Dell PowerConnect W-AP68 Access Point
Installation Guide
About the Dell W-AP68
The Dell W-AP68 are single-radio, single-band wireless access points that support
the IEEE 802.11n standard for high-performance WLAN. These access points deliver
high-performance, 802.11n 2.4 GHz functionality while simultaneously supporting
existing 802.11b/g wireless services. The W-AP68 access point works only in
conjunction with a Dell Controller.
The Dell W-AP68 access point provides the following capabilities:
Wireless transceiver
Protocol-independent networking functionality
IEEE 802.11b/g/n operation as a wireless access point
IEEE 802.11b/g/n operation as a wireless air monitor
Compatibility with IEEE 802.3af PoE
Central management configuration and upgrades through an Dell Controller
Package Contents
W-AP68 access point
Installation Guide
9/16-inch Ceiling Rail Adapter
15/16-inch Ceiling Rail Adapter
Ceiling Rail Adapter Installation Guide
4x Rubber Feet
W-AP68 Hardware Overview
Figure 1
Front
LEDs
PWR: Indicates whether or not the W-AP68 is powered-on
ENET: Indicates the status of the W-AP68’s Ethernet port
11B/G/N: Indicates the status of the 802.11b/g/n radio
For information about the W-AP68’s LED behavior, see
Table 1
.
Figure 2
Rear
Figure 3
Bottom
Console Port
Use the console port to connect to a terminal for direct local management.
Ethernet Port
The W-AP68 is equipped with a single 10/100Base-T (RJ-45) auto-sensing, MDI/
MDX wired-network connectivity 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.
DC Power Socket
If PoE is not available, an optional Dell 12V AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately)
can be used to power the W-AP68.
Before You Begin
Pre-Installation Network Requirements
After WLAN planning is complete and the appropriate products and their placement
have been determined, the Dell controller(s) must be installed and initial setup
performed before the Dell APs are deployed.
For initial setup of the controller, refer to the
ArubaOS Quick Start Guide
for the
software version installed on your controller.
AP Pre-Installation Checklist
Before installing your W-AP68 access point, be sure that you have the following:
CAT5 UTP cable of required length
One of the following power sources:
IEEE 802.3af-compliant Power over Ethernet (PoE) source
Dell AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately)
Dell Controller provisioned on the network:
Layer 2/3 network connectivity to your access point
One of the following network services:
Dell Discovery Protocol (ADP)
DNS server with an “A” record
DHCP Server with vendor-specific options
Summary of the Setup Process
Successful setup of an W-AP68 access point consists of five tasks, which must be
performed in this order:
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. Specifically, you must verify the
following conditions:
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
You can mount the W-AP68 access point on a wall or on the ceiling. Use the AP
placement map generated by Dell’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 have been accounted for during the planning
phase and adjusted for in RF plan.
Identifying Known RF Absorbers/Reflectors/Interference Sources
Identifying known RF absorbers, reflectors, and interference sources while in the
field during the installation phase is critical. Make sure that these sources are taken
into consideration when you attach an AP to its fixed location.
RF absorbers include:
Cement/concrete—Old concrete has high levels of water dissipation, which dries
out the concrete, allowing for potential RF propagation. New concrete has high
levels of water concentration within the concrete, blocking RF signals.
Natural Items—Fish tanks, water fountains, ponds, and trees
Brick
RF reflectors include:
Metal Objects—Metal pans between floors, rebar, fire doors, air conditioning/
heating ducts, mesh windows, blinds, chain link fences (depending on aperture
size), refrigerators, racks, shelves, and filing cabinets.
Do not place an AP between two air conditioning/heating ducts. Make sure that
APs are placed below ducts to avoid RF disturbances.
RF interference sources include:
Microwave ovens and other 2.4 or 5 GHz objects (such as cordless phones)
Cordless headset such as those used in call centers or lunch rooms
Installing the AP
Using the Integrated Wall-Mounting Slots
The keyhole-shaped slots on the back of the AP can be used to attach the device
upright to an indoor wall or shelf. When you choose the mounting location, allow
additional space at the right of the unit for cables.
1. At the mounting location, install two screw on the wall or shelf, 2.1 inches
(5.3 cm) apart. If you are attaching the device to drywall, Dell recommends using
appropriate wall anchors (not included).
2. Align the mounting slots on the rear of the AP over the screws and slide the unit
into place.
Figure 4
Mounting W-AP68 on a Wall
Using the Integrated Ceiling Tile Rail Slots
The snap-in tile rail slots on the rear of the AP can be used to securely attach the
device directly to a 15/16" wide, standard ceiling tile rail.
1. Pull the necessary cables through a prepared hole in the ceiling tile near where
the AP will be placed.
2. If necessary, connect the console cable to the console port on the bottom of the
AP.
3. Hold the AP next to the ceiling tile rail with the ceiling tile rail mounting slots at
approximately a 30-degree angle to the ceiling tile rail (see
Figure 5
). Make sure
that any cable slack is above the ceiling tile.
4. Rotate the AP clockwise until the device clicks into place on the tile rail.
Figure 5
Orienting the Ceiling Tile Rail Mounting Slots
Rubber Feet Installation
If you are installing your W-AP68 on a flat surface (such as a desk), you must install
the included rubber feet. Install these by inserting one foot into each of the four
holes at each corner on the bottom of the AP.
NOTE: The Dell W-AP68 requires ArubaOS 6.0 or later.
NOTE: 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.
AP-68_001
PWR
ENET
11B /G/N
CAUTION: 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).
CAUTION: EU Statement:
Lower power radio LAN product operating in 2.4 GHz band. 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. Merci de vous referrer au
ArubaOS User Guide
pour les details des
restrictions.
Low Power FunkLAN Produkt, das im 2.4 GHz Band arbeitet. Weitere
Informationen bezlüglich Einschränkungen finden Sie im
ArubaOS User Guide.
Apparati Radio LAN a bassa Potenza, operanti a 2.4 GHz. Fare riferimento alla
ArubaOS User Guide
per avere informazioni detagliate sulle restrizioni.
AP-68_002
CONSOLE
ENET
Po wer
Connector
A
P-68_003
NOTE: It is important that you verify the items listed under
AP Pre-Installation
Checklist
before you attempt to set up and install an W-AP68 access point.
NOTE: Dell, in compliance with governmental requirements, has designed the W-
AP68 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
.
CAUTION: 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.
NOTE: Service to all Dell Networks products should be performed by trained ser-
vice personnel only.
CAUTION: Make sure the AP fits securely on the ceiling tile rail when hanging
the device from the ceiling; poor installation could cause it to fall onto people or
equipment.
AP-68_004
AP-68_005
