Using Cisco WCS

This chapter describes how to use the Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS). This chapter contains these sections:

Checking the Network Summary Page

When you use Cisco WCS for the first time, the Network Summary page shows that the Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers, Coverage Areas, Most Recent Rogue Access Points, Top Five Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points, and the Most Recent Coverage Holes database is empty. It also shows that no client devices are connected to the system. After you configure the Cisco WCS database with one or more controllers, the Network Summary page shows that the controllers, Coverage Areas, Most Recent Rogue Access Points, the Top Five lightweight access points, and the Top Five Coverage Holes databases are updated. Figure 9-1 shows a typical Network Summary page.

Adding a Cisco Wireless LAN Controller to Cisco WCS

When you know the IP address of controller service port or controller name, follow the steps in this section to add the controller to the Cisco WCS database.

Note Cisco recommends that you manage controllers through the controller dedicated service port for improved security. However, when you manage controllers on which the service port is disabled, or when you manage a controller that does not have a service port (such as a 2000 series controller), you must manage those controllers through the controller management interface.

Step 3

From the Select a command drop-down menu, select Add Controller and click GO to display the Add Controller page.

Step 4

Enter the controller IP address, network mask, and required SNMP settings in the Add Controller entry fields.

Step 5

Click OK. Cisco WCS displays the Please wait. . . dialog box while it contacts the controller, adds the current controller configuration to the Cisco WCS database, and then returns you to the Add Controller page.

If Cisco WCS does not find a controller at the IP address that you entered for the controller, the Discovery Status dialog displays this message: No response from device, check SNMP. Check these settings to correct the problem:

•

The controller service port IP Address might be set incorrectly. Check the service port setting on the controller.

•

Cisco WCS might not have been able to contact the controller. Make sure that you can ping the controller from the WCS server.

•

The SNMP settings on the controller might not match the SNMP settings that you entered in Cisco WCS. Make sure that the SNMP settings configured on the controller match the settings that you enter in Cisco WCS.

Step 6

Add additional controllers in the Add Controller page, or click the Configure tab to display the All Controllers page.

Creating an RF Calibration Model

When you use Cisco WCS with Location Services and you need to improve client and rogue access point location accuracy across one or more floors of a building, you can create an RF Calibration Model that uses manually-collected RF measurements to calibrate the location algorithm.

When you have multiple floors in a building with the same physical layout as the calibrated floor, you can save time calibrating the remaining floors by applying the same RF Calibration Model to the remaining floors.

Follow the RF Calibration procedures included in the Cisco WCS Web Interface Online Help to create an RF Prediction Model.

Using Maps

This section describes how to add, change, and use maps in the Cisco WCS database. These sections explain how to work with maps in Cisco WCS:

Adding a Campus Map to the Cisco WCS Database

When you add maps to Cisco WCS, you can view your managed system on realistic campus, building, and floor plan maps. This section describes how to add a single campus map to the Cisco WCS database.

Step 1

Save the map in .PNG, .JPG, .JPEG, or .GIF format. The map can be any size because Cisco WCS automatically resizes the map to fit its working areas.

Step 5

From the Select a command drop-down menu, select New Campus and click GO to display the Maps > New Campus page.

Step 6

On the Maps > New Campus page, enter the Campus Name and Campus Contact Information.

Step 8

Select Maintain Aspect Ratio to prevent length and width distortion when Cisco WCS resizes the map.

Step 9

Enter the Horizontal Span and the Vertical Span of the map in feet. The Campus Horizontal Span and the Vertical Span should be larger than any building or floor plan to be added to the campus.

Step 10

Click OK to add the campus map to the Cisco WCS database. Cisco WCS displays the Maps page, which lists maps in the database, map types, and campus status.

Adding a Building to a Campus

You can add buildings to the Cisco WCS database whether or not you have added maps or campuses to the database.

Step 3

On the Maps Page, select the desired Campus. Cisco WCS displays the Maps > Campus page.

Step 4

From the Select a Command drop-down menu, select New Building and click GO to display the Campus Name > New Building page.

