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Aruba AP-205H Wireless Access Point

Installation Guide

 

The Aruba AP-205H access point is a high-performance dual radio wireless and 
wired access point for hospitality and branch deployments. 

This device combines high-performance wireless mobility with Gigabit wired 
local access to deliver secure network access to dormitories, hotel rooms, 
classrooms, medical clinics, and multi-tenant environments. MIMO (Multiple-
Input, Multiple-Output) technology enables the AP-205H to provide wireless 2.4 
GHz 802.11n and 5 GHz 802.11n/ac functionality, while simultaneously 
supporting existing 802.11a/b/g wireless services.

The AP-205H can be attached to a wall box using the bracket provided, or 
converted into a desk-mounted remote access point for branch office 
deployments using the AP-205H-MNTR desk mount kit (sold separately).

The AP-205H access point works in conjunction with an Aruba controller, while 
the IAP-205H variant uses a built-in virtual controller.

The Aruba AP-205H access point provides the following capabilities:

Dual wireless transceivers

IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac operation as a wireless access point

IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac operation as a wireless air monitor, spectrum analyzer

Compatibility with IEEE 802.3af/at PoE

Central management configuration and upgrades through an Aruba 
Controller or Aruba Instant virtual controller

Supports PoE-in to E0 port (only)/PoE-out from E3 port (only)

Support for selected USB peripherals

Package Contents

AP-205H Access Point

Single Gang Wall-box Mounting Bracket

2x #6-32 Machine Screw

T8H Torx Security Screw

Installation Guide (this document)

Hardware Overview

Figure 1  

Front

LED

The AP-205H is equipped with two LEDs indicating System Status and PSE. 

Console Port

The IAP-205H access point is equipped with a serial console port at the 
back(

Figure 2

). The port allows connecting the AP to a serial terminal or a 

laptop for direct local management. The 4-pin connector with removable dust 
cover is located on the back of the access point. An optional serial adapter cable 
(AP-CBL-SER) compatible with the IAP-205H can be purchased separately.

Figure 2  

Rear

Ethernet Ports

AP-205H access point is equipped with a total of four active Ethernet ports (E0-
E3). 

The E0, located at the back of the AP (

Figure 2

) is 10/100/1000 Base-T (RJ-45) 

auto-sensing, MDI/MDX wired-network uplink connectivity port. It supports 
IEEE 802.3af/802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE), accepting 48VDC as a 
standeard defined Powered Device (PD) from Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE), 
such as a midspan injector or network infrastructure that supports PoE.

The E1-E3 ports, located at the bottom of the AP (

Figure 3

), are 10/100/1000 

NBase-T (RJ-45) auto-sensing, MDI/MDX wired-network downlink connectivity 
ports. They are used to provide secure network connectivity to wired devices. 
Only the E3 port supports PoE-out functionality, supplying a maximum power of 
10W when the AP is operating in 802.3at PoE mode.

Additionally, the IAP-205H access point has a Pass-Through (PT) port at the 
back (

Figure 2

) and an E0/PT port at the bottom (

Figure 3

). The E0/PT port acts 

primarily as a Pass-Through (PT) port. Alternatively, the E0/PT port can serve as 
an E0 uplink port and accepts 802.3af/802.3at PoE power when the E0 and PT 
ports at the back of the AP are physically bridged by an Ethernet cable. 

AP-CBL-ETH10 sold separately with the AP-205H-MNTR desk mount kit.

Figure 3  

Bottom 

Figure 4  

Gigabit Ethernet Port Pin-Out

USB Port

The AP-205H access point is equipped with a USB port that is compatible with 
cellular modems and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) dongles. When active, the 
USB port can supply up to 5W (1A).

Push Button

The push button located on the right side of the AP can be used to reset the AP to 
factory default settings or turn off/on the LED display. 

To reset the AP to factory default settings:

1. Power off the AP.

2. Press and hold the push button using a small, narrow object, such as a 

paperclip.

3. Power-on the AP without releasing the push button. The system status 

LED will flash within 5 seconds.

4. Release the push button.

The system status LED will flash again within 15 seconds indicating that the 
reset is completed. The AP will now continue to boot with the factory default 
settings.

To turn off/on the system status LED:

During the normal operation of the AP, press the push button using a small, 
narrow object, such as a paperclip. The system status LED will be turned off/
on immediately.

Power Supply

The AP-205H has a single 48V DC power connector to support powering through 
an AC-to-DC power adapter. AP-AC-48V36 sold separately.

The AP-205H supports both PoE-in and PoE-out functionality. The PoE-in (PoE-
PD) allows the E0 port to draw power from 802.3at (preferred) and 802.3af 
(optional) sources.

When operating in 802.3at mode, the PoE-out (PoE-PSE) functionality is enabled 
on port 3, allowing a maximum output of 10W. If a device attempts to exceed the 
10W power limit, the E3 port is temporarily disabled. This port automatically 
reactivates over time.

When operating in 802.3af mode, theAP-205H power to PoE-PSE and USB is 
disabled.

 

Before You Begin

Pre-Installation Network Requirements

After WLAN planning is complete and the appropriate products and their 
placement have been determined, the Aruba controller(s) must be installed and 
initial setup performed before the Aruba APs are deployed.

