Dell PowerConnect W Airwave 7.1 User Manual Download

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| Configuring and Using Device Groups in AWMS

Dell PowerConnect W AirWave 7.1

| User Guide

layout and terminology. Bulk configuration for per-thin AP settings, previously configured on the Group
LWAPP APs tab, can now be performed from Modify Devices on the APs/Devices List page. Refer to

“Configuring Cisco Controller Settings” on page

110



PTMP/WiMAX

—This page defines settings specific to Proxim MP devices when present. Refer to

“Configuring Group PTMP/WiMAX Settings” on page

112



Proxim Mesh

—This page defines mesh AP settings specific to Proxim devices when present. Refer to

“Configuring Proxim Mesh Radio Settings” on page

116



MAC ACL

—This page defines MAC-specific settings that apply to Proxim, Cisco Vxworks, Symbol, Intel and

Procurve520 devices when present. Refer to

“Configuring Group MAC Access Control Lists” on page

118



Firmware

—This page manages firmware files for many devices.

“Specifying Minimum Firmware Versions for

APs in a Group” on page

119



Compare

—This page allows you to compare line item-settings between two device groups. On the

Groups >

List

page, click

Compare Two Groups

, select the two groups from the drop-down menus, then click

Compare

. The

Compare

page allows you to edit any line-item configuration for either of the two groups you

compare.

“Comparing Device Groups” on page

120

This chapter also provides the following additional procedures for group-level configurations:



“Deleting a Group” on page

121



“Changing Multiple Group Configurations” on page

121



“Modifying Multiple Devices” on page

122



“Using Global Groups for Group Configuration” on page

125

AWMS Group Overview

Enterprise APs, controllers, routers, and switches are complex devices with hundreds of variable settings that
must be configured precisely to achieve optimal performance and network security. Configuring all settings on
each device individually is time consuming and error prone. AWMS addresses this challenge by automating the
processes of device configuration and compliance auditing. At the core of this approach is the concept of groups,
with the following functions and benefits:



AWMS allows certain settings to be managed efficiently at a "Group level" while others are managed at an
"individual device level."



AWMS defines a group as a subset of the devices on the wireless LAN, ranging in size from one device to
hundreds of devices that share certain common configuration settings.



Groups may be defined based on geography (such as “5th Floor APs”), usage or security policies (such as
“Guest Access APs”), function (such as “Manufacturing APs”), or any other variable appropriate for your
business needs.



Devices within a group may be from different vendors or hardware models—the core requirement and benefit
of this approach is that all devices within a group share certain basic configuration settings.

Typical group configuration variables include basic settings (SSID, SNMP polling interval, and so forth), security
settings (VLANs, WEP, 802.1x, ACLs, and so forth), and some radio settings (data rates, fragmentation
threshold, RTS threshold, DTIM, preamble, and so forth). When configuration changes are applied at a group
level, they are assigned automatically to every device within that group. Such changes must be applied with every
device in

Managed

mode.

Monitor

mode is the more common mode.

Individual device settings—such as device name, RF channel selection, RF transmission power, antenna settings,
and so forth—typically cannot and should not be managed at a group level and must be configured individually to
achieve optimal performance. Individual AP settings are configured on the

APs/Devices > Manage

page.

With AWMS, you can create as many different groups as required. AWMS users usually establish groups that
range in size from five to 100 wireless devices.