Administrating the Access Point

This chapter describes how to administrate the wireless device. This chapter contains the following sections:

Disabling the Mode Button

You can disable the mode button on access points having a console port by using the global configuration [no] boot mode-button command. This command prevents password recovery and is used to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to the access point CLI.

Caution This command disables password recovery. If you lose the privileged EXEC mode password for the access point after entering this command, you will need to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to regain access to the access point CLI.

The mode button is enabled by default. Beginning in the privilege EXEC mode, follow these steps to disable the access point mode button.

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

no boot mode-button

Disables the access point mode button.

Step 3

end

Note It is not necessary to save the configuration.

You can check the status of the mode-button by executing the show boot or show boot mode-button commands in the privileged EXEC mode. The status does not appear in the running configuration. The following shows a typical response to the show boot and show boot mode-button commands:

ap#show boot
BOOT path-list: flash:/ap3g2-k9w7-mx.152-4.JA1/ap3g2-k9w7-mx.152-4.JA1
Config file: flash:/config.txt
Private Config file: flash:/private-config
Enable Break: yes
Manual Boot: no
Enable IOS Break: no
HELPER path-list:
NVRAM/Config file
buffer size: 32768
Mode Button: on
Radio Core TFTP:
ap#
 

Note As long as the privileged EXEC password is known, you can restore the mode button to normal operation using the global configuration boot mode-button command.

Preventing Unauthorized Access to Your Access Point

You can prevent unauthorized users from reconfiguring the wireless device and viewing configuration information. Typically, you want network administrators to have access to the wireless device while you restrict access to users who connect through a terminal or workstation from within the local network.

To prevent unauthorized access to the wireless device, you should configure one of these security features:

  • Username and password pairs, which are locally stored on the wireless device. These pairs authenticate each user before that user can access the wireless device. You can also assign a specific privilege level (read only or read/write) to each username and password pair. For more information, see the “Configuring Username and Password Pairs” section. The default username is Cisco, and the default password is Cisco. Usernames and passwords are case-sensitive.

Note Characters TAB, ?, $, +, and [ are invalid characters for passwords.

Protecting Access to Privileged EXEC Commands

A simple way of providing terminal access control in your network is to use passwords and assign privilege levels. Password protection restricts access to a network or network device. Privilege levels define what commands users can issue after they have logged into a network device.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this section, refer to the Cisco IOS Security Command Reference for Release 12.3.

This section describes how to control access to the configuration file and privileged EXEC commands. It contains this configuration information:

Default Password and Privilege Level Configuration

Table 5-1 shows the default password and privilege level configuration.

 

Table 5-1 Default Password and Privilege Levels

Feature
Default Setting

Username and password

Default username is Cisco and the default password is Cisco.

Enable password and privilege level

Default password is Cisco. The default is level 15 (privileged EXEC level). The password is encrypted in the configuration file.

Enable secret password and privilege level

The default enable password is Cisco. The default is level 15 (privileged EXEC level). The password is encrypted before it is written to the configuration file.

Line password

Default password is Cisco. The password is encrypted in the configuration file.

Setting or Changing a Static Enable Password

The enable password controls access to the privileged EXEC mode.

Note The no enable password global configuration command removes the enable password, but you should use extreme care when using this command. If you remove the enable password, you are locked out of the EXEC mode.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to set or change a static enable password:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

enable password password

Define a new password or change an existing password for access to privileged EXEC mode.

The default password is Cisco.

For password , specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters. The string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows spaces but ignores leading spaces. It can contain the question mark (?) character if you precede the question mark with the key combination Crtl-V when you create the password; for example, to create the password abc?123, do this:

1. Enter abc .

2. Enter Crtl-V .

3. Enter ?123 .

When the system prompts you to enter the enable password, you need not precede the question mark with the Ctrl-V; you can simply enter abc?123 at the password prompt.

Note Characters TAB, ?, $, +, and [ are invalid characters for passwords.

Step 3

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 4

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 5

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

The enable password is not encrypted and can be read in the wireless device configuration file.

This example shows how to change the enable password to l1u2c3k4y5 . The password is not encrypted and provides access to level 15 (traditional privileged EXEC mode access):

AP(config)# enable password l1u2c3k4y5

Protecting Enable and Enable Secret Passwords with Encryption

To provide an additional layer of security, particularly for passwords that cross the network or that are stored on a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server, you can use either the enable password or enable secret global configuration commands. Both commands accomplish the same thing; that is, you can establish an encrypted password that users must enter to access privileged EXEC mode (the default) or any privilege level you specify.

We recommend that you use the enable secret command because it uses an improved encryption algorithm.

If you configure the enable secret command, it takes precedence over the enable password command; the two commands cannot be in effect simultaneously.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure encryption for enable and enable secret passwords:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

enable password [ level level ] { password | encryption-type encrypted- password }

or

enable secret [ level level ] { password | encryption-type encrypted- password }

Define a new password or change an existing password for access to privileged EXEC mode.

or

Define a secret password, which is saved using a nonreversible encryption method.

  • (Optional) For level , the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is normal user EXEC mode privileges. The default level is 15 (privileged EXEC mode privileges).
  • For password , specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters. The string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows spaces but ignores leading spaces. By default, no password is defined.
  • (Optional) For encryption-type , both type 0 and type 7 are available. Encryption type 0 is for providing an unencrypted password. Encryption type 7 is for providing an encrypted password. Both types are taken and the password string is converted into an encryption type 5, a Cisco proprietary encryption algorithm. .

Note If you specify an encryption type and then enter a clear text password, you can not re-enter privileged EXEC mode. You cannot recover a lost encrypted password by any method.

Step 3

service password-encryption

(Optional) Encrypt the password when the password is defined or when the configuration is written.

Encryption prevents the password from being readable in the configuration file.

Step 4

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 5

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

If both the enable and enable secret passwords are defined, users must enter the enable secret password.

Use the level keyword to define a password for a specific privilege level. After you specify the level and set a password, give the password only to users who need to have access at this level. Use the privilege level global configuration command to specify commands accessible at various levels. For more information, see the “Configuring Multiple Privilege Levels” section.

If you enable password encryption, it applies to all passwords including username passwords, authentication key passwords, the privileged command password, and console and virtual terminal line passwords.

To remove a password and level, use the no enable password [ level level ] or no enable secret [ level level ] global configuration command. To disable password encryption, use the no service password-encryption global configuration command.

This example shows how to configure the encrypted password $1$FaD0$Xyti5Rkls3LoyxzS8 for privilege level 2:

AP(config)# enable secret level 2 5 $1$FaD0$Xyti5Rkls3LoyxzS8

Configuring Username and Password Pairs

You can configure username and password pairs, which are locally stored on the wireless device. These pairs are assigned to lines or interfaces and authenticate each user before that user can access the wireless device. If you have defined privilege levels, you can also assign a specific privilege level (with associated rights and privileges) to each username and password pair.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to establish a username-based authentication system that requests a login username and a password:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

login local

Enable local password checking at login time. Authentication is based on the username specified in Step 2.

