Quick Install & Troubleshooting Guide WAP223NC Cloud Managed Wireless N Access Point
Package Contents 1 x WAP223NC Indoor access point powered by CloudCommand 1 x wall and ceiling mounts 1 x 24V PoE power adapter 1 x power cable Amer Networks Introduction This install guide is for the Amer Networks WAP223NC Cloud Managed Wireless N Access Point (AP) powered by CloudCommand. Amer s cloud managed Wi Fi solution combines business grade functionality delivered by the CloudCommand software platform with high performing, affordable hardware to deliver an unparalleled networking experience.
Product Overview Breakthrough Business Grade Wi Fi Amer Networks cloud managed access point (AP) powered by CloudCommand is a best in class solution that provides businessgrade management functionality to your Wi Fi networks by delivering everything needed to deploy, configure, secure and remotely administer them one or multiple locations in real time. Experience the Benefits of CloudCommand Designed specifically to meet the connectivity, budgetary and ease of use needs of the education market as well as businesses, the Amer solution includes indoor, outdoor and extended range Wi Fi products. This Quick Install Guide is for the WAP223NC Indoor access point. CloudCommand, a customizable online software platform from PowerCloud Systems, powers the Amer Networks' portfolio. The CloudCommand platform enables networking administrators to deploy and manage networks that deliver core enterprise level functionality for a fraction of traditional enterprise costs. Unbeatable Combination of Features & Affordability Enterprise level features delivered by Amer include (See Appendix 3 for full list): Remote management Multi location roaming Intuitive, real time dashboard Real time reporting & alerts Enhanced security Self configuring deployments Secure hotspot with billing features Compliance logging
Getting Started IMPORTANT To operate in cloud-management mode, the AP must be registered with the CloudCommand service. CloudCommand is free for 30 days. It then requires a subscription, which may be obtained from Amer Networks. 1.1. System Requirements Configuration requirements: Internet connection Computer with a Windows, Macintosh, or Linux based operating system Firefox 3.6, Chrome 5.0, Safari 4.0, IE 8.0 or later versions 1.2. Registering the AP Online Step 1: Locate the unique Unit Identification Code (UIC) on the label placed on the AP. Step 2: On a compatible browser, go to the CloudCommand site: http://amer.cloudcommand.com.
Step 3: Choose the appropriate registration option: New Customer: Create a customer account by clicking Create new account. CloudCommand will guide you through a simple step by step wizard to establish an account and complete the setup of your entire wireless network. Existing Customer: Use your username and password to log in. On the dashboard s left menu bar, select New Access Point and follow the instructions. 1.3. AP Deployment 1.3.1 Deploying an AP with Dynamic IP Addressing (DHCP) If your network automatically assigns IP addresses (DHCP service), connect the AP directly to the network by plugging an Ethernet cable into the LAN port on the bottom of the access point. Some networks are designed to provide power via an 802.3af Ethernet switch. If the is the case, you will need to use a convertor to provide the 24V required by the AP. Otherwise, insert the cable s other end into the 24V PoE power adapter port labeled PoE.
Next, plug the Ethernet cable into the power adapter port labeled LAN then insert the cable s other end into your existing switch or router with Internet connectivity. Lastly, connect the power cable for the 24V PoE power adapter into an outlet and power up the adapter. There is no further setup necessary, as long as the AP can access the Internet. The AP will automatically self configure and be ready to use in several minutes. You can reconfigure it to a static IP using the CloudCommand interface anytime in the future. Note1: For network firewalls, use the following OUTBOUND traffic on ports: 53(DNS), 80(HTTP), 443(HTTPS), and 3478(STUN). These settings are standard defaults for the large majority of firewalls. Note2: If content filtering and network traffic monitoring software are in use, ensure the following entries are whitelisted: 107.20.199.144 http://amer.cloudcommand.com + https://amer.cloudcommand.com http://u01.cloudcommand.com + https://u01.cloudcommand.com 23.21.195.45 http://time.cloudcommand.com
1.3.2 Deploying an AP without Dynamic IP Addressing (DHCP) If your network does not automatically assign IP addresses (No DHCP service), follow these steps: Step 1: Connect the AP directly to your computer using an Ethernet cable and provide power. (Do NOT connect it to the LAN.) Step 2: Configure the Ethernet connection of your computer as follows: IP Address: 192.168.101.55 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Step 3: Launch a web browser and type the default IP address of the AP (http:// 192.168.101.55). Enter the following User Name and Password: User Name: admin Password: password Step 4: Using the dropdown menu, select Network Configuration. Select static and complete the IP address, Net mask, Gateway and DNS servers info based on what your actual network utilizes. Click Save and Apply. Step 5: The AP is now configured. Select Logout and disconnect the AP from your computer.
