Dell PowerConnect W-AP90 Series Access Point
Installation Guide
About the Dell W-AP90 Series
The Dell W-AP90 Series APs are single-radio, dual-band wireless access points that
support the IEEE 802.11n standard for high-performance WLAN. These access
points use MIMO (Multiple-in, Multiple-out) technology and other high-throughput
mode techniques to deliver high-performance, 802.11n 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz
functionality while simultaneously supporting existing 802.11a/b/g wireless services.
The W-AP90 Series access points work only in conjunction with an Dell Controller.
The Dell W-AP90 Series access point provides the following capabilities:
z
Wireless transceiver
z
Protocol-independent networking functionality
z
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n operation as a wireless access point
z
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n operation as a wireless air monitor
z
Compatibility with IEEE 802.3af PoE
z
Central management configuration and upgrades through an Dell Controller
Package Contents
z
W-AP92 or W-AP93access point
z
Installation Guide
Figure 1
W-AP90 Series (AP-92 Shown)
W-AP90 Series Hardware Overview
Figure 2
Front (W-AP92 Shown)
LEDs
z
PWR: Indicates whether or not the AP is powered-on
z
ENET: Indicates the status of the AP’s Ethernet port
z
11A/N: Indicates the status of the 802.11a/n radio
z
11B/G/N: Indicates the status of the 802.11b/g/n radio
For information about the AP’s LED behavior, see
Table 1
.
Figure 3
Rear (W-AP92 Shown)
Console Port
Use the console port to connect to a terminal for direct local management.
Ethernet Port
The W-AP90 Series is equipped with a single 10/100/1000Base-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 AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately) can
be used to power the AP.
External Antenna Connectors
The W-AP92 is designed for use with external antennas. The W-AP93 is equipped
with internal antennas.
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-AP90 Series access point, be sure that you have the
following:
z
CAT5 UTP cable of required length
z
One of the following power sources:
IEEE 802.3af-compliant Power over Ethernet (PoE) source
Dell AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately)
z
Dell Controller provisioned on the network:
Layer 2/3 network connectivity to your access point
One of the following network services:
z
Dell Discovery Protocol (ADP)
z
DNS server with an “A” record
z
DHCP Server with vendor-specific options
Summary of the Setup Process
Successful setup of an W-AP90 Series 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:
z
When connected to the network, each AP is assigned a valid IP address
z
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-AP90 Series 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:
z
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 in the concrete, blocking RF signals.
z
Natural Items—Fish tanks, water fountains, ponds, and trees
z
Brick
RF reflectors include:
z
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.
z
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:
z
Microwave ovens and other 2.4 or 5 GHz objects (such as cordless phones)
z
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. Since the ports are on the back of the device, make sure that you mount the AP is
such a way that there is a clear path to the Ethernet port, such as a pre-drilled
hole in the mounting surface.
2. At the mounting location, install two screw on the wall or shelf, 1 7/8 inches
(4.7 cm) apart. If you are attaching the device to drywall, Dell recommends using
appropriate wall anchors (not included).
3. Align the mounting slots on the rear of the AP over the screws and slide the unit
into place (see
Figure 4
).
Figure 4
Installing the W-AP90 Series Access Point 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 back 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.
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-92_005
AP-92_001
PWR
ENET
11A/N
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 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.
AP-92_002
CONSOLE
ENET
12V 1.25A
Po wer
Connector
CONSOLE
ENET
Antenna
Connector
(AP-92 Only)
Antenna
Connector
(AP-92 Only)
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-AP90 Series.
Note: Dell, in compliance with governmental requirements, has designed the W-
AP90 Series 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.
Caution: Installation and service of Dell Networks products should be performed
by Professional Installers. Additional antenna and transmit power information for
Professional Installers can be found at
https://support.arubanetworks.com
.
Note: If you are installing an W-AP92, be sure to attach the antennas before
mounting the AP.
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.
AP-92_003