Step 3

username name [ privilege level ] { password encryption-type password }

Enter the username, privilege level, and password for each user.

  • For name , specify the user ID as one word. Spaces and quotation marks are not allowed.
  • (Optional) For level , specify the privilege level the user has after gaining access. The range is 0 to 15. Level 15 gives privileged EXEC mode access. Level 1 gives user EXEC mode access.
  • For encryption-type , enter 0 to specify that an unencrypted password will follow. Enter 7 to specify that a hidden password will follow.
  • For password , specify the password the user must enter to gain access to the wireless device. The password must be from 1 to 25 characters, can contain embedded spaces, and must be the last option specified in the username command.

Step 4

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 5

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

To disable username authentication for a specific user, use the no username name global configuration command.

To disable password checking and allow connections without a password, use the no login line configuration command.

Note You must have at least one username configured and you must have login local set to open a Telnet session to the wireless device. If you enter the only username for the no username command, you can be locked out of the wireless device.

Alternatively, you can disable username verification for telnet with the line configuration command no login. You can then login to the AP with user verification, and then you will need the enable password (or enable secret) commands to gain privilege exec level. You can also grant this level by default to the telnet line with the command privilege level 15.

Note If you use both the no login and privilege level 15 commands, any telnet client connecting to the AP will have full privilege access to the AP.

ap(config)# line vty 0 4
ap(config-line)# no login
ap(config-line)# privilege level 15

 

Configuring Multiple Privilege Levels

By default, Cisco IOS software has two modes of password security: user EXEC and privileged EXEC. You can configure up to 16 hierarchical levels of commands for each mode. By configuring multiple passwords, you can allow different sets of users to have access to specified commands.

For example, if you want many users to have access to the clear line command, you can assign it level 2 security and distribute the level 2 password fairly widely. But if you want more restricted access to the configure command, you can assign it level 3 security and distribute that password to a more restricted group of users.

This section includes this configuration information:

Setting the Privilege Level for a Command

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to set the privilege level for a command mode:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

privilege mode level level command

Set the privilege level for a command.

  • For mode , enter configure for global configuration mode, exec for EXEC mode, interface for interface configuration mode, or line for line configuration mode.
  • For level , the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is for normal user EXEC mode privileges. Level 15 is the level of access permitted by the enable password.
  • For command , specify the command to which you want to restrict access.

Step 3

enable password level level password

Specify the enable password for the privilege level.

  • For level , the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is for normal user EXEC mode privileges.
  • For password , specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters. The string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows spaces but ignores leading spaces. By default, no password is defined.

Note Characters TAB, ?, $, +, and [ are invalid characters for passwords.

Step 4

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 5

show running-config

or

show privilege

Verify your entries.

The first command displays the password and access level configuration. The second command displays the privilege level configuration.

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

When you set a command to a privilege level, all commands whose syntax is a subset of that command are also set to that level. For example, if you set the show ip route command to level 15, the show commands and show ip commands are automatically set to privilege level 15 unless you set them individually to different levels.

To return to the default privilege for a given command, use the no privilege mode level level command global configuration command.

This example shows how to set the configure command to privilege level 14 and define SecretPswd14 as the password users must enter to use level 14 commands:

AP(config)# privilege exec level 14 configure
AP(config)# enable password level 14 SecretPswd14

Logging Into and Exiting a Privilege Level

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to log in to a specified privilege level and to exit to a specified privilege level:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

enable level

Log in to a specified privilege level.

For level , the range is 0 to 15.

Step 2

disable level

Exit to a specified privilege level.

For level , the range is 0 to 15.

Configuring Easy Setup

You can now configure a network and radio in a single screen using the Easy Setup.

Network Configuration

To configure an access point using the network configuration, enter the values for the following fields:

  • Hostname
  • Server protocol (DHCP / Static)
  • IP Address
  • IP Subnet
  • Default Gateway
  • IPv6 Protocol (DHCP / Autoconfig / Static IP)
  • IPV6 address
  • Username
  • Password
  • SNMP Community
  • Current SSID list (list SSIDs configured to the access point)

Radio Configuration

To configure an access point using Radio Configuration, configure the following fields:

  • SSID—a 32 byte string.
  • Broadcast SSID in beacon
  • Security
  • Role in Radio Network

– Access point—Root device. This setting can be applied to any access point.

– Repeater—Nonroot device. This setting also can be applied to any access point.

– Root Bridge—This setting can be applied to any access point.

– Non-Root Bridge—This setting can be applied to any access point.

– Workgroup Bridge—This setting can be applied to any access point.

– Universal Workgroup Bridge

– Scanner—Access point functions as a network monitoring device. It continuously scans and reports wireless traffic that it detects from other wireless devices on the wireless LAN in this mode. All access points can be configured as a scanner.

– Spectrum—See Configuring Spectrum Expert Mode.

  • Optimize Radio Network—You can either select preconfigured settings or customize the settings for the wireless device radio.
  • Aironet Extensions—You can enable this setting only if there are Cisco Aironet wireless devices on your wireless LAN.
  • Channel
  • Power

Click Factory Reset to reset the access point to the factory settings. To reload the access point image, click Reboot AP .

Configuring Spectrum Expert Mode

The Spectrum Expert mode is supported in all CleanAir-enabled access points such as the AP3500, AP3600, AP2600, and AP1550 series. When configured as a dedicated Spectrum Sensor, a Spectrum Expert Connect autonomous access point can be connected to the Cisco Spectrum Expert. Spectrum Expert Mode is a separate mode and is not a subset of the Monitor Mode.

To enable the Spectrum Expert Mode, follow these steps:

Step 1 Click the Spectrum Expert icon.

Step 2 Choose Network > Network Interface.

Step 3 Click Radio0-802.11n 2G.Hz or Radio0-802.11n 5G.Hz

Step 4 Click Enable .

Step 5 Click the Spectrum radio button.

Step 6 Click Apply .

 

The Spectrum Expert mode is supported in all CleanAir-enabled access points such as the AP3500, AP3600, AP2600, and AP1550 series.

Configuring Spectrum Expert Connection

To configure the access point as a Spectrum Expert, use the following commands:

  • AP(config)# interface dot11Radio 0
  • AP(config-if)# station-role spectrum
  • AP(config-if)# no shutdown
  • AP# show spectrum status

Spectrum Expert is supported only on Internet Explorer. Before launching Spectrum Expert, change the following settings:

Step 1 Choose Tools > Internet options > Security > custom level > ActiveX Controls & plug-ins > Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe for scripting .

Step 2 Click the Enable radio button.

You can ignore the following popup message:

Your current security settings put computer at risk .

 

Controlling Access Point Access with RADIUS

This section describes how to control administrator access to the wireless device using Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS). For complete instructions on configuring the wireless device to support RADIUS, see Chapter13, “Configuring RADIUS and TACACS+ Servers”

RADIUS provides detailed accounting information and flexible administrative control over authentication and authorization processes. RADIUS is facilitated through AAA and can be enabled only through AAA commands.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this section, refer to the Cisco IOS Security Command Reference for Release 12.3.

These sections describe RADIUS configuration:

Default RADIUS Configuration

RADIUS and AAA are disabled by default.

