Configuring The Access Point; The Controller Discovery Process - Cisco Aironet 700W Series Getting Started Manual

Figure 5 Access Point DC Power Connector (Side View)
DC Power Connector Port
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Kensington Lock Slot
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Configuring the Access Point

This section describes how to connect the access point to a wireless LAN controller. Because the configuration process takes
place on the controller, see the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide for additional information. This guide is
available on Cisco.com.

The Controller Discovery Process

The access point uses standard Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points Protocol (CAPWAP) to communicate
between the controller and other wireless access points on the network. CAPWAP is a standard, interoperable protocol which
enables an access controller to manage a collection of wireless termination points. The discovery process using CAPWAP is
identical to the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) used with previous Cisco Aironet access points. LWAPP-enabled
access points are compatible with CAPWAP, and conversion to a CAPWAP controller is seamless. Deployments can combine
CAPWAP and LWAPP software on the controllers.
Customers who have Layer 2 deployments should note that CAPWAP is not supported on Layer 2 as the CAPWAP packets are
routed through Layer 3 only.
In a CAPWAP environment, a wireless access point discovers a controller by using CAPWAP discovery mechanisms and then
sends it a CAPWAP join request. The controller sends the access point a CAPWAP join response allowing the access point to
join the controller. When the access point joins the controller, the controller manages its configuration, firmware, control
transactions, and data transactions.
For additional information about the discovery process and CAPWAP, see the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Software
Note
Configuration Guide. This document is available on Cisco.com.
Note CAPWAP support is provided in controller software release 5.2 or later. However, your controller must be running
release 8.0.x.x or later to support 700W series access points.
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