Step 5

On the Campus Name > New Building page, follow these steps to create a virtual building to organize related floor plan maps:

Enter an approximate building horizontal span and vertical span (width and depth on the map) in feet. Note that these numbers should be larger than or the same size as any floors that you might add later.

Tip

You can also use CTRL-left-click to resize the bounding area in the upper left corner of the campus map. As you change the size of the bounding area, the Building Horizontal Span and Vertical Span parameters vary to match your changes.

Click Place to put the building on the campus map. Cisco WCS creates a building rectangle scaled to the size of the campus map.

Click on the building rectangle and drag it to the desired position on the campus map.

Click Save to save the building definition and its campus location in the database. Cisco WCS saves the building name in the building rectangle on the campus map. Note that there will be a hyperlink associated with the building that takes you to the corresponding Map page.

Adding a Standalone Building to the Cisco WCS Database

Step 3

From the Select a Command drop-down menu, select New Building and click GO to display the Maps > New Building page.

Step 4

On the Maps > New Building page, follow these steps to create a virtual building to organize related floor plan maps:

Adding an Outdoor Area to a Campus

You can add outdoor areas to a campus in the Cisco WCS database whether or not you have added outdoor area maps to the database. Follow these steps to add an outdoor area to a campus:

Step 1

If you need to add a map of the outdoor area to the database, save the map in .PNG, .JPG, .JPEG, or .GIF format. (You do not need a map to add an outdoor area; you can simply define the dimensions of the area to add it to the database.) The map can be any size because Cisco WCS automatically resizes the map to fit the workspace.

Step 2

If you need to add a map of the outdoor area, browse to and import the map from anywhere in your file system.

Step 9

On the Campus Name > New Outdoor Area page, follow these steps to create a manageable outdoor area:

Enter an approximate outdoor horizontal span and vertical span (width and depth on the map) in feet.

Tip

Click Place to put the outdoor area on the campus map. Cisco WCS creates an outdoor area rectangle scaled to the size of the campus map.

Click on the outdoor area rectangle and drag it to the desired position on the campus map.

Click Save to save the outdoor area definition and its campus location in the database. Cisco WCS saves the outdoor area name in the outdoor area rectangle on the campus map. Note that there will be a hyperlink associated with the outdoor area.

Adding Floor Plans to a Campus Building

After you add a building to a campus you can add individual floor plan and basement maps to the building. Follow these steps to add floor plans to a building:

Step 1

Save your floor plan maps in .FPE, .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF format. They can be any size because Cisco WCS automatically resizes the maps to fit working areas.

Note

When you import a floor plan map in .FPE format, you also must import a corresponding floor plan map in .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF format. Cisco WCS uses the .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF format map to correctly display the floor plan and uses the .FPE floor plan map to adjust the RF signal strengths as modified by the walls and other RF obstructions.

Step 2

Browse to and import the floor plan maps from anywhere in your file system.

Step 5

On the Maps page, select the desired campus. Cisco WCS displays the Maps > Campus Name page.

Step 6

On the Maps > Campus Name page button area, move the cursor over an existing building rectangle to highlight it. Note that when you highlight the building rectangle, the building description appears in the sidebar area.

Step 7

Left-click on the Building rectangle to display the Maps > Campus Name > Building Name page.

Step 8

From the Select a Command drop-down menu, select New Floor Area and click GO to display the Building Name > New Floor page.

Step 9

On the Building Name > New Floor page, follow these steps to add floors to a building to organize related floor plan maps:

Click Browse to search for and select the desired floor or basement graphic name. Note that when you select the floor or basement graphic, Cisco WCS displays the graphic in the building-sized grid.

Enter an approximate floor or basement horizontal span and vertical span (width and depth on the map) in feet. Note that these numbers should be smaller than or the same as the building horizontal span and vertical span in the Cisco WCS database.

If necessary, click Place to locate the floor or basement graphic on the building grid.