To prevent a lapse in security, you cannot configure RADIUS through a network management application. When enabled, RADIUS can authenticate users accessing the wireless device through the CLI.

Configuring RADIUS Login Authentication

To configure AAA authentication, you define a named list of authentication methods and then apply that list to various interfaces. The method list defines the types of authentication to be performed and the sequence in which they are performed; it must be applied to a specific interface before any of the defined authentication methods are performed. The only exception is the default method list (which, by coincidence, is named default ). The default method list is automatically applied to all interfaces except those that have a named method list explicitly defined.

A method list describes the sequence and authentication methods to be queried to authenticate a user. You can designate one or more security protocols to be used for authentication, thus ensuring a backup system for authentication in case the initial method fails. The software uses the first method listed to authenticate users; if that method fails to respond, the software selects the next authentication method in the method list. This process continues until there is successful communication with a listed authentication method or until all defined methods are exhausted. If authentication fails at any point in this cycle—meaning that the security server or local username database responds by denying the user access—the authentication process stops, and no other authentication methods are attempted.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure login authentication. This procedure is required.

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

aaa new-model

Enable AAA.

Step 3

aaa authentication login { default | list-name } method1 [ method2... ]

Create a login authentication method list.

  • To create a default list that is used when a named list is not specified in the login authentication command, use the default keyword followed by the methods that are to be used in default situations. The default method list is automatically applied to all interfaces.
  • For list-name , specify a character string to name the list you are creating.
  • For method1... , specify the actual method the authentication algorithm tries. The additional methods of authentication are used only if the previous method returns an error, not if it fails.

Select one of these methods:

  • local —Use the local username database for authentication. You must enter username information in the database. Use the username password global configuration command.
  • radius —Use RADIUS authentication. You must configure the RADIUS server before you can use this authentication method. For more information, see the “Identifying the RADIUS Server Host”.

Step 4

line [ console | tty | vty ] line-number [ ending-line-number ]

Enter line configuration mode, and configure the lines to which you want to apply the authentication list.

Step 5

login authentication { default | list-name }

Apply the authentication list to a line or set of lines.

  • If you specify default , use the default list created with the aaa authentication login command.
  • For list-name , specify the list created with the aaa authentication login command.

Step 6

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 7

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 8

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

To disable AAA, use the no aaa new-model global configuration command. To disable AAA authentication, use the no aaa authentication login {default | list-name } method1 [ method2... ] global configuration command. To either disable RADIUS authentication for logins or to return to the default value, use the no login authentication { default | list-name } line configuration command.

Defining AAA Server Groups

You can configure the wireless device to use AAA server groups to group existing server hosts for authentication. You select a subset of the configured server hosts and use them for a particular service. The server group is used with a global server-host list, which lists the IP addresses of the selected server hosts.

Server groups also can include multiple host entries for the same server if each entry has a unique identifier (the combination of the IP address and UDP port number), allowing different ports to be individually defined as RADIUS hosts providing a specific AAA service. If you configure two different host entries on the same RADIUS server for the same service (such as accounting), the second configured host entry acts as a fail-over backup to the first one.

You use the server group server configuration command to associate a particular server with a defined group server. You can either identify the server by its IP address or identify multiple host instances or entries by using the optional auth-port and acct-port keywords.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to define the AAA server group and associate a particular RADIUS server with it:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

aaa new-model

Enable AAA.

Step 3

radius-server host { hostname | ip-address } [ auth-port port-number ] [ acct-port port-number ] [ timeout seconds ] [ retransmit retries ] [ key string ]

Specify the IP address or host name of the remote RADIUS server host.

  • (Optional) For auth-port port-number , specify the UDP destination port for authentication requests.
  • (Optional) For acct-port port-number , specify the UDP destination port for accounting requests.
  • (Optional) For timeout seconds , specify the time interval that the wireless device waits for the RADIUS server to reply before retransmitting. The range is 1 to 1000. This setting overrides the radius-server timeout global configuration command setting. If no timeout is set with the radius-server host command, the setting of the radius-server timeout command is used.
  • (Optional) For retransmit retries , specify the number of times a RADIUS request is resent to a server if that server is not responding or responding slowly. The range is 1 to 1000. If no retransmit value is set with the radius-server host command, the setting of the radius-server retransmit global configuration command is used.
  • (Optional) For key string , specify the authentication and encryption key used between the wireless device and the RADIUS daemon running on the RADIUS server.

Note The key is a text string that must match the encryption key used on the RADIUS server. Always configure the key as the last item in the radius-server host command. Leading spaces are ignored, but spaces within and at the end of the key are used. If you use spaces in your key, do not enclose the key in quotation marks unless the quotation marks are part of the key.

To configure the wireless device to recognize more than one host entry associated with a single IP address, enter this command as many times as necessary, making sure that each UDP port number is different. The wireless device software searches for hosts in the order in which you specify them. Set the timeout, retransmit, and encryption key values to use with the specific RADIUS host.

Step 4

aaa group server radius group-name

Define the AAA server-group with a group name.

This command puts the wireless device in a server group configuration mode.

Step 5

server ip-address

Associate a particular RADIUS server with the defined server group. Repeat this step for each RADIUS server in the AAA server group.

Each server in the group must be previously defined in Step 2.

Step 6

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 7

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 8

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

Step 9

 

Enable RADIUS login authentication. See the “Configuring RADIUS Login Authentication”.

To remove the specified RADIUS server, use the no radius-server host hostname | ip-address global configuration command. To remove a server group from the configuration list, use the no aaa group server radius group-name global configuration command. To remove the IP address of a RADIUS server, use the no server ip-address server group configuration command.

In this example, the wireless device is configured to recognize two different RADIUS group servers ( group1 and group2 ). Group1 has two different host entries on the same RADIUS server configured for the same services. The second host entry acts as a fail-over backup to the first entry.

AP(config)# aaa new-model
AP(config)# radius-server host 172.20.0.1 auth-port 1812 acct-port 1813
AP(config)# radius-server host 172.10.0.1 auth-port 1645 acct-port 1646
AP(config)# aaa group server radius group1
AP(config-sg-radius)# server 172.20.0.1 auth-port 1812 acct-port 1813
AP(config-sg-radius)# exit
AP(config)# aaa group server radius group2
AP(config-sg-radius)# server 172.20.0.1 auth-port 2000 acct-port 2001
AP(config-sg-radius)# exit

Configuring RADIUS Authorization for User Privileged Access and
Network Services

AAA authorization limits the services available to a user. When AAA authorization is enabled, the wireless device uses information retrieved from the user profile, which is in the local user database or on the security server, to configure the user session. The user is granted access to a requested service only if the information in the user profile allows it.

You can use the aaa authorization global configuration command with the radius keyword to set parameters that restrict a user network access to privileged EXEC mode.

The aaa authorization exec group radius local command sets these authorization parameters:

  • Use RADIUS for privileged EXEC access authorization if authentication was performed by using RADIUS.
  • Use the local database if authentication was not performed by using RADIUS.

