploy it on the wireless network.

Step 3

If your AP does not indicate normal operation, turn it off and repeat the preinstallation configuration.

Note

 
When you are installing a Layer 3 access point on a subnet that is different from the Catalyst 9800 controller, ensure that the following setup is configured:

  • A DHCP server is reachable from the subnet on which you plan to install the AP.

  • The subnet has a route back to the controller.

  • This route has destination UDP ports 5246 and 5247 open for CAPWAP communications.

  • The route back to the primary, secondary, and tertiary controller allows IP packet fragments.

  • If address translation is used, the access point and the controller have a static 1-to-1 NAT to an outside address. Port Address Translation is not supported.

Preinstallation Checks and Installation Guidelines

Before you mount and deploy your access point, we recommend that you perform a site survey (or use the Site Planning tool) to determine the best location to install your access point.

You should have the following information about your wireless network available:

  • Access point locations

  • Access point mounting options:

    • Below a suspended ceiling

    • on a flat horizontal surface

    • on top of a desk


Note
You can mount the access point above a suspended ceiling, but you must purchase additional mounting hardware. For more information, see Mounting the Access Point.

  • Access point power options: Use either of the following options to power the AP:

    • Cisco-approved power injector

    • PoE with a supporting switch


    Note

    • The Underwriter Laboratories (UL)-approved Listed Power Adapter must meet the following minimum specifications: Rated output of 42.5 to 57 Vdc, min. 1.25-0.93A, Tma of 50°C minimum, altitude of 3048m minimum.

    • If 802.3af is used, all the radios get switched off. Ethernet gets downgraded to 1 GbE. The Wi-Fi client serving radios and IoT radio are switched off.

  • Operating temperature:

    • CW9178I: 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C)


    Note
    When installing the AP in an environment where the ambient temperature is in the range of 104°and 122°F (>40° and 50°C), the access point configuration changes.

    • 802.3bt: Radios scale to 2x2, both the ethernet ports links remains at 10G, and the USB remains enabled.

    • 802.3at: Radios scale to 2x2, the ethernet port 0 link remains at 10G, ethernet port 1 is disabled, and the USB is disabled.

  • Console access using the console port

    We recommend that you use a console cable that is one meter or less in length.


    Note
    The AP may face issues while booting if you use an unterminated console cable (not plugged into any device or terminal) or a console cable that is more than one meter in length.

We recommend that you make a site map showing access point locations so that you can record the device MAC addresses from each location and return them to the person who is planning or managing your wireless network.

Mounting the Access Point

CW9178I can be mounted in the following places:

  • Suspended ceiling

  • Hard ceiling

  • Wall

  • Electrical or network box

  • Above a suspended ceiling

For detailed instructions on mounting the AP, see the Access Point Mounting Instructions document at:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/mounting/guide/apmount.html.

The standard mounting hardware supported by the AP are listed in the following table.

Table 1. Brackets and Clips to Mount the AP
Mounting Type Part Number Description

Brackets123

AIR-AP-BRACKET-1

Low-profile bracket: Used for ceiling-mount installations. (This is the default option.)

AIR-AP-BRACKET-2

Universal bracket: Used for wall or electrical box installations.

Clips

AIR-AP-T-RAIL-R

Ceiling grid clip (recessed mounting). (This is the default option.)

AIR-AP-T-RAIL-F

Ceiling grid clip (flush mounting).

AIR-CHNL-ADAPTER

Optional adapter for channel-rail ceiling grid profile.
1 Mount the AP using no less than four screw holes on a bracket.
2 AIR-AP-BRACKET-3 is not compatible for use with Cisco CW9178I access points.
3 You can also use the in-tile mounting options available from third parties. For more information, see the access point data sheet.

When mounting the AP in areas where there is a possibility of the AP being knocked off the mounting bracket, use the lock hasp at the back of the AP to lock it to the bracket.

Powering the Access Point


Caution
Ensure that the AP is powered using a Underwriters' Laboratories-compliant (UL-compliant) PoE power source. You must connect the unit only to the PoE network, without routing to the outside plant.

The AP can be powered only through PoE using the following:

Power Source

2.4-GHz radio

5-GHz radio

6-GHz radio

Link speed

USB

Max POE power consumption

802.3bt (Class 6) (UPOE)

4x4

4x4(LB) + 4x4(HB)

4x4

2x 10G

Y (9W)

47W

802.3at (PoE+) (Quad Radio mode)

2x2

2x2 (LB) + 2x2 (HB)

2x2

2x 2.5 G

N

25.5W

802.3at (POE+)(Tri Radio Mode)

2x2

4x4 (FB)

2x2

2x 1G

-

25.5W

802.3af (PoE)

-

-

-

1x 1G

N

13.95W