Tip

You can use CTRL-left-click to resize the graphic within the building-sized grid. Leave Maintain Aspect Ratio checked to preserve the original graphic aspect ratio, or uncheck the Maintain Aspect Ratio box to change the graphic aspect ratio.

Click Save to save the building definition to the database. Cisco WCS displays the floor plan graphic in the Maps > Campus Name > Building Name page.

Step 10

On the Maps > Campus Name > Building Name page, left-click any of the floor or basement images to view the floor plan or basement map. Note that you can zoom in and out to view the map at different sizes, and you can add access points.

Using the Map Editor

You use the Cisco WCS Map Editor to define, draw, and enhance floor plan information. The map editor allows you to create obstacles so that they can be taken into consideration while computing RF prediction heatmaps for access points. You can also add coverage areas for location appliances that locate clients and tags in that particular area. Follow these steps to use the map editor:

Step 4

Click on the desired floor area to display the Maps > Campus name > Building name > Floor area name page.

Step 5

From the Select a command drop-down menu, select Map Editor and click GO to display the Map Editor page. For detailed instructions on using the map editor, refer to the Cisco WCS User Interface Online Help.

Adding Floor Plans to a Standalone Building

After you have added a standalone building to the Cisco WCS database you can add individual floor plan maps to the building. Follow these steps to add floor plan maps to a building:

Step 1

Save your floor plan maps in .FPE, .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF format. They can be any size because Cisco WCS automatically resizes the maps to fit working areas.

Note

Step 2

Browse to and import the floor plan maps from anywhere in your file system.

Step 5

On the Main Data page, select the desired building. The Cisco WCS User Interface displays the Maps > Building Name page.

Step 8

On the Building Name > New Floor page, follow these steps to add floors to a building to organize related floor plan maps:

When you import a floor plan map in .FPE format from the Floor Plan Editor, check the Import FPE File box. Otherwise, leave this box unchecked.

Click Browse to search for and select the desired floor or basement graphic name. Note that when you select the floor or basement graphic, Cisco WCS displays the graphic in the building-sized grid.

If necessary, click Place to locate the floor or basement graphic on the building grid.

Tip

Click Save to save the building definition to the database. Cisco WCS displays the floor plan graphic in the Maps > Building Name page.

Step 9

On the Maps > Building Name page, left-click any of the floor or basement images to view the floor plan or basement map. Note that you can zoom in and out to view the map at different sizes, and you can add access points.

Adding Access Points to Floor Plan and Outdoor Area Maps

After you add the .FPE and/or .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF format floor plan and outdoor area (coverage area) maps and controllers to the Cisco WCS database, you can position lightweight access point icons on the maps to show where they are installed in the buildings. Follow these steps to add access points to maps:

Step 3

On the Network Summary page, click the desired floor plan or outdoor area map. Cisco WCS displays the associated coverage area map.

Step 4

From the Select a Command drop-down menu, select Add Access Points and click GO to display the Add Access Points page.

Step 5

On the Add Access Points page, check the access points to add to the map.

Step 6

Click OK to add the access points to the map and display the Position Access Points map. Note that the access point icons appear in the upper left area of the map.

Note

The antenna angle is relative to the map X axis. Because the origin of the X and Y axes is at the upper left corner of the map, 0 degrees points side A of the access point to the right, 90 degrees points side A down, 180 degrees points side A to the left, and so on.

Figure 9-2 shows a first-order RF prediction map. In this example, AP1 and AP3 are set to 90 degrees and AP2 is set to 0 degrees, so the three access points provide maximum coverage for the inside of the building and not the loading dock.

Also note that this display is only an approximation of the actual RF signal intensity, because it does not take into account the attenuation of various building materials, such as drywall or metal objects, nor does it display the effects of RF signals bouncing off obstructions.

Step 9

When you have imported a .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF format Coverage Area map, click Save to store the access point locations and orientations. Cisco WCS computes the first-order RF prediction for the coverage area. These RF predictions are popularly known as heat maps because they show the relative intensity of the RF signals on the coverage area map.

Step 10

When you have imported a .FPE and a .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF format Coverage Area map, click Save to store the access point locations and orientations. Cisco WCS computes the second-order RF prediction for the coverage area.