Note Authorization is bypassed for authenticated users who log in through the CLI even if authorization has been configured.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to specify RADIUS authorization for privileged EXEC access and network services:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

aaa authorization network group radius

Configure the wireless device for user RADIUS authorization for all network-related service requests.

Step 3

aaa authorization exec group radius

Configure the wireless device for user RADIUS authorization to determine if the user has privileged EXEC access.

The exec keyword might return user profile information (such as autocommand information).

Step 4

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 5

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

To disable authorization, use the no aaa authorization { network | exec } method1 global configuration command.

Displaying the RADIUS Configuration

To display the RADIUS configuration, use the show running-config p rivileged EXEC command.

Controlling Access Point Access with TACACS+

This section describes how to control administrator access to the wireless device using Terminal Access Controller Access Control System Plus (TACACS+). For complete instructions on configuring the wireless device to support TACACS+, see Chapter13, “Configuring RADIUS and TACACS+ Servers”

TACACS+ provides detailed accounting information and flexible administrative control over authentication and authorization processes. TACACS+ is facilitated through AAA and can be enabled only through AAA commands.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this section, refer to the Cisco IOS Security Command Reference.

These sections describe TACACS+ configuration:

Default TACACS+ Configuration

TACACS+ and AAA are disabled by default.

To prevent a lapse in security, you cannot configure TACACS+ through a network management application.When enabled, TACACS+ can authenticate administrators accessing the wireless device through the CLI.

Configuring TACACS+ Login Authentication

To configure AAA authentication, you define a named list of authentication methods and then apply that list to various interfaces. The method list defines the types of authentication to be performed and the sequence in which they are performed; it must be applied to a specific interface before any of the defined authentication methods are performed. The only exception is the default method list (which, by coincidence, is named default ). The default method list is automatically applied to all interfaces except those that have a named method list explicitly defined. A defined method list overrides the default method list.

A method list describes the sequence and authentication methods to be queried to authenticate a user. You can designate one or more security protocols to be used for authentication, thus ensuring a backup system for authentication in case the initial method fails. The software uses the first method listed to authenticate users; if that method fails, the software selects the next authentication method in the method list. This process continues until there is successful communication with a listed authentication method or until all defined methods are exhausted. If authentication fails at any point in this cycle—meaning that the security server or local username database responds by denying the user access—the authentication process stops, and no other authentication methods are attempted.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure login authentication. This procedure is required.

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

aaa new-model

Enable AAA.

Step 3

aaa authentication login { default | list-name } method1 [ method2... ]

Create a login authentication method list.

  • To create a default list that is used when a named list is not specified in the login authentication command, use the default keyword followed by the methods that are to be used in default situations. The default method list is automatically applied to all interfaces.
  • For list-name , specify a character string to name the list you are creating.
  • For method1... , specify the actual method the authentication algorithm tries. The additional methods of authentication are used only if the previous method returns an error, not if it fails.

Select one of these methods:

  • local —Use the local username database for authentication. You must enter username information into the database. Use the username password global configuration command.
  • tacacs+ —Use TACACS+ authentication. You must configure the TACACS+ server before you can use this authentication method.

Step 4

line [ console | tty | vty ] line-number [ ending-line-number ]

Enter line configuration mode, and configure the lines to which you want to apply the authentication list.

Step 5

login authentication { default | list-name }

Apply the authentication list to a line or set of lines.

  • If you specify default , use the default list created with the aaa authentication login command.
  • For list-name , specify the list created with the aaa authentication login command.

Step 6

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 7

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 8

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

To disable AAA, use the no aaa new-model global configuration command. To disable AAA authentication, use the no aaa authentication login {default | list-name } method1 [ method2... ] global configuration command. To either disable TACACS+ authentication for logins or to return to the default value, use the no login authentication { default | list-name } line configuration command.

Configuring TACACS+ Authorization for Privileged EXEC Access and Network Services

AAA authorization limits the services available to a user. When AAA authorization is enabled, the wireless device uses information retrieved from the user profile, which is located either in the local user database or on the security server, to configure the user session. The user is granted access to a requested service only if the information in the user profile allows it.

You can use the aaa authorization global configuration command with the tacacs+ keyword to set parameters that restrict a user network access to privileged EXEC mode.

The aaa authorization exec group tacacs+ local command sets these authorization parameters:

  • Use TACACS+ for privileged EXEC access authorization if authentication was performed by using TACACS+.
  • Use the local database if authentication was not performed by using TACACS+.

Note Authorization is bypassed for authenticated users who log in through the CLI even if authorization has been configured.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to specify TACACS+ authorization for privileged EXEC access and network services:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

aaa authorization network group tacacs+

Configure the wireless device for user TACACS+ authorization for all network-related service requests.

Step 3

aaa authorization exec group tacacs+

Configure the wireless device for user TACACS+ authorization to determine if the user has privileged EXEC access.

The exec keyword might return user profile information (such as autocommand information).

Step 4

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 5

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

To disable authorization, use the no aaa authorization { network | exec } method1 global configuration command.

Displaying the TACACS+ Configuration

To display TACACS+ server statistics, use the show tacacs privileged EXEC command.

Configuring Ethernet Speed and Duplex Settings

You can assign the wireless device Ethernet port speed and duplex settings. We recommend that you use auto, the default setting, for both the speed and duplex settings on the wireless device Ethernet port. When the wireless device receives inline power from a switch, any change in the speed or duplex settings that resets the Ethernet link reboots the wireless device. If the switch port to which the wireless device is connected is not set to auto, you can change the wireless device port to half or full to correct a duplex mismatch and the Ethernet link is not reset. However, if you change from half or full back to auto, the link is reset and, if the wireless device receives inline power from a switch, the wireless device reboots.

Note The speed and duplex settings on the wireless device Ethernet port must match the Ethernet settings on the port to which the wireless device is connected. If you change the settings on the port to which the wireless device is connected, change the settings on the wireless device Ethernet port to match.

The Ethernet speed and duplex are set to auto by default. Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure Ethernet speed and duplex:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

interface gigabitethernet0

Enter configuration interface mode.

Step 3

speed {10 | 100 | 1000 | auto}

Configure the Ethernet speed. We recommend that you use auto, the default setting.

Step 4

duplex {auto | full | half}

Configure the duplex setting. We recommend that you use auto, the default setting.

Step 5

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 6

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 7

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

Configuring the Access Point for Wireless Network Management

You can enable the wireless device for wireless network management. The wireless network manager (WNM) manages the devices on your wireless LAN.

Enter this command to configure the wireless device to interact with the WNM:

AP(config)# wlccp wnm ip address ip-address
 

Enter this command to check the authentication status between the WDS access point and the WNM:

AP# show wlccp wnm status
 

Possible statuses are not authenticated, authentication in progress, authentication fail, authenticated, and security keys setup.

Configuring the Access Point for Local Authentication and Authorization

You can configure AAA to operate without a server by configuring the wireless device to implement AAA in local mode. The wireless device then handles authentication and authorization. No accounting is available in this configuration.

