An access point can be configured in a variety of ways
. The easiest way
to configure the AP is to use a Web browser to view the Graphical User
Interface (GUI). A Telnet client or a console connection can also be used to
configure the AP using the menu or CLI.
Configuration Using the GUI
There are two basic GUI interfaces
depending on the AP image:
- IOS

- VxWorks

The 350 series AP and Bridge currently use the VxWorks interface. The
1100 only uses the IOS image. The 1200 Series is capable of either, however a
IOS AP should not be downgraded to VxWorks. Any AP that is running the IOS
image also contains the IOS CLI code common to Cisco routers and switches. This
makes an easy transition for existing Cisco network administrators.
The
AP will get an IP address using DHCP, if possible. If no DHCP server is
available, a Cisco AP will use the static IP address 10.0.0.1, by default.
Configuration Using the CLI
The other primary method of setting
up APs is through the use of the CLI. In general, users can utilize different
methods to configure access points depending on the model and image version.
There are two CLI versions. They are IOS CLI
and the VxWorks
Menu
.
The
demonstration activities in this section document the steps required to
configure an access point using VxWorks Menu. However, the labs will be using
IOS GUI or CLI.
Accessing through Web Browser
Open a Web
browser, and enter the IP address for the AP on the address line of the
browser. The AP GUI will be displayed, as shown in Figures
and
.
Accessing through Console Settings
Connect a serial cable from
the PC to the access point, and open HyperTerminal. Use the following settings
to configure HyperTerminal:
- Bits per second (baud rate): 9600
- Data bits: 8
- Parity: No parity
- Stop bits: 1
- Flow control: Xon/Xoff or None
Keep in mind that the console of an IOS device differs from the older
menu based VxWorks interface . Also, notice that the AP 1100 does not have a
console port and must be configured by way of Telnet or a web browser over a
wired or wireless link.
Accessing through Telnet
From a DOS
Shell, type telnet <ip-address>. Use the currently
assigned IP address on the access point for
<ip-address>. An example of a Telnet session is shown
in Figure
. Other terminal
services programs such as PuTTY and HyperTerminal can be used. Telnet and HTTP
operate at the application layer
. The IOS CLI and
the VxWorks menu can be accesses remotely through Telnet.