You are here: Home > Instant APs > Managing Your Instant AP WLAN Deployments > Configuring

Instant AP Settings

Configuring Device Parameters

To configure device parameters on an access point (AP), complete the following steps:

1. In the Network Operations app, select one of the following options:

To select an AP group in the filter:
a. Set the filter to a group containing at least one AP.
The dashboard context for the group is displayed.
b. Under Manage, click Devices > Access Points.
A list of APs is displayed in the List view.

To select an AP in the filter:

a. Set the filter to Global or a group containing at least one AP.
b. Under Manage, click Devices > Access Points.
A list of APs is displayed in the List view.
c. Click an AP listed under Device Name.
The dashboard context for the AP is displayed.
d. Under Manage, click Devices > Access Point.

2. Click the Config icon.

The tabs to configure the APs are displayed.
3. Click the Access Points tab.
The Access Points page is displayed.
4. To edit an AP, select an AP in the Access Points table, and then click the edit icon.
5. Configure the parameters described below:

Table 1: Access Points Configuration Parameters

UI Parameters Description

Basic Info Name Configure a name for the Instant AP.

  For Instant APs running Aruba InstantOS 8.7.0.0 or later versions, you can enter up
  to 128 ASCII or non-ASCII characters. For Instant APs running Aruba InstantOS
8.6.0.0 or earlier versions, you can enter up to 32 ASCII or non-ASCII characters.
 

AP Zone Configure the Instant AP zone.

For Instant APs running Aruba InstantOS 6.5.4.7 or later versions, and 8.3.0.0 or later
versions, you can configure multiple AP zones by adding zone names as comma
separated values.
Aruba recommends that you do not configure zones in both SSID and in the Per AP
settings of an Instant AP. If the same zones are configured in SSID and Per AP
settings, APs may broadcast the SSIDs, but if the SSIDs and Per AP settings have
different zones configured, it may lead to a configuration error. For more
information on AP zones, see Aruba Instant User Guide.
UI Parameters Description

RF Zone Allows you to create an RF zone for the Instant AP.

With RF zone, you can configure different power transmission settings for APs in
different zones or sections of a deployment site. For example, you can configure
power transmission settings to make Wi-Fi available only for the devices in specific
areas of a store.
You can also configure separate RF zones for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands for
the Instant APs in a cluster. For more information, see Configuring Radio
Parameters.
Aruba recommends that you configure RF zone for either individual AP or for the
cluster. Any discrepancy in the RF zone names may lead to configuration errors.

Swarm Mode Allows you to set one of the following operation modes:
Cluster—Allows an Instant AP to operate in the cluster mode. When an
Instant AP operates in the cluster mode, it can form a cluster with other
virtual controller Instant APs in the same VLAN.
Standalone—Allows an Instant AP to operate in the standalone mode.
When an Instant AP operates in the standalone mode, it cannot join a
cluster of Instant APs even if the Instant AP is in the same VLAN.
Single-AP—Allows an Instant AP to operate in the single AP mode that is
specifically designed for Instant AP
deployments with only one AP in the
site. This mode is a type of standalone AP deployment with
additional
security when the AP is directly facing a WAN connection. When
configured as a single AP, the
AP will not send or receive management
frames such as mobility packets, roaming packets, and hierarchy
beacons
through the uplink port.

NOTE: After changing the AP operation mode, ensure that you reboot the Instant AP.

LACP Mode Allows you to set one of the following LACP modes:
Active—Allows you to enable the LACP on an Instant AP. In this mode,
both the ethernet ports on the Instant AP forms a static LAG.
Passive—Allows you to set the LACP on an Instant AP in a passive mode.
Disabled—Allows you to disable the LACP on an Instant AP.

Preferred Select the Preferred Conductor check-box to provision the Instant AP as a conductor
Conductor Instant AP.
After provisioning the Instant AP as a conductor Instant AP, ensure that you reboot
the AP.

IP Address Select one of the following options:

For Access Get IP Address from DHCP server—Allows IP to get an IP address from
Point
the DHCP server. By default, the Instant APs obtain IP address from a
DHCP server.
Static—You can also assign a static IP address to the Instant AP. To
specify a static IP address for the Instant AP, complete the following
steps:
Enter the new IP address for the Instant AP in the IP Address text-box.
Enter the subnet mask of the network in the Netmask text-box.
Enter the IP address of the default gateway in the Default Gateway text-
box.
Enter the IP address of the DNS server in the DNS Server text-box.
Enter the domain name in the Domain Name text-box.
You can configure
up to two DNS servers separated by a
comma. If the first DNS
server goes down,
the second DNS server takes control of
resolving the domain
name.

Radio Dual 5G Mode Select the Dual 5G Mode check-box to enable the dual 5G mode. In the Dual 5G
  Mode, the Mode remains as Access and is non-editable. The Dual 5G Mode is only
supported on AP-344 and AP-345 running on Aruba InstantOS 8.3.0.0. For more
information, see Configuring Dual 5 GHz Radio Bands on an Instant AP.
UI Parameters Description

Split Radio Select the Split Radio check-box to allow the radios of the Instant AP to operate in
the tri-radio mode. The Split Radio is only supported on AP-555 running on Aruba
InstantOS 8.5.0.0. For more information, see About Tri-Radio Mode.