Note You can configure the wireless device as a local authenticator for 802.1x-enabled client devices to provide a backup for your main server or to provide authentication service on a network without a RADIUS server. See “Configuring an Access Point as a Local Authenticator,” for detailed instructions on configuring the wireless device as a local authenticator.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure the wireless device for local AAA:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

aaa new-model

Enable AAA.

Step 3

aaa authentication login default local

Set the login authentication to use the local username database. The default keyword applies the local user database authentication to all interfaces.

Step 4

aaa authorization exec default local

Configure user AAA authorization to determine if the user is allowed to run an EXEC shell by checking the local database.

Step 5

aaa authorization network default local

Configure user AAA authorization for all network-related service requests.

Step 6

username name [ privilege level ] { password encryption-type password }

Enter the local database, and establish a username-based authentication system.

Repeat this command for each user.

  • For name , specify the user ID as one word. Spaces and quotation marks are not allowed.
  • (Optional) For level , specify the privilege level the user has after gaining access. The range is 0 to 15. Level 15 gives privileged EXEC mode access. Level 0 gives user EXEC mode access.
  • For encryption-type , enter 0 to specify that an unencrypted password follows. Enter 7 to specify that a hidden password follows.
  • For password , specify the password the user must enter to gain access to the wireless device. The password must be from 1 to 25 characters, can contain embedded spaces, and must be the last option specified in the username command.

Note Characters TAB, ?, $, +, and [ are invalid characters for passwords.

Step 7

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 8

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 9

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

To disable AAA, use the no aaa new-model global configuration command. To disable authorization, use the no aaa authorization { network | exec } method1 global configuration command.

Configuring the Authentication Cache and Profile

The authentication cache and profile feature allows the access point to cache the authentication/authorization responses for a user so that subsequent authentication/authorization requests do not need to be sent to the AAA server.

Note On the access point, this feature is only supported for Admin authentication.

The following commands that support this feature are included in Cisco IOS Release 12.3(7):

cache expiry
cache authorization profile
cache authentication profile
aaa cache profile
 

Note See the Cisco IOS Command Reference for Cisco Aironet Access Points and Bridges for information about these commands.

The following is a configuration example from an access point configured for Admin authentication using TACACS+ with the auth cache enabled. While this example is based on a TACACS server, the access point could be configured for Admin authentication using RADIUS:

version 12.3
no service pad
service timestamps debug datetime msec
service timestamps log datetime msec
service password-encryption
!
hostname ap
!
!
username Cisco password 7 123A0C041104
username admin privilege 15 password 7 01030717481C091D25
ip subnet-zero
!
!
aaa new-model
!
!
aaa group server radius rad_eap
server 192.168.134.229 auth-port 1645 acct-port 1646
!
aaa group server radius rad_mac
server 192.168.134.229 auth-port 1645 acct-port 1646
!
aaa group server radius rad_acct
server 192.168.134.229 auth-port 1645 acct-port 1646
!
aaa group server radius rad_admin
server 192.168.134.229 auth-port 1645 acct-port 1646
cache expiry 1
cache authorization profile admin_cache
cache authentication profile admin_cache
!
aaa group server tacacs+ tac_admin
server 192.168.133.231
cache expiry 1
cache authorization profile admin_cache
cache authentication profile admin_cache
!
aaa group server radius rad_pmip
!
aaa group server radius dummy
!
aaa authentication login default local cache tac_admin group tac_admin
aaa authentication login eap_methods group rad_eap
aaa authentication login mac_methods local
aaa authorization exec default local cache tac_admin group tac_admin
aaa accounting network acct_methods start-stop group rad_acct
aaa cache profile admin_cache
all
!
aaa session-id common
!
!
!
bridge irb
!
!
interface Dot11Radio0
no ip address
no ip route-cache
shutdown
speed basic-1.0 basic-2.0 basic-5.5 6.0 9.0 basic-11.0 12.0 18.0 24.0 36.0 48.0 54.0
station-role root
bridge-group 1
bridge-group 1 subscriber-loop-control
bridge-group 1 block-unknown-source
no bridge-group 1 source-learning
no bridge-group 1 unicast-flooding
bridge-group 1 spanning-disabled
!
interface Dot11Radio1
no ip address
no ip route-cache
shutdown
speed basic-6.0 9.0 basic-12.0 18.0 basic-24.0 36.0 48.0 54.0
station-role root
bridge-group 1
bridge-group 1 subscriber-loop-control
bridge-group 1 block-unknown-source
no bridge-group 1 source-learning
no bridge-group 1 unicast-flooding
bridge-group 1 spanning-disabled
!
interface FastEthernet0
no ip address
no ip route-cache
duplex auto
speed auto
bridge-group 1
no bridge-group 1 source-learning
bridge-group 1 spanning-disabled
!
interface BVI1
ip address 192.168.133.207 255.255.255.0
no ip route-cache
!
ip http server
ip http authentication aaa
no ip http secure-server
ip http help-path http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/779/smbiz/prodconfig/help/eag
ip radius source-interface BVI1
!
tacacs-server host 192.168.133.231 key 7 105E080A16001D1908
tacacs-server directed-request
radius-server attribute 32 include-in-access-req format %h
radius-server host 192.168.134.229 auth-port 1645 acct-port 1646 key 7 111918160405041E00
radius-server vsa send accounting
!
control-plane
!
bridge 1 route ip
!
!
!
line con 0
transport preferred all
transport output all
line vty 0 4
transport preferred all
transport input all
transport output all
line vty 5 15
transport preferred all
transport input all
transport output all
!
end

Configuring the Access Point to Provide DHCP Service

These sections describe how to configure the wireless device to act as a DHCP server:

Setting up the DHCP Server

By default, access points are configured to receive IP settings from a DHCP server on your network. You can also configure an access point to act as a DHCP server to assign IP settings to devices on both your wired and wireless LANs.

Note When you configure the access point as a DHCP server, it assigns IP addresses to devices on its subnet. The devices communicate with other devices on the subnet but not beyond it. If data needs to be passed beyond the subnet, you must assign a default router. The IP address of the default router should be on the same subnet as the access point configured as the DHCP server.

For detailed information on DHCP-related commands and options, refer to the Configuring DHCP chapter in the Cisco IOS IP Configuration Guide, Release 12.3. Click this URL to browse to the “Configuring DHCP” chapter:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/software/ios122/122cgcr/fipr_c/ipcprt1/1cfdhcp.htm

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure an access point to provide DHCP service and specify a default router:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

ip dhcp excluded-address low_address [ high_address ]

Exclude the wireless device IP address from the range of addresses the wireless device assigns. Enter the IP address in four groups of characters, such as 10.91.6.158.

the wireless device assumes that all IP addresses in a DHCP address pool subnet are available for assigning to DHCP clients. You must specify the IP addresses that the DHCP Server should not assign to clients.

(Optional) To enter a range of excluded addresses, enter the address at the low end of the range followed by the address at the high end of the range.

Step 3

ip dhcp pool pool_name

Create a name for the pool of IP addresses that the wireless device assigns in response to DHCP requests, and enter DHCP configuration mode.

Step 4

network subnet_number
[ mask | prefix-length ]

Assign the subnet number for the address pool. The wireless device assigns IP addresses within this subnet.

