Setting Up 802.1X Authentication For An Altitude Ap - Extreme Networks Summit WM User Manual

Configuring the Altitude AP
NOTE
For the initial configuration of an Altitude AP to use a static IP address assignment, the following is
recommended:
- Allow the Altitude AP to first obtain an IP address using DHCP. By default, Altitude APs are configured to use
the DHCP IP address configuration method.
- Allow the Altitude AP to connect to the Summit WM Controller using the DHCP assigned IP address.
- After the Altitude AP has successfully registered to the Summit WM Controller, use the Static Configuration tab
to configure a static IP address for the Altitude AP, and then save the configuration.
- Once the static IP address has been configured on the Altitude AP, the Altitude AP can then be moved to its
target location, if applicable. (A branch office scenario is an example of a setup that may require static IP
assignment.) If the Altitude AP IP address is not configured properly, connecting to the Altitude AP may not be
possible. To recover from this situation, you will need to reset the Altitude AP to its factory default settings. For
more information, see the Summit WM Maintenance Guide.
6 In the Add box, type the IP address of the Summit WM Controller that will control this Altitude AP.
7 Click Add. The IP address is added to the list.
8 Repeat steps 5 and 6 to add additional Summit WM Controllers.
9 Click Up and Down to modify the order of the Summit WM Controllers. The maximum is three
controllers.
The Altitude AP attempts to connect to the IP addresses in the order in which they are listed. The
Altitude AP is successful when it finds a Summit WM Controller that will allow it to register.
This feature allows the Altitude AP to bypass the discovery process. If the Summit Controller
Search List box is not populated, the Altitude AP will use SLP to discover a Summit WM Controller.
For the initial Altitude AP deployment, it is necessary to use one of the described options in
"Discovery and registration overview" on page
10 To save your changes, click Save.

Setting up 802.1X authentication for an Altitude AP

802.1X is an authentication standard for wired and wireless LANs. The 802.1X standard can be used to
authenticate access points to the LAN to which they are connected. 802.1X support provides security for
network deployments where access points are placed in public areas.
To successfully set up 802.1X authentication of an Altitude AP, the Altitude AP must be configured for
802.1X authentication before the Altitude AP is connected to a 802.1X enabled switch port.
Certain LAN switches when enabled for 802.1X authentication, may not allow traffic from multiple
supplicants once the AP is authenticated with the switch port. That means traffic from wireless clients
associated with the Access Point would be blocked by the switch port. In such cases the Access point
can only tunnel the client traffic to the Summit WM controller but will not be able to bridge it at the AP.
CAUTION
If the switch port, to which the Altitude AP is connected to, is not 802.1X enabled, the 802.1X authentication will
not take effect.
802.1X authentication credentials can be updated at any time, whether or not the Altitude AP is
connected with an active session. If the Altitude AP is connected, the new credentials are sent
116
71.
Summit WM User Guide, Software Version 5.3