Aruba RAP-108 and RAP-109 Remote Access Point
Installation Guide
The Aruba RAP-108 and RAP-109 are dual-radio, dual-band remote access points
that supports the IEEE 802.11n standard for high-performance WLAN. These
access point uses MIMO (Multiple-in, Multiple-out) technology and other high-
throughput mode techniques to deliver high-performance, 802.11n 2.4 GHz and 5
GHz functionality while simultaneously supporting existing 802.11a/b/g wireless
services.
The RAP-108/RAP-109 ships with Aruba Instant software. Therefore, out of the
box, the RAP-108/RAP-109 will operate as a Virtual Controller (VC) or an Instant
AP. However, the RAP-108/RAP-109 can be converted to operate as a Remote AP
(RAP). For information about the IAP to RAP conversion, see
RAP Conversion
.
The Aruba RAP-108/RAP-109 remote access point provides the following
capabilities:
Wireless transceiver
Protocol-independent networking functionality
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n operation as a wireless access point
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n operation as a wireless air monitor
Compatibility with IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at
Package Contents
RAP-108 or RAP-109 Remote Access Point
RAP-108/RAP-109 Mounting Stand
Installation Guide
RAP-108/RAP-109 Hardware Overview
Figure 1
Ports
Reset Button
The reset button can be used to return the AP to factory default settings. To reset
the AP:
1. Power off the AP.
2. Press and hold the reset button using a small, narrow object, such as a
paperclip.
3. Power-on the AP without releasing the reset button. The power LED will
flash within 5 seconds.
4. Release the reset button.
The power 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.
USB Interface
The RAP-108/RAP-109 is equipped with a USB interface for connectivity with
cellular modems.
Console Port
Use the console port to connect to a terminal for direct local management.
ENET 0
For primary network connectivity, RAP-108/RAP-109 is equipped with a 10/100/
1000BASE-T (RJ-45) auto-sensing, MDI/MDX Gigabit Ethernet port. This port
supports IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) compliance, accepting 48VDC
as a standard defined Powered Device (PD) from a Power Sourcing Equipment
(PSE) such as a PoE midspan injector, or network infrastructure that supports
PoE.
ENET 1
For secondary network connectivity, RAP-108/RAP-109 is equipped with a 10/
100BASE-T (RJ-45) auto-sensing, MDI/MDX Fast Ethernet port.
DC Power Socket
If PoE is not available, an optional Aruba AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately)
can be used to power the RAP-108/RAP-109.
External Antenna Connectors (RAP-108 Only)
The RAP-108 is equipped with two RP-SMA external antenna connectors and
requires the use of two dual-band antennas. These ports are marked ANT0 and
ANT1, matching radio chains 0 and 1.
In order to ensure accurate RF power level setting and reporting in software, as
well as compliance with any regulatory restrictions, the correct gain for
antennas used (adjusted for any additional cabling loss, if applicable) needs to
be entered in software when provisioning the RAP-108. Two antenna gain
numbers are needed for this; one for each supported band (2.4GHz and 5GHz).
These numbers can be obtained from the antenna datasheet or specifications.
Antenna gain for RAP-109 is hardcoded to the correct values already, so there is
no need for any additional action on that platform.
Figure 2
LEDs
LEDs
PWR: Indicates whether or not the RAP-108/RAP-109 is powered-on
ENET0 and ENET1: Indicates the status of the RAP-108/RAP-109’s Ethernet
ports
5 GHz: Indicates the status of the 802.11a/n radio
2.4 GHz: Indicates the status of the 802.11b/g/n radio
Installing the AP
Tabletop Mounting
The RAP-108/RAP-109 is shipped with a stand to use on flat (i.e. table top)
surfaces. Place the RAP-108/RAP-109 in the stand (see
Figure 3
) and place the
stand on a flat, level surface.
To attach the RAP to the stand:
1. Align the center peg of the stand with recessed hole on the unit.
2. Align the mounting posts on the back of the AP with corresponding openings
on the stand.
3. Rotate the AP clockwise until it clicks into place.
Figure 3
Stand Installation
Connecting the Required Cables
The RAP-108/RAP-109 must be connected to a network device that has access to
the Internet, such as a router or modem. To complete the installation of the RAP-
108/RAP-109:
1. Connect one end of the provided RJ-45 cable to port E0 on the RAP-108/RAP-
109.
2. Connect the other end of the RJ-45 cable to a free RJ-45 port on your modem
or router.
3. Attach the provided power adapter to the DC IN port on the RAP-108/RAP-
109.
4. Connect the other end of the power adapter to a power outlet.
The RAP-108/RAP-109 is now powered on. To verify this, ensure that the PWR
LED is solid green.
Verifying Successful Installation
Once the RAP-108/RAP-109’s PWR LED has come up, the device will take 2 to 3
minutes to complete the boot cycle. Once the boot cycle is complete, you can
connect to your company or corporate network.
RAP Conversion
If your network administrator has instructed you to convert the RAP-108/RAP-
109 to work in RAP mode, follow the process below to complete the RAP
conversion.
1. Power up the RAP-108/RAP-109.
2. Connect to
Instant
SSID.
3. Login to the RAP-108/RAP-109 by navigating to
http://
instant.arubanetworks.com
and login to the Instant WebUI. The default
username is
admin
and the default password is
admin
. See the included
Aruba Instant Quick Start Guide
for more information.
4. Navigate to the
Maintenance
tab in the top right.
5. Click on the
Convert
tab.
6. Select
Remote APs managed by a Mobility Controller
from the drop
down menu.
7. Enter the IP address of the controller. This is provided by your network
administrator.
8. Click
Convert Now
to complete the conversion (see
Figure 4
).
9. The RAP-108/RAP-109 will reboot and begin operating in RAP mode.
Figure 4
IAP-RAP Conversion over the Internet
The RAP-108/RAP-109 requires Aruba Instant 3.2 or ArubaOS 6.2.
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.
The USB interface is disabled when the RAP-108/RAP-109 is powered from
802.3af PoE.
ENE
T 1
ENE
T 0
56V
350mA
1.25A
C
ONSOLE
Table 1
RAP-108/RAP-109 Series LED Meanings
LED
Color/State
Meaning
PWR
Off
No power to AP
Red steady
System initializing
Green flashing
Device booting, not ready
Green steady
Device ready
ENET0 Off
No
link
Amber
10/100 Mbps link
Green
1000 Mbps link
Flashing
Ethernet link activity
ENET1
Off
No link
Green
10/100 Mbps link
Flashing
Ethernet link activity
5 GHz
Off
5 GHz radio is disabled
Amber steady
5 GHz radio enabled in WLAN
mode
Green steady
5 GHz radio enabled in 11n mode
Green flashing
5 GHz Air Monitor mode
2.4 GHz
5 GHz
ENET 1
ENET 0
PWR
2.4 GHz
Off
2.4 GHz radio disabled
Amber steady
2.4 GHz radio enabled in WLAN
mode
Green steady
2.4 GHz radio enabled in 11n
mode
Green flashing
2.4 GHz Air Monitor mode
Table 1
RAP-108/RAP-109 Series LED Meanings (Continued)
LED
Color/State
Meaning
RAP-108_02