Enable Radio Select the Enable Radio check-box under 2.4GHz Band and 5 GHz Band to enable
the radio.

Mode From the Mode drop-down list, select any of the following options:
Access—In this mode, the Instant AP serves clients, while also monitoring
for rogue Instant APs in the background.
Monitor—In this mode, the Instant AP acts as a dedicated monitor,
scanning all channels for rogue Instant APs and clients.
Spectrum—In this mode, the Instant AP functions as a dedicated full-
spectrum RF monitor, scanning all channels to detect interference,
whether from the neighboring Instant APs or from non-Wi-Fi devices such
as microwaves and cordless phones. For more information, see Spectrum
Scan Overview.
To get accurate monitoring details and statistics, it is highly recommended to reboot
the Instant APs once the Instant APs are toggled from the 2.4 or 5 GHz mode to dual
5 GHz radio mode or vice-versa.
The access, spectrum, and monitor mode of the radios of an access point is available
for Foundation and Advanced licenses for APs.

Adaptive You can configure a radio profile on an Instant AP either manually or by configuring
radio the Adaptive radio management assigned option.
management Adaptive Radio Management (ARM) feature is enabled on Aruba Central by default.
assigned It automatically assigns appropriate channel and power settings for the Instant APs.

Administrator You can also assign an administrator by using the Administrator assigned option
assigned and selecting the number of channels in the Channel drop-down list. In the
Transmit Power field, enter the signal strength measured in dBm.

Installation Installation Configure the Installation Type of the

Instant AP. The Installation Type drop-down
Type Type consists of the following options:
Default—Select this option to change the installation type to the default
mode.
Indoor—Select this option to change the installation type to the indoor
mode.
Outdoor—Select this option to change the installation type to the
outdoor mode.
The options in the Installation Type drop-down are listed based on the Instant AP
model.

Uplink Uplink The uplink traffic on Instant AP is carried out through a management VLAN.
Management However, you can configure a non-native VLAN as an uplink management
VLAN VLAN. After an Instant AP is provisioned with the uplink management VLAN, all
management traffic sent from the Instant AP is tagged to the management VLAN.
To configure a non-native uplink VLAN, click Uplink and specify the VLAN in Uplink
Management VLAN.

Eth0 Mode Allows you to change the Eth0 bridging mode in your wired network. The Eth0 Mode
drop-down consists of the following options:
Uplink—Select this option to change the Eth0 bridging mode to the
uplink port.
Downlink—Select this option to change the Eth0 bridging mode to the
downlink port.
 UI Parameters Description

Eth1 Mode Allows you to change the Eth1 bridging mode in your wired network. The Eth1 Mode
drop-down consists of the following options:
Default—Select this option to change the Eth1 bridging mode to the
default port.
Uplink—Select this option to change the Eth1 bridging mode to the
uplink port.
Downlink—Select this option to change the Eth1 bridging mode to the
downlink port.

USB Port Select the USB Port check-box if you do not want to use the
cellular uplink or 3G/4G
modem in your current network setup.

PEAP User Create the PEAP user credentials for certificate based authentication. Enter the
username, password, and retype password in the Username, Password, and Retype
Password field for creating the PEAP user.

Mesh Mesh enable Select the Mesh enable check-box to allow mesh access points to form mesh
network. The mesh feature ensures reliability and redundancy by allowing the
network to continue operating even when an Instant AP is non-functional or if the
device fails to connect to the network. For more information, see Configuring Mesh
Instant AP

Clusterless Enter the name of mesh access points that do not belong to any cluster. The
mesh name Clusterless mesh name field is disabled when the Mesh enable option is enabled.

Clusterless Enter the key of the mesh access points that do not belong to any cluster. The
mesh key Clusterless mesh key field is disabled when the Mesh enable option is enabled.

Retype Re-enter the clusterless mesh key. The Retype is disabled when the Mesh enable
option is enabled.

External Antenna Gain Enter the Antenna Gain values in dBi for the 2.4 GHz Antenna Gain and the 5 GHz
Antenna Antenna Gain. For more information, see Configuring External Antenna
 
Antenna From the Antenna Polarization Type drop-down list, select any of the following:
Polarization co-polarization—Select this option for the polarization of both the
Type
transmitting and receiving antenna to be same.
cross-polarization—Select this option for the polarization of both the
transmitting and receiving antenna to be different.
The integrated antenna of the wireless bridge sends a radio signal that is polarized
in a particular direction.
The receive sensitivity of the antenna is also higher for radio
signals that have the same polarization. To
maximize the performance of the
wireless link, both antennas must be set to the same polarization
direction.

6. Click Save Settings and then reboot the Instant AP.