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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

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