Figure 9-3 shows a second-order RF prediction. In this example, AP1 is set to 0 degrees, and AP2 and AP3 are set to 90 degrees, so the three access points provide maximum coverage for the right wing of the building. The access points in this prediction cover a smaller area because of the wall attenuation factored in by the RF prediction algorithm.

Note Make sure you have the correct access point in each location on the map with the correct antenna angle. Accurate access point positioning is critical when you use the maps to finding coverage holes and to detect and locate rogue access points.

Monitoring Maps

Monitoring Predicted Coverage (RSSI)

Step 4

Select the 802.11 protocol to display on the coverage map. This information appears when you select a protocol:

•

802.11a and 802.11b/g: the panel next to the access point icon displays n% Failed (a+b), where n is the percentage of radios that failed.

•

802.11a: A colored overlay appears on the map displaying the coverage patterns for the 802.11a radios. A Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) Color Lookup appears at the top of the map indicating the meaning of the colors. The colors show the signal strength form RED (-35 dBm) through DARK BLUE (-85 dBm). A failure percentage appears next to each access point.

•

802.11b/g: A colored overlay appears on the map displaying the coverage patterns for the 802.11b/g radios. Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) Color Lookup appears at the top of the map indicating the meaning of the colors. The colors show the signal strength from RED (-35 dBm) through DARK BLUE (-85 dBm). A failure percentage appears next to each access point.

Figure 9-4 shows a typical RF prediction heat map with access points covering one end of a building.

Monitoring Channels on a Floor Map

Step 4

Select Channel from the Display drop-down menu. The channel number being used by each radio appears on the panel next to each access point.

Monitoring Transmit Power Levels on a Floor Map

Step 4

Select Tx Power Level from the Display drop-down menu. The transmit power level used by each radio appears on the panel next to each access point. The power level numbers correspond to these power settings:

The power levels and available channels are defined by the country code setting and are regulated on a country by country basis. Refer to the Country Code appendix for the maximum transmit power levels for each country.

Monitoring Coverage Holes on a Floor Map

Coverage holes are areas where clients cannot receive a signal from the wireless network. When deploying wireless networks, there is a trade-off between the cost of the initial network deployment and the percentage of coverage hole areas. A reasonable coverage hole criterion for launch is between 2 and 10 percent. This means that between two and ten test locations out of 100 random test locations might receive marginal service. After launch, the Cisco WLAN Solution Radio Resource Management (RRM) identifies these coverage areas and reports them to the IT manager, allowing the IT manager to fill holes based on user demand.

Step 5

In the Alarm Monitor, click on a coverage alarm. The coverage hole percentage for each radio appears in the panel beside each access point.

Monitoring Users on a Floor Map

Step 4

Select Users from the Display drop-down menu. The number of client devices associated to each radio appears in the panel beside each access point. Click the number of clients to display a list of specific client devices and parameters. Table x lists the parameters that appear.

Table 9-1 Client Paramaters Dsiplayed
Parameter	Description
Check Box	Click to select, so that a command can be applied.
User Name	Username for the client device.
IP Address	IP Address of the client.
MAC Address	MAC address of the client.
Access Point	Name of the access point to which this client is associated.
Controller	IP Address of controller to which this access point is attached.
Port	Port number of the controller to which this access point is attached.
Status	Associated or not associated.
SSID	Service Set Identifier being broadcast by the access point radio.
Auth	Authentication enabled or disabled.
Protocol	802.11a or 802.11b/g.

Monitoring WLANs with Cisco WCS

Detecting and Locating Rogue Access Points

When the lightweight access points on your WLAN are powered up and associated with controllers, Cisco WCS immediately starts listening for rogue access points. When a controller detects a rogue access point, it immediately notifies Cisco WCS, which creates a rogue access point alarm.

When Cisco WCS receives a rogue access point message from controller, an alarm indicator appears in the lower left corner of all Cisco WCS user interface pages. The alarm indicator in Figure 9-5 shows 72 rogue access point alarms.