Step 6: BEFORE connecting the AP to the LAN, log into your account. On the dashboard, select the tab, Network Manager and sub tab Access Points. Find your AP, select Actions from the dropdown menu and choose Edit IP. Step 7: Select Static and set the same static IP configuration on the CloudCommand interface as in the AP. Both settings will match, and the connection will be made (recommended). Alternately, select Local. This setting allows the AP s local configuration to be used and accepted by CloudCommand to connect to the network. Step 8: Connect the AP to the local area network. It will automatically receive its configuration from CloudCommand as it connects to the Internet. Configuration requires several minutes. The AP becomes operational with its status changes to OK to indicate it is properly functioning.
1.4. CloudCommand Dashboard Log in at http://amer.cloudcommand.com to view your dashboard. The dashboard is entry point into the CloudCommand virtual controller. This is where you will monitor your network, troubleshoot problems, manage permissions of individual devices or change your AP s configuration. 1 Manage APs, Connect Devices, and Change configurations, Wi Fi Network Names, security, and passwords 2 View Alerts and Events and set up Alert Notifications 3 Display detailed Activity Reports for users and APs 4 View User and Licensing 5 View Activity Graphs 6 View devices connected to your guest network 7 View devices connected to your primary wireless network 8 View APs by status and connected devices 9 Authorize new device to connect to the network (IDA only) 10 Register new Access Point on the wireless network 11 Monitor alerts in real time
Appendix 1 AP Status Levels The AP has multiple CloudCommand status levels which enable you to monitor its real time condition and activity. View an AP s status log in the Access Points section of the CloudCommand dashboard. Six status levels: Registered: AP was successfully registered but has not yet connected to CloudCommand. Starting: The initial configuration is occurring. It requires several minutes, during which time the AP is offline and unable to broadcast. The status should progress from Starting to OK. Starting may occur for multiple reasons, including device management and settings changes. OK/OK: AP is operational. An upward arrow indicates that the AP is currently communicating with the CloudCommand Server. It is normal behavior. Upgrading: The AP is executing a firmware upgrade. DO NOT DISCONNECT from power or Internet connection. NetDegraded: Network connectivity to the Internet is poor. The AP operates properly, but responsiveness may be delayed. If conditions improve, the status reverts to OK. Unmanageable: AP is not communicating properly with the CloudCommand service for over 4 minutes although it is still operational. The AP is not disconnected. However, management is unavailable. If the AP moves to this state the first time it is connected, it may indicate your firewall settings may needs to be adjusted. This state if reached after a period of proper operation may indicate issues with your Internet service or hardware problems such as a failed switch or router. Disconnected: AP is not communicating with the CloudCommand site. Reasons include no Internet connectivity or improper firewall configurations. Additionally, the hardware unit has two status levels. When its LED glows green, it is operational. When it glows/flashes amber, there is a connectivity issue.
Appendix 2 Troubleshooting Guide Step 1: Ensuring Valid Connectivity Replace the Ethernet cable with a known good cable. Ensure the cable is plugged into a router or switch port that has functioned properly with another device. Power cycle the AP, the switch or router to which it is connected. If a firewall(s) is used, review settings requirements on Page 5. If content filtering or network traffic monitoring software are in use, ensure the entries on Page 5 are whitelisted. If these steps fail to change the AP status, reset the unit to its factory default configuration, as described in the Step 2 (below). Step 2: Reset to Factory Default With the AP powered on and the Ethernet cable connected, use a pin to press the Reset button for 10 seconds. The reset button is located next to the Ethernet port on the unit s bottom. Release the button and wait 10 seconds. The AP s LED will flash green then change to solid green. After approximately 2 minutes, refresh your view on CloudCommand dashboard. The AP status should read OK. If the this step did not change the status, please Deregister and Reregister the AP as described in the following Step 3.
