User Guide

Deploying Access Points 1
CHAPTER 1
Deploying Access Points
This chapter outlines the recommended methods used to deploy
and provision Alcatel Access Points (APs) in an enterprise
network environment, detailing the various provisioning options
and steps required.
Overview
Alcatel wireless APs (also applicable to APs deployed as Air
Monitors (AMs) are designed to be low-touch configuration
devices that require only minimal provisioning to make them fully
operational on an Alcatel-enabled Wireless LAN network. Once
the AP has established Layer-3 communication with its host
Alcatel Mobility Controller, advanced configuration and
provisioning may be applied either to individual APs or globally
across the entire wireless network centrally using the WebUI of
the Master Alcatel Switch.
Getting Started
1. Planning
Decide where you wish to locate the APs in advance of physical
installation. Alcatel RF Plan can be utilized to provide an AP
placement map relative to a building floor plan to ensure optimal
RF coverage. (For more information on RF Plan, see the Alcatel RF
Plan for Windows User Guide.)
When deploying APs, note the AP MAC address and serial
number against the physical location. This will be useful in
assigning location code identifiers to APs (see “Assigning AP
Location Codes” below), which will greatly enhance
location-based services and wireless network calibration.