AP Pre-Installation Checklist

Before installing your AP-205H access point, be sure that you have the following:

Pre-installed wall box

Cat5E UTP cable with network access installed in the wall box

One of the following power sources:

IEEE 802.3af-compliant Power over Ethernet (PoE) source

Aruba AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately)

Aruba Controller provisioned on the network:

Layer 2/3 network connectivity to your access point

One of the following network services:

Aruba Discovery Protocol (ADP)

DNS server with an “A” record

DHCP Server with vendor-specific options

Summary of the Setup Process

Complete each of tasks below in the order listed to setup your AP-205H access 
point.

1. Verify pre-installation connectivity.

2. Identify the specific installation location for each AP.

3. Install each AP.

4. Verify post-installation connectivity.

5. Configure each AP.

Verifying Pre-Installation Connectivity

Before you install APs in a network environment, make sure that the APs are 
able to locate and connect to the controller after power on. In order to 
successfully setup your network the following conditions must be met:

When connected to the network, each AP is assigned a valid IP address

APs are able to locate the controller 

Refer to the 

ArubaOS Quick Start

 Guide for instructions on locating and 

connecting to the controller.

Identifying Specific Installation Locations

When installing the AP-205H access point must be secured to an Aruba approved 
wall or to a desk mount kit, which can be purchased separately. This AP should 
be oriented vertically, with Ethernet ports facing downward to facilitate 
maximum antenna gain. Use the AP placement map generated by Aruba’s RF 
Plan software application to determine the proper installation location(s). Each 
location should be as close as possible to the center of the intended coverage 
area and should be free from obstructions or obvious sources of interference. 
These RF absorbers/reflectors/interference sources will impact RF propagation 
and should be accounted for during the planning phase and adjusted for in RF 
plan.

The Aruba AP-205H requires ArubaOS

 

6.4.3 or later.

Inform your supplier if there are any incorrect, missing, or 
damaged parts. If possible, retain the carton, including the 
original packing materials. Use these materials to repack and 
return the unit to the supplier if needed.

Table 1  

LED

Color/State

Meaning

System Status

Off

AP powered off, or LED switched to ‘off 
mode’

Amber- Solid

AP ready, restricted mode:

10/100Mbps uplink negotiated

Either radio in non-HT mode

Virtual AP not enabled

Amber- Flashing AP in Air or Spectrum Monitor mode

Red

Error condition

Green - Flashing AP booting, not ready

Green - Solid

AP ready

PSE

Off

AP powered off, or PoE capability disabled

Green - Solid

PoE power enabled

Red

PoE power sourcing error or overload 
condition

!

The rear panel of the AP-205H may become hot after extended use.

Le panneau arrière du point d'accès AP-205H peut chauffer après 
une utilisation prolongée.

Hot-plug operation is not recommended for the console port.

The USB interface is disabled when the AP-205H is powered from 
802.3af PoE.

Table 2  

Maximum Power Outputs

Power Source

Restrictions

USB

PoE-PSE

DC (AP-AC-48V36) None

5W

15.4W

802.3at

USB disabled when PoE-PSE is on

5W

10W

802.3af

USB, PoE-PSE disabled 

N/A

N/A

If both POE and DC power are available, the AP will default to using 
DC.

!

FCC Statement:

 Improper termination of access points 

installed in the United States configured to non-US model 
controllers will be in violation of the FCC grant of equipment 
authorization. Any such willful or intentional violation may 
result in a requirement by the FCC for immediate termination 
of operation and may be subject to forfeiture (47 CFR 1.80).

Déclaration FCC:

 l'arrêt incorrect des points d'accès installés 

aux États-unis qui sont configurés sur des contrôleurs autres 
que le modèle agréé aux États-unis est considéré comme 
contrevenant à l'homologation fcc. toute violation délibérée ou 
intentionnelle de cette condition peut entraîner une injonction 
d'arrêt immédiat de son utilisation par la fcc et peut 
déboucher sur la confiscation de l'équipement (47 cfr 1.80).

!

EU Statement:

 

Lower power radio LAN product operating in 2.4 GHz and 5 
GHz bands. Please refer to the 

ArubaOS User Guide

 for details 

on restrictions.

Produit réseau local radio basse puissance operant dans la 
bande fréquence 2.4 GHz et 5 GHz. Merci de vous referrer au 

ArubaOS User Guide

 pour les details des restrictions.

Low Power FunkLAN Produkt, das im 2.4 GHz und im 5 GHz 
Band arbeitet. Weitere Informationen bezlüglich 
Einschränkungen finden Sie im 

ArubaOS User Guide.

Apparati Radio LAN a bassa Potenza, operanti a 2.4 GHz e 5 
GHz. Fare riferimento alla 

ArubaOS User Guide

 per avere 

informazioni detagliate sulle restrizioni.

It is important that you verify the items listed under 

AP Pre-

Installation Checklist

 before you attempt to set up and install an AP-

205H.

Aruba Networks, Inc., in compliance with governmental 
requirements, has designed the AP-205H access points so that 
only authorized network administrators can change the settings. 
For more information about AP configuration, refer to the 

ArubaOS 

Quick Start Guide and ArubaOS User Guide

.

!

Access points are radio transmission devices and as such are 
subject to governmental regulation. Network administrators 
responsible for the configuration and operation of access points 
must comply with local broadcast regulations. Specifically, access 
points must use channel assignments appropriate to the location in 
which the access point will be used.

Les points d'accès sont des périphériques de transmission radio et 
sont, en tant que tels, soumis aux réglementations nationales. Les 
administrateurs réseau responsables de la configuration et de 
l'exploitation des points d'accès doivent se conformer aux 
règlements locaux de diffusion. De façon plus précise, les points 
d'accès doivent employer des canaux adaptés à leur emplacement 
physique

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