Click the Rogues indicator to display the Rogue AP Alarms page. The Rogue AP Alarms page lists the severity of the alarms, the rogue access point MAC addresses, the rogue access point types, the owners (WCS operators), the date and time when the rogue access points were first detected, the channel numbers they are broadcasting on, and their SSIDs.

Also on this page, you can highlight one or more entries by checking the desired check boxes and apply the following commands to all selected rogue access point alarms: Assign to me, Unassign, Delete, Clear, or configure Email Notification.

To see more rogue access point information, click any Rogue MAC Address link to display the associated Alarms > Rogue AP MAC address page.

The Alarms > Rogue AP MAC address page shows detailed information about the rogue access point alarm, and allows you to modify the rogue access point alarm with these commands:

•

Display the Detecting APs (with Radio Band, Location, SSID, Channel Number, WEP state, short or long preamble, RSSI and SNR).

•

Show a high-resolution Map with the current calculated location, or a low-resolution Map with the rogue access point located at the access point that detects strongest RSSI transmissions.

•

Set up Level 1 through Level 4 Containment. When you select level 1 containment, one access point in the vicinity of the rogue unit sends deauthenticate and disassociate messages to the client devices that are associated to the rogue unit. When you select level 2 containment, two access points in the vicinity of the rogue unit send deauthenticate and disassociate messages to the rogue's clients, and so on up to level four.

On the Alarms > Rogue AP MAC address page, select Map to display the current calculated rogue access point location on the Maps > Building name > Floor name page. If you are using Cisco WCS with Location, Cisco WCS compares RSSI signal strength from two or more access points to find the most probable location of the rogue access point, and places a small skull-and-crossbones indicator at its most likely location. The Cisco WCS Base (that is, without Location) function relies on RSSI signal strength from the rogue access point, and places a small skull-and-crossbones indicator next to the access point receiving the strongest RSSI signal from the rogue unit. Figure 9-6 shows a map that indicates a rogue unit's location.

Acknowledging Rogue Access Points

To acknowledge known rogue access points, navigate to the Rogue AP Alarms page. Right-click the rogue access point (red, unknown) to be acknowledged, and select Set State to `Known Internal' or Set State to `Known External'. In either case, Cisco WCS removes the red rogue access point entry from the Alarms page.

Locating Clients

You can use Cisco WCS to locate clients on your WLAN. Follow these steps to locate clients:

Step 1

Click the Monitor tab and select Clients to navigate to the Clients Summary page.

Step 2

In the left sidebar, select Search for All Clients to display the Clients page.

Step 3

Click the User Name of the client you want to locate. Cisco WCS displays the corresponding Clients client name page.

Step 4

On the Clients client name page, select a method for locating the client:

•

In the drop-down menu, select Recent Map (high/low resolution) to locate the client without disassociating it.

•

In the drop-down menu, select Present Map (high/low resolution) to disassociate and then locate the client after reassociation. When you select this method Cisco WCS displays a warning message and asks you to confirm that you want to continue.

If you are using Cisco WCS with Location, Cisco WCS compares RSSI signal strength from two or more access points to find the most probable location of the client, and places a small laptop icon at its most likely location. The Cisco WCS Base (that is, without Location) function relies on RSSI signal strength from the client, and places a small laptop icon next to the access point that receives the strongest RSSI signal from the client. Figure 9-7 shows a heat map that includes client locations.

Finding Coverage Holes

Coverage holes are areas where clients cannot receive a signal from the wireless network. The Operating System Radio Resource Management (RRM) identifies these coverage hole areas and reports them to Cisco WCS, allowing the IT manager to fill holes based on user demand. Follow these steps to find coverage holes on your WLANs:

Step 1

When Cisco WCS displays the Top 5 Coverage Holes, click the Coverage indicator on the bottom left of the Cisco WCS User Interface page (or click MONITOR/Alarms and search for Alarm Category Coverage) to display the Coverage Hole Alarms page.