(Optional) Assign a subnet mask for the address pool, or specify the number of bits that comprise the address prefix. The prefix is an alternative way of assigning the network mask. The prefix length must be preceded by a forward slash (/).

Step 5

lease { days [ hours ] [ minutes ] |
infinite }

Configure the duration of the lease for IP addresses assigned by the wireless device.

  • days—configure the lease duration in number of days
  • (optional) hours—configure the lease duration in number of hours
  • (optional) minutes—configure the lease duration in number of minutes
  • infinite—set the lease duration to infinite

Step 6

default-router address [address2 ... address 8]

Specify the IP address of the default router for DHCP clients on the subnet. One IP address is required; however, you can specify up to eight addresses in one command line.

Step 7

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 8

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 9

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

Use the no form of these commands to return to default settings.

This example shows how to configure the wireless device as a DHCP server, exclude a range of IP address, and assign a default router:

AP# configure terminal
AP(config)# ip dhcp excluded-address 172.16.1.1 172.16.1.20
AP(config)# ip dhcp pool wishbone
AP(dhcp-config)# network 172.16.1.0 255.255.255.0
AP(dhcp-config)# lease 10
AP(dhcp-config)# default-router 172.16.1.1
AP(dhcp-config)# end
 

Monitoring and Maintaining the DHCP Server Access Point

These sections describe commands you can use to monitor and maintain the DHCP server access point:

Show Commands

In Exec mode, enter the commands in Table 5-2 to display information about the wireless device as DHCP server.

 

Table 5-2 Show Commands for DHCP Server

Command
Purpose

show ip dhcp conflict [ address ]

Displays a list of all address conflicts recorded by a specific DHCP Server. Enter the wireless device IP address to show conflicts recorded by the wireless device.

show ip dhcp database [ url ]

Displays recent activity on the DHCP database.

Note Use this command in privileged EXEC mode.

show ip dhcp server statistics

Displays count information about server statistics and messages sent and received.

Clear Commands

In privileged Exec mode, use the commands in Table 5-3 to clear DHCP server variables.

 

Table 5-3 Clear Commands for DHCP Server
Command
Purpose

clear ip dhcp binding
{ address | * }

Deletes an automatic address binding from the DHCP database. Specifying the address argument clears the automatic binding for a specific (client) IP address. Specifying an asterisk (*) clears all automatic bindings.

clear ip dhcp conflict
{ address | * }

Clears an address conflict from the DHCP database. Specifying the address argument clears the conflict for a specific IP address. Specifying an asterisk (*) clears conflicts for all addresses.

clear ip dhcp server statistics

Resets all DHCP Server counters to 0.

Debug Command

To enable DHCP server debugging, use this command in privileged EXEC mode:

debug ip dhcp server { events | packets | linkage }

Use the no form of the command to disable debugging for the wireless device DHCP server.

Configuring the Access Point for Secure Shell

This section describes how to configure the Secure Shell (SSH) feature.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this section, refer to the “Secure Shell Commands” section in the Cisco IOS Security Command Reference for Release 12.3.

Understanding SSH

SSH is a protocol that provides a secure, remote connection to a Layer 2 or a Layer 3 device. There are two versions of SSH: SSH Version 1 and SSH Version 2. This software release supports both SSH versions. If you do not specify the version number, the access point defaults to Version 2.

SSH provides more security for remote connections than Telnet by providing strong encryption when a device is authenticated. The SSH feature has an SSH server and an SSH integrated client. The client supports these user authentication methods:

For more information about SSH, see the Secure Shell Configuration Guide at the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios-xml/ios/security/config_library/12-4t/secuser-12-4t-library.html

 

Note The SSH feature in this software release does not support IP Security (IPsec).

Configuring SSH

Before configuring SSH, download the crypto software image from Cisco.com. For more information, refer to the release notes for this release.

For information about configuring SSH and displaying SSH settings, see the Secure Shell Configuration Guide at the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios-xml/ios/security/config_library/12-4t/secuser-12-4t-library.html

 

Support for Secure Copy Protocol

The Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) supports file transfers between hosts on a network using Secure Shell (SSH) for security. Cisco IOS Release 15.2(2)JB supports SCP file transfers to and from an access point while you are logged into the access point itself.

AAA authentication is used to restrict the transfer of data. SCP enables AAA authorization to ascertain your username and password to ensure the authenticity and confidentiality of the data in transit.

To configure SSH, use the following commands:

  • ip hostname
  • ip domain-name
  • crypto key generate rsa (512, 1024,2048)
  • ip SSH version
  • aaa new-model
  • aaa authentication login default local
  • aaa authorization exec default local
  • username cisco privilege 15 password 0 cisco

To perform SCP, use the copy run scp://url command.

Configuring Client ARP Caching

You can configure the wireless device to maintain an ARP cache for associated client devices. Maintaining an ARP cache on the wireless device reduces the traffic load on your wireless LAN. ARP caching is disabled by default.

This section contains this information:

Understanding Client ARP Caching

ARP caching on the wireless device reduces the traffic on your wireless LAN by stopping ARP requests for client devices at the wireless device. Instead of forwarding ARP requests to client devices, the wireless device responds to requests on behalf of associated client devices.

When ARP caching is disabled, the wireless device forwards all ARP requests through the radio port to associated clients, and the client to which the ARP request is directed responds. When ARP caching is enabled, the wireless device responds to ARP requests for associated clients and does not forward requests to clients. When the wireless device receives an ARP request for an IP address not in the cache, the wireless device drops the request and does not forward it. In its beacon, the wireless device includes an information element to alert client devices that they can safely ignore broadcast messages to increase battery life.

Optional ARP Caching

When a non-Cisco client device is associated to an access point and is not passing data, the wireless device might not know the client IP address. If this situation occurs frequently on your wireless LAN, you can enable optional ARP caching. When ARP caching is optional, the wireless device responds on behalf of clients with IP addresses known to the wireless device but forwards out its radio port any ARP requests addressed to unknown clients. When the wireless device learns the IP addresses for all associated clients, it drops ARP requests not directed to its associated clients.

Configuring ARP Caching

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure the wireless device to maintain an ARP cache for associated clients:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

dot11 arp-cache [ optional ]

Enable ARP caching on the wireless device.

  • (Optional) Use the optional keyword to enable ARP caching only for the client devices whose IP addresses are known to the wireless device.

Step 3

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 4

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 5

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

This example shows how to configure ARP caching on an access point:

AP# configure terminal
AP(config)# dot11 arp-cache
AP(config)# end
 

Managing the System Time and Date

You can manage the system time and date on the wireless device automatically, using the Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP), or manually, by setting the time and date on the wireless device.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this section, refer to the Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Command Reference for Release 12.3.

This section contains this configuration information:

Understanding Simple Network Time Protocol

Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) is a simplified, client-only version of NTP. SNTP can only receive the time from NTP servers; it cannot be used to provide time services to other systems. SNTP typically provides time within 100 milliseconds of the accurate time, but it does not provide the complex filtering and statistical mechanisms of NTP.

