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Dell Networking W-AP210 Series Wireless Access Point

Installation Guide

  

The Dell Networking W-AP210 Series (W-AP214 and W-AP215) wireless access 

points support the IEEE 802.11ac and 802.11n standards for high-performance 

WLAN. These access points use MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) 

technology and other high-throughput mode techniques to deliver high-

performance, 802.11n 2.4 GHz and 802.11ac 5 GHz functionality while 

simultaneously supporting existing 802.11a/b/g wireless services. The W-AP210 

Series access points work only in conjunction with a Dell Networking W-Series 

Mobility Controller.
The W-AP210 Series access point provides the following capabilities:

Wireless transceiver

Protocol-independent networking functionality

IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac operation as a wireless access point

IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac operation as a wireless air monitor

Compatibility with IEEE 802.3at PoE+ and 802.3af PoE 

Central management configuration and upgrades through a controller

Package Contents

W-AP214 or W-AP215 Access Point 

9/16" and 15/16” Ceiling Rail Adapters

Installation Guide (this document)

W-AP210 Series Hardware Overview

Figure 1  

W-AP210 Series LEDs

LEDs

The W-AP210 Series is equipped with four LEDs that indicate the status of the 

various components of the AP.

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

ENET: Indicates the status of the AP Ethernet port

5 GHz: Indicates the status of the AP 802.11a/n radio

2.4 GHz: Indicates the status of the AP 802.11b/g/n radio

Figure 2  

W-AP210 Series Side View (W-AP214 shown) 

External Antenna Connectors

The W-AP214 is equipped with three external antenna connectors. The connectors 

are labeled ANT0, ANT1, and ANT2, and correspond to radio chains 0, 1, and 2. 
For optimal performance when using articulating direct-mount antennas, 

professional installers must orient the antennas with ANT0 and ANT2 at 45 degree 

angles and ANT1 oriented straight out (see 

Figure 3

).

Figure 3  

W-AP214 Antenna Orientation

USB Interface

The W-AP210 Series is equipped with a USB interface for connectivity with cellular 

modems. 

Figure 4  

W-AP210 Series Bottom View

Console Port

The serial console port allows you to 
connect the AP to a serial terminal or a 
laptop for direct local management. This 
port is an RJ-45 female connector with the 
pinouts described in . Connect it directly to 
a terminal or terminal server using an 
Ethernet cable.

Ethernet Port

W-AP210 Series is equipped with one 10/100/1000Base-T (RJ-45) auto-sensing, 

MDI/MDX wired-network connectivity port. This port supports IEEE 802.3af and 

802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE) compliance, accepting 48 VDC (nominal) 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.
The 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port is on the bottom of the AP. The port has RJ-45 

female connectors with the pin-outs shown in 

Figure 6

.

Figure 6  

Gigabit Ethernet Port Pin-Out

DC Power Socket

If PoE is not available, an optional Dell AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately) can 

be used to power the W-AP210 Series. 
Additionally, a locally-sourced AC-to-DC adapter (or any DC source) can be used to 

power this device, as long as it complies with all applicable local regulatory 

requirements and the DC interface meets the following specifications:

12 VDC (+/- 5%)/18W

Center-positive 1.7/4.0 mm circular plug, 9.5 mm length

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 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 

Dell Networking W-Series ArubaOS 

Quick Start Guide 

corresponding to the software version installed on your controller.

AP Pre-Installation Checklist

Before installing your W-AP210 Series AP, ensure that you have the following:

CAT5e or better UTP cable of required length

One of the following power sources:

IEEE 802.3at or 802.3af-compliant Power over Ethernet (PoE) source. The 
POE source can be any power source equipment (PSE) controller or midspan 
PSE device

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:

Aruba Discovery Protocol (ADP)

DNS server with an “A” record

DHCP Server with vendor-specific options

Summary of the Setup Process

Successful setup of a W-AP210 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 

Dell Networking W-Series ArubaOS Quick Start Guide

 for instructions 

on locating and connecting to the controller.

Identifying Specific Installation Locations

You can mount the W-AP210 Series access point on a wall or on the ceiling. Use the 

AP placement map generated by Dell VisualRF 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 VisualRF 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. Examples of sources 

that degrade RF performance include:

Cement and brick

Objects that contain water

Metal

Microwave ovens

Wireless phones and headsets

Installing the AP

Using the Ceiling Rail Adapter

The W-AP210 Series ships with two ceiling rail adapters for 9/16” and 15/16” ceiling 

rails. Additional wall mount adapters and ceiling rail adapters for other rail styles are 

available as accessory kits.

1. Pull the necessary cables through a prepared hole in the ceiling tile where the AP 

will be placed.

2. Place the adapter against the back of the AP at an angle of approximately 30 

degrees to the tabs (see 

Figure 7

).

Note:  

The W-AP210 Series access point requires Dell Networking W-Series ArubaOS 6.4.2.0 

or later version.

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.

LED

Color/State

Meaning

PWR

Off

No power to AP

Red

Initial power-up 

Green - Flashing

AP booting

Green - Steady

AP ready

ENET

Off

Ethernet link unavailable

Yellow - Steady

10/100Mbps Ethernet link established

Green - Steady

1000Mbps Ethernet link established

Flashing

Ethernet link activity

5 GHz

Off

5 GHz radio disabled

Yellow - Steady

5 GHz radio enabled in non-HT WLAN mode

Green - Steady

5 GHz radio enabled in HT WLAN mode

Flashing - Green 

5 GHz Air or Spectrum Monitor

2.4 GHz

Off

2.4 GHz radio disabled

Yellow - Steady

2.4 GHz radio enabled in non-HT WLAN mode

Green - Steady

2.4 GHz radio enabled in HT WLAN mode

Flashing - Green 

2.4 GHz Air or Spectrum Monitor

2.4GHz

5GH

z

ENET

PWR

Note:  

The USB interface is disabled when the W-AP210 Series is powered from 802.3af PoE.

ANT2

ANT0

ANT1

USB Port

Figure 5  

Serial Port Pin-Out

Serial

Console Port

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

TxD

GND

RxD

RJ-45 Female

Pin-Out

Direction

Input

Output

GND

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 
Dell Networking W-Series 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 

Dell Networking W-Series 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 

Dell Networking W-Series 

ArubaOS User Guide.

Apparati Radio LAN a bassa Potenza, operanti a 2.4 GHz e 5 GHz. Fare riferimento alla 

Dell 

Networking W-Series ArubaOS User Guide per avere informazioni detagliate sulle 
restrizioni.

1000Base-T Gigabit 

Ethernet Port

RJ-45 Female
Pin-Out

Signal Name

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

BI_DC+
BI_DC-

BI_DD+
BI_DD-

BI_DA+
BI_DA-
BI_DB+

BI_DB-

Function

Bi-directional pair +C
Bi-directional pair -C

Bi-directional pair +D
Bi-directional pair -D

Bi-directional pair +A
Bi-directional pair -A
Bi-directional pair +B

Bi-directional pair -B 

   

Note:  

Dell, in compliance with governmental requirements, has designed the W-AP210 

Series access points so that only authorized network administrators can change the settings. 
For more information about AP configuration, refer to the 

Dell Networking W-Series ArubaOS 

Quick Start Guide and Dell Networking W-Series 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 products should be performed by trained service personnel only.

Caution:  

Make sure the AP fits securely on the ceiling tile rail when hanging the device 

from the ceiling, because poor installation could cause it to fall on people or equipment.

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