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Working with controlled APs
Key concepts
Key concepts
The service controller provides centralized management of APs operating in controlled
mode. Controlled mode greatly simplifies the set up and maintenance of a Wi-Fi
infrastructure by centralizing the configuration and management of distributed APs.
Note Starting with software version 5.x, APs operate in controlled mode by default. If you update
an AP from an earlier release, the AP boots in autonomous mode. Subsequently resetting the
AP to factory defaults switches it to controlled mode. For details on working with
autonomous APs, see Working with autonomous APs on page 14-1, and Resetting to factory
defaults on page C-1.
Plug and play installation
In most cases, initial configuration of an AP is not required. Simply power it up and plug it
into a network that provides access to a service controller. The AP will automatically
discover and authenticate itself with the service controller. The AP does not offer wireless
services until it successfully connects with a service controller. Layer 3 networks may require
the APs first to be provisioned.
Automatic software updates
Once an AP establishes a management tunnel with a service controller its software is
automatically updated to match the version installed on the service controller.
Centralized configuration management
All AP configuration settings are defined using the service controller management tool and
are automatically uploaded to all controlled APs with a single mouse click. For added
flexibility, APs can be assigned to groups, enabling each group to have customized
configuration settings. If needed, the individual settings for each AP in a group can also be
customized.
Manual provisioning
By default, APs operating in controlled mode will automatically discover and connect with a
service controller on most network topologies. However, in certain cases it may be necessary
to manually configure (provision) connectivity and discovery options. Manual provisioning
can be done directly on the AP, or via the service controller. When using the service
controller, provisioning can be applied to entire groups making it easy to customize many
APs at once.
Secure management tunnel
Once authenticated, a secure management tunnel is established between the AP and the
service controller to support the exchange of management traffic between the two devices.
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