You can configure SNTP to request and accept packets from configured servers or to accept NTP broadcast packets from any source. When multiple sources are sending NTP packets, the server with the best stratum is selected. Click this URL for more information on NTP and strata:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/iosswrel/ps1831/products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a00800ca66f.html#1001131

If multiple servers are at the same stratum, a configured server is preferred over a broadcast server. If multiple servers pass both tests, the first one to send a time packet is selected. SNTP will only choose a new server if it stops receiving packets from the currently selected server, or if a better server (according to the above criteria) is discovered.

Configuring SNTP

SNTP is disabled by default. To enable SNTP on the access point, use one or both the commands listed in Table 5-4 in the global configuration mode.

 

Table 5-4 SNTP Commands
Command
Purpose

sntp server {address | hostname}
[version number]

Configures SNTP to request NTP packets from an NTP server.

sntp broadcast client

Configures SNTP to accept NTP packets from any NTP broadcast server.

Enter the sntp server command once for each NTP server. The NTP servers must be configured to respond to the SNTP messages from the access point.

If you enter both the sntp server command and the sntp broadcast client command, the access point will accept time from a broadcast server but prefers time from a configured server, assuming the strata are equal. To display information about SNTP, use the show sntp EXEC command.

Configuring Time and Date Manually

If no other source of time is available, you can manually configure the time and date after the system is restarted. The time remains accurate until the next system restart. We recommend that you use manual configuration only as a last resort. If you have an outside source to which the wireless device can synchronize, you do not need to manually set the system clock.

This section contains this configuration information:

Setting the System Clock

If you have an outside source on the network that provides time services, such as an NTP server, you do not need to manually set the system clock.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to set the system clock:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

clock set hh : mm : ss day month year

or

clock set hh : mm : ss month day year

Manually set the system clock using one of these formats:

  • For hh : mm : ss , specify the time in hours (24-hour format), minutes, and seconds. The time specified is relative to the configured time zone.
  • For day , specify the day by date in the month.
  • For month , specify the month by name.
  • For year , specify the year (no abbreviation).

Step 2

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 3

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

This example shows how to manually set the system clock to 1:32 p.m. on July 23, 2001:

AP# clock set 13:32:00 23 July 2001

Displaying the Time and Date Configuration

To display the time and date configuration, use the show clock [ detail ] privileged EXEC command.

The system clock keeps an authoritative flag that shows whether the time is authoritative (believed to be accurate). If the system clock has been set by a timing source such as NTP, the flag is set. If the time is not authoritative, it is used only for display purposes. Until the clock is authoritative and the authoritative flag is set, the flag prevents peers from synchronizing to the clock when the peers’ time is invalid.

The symbol that precedes the show clock display has this meaning:

  • *—Time is not authoritative.
  • (blank)—Time is authoritative.
  • .—Time is authoritative, but NTP is not synchronized.

Configuring the Time Zone

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to manually configure the time zone:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

clock timezone zone hours-offset [ minutes-offset ]

Set the time zone.

the wireless device keeps internal time in universal time coordinated (UTC), so this command is used only for display purposes and when the time is manually set.

  • For zone , enter the name of the time zone to be displayed when standard time is in effect. The default is UTC.
  • For hours-offset , enter the hours offset from UTC.
  • (Optional) For minutes-offset , enter the minutes offset from UTC.

Step 3

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 4

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 5

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

The minutes-offset variable in the clock timezone global configuration command is available for those cases where a local time zone is a percentage of an hour different from UTC. For example, the time zone for some sections of Atlantic Canada (AST) is UTC-3.5, where the 3 means 3 hours and .5 means 50 percent. In this case, the necessary command is clock timezone AST -3 30 .

To set the time to UTC, use the no clock timezone global configuration command.

Configuring Summer Time (Daylight Saving Time)

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure summer time (daylight saving time) in areas where it starts and ends on a particular day of the week each year:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

clock summer-time zone recurring [ week day month hh : mm week day month hh : mm [ offset ]]

Configure summer time to start and end on the specified days every year.

Summer time is disabled by default. If you specify clock summer-time zone recurring without parameters, the summer time rules default to the United States rules.

  • For zone , specify the name of the time zone (for example, PDT) to be displayed when summer time is in effect.
  • (Optional) For week , specify the week of the month (1 to 5 or last ).
  • (Optional) For day , specify the day of the week (Sunday, Monday...).
  • (Optional) For month , specify the month (January, February...).
  • (Optional) For hh : mm , specify the time (24-hour format) in hours and minutes.
  • (Optional) For offset , specify the number of minutes to add during summer time. The default is 60.

Step 3

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 4

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 5

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

The first part of the clock summer-time global configuration command specifies when summer time begins, and the second part specifies when it ends. All times are relative to the local time zone. The start time is relative to standard time. The end time is relative to summer time. If the starting month is after the ending month, the system assumes that you are in the southern hemisphere.

This example shows how to specify that summer time starts on the first Sunday in April at 02:00 and ends on the last Sunday in October at 02:00:

AP(config)# clock summer-time PDT recurring 1 Sunday April 2:00 last Sunday October 2:00
 

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps if summer time in your area does not follow a recurring pattern (configure the exact date and time of the next summer time events):

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

clock summer-time zone date [ month date year hh : mm month date year hh : mm [ offset ]]

or

clock summer-time zone date [ date month year hh : mm date month year hh : mm [ offset ]]

Configure summer time to start on the first date and end on the second date.

Summer time is disabled by default.

  • For zone , specify the name of the time zone (for example, PDT) to be displayed when summer time is in effect.
  • (Optional) For week , specify the week of the month (1 to 5 or last ).
  • (Optional) For day , specify the day of the week (Sunday, Monday...).
  • (Optional) For month , specify the month (January, February...).
  • (Optional) For hh : mm , specify the time (24-hour format) in hours and minutes.
  • (Optional) For offset , specify the number of minutes to add during summer time. The default is 60.

Step 3

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 4

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 5

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

The first part of the clock summer-time global configuration command specifies when summer time begins, and the second part specifies when it ends. All times are relative to the local time zone. The start time is relative to standard time. The end time is relative to summer time. If the starting month is after the ending month, the system assumes that you are in the southern hemisphere.

To disable summer time, use the no clock summer-time global configuration command.

This example shows how to set summer time to start on October 12, 2013, at 02:00, and end on April 26, 2014, at 02:00:

AP(config)# clock summer-time pdt date 12 October 2013 2:00 26 April 2014 2:00

Defining HTTP Access

By default, 80 is used for HTTP access, and port 443 is used for HTTPS access. These values can be customized by the user. Follow these steps to define the HTTP access via the GUI.

Step 1 From the access point GUI, click Services > HTTP. The Service: HTTP-Web server window appears.

Step 2 On this window, enter the desired HTTP and HTTPS port number. If not values are entered in the port number fields, the default values are used.

Step 3 Click Apply.

 

Follow these steps to define the HTTP access via the CLI.

Step 1 AP(config)# conf t

Step 2 AP(config)# ip http port value

Step 3 AP(config)# ip http secure-port value

 

Configuring a System Name and Prompt

You configure the system name on the wireless device to identify it. By default, the system name and prompt are ap .

