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AP-100 Series Wireless Access Point

Installation Guide

About the Aruba AP-100 Series Access Points

The Aruba AP-104 and AP-105 wireless access points support the IEEE 802.11n 
standard for high-performance WLAN. This 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 AP-100 Series access point 
works only in conjunction with an Aruba Controller.

The Aruba AP-100 Series 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 PoE 

Central management configuration and upgrades through an Aruba 
Controller

Package Contents

AP-104 or AP-105 access point 

Installation guide (this document)

AP-100 Series Hardware Overview

Figure 1  

AP-100 Front (AP-104 shown)

LEDs

The AP-100 Series is equipped with four LEDs that indicate the status of the 
various components of the AP.

PWR: Indicates whether or not the AP-100 Series is powered-on

ENET: Indicates the status of the AP-100 Series’s Ethernet port

11A/N: Indicates the status of the 802.11a/n radio

11B/G/N: Indicates the status of the 802.11b/g/n radio

For information about the AP-100 Series’s LED behavior, see 

Table 1 on page 2

.

External Antenna Connectors

The AP-104 is designed for use with external antennas and equipped with four 
external, female RP-SMA antenna connectors. Antenna connector mapping:

R0/A0: Radio 0 (5GHz), chain 0

R0/A1: Radio 0 (5GHz), chain 1

R1/A0: Radio 1 (2.4GHz), chain 0

R1/A1: Radio 1 (2.4GHz), chain 1

The AP-105 is equipped with internal antennas. 

Figure 2  

AP-100 Series Rear

Console Port

Use the console port to connect to a terminal for direct local management.

Ethernet Port

AP-100 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 Aruba AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately) 
can be used to power the AP-100 Series. 

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.

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.

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 AP-100 Series AP, ensure 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

Supports full functionality for AP-100 Series

The POE source can be any power source equipment (PSE) controller or 
midspan PSE device

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

Successful setup of an AP-100 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:

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 AP-100 Series access point on a wall or on the ceiling. 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 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. 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, Aruba 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 3

).

Figure 3  

Installing the AP-100 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.

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 4

). Make sure 

that any cable slack is above the ceiling tile.

Figure 4  

Orienting the Ceiling Tile Rail Mounting Slots

3. Pushing toward the ceiling tile, rotate the AP clockwise until the device 

clicks into place on the ceiling tile rail.

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.

PWR

ENET

11B/G/N

11A/N

External 
Antenna 
Connector

!

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).

!

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.

AP105_002

C

ONSOLE

ENET

12V       1.25A

48V

3

50mA

CONSOLE

ENET

Power 
Connector

Reset Button

Aruba Networks, Inc., in compliance with governmental requirements, has 
designed the AP-100 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

.

!

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.

Service to all Aruba Networks products should be performed by trained 
service personnel only.

!

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.

AP105_003

A

P105_004

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