Step 2

On the Coverage Hole Alarms page, click MONITOR/Maps and search for Access Points by Name (this search tool is case-sensitive). Cisco WCS displays the Maps > Search Results page, which lists the Floor or Outdoor Area where the access point is located.

Step 3

Click the floor or area link to display the related Maps > Building name > Floor name page.

Step 4

Look for areas of low signal strength near the access point that reported the coverage hole--those areas are the most likely locations of coverage holes. If there do not appear to be any areas of weak signal strength, make sure that the floor plan map is accurate, and if you have used the Floor Plan Editor to create .FPE files, that you have not left out any metal obstructions, such as walls, elevator shafts, stairwells, or bookcases. If so, add them to the .FPE floor plan file and replace the old floor plan with the new floor plan.

Pinging a Network Device from a Controller

Step 2

Select Controllers and click an IP address under the IP Address column to display the IP address > Controller Properties page.

Step 3

In the left sidebar select System/Commands to display the IP address > Controller Commands page.

Step 5

In the Enter an IP Address (x.x.x.x) to Ping window, enter the IP address of the network device that you want the controller to ping and click OK.

Cisco WCS displays the Ping Results window showing the packets sent and received. Click Restart to ping the network device again, or click Close to stop pinging the network device and close the Ping Results window.

Viewing Current Controller Status and Configurations

After you add controllers and lightweight access points to the Cisco WCS database you can view the Cisco WLAN Solution status. To view the system status, click the Monitor tab and select Network to display the Network Summary page. Figure 9-8 shows the Network Summary page.

Viewing Cisco WCS Statistics Reports

Cisco WCS periodically collects statistics such as RSSI, SNR, profile failures, client counts, rogue access point trend, and busy clients, and organizes them into reports. To view these reports, use the Monitor > Reports pages.

Using Cisco WCS to Update System Software

Follow the steps in this section to update controller (and access point) software using Cisco WCS.

Note When you use Cisco WCS to update the software on a 2000, 4100, or 4400 series controller the Cisco WCS server must be on the same subnet as the controller management interface because these controllers either do not have a service port or the service port is not routable.

Step 1

Enter ping ip-address to be sure that the Cisco WCS server can contact the controller. If you use an external TFTP server, enter ping ip-address to be sure that the WCS server can contact the TFTP server.

When you are downloading through a 2000, 4100, or 4400 controller DS (Distribution System) network port, the TFTP server can be on the same or a different subnet, because the DS port is routable.

Step 4

Select the check box for the controller, select the Download Software, and click GO. Cisco WCS displays the Download Software to Switch page.

Step 5

When you use the built-in Cisco WCS TFTP server, select the TFTP Server on Cisco WCS System check box. When you use an external TFTP server, uncheck this check box and add the external TFTP server IP address.

Step 6

Click Browse and navigate to the software update file (for example, AS_2000_release-number.aes for 2000 series controllers). The path and filename of the software appear in the File Name box.

Step 7

Click Download. Cisco WCS downloads the software to the Cisco WCS Server /aes-tftp directory, then downloads the software to the controller. The controller writes the code to flash RAM. As Cisco WCS performs these functions, it displays its progress in the Status box.

Managing Cisco WCS and the Cisco WCS Database

This section describes how to manage Cisco WCS and its database. This section contains these sections:

Installing Cisco WCS

Refer to the Windows Cisco WCS Quick Start Guide or the Linux Cisco WCS Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing Cisco WCS on a server.

Updating the Cisco WCS for Windows

Step 1

If possible, stop all Cisco WCS User Interfaces to stabilize the database.

Step 3

Create a backup directory with no spaces in the name, such as C:\WCS30_Backup\. Be sure that the directory name does not contain spaces. Spaces cause errors when Cisco WCS runs the backup script.

Step 4

From the Windows START button, select the Programs menu, and then select Wireless Control System /Backup. The backup script opens the Backup DOS window and the Select Backup directory window.

Step 5

In the Select Backup directory window, highlight the backup directory you created and click OK. The backup script creates subdirectories in the C:\WCS30_Backup\ directory, and backs up the Cisco WCS database and the floor plan, building, and area maps to the C:\WCS30_Backup\conf and C:\WCS30_Backup\mapimages directories.