If you have not configured a system prompt, the first 20 characters of the system name are used as the system prompt. A greater-than symbol (>) is appended. The prompt is updated whenever the system name changes, unless you manually configure the prompt by using the prompt global configuration command.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this section, refer to the Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Command Reference and the Cisco IOS IP and IP Routing Command Reference guides.

This section contains this configuration information:

Default System Name and Prompt Configuration

The default access point system name and prompt is ap .

Configuring a System Name

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to manually configure a system name:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

hostname name

Manually configure a system name.

The default setting is ap .

Note When you change the system name, the wireless device radios reset, and associated client devices disassociate and quickly reassociate.

Note You can enter up to 63 characters for the system name. However, when the wireless device identifies itself to client devices, it uses only the first 15 characters in the system name. If it is important for client users to distinguish between access points, make sure a unique portion of the system name appears in the first 15 characters.

Step 3

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 4

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 5

copy running-config startup-confi g

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

When you set the system name, it is also used as the system prompt.

To return to the default host name, use the no hostname global configuration command.

Understanding DNS

The DNS protocol controls the Domain Name System (DNS), a distributed database with which you can map host names to IP addresses. When you configure DNS on the wireless device, you can substitute the host name for the IP address with all IP commands, such as ping , telnet , connect , and related Telnet support operations.

IP defines a hierarchical naming scheme that allows a device to be identified by its location or domain. Domain names are pieced together with periods (.) as the delimiting characters. For example, Cisco Systems is a commercial organization that IP identifies by a com domain name, so its domain name is cisco.com . A specific device in this domain, such as the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) system, is identified as ftp.cisco.com .

To keep track of domain names, IP has defined the concept of a domain name server, which holds a cache (or database) of names mapped to IP addresses. To map domain names to IP addresses, you must first identify the host names, specify the name server that is present on your network, and enable the DNS.

This section contains this configuration information:

Default DNS Configuration

Table 5-5 shows the default DNS configuration.

 

Table 5-5 Default DNS Configuration

Feature
Default Setting

DNS enable state

Disabled.

DNS default domain name

None configured.

DNS servers

No name server addresses are configured.

Setting Up DNS

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to set up the wireless device to use the DNS:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

ip domain-name name

Define a default domain name that the software uses to complete unqualified host names (names without a dotted-decimal domain name).

Do not include the initial period that separates an unqualified name from the domain name.

At boot time, no domain name is configured; however, if the wireless device configuration comes from a BOOTP or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, then the default domain name might be set by the BOOTP or DHCP server (if the servers were configured with this information).

Step 3

ip name-server server-address1 [ server-address2 ... server-address6 ]

Specify the address of one or more name servers to use for name and address resolution.

You can specify up to six name servers. Separate each server address with a space. The first server specified is the primary server. The wireless device sends DNS queries to the primary server first. If that query fails, the backup servers are queried.

Step 4

ip domain-lookup

(Optional) Enable DNS-based host name-to-address translation on the wireless device. This feature is enabled by default.

If your network devices require connectivity with devices in networks for which you do not control name assignment, you can dynamically assign device names that uniquely identify your devices by using the global Internet naming scheme (DNS).

Step 5

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 6

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 7

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

If you use the wireless device IP address as its host name, the IP address is used and no DNS query occurs. If you configure a host name that contains no periods (.), a period followed by the default domain name is appended to the host name before the DNS query is made to map the name to an IP address. The default domain name is the value set by the ip domain-name global configuration command. If there is a period (.) in the host name, Cisco IOS software looks up the IP address without appending any default domain name to the host name.

To remove a domain name, use the no ip domain-name name global configuration command. To remove a name server address, use the no ip name-server server-address global configuration command. To disable DNS on the wireless device, use the no ip domain-lookup global configuration command.

Displaying the DNS Configuration

To display the DNS configuration information, use the show running-config privileged EXEC command.

Note When DNS is configured on the wireless device, the show running-config command sometimes displays a server IP address instead of its name.

Creating a Banner

You can configure a message-of-the-day (MOTD) and a login banner. The MOTD banner appears on all connected terminals at login and is useful for sending messages that affect all network users (such as impending system shutdowns).

The login banner also appears on all connected terminals. It appears after the MOTD banner and before the login prompts.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this section, refer to the Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Command Reference for Release 12.3.

This section contains this configuration information:

Default Banner Configuration

The MOTD and login banners are not configured.

Configuring a Message-of-the-Day Login Banner

You can create a single or multiline message banner that appears on the screen when someone logs into the wireless device.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure a MOTD login banner:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

banner motd c message c

Specify the message of the day.

For c , enter the delimiting character of your choice, such as a pound sign (#), and press the Return key. The delimiting character signifies the beginning and end of the banner text. Characters after the ending delimiter are discarded.

For message , enter a banner message up to 255 characters. You cannot use the delimiting character in the message.

Step 3

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 4

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 5

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

To delete the MOTD banner, use the no banner motd global configuration command.

This example shows how to configure a MOTD banner for the wireless device using the pound sign (#) symbol as the beginning and ending delimiter:

AP(config)# banner motd #
This is a secure site. Only authorized users are allowed.
For access, contact technical support.
#
AP(config)#
 

This example shows the banner displayed from the previous configuration:

Unix> telnet 172.2.5.4
Trying 172.2.5.4...
Connected to 172.2.5.4.
Escape character is '^]'.
 
This is a secure site. Only authorized users are allowed.
For access, contact technical support.
 
User Access Verification
 
Password:

Configuring a Login Banner

You can configure a login banner to appear on all connected terminals. This banner appears after the MOTD banner and before the login prompt.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure a login banner:

 

 
Command
Purpose

Step 1

configure terminal

Enter global configuration mode.

Step 2

banner login c message c

Specify the login message.

For c , enter the delimiting character of your choice, such as a pound sign (#), and press the Return key. The delimiting character signifies the beginning and end of the banner text. Characters after the ending delimiter are discarded.

For message , enter a login message up to 255 characters. You cannot use the delimiting character in the message.

Step 3

end

Return to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 4

show running-config

Verify your entries.

Step 5

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.

To delete the login banner, use the no banner login global configuration command.

This example shows how to configure a login banner for the wireless device using the dollar sign ($) symbol as the beginning and ending delimiter:

AP(config)# banner login $
Access for authorized users only. Please enter your username and password.
$
AP(config)#

 

Upgrading Autonomous Cisco Aironet Access Points to Lightweight Mode

Note For information on only upgrading the Cisco IOS image on an autonomous access point through the GUI or CLI, go to the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk722/tk809/technologies_configuration_example09186a00809f0e94.shtml.

You can run a utility to upgrade autonomous Cisco Aironet access points to the lightweight mode so that they can communicate with wireless LAN controllers on your network. For more information about using the upgrade utility, see the Upgrading Autonomous Cisco Aironet Access Points to Lightweight Mode at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/access_point/conversion/lwapp/upgrade/guide/lwapnote.html

To convert autonomous access points to lightweight mode, telnet to the access point and run this command:

archive download-sw {/overwrite | /reload} tftp: //location/image-name