Cisco Aironet 1200

Hi All-

we just got out cisco AP today. when i look at the device on the web
interface, it has an ip obviously and everythign says up. but the
radio LED is not on and it is not broadcasting. is there somethign
special needed for basic functionality??

TIA,
M

 

Your 1200 has a MiniPCI radio installed and antennas connected?
You know what you're doing?
The 1200 isn't intended for SoHo users who prefer a quick and easy setup.

Try ask little smarter, and help is much nearer ;-)

 

I never said i was an expert, i deal with cisco every day. I have
never dealt with a wireless device from them though. I was only
looking for some starting pointers as to why the radio was not on.
when i read the online documentation, it seems as though everything i
read states the radio is automatically on after express setup. this
not being my case. yes i do have external antenna's as well as the
fold up. We are not a "SoHo" company. we got the aironet to service
visitors to our site. thanks for the blasting...i appreciate it.

 

An Aironet out of the box should have the radio started.
In the Web Interface:
Network Interfaces -> Radio0-802.11B (or G)
Software Status, Hardware Status and Detailed Status.

On the Express Setup Page's bottom ensure that for "Role in Radion
Network" Access Point Root is selected (which is the default).

Select Optimize Radio Network for "Range", or no 802.11b cards can
associate with an 11G AP. (Not an issue with 11B AP)

What is your wireless card?

 

Thanks for your reply. Should the LED be lit? as it is not out of the
box for me. Also, I think my firmware is old as my options are not the
same, I still have the "Radio: module" and the settings arent exactldy
as you stated, but almost. I have all my settings as you have said
here. my wireless cards vary from simple linksys 1/b/g cards to
orinoco built into some laptops. i have a wide variety of users, none
of which can pick up a signal. i also have a wifi detector that has
always been very reliable in picking up wifi networks, and the results
from it are no signal.

 

Yes. blinking green after booting has finished.
If a WLAN station is associated the pattern is different, but still
blinking green depending on network traffic.

Even the oldest firmware works for a completely open setup.
Even long before Aironet was aquired by Cisco.

Is the background colour yellow instead of the Cisco typical green?
Then it is running VxWorks and not IOS.
Doesn't matter for now. Can be converted (later).

There is a setting for shutting down the radio if the ethernet
connection is lost.
For IOS: Network Interfaces -> Radio0 802.11b or g -> Settings
Role in Radio Network (Fallback mode...)
Often it is set to "Radio Shutdown".


When you open the "Services" page, "Hot Standby" must be disabled.

Those feature didn't exist in VxWorks.

No log entries after booting the AP?
Watch the boot process on the serial console for more information.

What is the type number on the backside of the AP?
The Radio0' MiniPCI slot is on the bottom side. Needs a security torx to
open one screw, then open the silver plate.

The opening on the contrary side to the connectors panel is an
(optional) 11a CardBus card. Not needed for operating 11b or 11g.

If you can reach the AP via http and the Radio appears in Interface up
status you have a running firmware on the AP. Ok for now.
Even with *no* external antenna connected, you should be able to find
the AP with your sniffer from less than one or two meters away.

Check the hardware. Internal pigtails from the MiniPCI to the RP-TNC
connectors, then the Antenna. Perhaps the HF Radio part of the card is
blown (Lighting?). Not usual if the AP's case was never opened before.
But if someone opened the case for exchanging the radio the pigtails are
very sensitive parts, a small damage is hard to see but can be fatal at
2.4 GHz.

11B MiniPCI radios for the 1100 or 1200 APs often appear on ebay after
companies upgrading to 11G or you can order the upgrade kit.
I would swap some known working parts just to be sure what needs exchange.