Step 6

Click OK when the Backup Status window opens and displays this message:

Step 7

Uninstall the Cisco WCS application using the Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs application.

Step 8

When the JExpress Uninstaller window displays Program uninstalled, click Finished to close the JExpress Uninstaller window.

Step 9

If any part of the C:\Program Files\WCS30 folder remains on the hard drive, manually delete the folder and all contents.

Note If you fail to delete the previous Cisco WCS installation, this error message appears when you reinstall Cisco WCS: Cisco WCS already installed. Please uninstall the older version before installing this version.

Step 11

From the Windows START button, select the Programs menu, and then select Cisco Wireless Control System/Restore.

Step 12

In the Select Backup directory window, highlight the backup directory you created and click OK. The restore database script restores the Cisco WCS database and the floor plan, building, and area maps to the new Cisco WCS installation.

Step 13

Click OK when the Restore Status page opens and displays this message:

If you receive an error message, scroll down the page to find the error. Normally, the only error that will halt a backup is if an incorrect directory is specified; if this is the case, repeat this procedure with the correct directory to complete the backup.

Updating Cisco WCS for Linux

Step 1

If possible, stop all Cisco WCS User Interfaces to stabilize the database.

Step 3

Using the Linux CLI, navigate to the default /opt/WCS 30/ directory (or any other directory).

Step 4

Create a backup directory for the Cisco WCS database with no spaces in the name; for example, mkdir WCS30BAK.

Step 5

Navigate to the default /opt/WCS30 directory (or the directory chosen during installation).

Step 7

Enter ./Backup to start the Cisco WCS database backup. The Backup script displays the Select Backup directory window.

Step 8

In the Select Backup directory window, navigate to the NAME of the backup directory you created above (not IN the directory), and click OK.

Step 10

Enter ./uninstallAirespaceControlSystem to uninstall the Cisco WCS application.

Step 13

Navigate to the default /opt/WCS30 directory (or the directory chosen during installation).

Step 14

Enter ./Restore to start the Cisco WCS database backup. The Backup script displays the Select Backup directory window.

Step 15

In the Select Backup directory window, navigate to the NAME of the backup directory you created above (not IN the directory), and click OK.

Step 17

In the /opt/WCS30 directory (or the directory chosen during installation), enter ./StartWCS to start the Cisco WCS application.

Step 18

Enter ./CheckServerStatus to open the Wireless Control System Server Status window. Cisco WCS has started and is ready to host Cisco WCS User Interfaces when the Start Wireless Control System Server Status window displays this message:

Reinitializing the Cisco WCS for Windows Database

You only have to reinitialize the Cisco WCS for Windows database when the Cisco WCS database becomes corrupted.

Note If you reinitialize the Cisco WCS database after you have been working in the Cisco WCS application, you will delete all your saved Cisco WCS data!

Step 3

In the \bin subdirectory, double-click the reinitDatabase.bat file. The database reinitialize script displays the startdb.bat DOS window.

Step 4

Select the startdb.bat window, and press any key to continue. The startdb.bat script displays the Reinitialize Web NMS Database window.

Step 5

Select Yes when the Reinitialize Web NMS Database window displays this message:

The startdb.bat window displays many accomplished messages. When the Cisco WCS database is reinitialized, the Reinitialize Web NMS Database window reappears.

Step 6

Select OK when the Reinitialize Web NMS Database window displays this message:

The Reinitialize Web NMS Database window closes, and the startdb.bat window displays this message:

Reinitializing the Cisco WCS for Linux Database

You only have to reinitialize the Cisco WCS for Linux database when the Cisco WCS database becomes corrupted.

Note If you reinitialize the Cisco WCS database after you have been working in the Cisco WCS application, you will delete all your saved Cisco WCS data!

Step 2

Using the Linux CLI, navigate to the default /opt/WCS30/ directory (or the directory chosen during installation).

