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AP-200 Series Wireless Access Point

Installation Guide

 

 

The Aruba AP-204 and AP-205 wireless access points support the IEEE 802.11ac 
and 802.11n standards for high-performance WLAN. These access points use 
MIMO (Multiple-in, Multiple-out) 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 legacy 802.11a/b/g wireless 
services. The AP-200 Series access points work only in conjunction with an 
Aruba Controller.

The Aruba AP-200 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 802.3af PoE 

Central management configuration and upgrades through a controller

Package Contents

AP-204 or AP-205 Access Point 

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

Installation Guide (this document)

AP-200 Series Hardware Overview

Figure 1  

AP-200 Series LEDs

LEDs

The AP-200 Series is equipped with four LEDs that indicate the status of the 
various components of the AP.

PWR: Indicates whether or not the AP-200 Series is powered-on and shows 
basic system status

ENET: Indicates the status of the AP-200 Series’ Ethernet port

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

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

Figure 2  

AP-200 Series Side View (AP-204 shown) 

External Antenna Connectors

The AP-204 is equipped with two external antenna connectors. The connectors 
are labeled ANT0 and ANT1, and correspond to radio chains 0 and 1. 

Figure 3  

AP-200 Series Rear View

For optimal performance when using articulating direct-mount antennas, 
professional installers must orient the antennas as pictured in 

Figure 4

, below.

Figure 4  

AP-204 Antenna Orientation

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 

Figure 5

Connect it directly to a terminal or terminal 

server using an Ethernet cable.

Figure 5  

Serial Port Pin-Out

Ethernet Port

The AP-200 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 
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 rear of the AP. This 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 Aruba AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately) 
can be used to power the AP-200 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 Aruba controller(s) must be installed and 
initial setup performed before the Aruba 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 AP-200 Series AP, ensure that you have the following:

CAT5e or better UTP cable of required length

One of the following power sources:

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

Aruba AP AC-DC adapter kit (sold separately)

Aruba 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 an AP-200 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 

ArubaOS Quick Start

 Guide for instructions on locating and 

connecting to the controller.

Identifying Specific Installation Locations

You can mount the AP-200 Series access point on a wall or on the ceiling. Use the 
AP placement map generated by Aruba’s Airwave 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 AP-200 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.

The AP-200 Series requires ArubaOS 6.4.1.0 or later.

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.

Table 1  

AP-200 Series Series LED Meanings

LED

Color/State

Meaning

PWR

Off

No power to AP

Red

Error condition

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

5GHz

ENET

PWR

ANT1

ANT0

AP-204_02

Serial

Console Port

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

TxD

GND

RxD

RJ-45 Female

Pin-Out

Direction

Input

Output

GND

!

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).

!

EU Statement:

 

Lower power radio LAN product operating in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. 
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 et 5 GHz. Merci de vous referrer au 

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 

ArubaOS 

User Guide.

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

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 

   

Aruba Networks, Inc., in compliance with governmental requirements, has 
designed the AP-200 Series 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

.

!

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 
assignm ents appropriate to the location in which the access point will be 
used.

Service to all Aruba Networks products should be performed by trained 
service personnel only.

!

Maximum supported weight of the ceiling rail adapter is 3.75 kg.

!

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 onto 
people or equipment.

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