Step 3: Deregistering and Re Registering De register the AP: Make note of the AP s Unit Identification Code (UIC ) number for the problematic AP. In CloudCommand, under the Network Manager tab, Access Point sub tab select the AP and click Actions. From resulting dropdown menu, select Deregister. The deregistered AP should now have disappeared from the status line. Re register the AP: In CloudCommand, click the New Access Point link located in the left menu bar. Follow the instructions in the dialog boxes that appear. Connect the AP to the network using the Ethernet cable then plugging the power cord in. (If the network has Power over Ethernet (PoE), just connect the Ethernet cable to the AP.) The AP requires several minutes to self configure. The status should progress from Registered to Starting to Updating to OK.
Appendix 3 Features of CloudCommand Configuration & Updating Self Configuring Access Points. Self configuring equipment deploys in minutes instead of hours or days. Simply plug the equipment into a live Ethernet connection with Internet access and in less than three minutes, it is ready for use. Group Configuration, Network Wide Roaming. Seamlessly configure access points across multiple locations and roam with no need to reconfigure devices. Remote Reset and Reboot. Access points can be remotely reset and rebooted to solve basic connectivity problems with no need for on site presence. Automatic FW Update with Group Updates and Scheduled Updates. All complications related to upgrading the firmware on your access points disappears: every time one is available, it can be pushed it to all access points at the click of a button. Security Private Network with WPA2 PSK Encryption. A secure Wi Fi connection provides access for your trusted wireless devices to your business Local Area Network (LAN). Enhanced Security with Individual Device Authentication. Patented, two factor Individual Device Authentication (IDA) technology enables administrators to identify and secure each connected device individually via a self service process leveraging email or text messaging. Know who is on the network and what their activity levels are. Site Survey & Rogue AP Detection. Learn what other Wi Fi network are broadcasting near you and use the information to identify access points that may be connected to your network without being authorized before they become security threats. The same information can also be used to optimize your channel selection. Management Remote Cloud Management. With cloud management, Wi Fi networks across multiple locations can be monitored and administered in real time through the Internet. Real Time Alerting. The system can provide real time SMS or email alerts if critical elements of the system re disrupted Auto RF Management with Auto TX Power and Auto Channel Selection. Simplified automated management of radio frequency parameters means no need for planning and manual configuration in simple environments. Networks Broadcasting Schedule (Weekly). Select on a daily and weekly basis when your Wi Fi networks should be broadcasting and when should remain dormant, limiting security exposure and unauthorized bandwidth usage.
VLAN Tagging. Each SSID can be associated to a VLAN tag for VLAN partitioning. If VLAN tags are used across the Ethernet network, each SSID is independently connected only to the resources associated to the assigned VLAN. Extended Usage Reporting and Graphing (30 days). View upload, download bandwidth usage on your wireless network on a per connected device or Access Point Basis for up to 30 days history. You can use this tool to optimize the placement of your Access Points based on their actual usage. Hotspot/Guest Networking Guest Network with Client Isolation, Firewalled Access, Captive Portal Password Protection. A separate Wi Fi connection for guests and occasional users provides Internet only access, keeping your Local Area Network (LAN) secure. No more sharing passphrase means higher security. Customizable Guest Captive Portal. Add branding and custom terms of use to the page used by guests to log into the Hotspot. Customizable Guest Redirect Page. Redirect guest users to your web site of choice after they log into the Hotspot. Per Guest Download/Upload Limits. Define how much total bandwidth a guest user can utilize per ach session. Different users can receive different allocations of total bandwidth based on how they are authenticated on the Hotspot. Per Guest Time Access Limits. Define how long a guest user can access the hotspot for. Different users can be allowed different session durations based on how they are authenticated on the Hotspot. Front Desk Interface for Hotspot Management. A dedicated login role with a dedicated interface can be assigned for guest services operators in charge of issuing guest passes and monitor the Hotspot activity. Shared Guest Password Option. A single shared password can be used for common users of the guest network. Individual Pass Option. Individual passes associated with individual time and bandwidth rules can be manually issued for in person distribution or sent via Text message or email. SMS Pass Request for Guest Network. Self service request of passes can be enabled via SMS. Hotspot Paid Access with Credit Card Processing. Offer paid access to your hotspot at click of a button. No hassle, just the revenue. Credit card processing, authentication, total bandwidth allocation and session duration times are all simply handled by the CloudCommand system.
Appendix 4 Hardware Installation
Technical Support Support is available through Amer Networks. Website http://amer.cloudcommand.com Support Email support@amer.com Copyright 2012 PowerCloud Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. PowerCloud Systems, CloudCommand is a trademark of PowerCloud Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications, size and shape are subject to change without notice, and actual product appearance may differ from that depicted herein.