Administering Cisco WCS Users and Passwords

This section describes how to add user accounts and assign them to a user group, change passwords, and delete user accounts using the Cisco WCS administration function. Cisco WCS supports four user groups:

•

The System Monitoring group, which allows users to monitor Cisco WCS operations.

•

The ConfigManagers group, which allows users to monitor and configure Cisco WCS operations.

•

The Admin group, which allows users to monitor and configure Cisco WCS operations and perform all system administration tasks except administering Cisco WCS users and passwords.

•

The SuperUsers group, which allows users to monitor and configure Cisco WCS operations and perform all system administration tasks including administering Cisco WCS users and passwords.

Adding WCS User Accounts

Note When you log into the Cisco WCS User Interface as Super1, Cisco recommends that you create a new superuser assigned to the Super Users group and delete Super1 to prevent unauthorized access to the system.

Step 2

Select User Admin/Security Administration to display the Security Administration page.

Step 3

Click Add User (single person) to display the User Administration page.

Step 4

Add the new username and password. Click Next to display the User account expiry and Password expiry parameters.

Step 5

Accept or change the expiration times for the user account and password. Click Next to display the Group based permissions, Direct Assignment, and Assign groups for the user parameters. You are assigning the new user account to a group which already has permissions assigned, so make sure the Group based permissions and Direct Assignment boxes are checked.

Step 6

In the Assign groups for the user section, assign the new user account to one of the four user group names: System Monitoring, ConfigManagers, Admin, or SuperUsers.

Step 7

Click Finish to complete adding the new user account. You do not need to fill in the other fields on this page.

Step 9

Close the Cisco Wireless Control System Release 3.0 page. The new User Account has been added and can be used immediately.

Changing Passwords

Step 2

Log into Cisco WCS Administration as a user assigned to the SuperUsers group.

Step 3

Select User Admin/Security Administration to display the Security Administration page.

Step 4

Highlight a user account and select Edit/Change Password to display the Change Password window.

Step 5

In the Change Password window, enter the new password and click Ok to change the password for the selected user account.

Step 7

Close the Cisco Wireless Control System Release 3.0 page. The user account has been changed and can be used immediately.

Deleting User Accounts

Step 2

Log into Cisco WCS Administration as a user assigned to the SuperUsers group.

Step 3

Select User Admin/Security Administration to display the Security Administration page.

Step 4

Highlight the user account to delete and select Edit/Delete. This warning appears:

Step 7

Close the Cisco Wireless Control System Release 3.0 page. The deleted user account can no longer be used.

Table Of Contents

Using Cisco WCS

Checking the Network Summary Page

Adding a Cisco Wireless LAN Controller to Cisco WCS

Creating an RF Calibration Model

Using Maps

Adding a Campus Map to the Cisco WCS Database

Adding a Building to a Campus

Adding a Standalone Building to the Cisco WCS Database

Adding an Outdoor Area to a Campus

Adding Floor Plans to a Campus Building

Using the Map Editor

Adding Floor Plans to a Standalone Building

Adding Access Points to Floor Plan and Outdoor Area Maps

Monitoring Maps

Monitoring Predicted Coverage (RSSI)

Monitoring Channels on a Floor Map

Monitoring Transmit Power Levels on a Floor Map

Monitoring Coverage Holes on a Floor Map

Monitoring Users on a Floor Map

Monitoring WLANs with Cisco WCS

Detecting and Locating Rogue Access Points

Acknowledging Rogue Access Points

Locating Clients

Finding Coverage Holes

Pinging a Network Device from a Controller

Viewing Current Controller Status and Configurations

Viewing Cisco WCS Statistics Reports

Using Cisco WCS to Update System Software

Managing Cisco WCS and the Cisco WCS Database

Installing Cisco WCS

Updating the Cisco WCS for Windows

Updating Cisco WCS for Linux

Reinitializing the Cisco WCS for Windows Database

Reinitializing the Cisco WCS for Linux Database

Administering Cisco WCS Users and Passwords

Adding WCS User Accounts

Changing Passwords

Deleting User Accounts