Cisco 521 User Manual

1

Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Read This First

This guide will help you to install a Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point
(hereafter referred to as the AP521) in your Smart Business Communications
System network.

How to Open the Top Cover

The top cover provides access to the cable and power connections.

Caution Do not open the access point top cover as you would a hatch or

door. You could damage the cover by doing so. An instruction
label is attached to the access point. Take time to read the label
before you open the access point cover.

When you become familiar with the opening procedure, we recommend that
you remove the label and put it in a safe place such as inside the cover of this
guide.

Note Status LED indications are not visible when the top cover is open.

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Follow these steps to open the top cover:

1. Put the access point on a flat surface, and grasp it with both hands, as

shown in this illustration.

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Cable access notch

and arrow

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

2. Gently push the cover away from you until it stops, as shown in this

illustration.

3. Remove the opening instruction label from the top cover.

Note We recommend that you save the label for reference.

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Safety Information

The FCC, with its action in ET Docket 96-8, has adopted a safety standard for
human exposure to RF electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC-certified
equipment. Cisco 521 access points meet the uncontrolled environmental
limits found in OET-65 and ANSI C95.1, 1991. Proper operation of this radio
device according to the instructions in this document and the installation and
configuration guide will result in user exposure substantially below the FCC
recommended limits.

• Do not hold any component containing a radio such that the antenna is

very close to or touching any exposed parts of the body, especially the
face or eyes, while transmitting.

• The use of wireless devices in hazardous locations is limited to the

constraints posed by the safety directors of such environments.

Warnings

Warning

This product must be connected to a Power-over-Ethernet
(PoE) IEEE 802.3af compliant power source or an IEC60950
compliant limited power source.

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Warning

In order to comply with FCC radio frequency (RF) exposure
limits, antennas should be located a minimum of 7.9 in. (20 cm)
or more from the body of all persons.

Warning

Do not operate your wireless network device near unshielded
blasting caps or in an explosive environment unless the
device has been modified to be especially qualified for such
use.

Warning

Do not work on the system or connect or disconnect cables
during periods of lightning activity.

Warning

Read the installation instructions before you connect the
system to its power source.

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Warning

This product relies on the building’s installation for
short-circuit (overcurrent) protection. Ensure that the
protective device is rated not greater than: 20A.

Overview

The Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point is a single-band 802.11g access
point that features business-class management, security, and scalability. The
access point offers high performance wireless connectivity in carpeted offices
and similar environments.

The access point is part of the Cisco Mobility Express Solution that brings
together the AP521 and the Cisco 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controller
(hereafter referred to as the WLC526). The Cisco Mobility Express Solution
is the wireless component of the Cisco Smart Business Communication
System.

The AP521 is available in two configurations:

• Standalone mode—AP521s are directly connected to the wired

infrastructure and provide high-speed wireless connectivity to users in
the areas they cover. Standalone AP521s are also known as autonomous
access points because configuration and management is performed
locally at the individual access point level.

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

• Controller-based mode—AP521s associate with a WLC526 wireless

controller to provide wireless connectivity. Controller-based AP521s are
also known as lightweight access points because configuration and
management are performed through a single interface.

You configure the access points using the Cisco Configuration Assistant
(CCA). The CCA is GUI-based software that you install on a windows-based
PC and that allows you to configure all components of your Cisco Smart
Business Communications System.

The following illustration shows all the components of the Cisco Smart
Business Communications System.

The following illustration shows the AP521 and identifies its features.

12

201608

Cisco 521

Wireless Express

Access Points

Catalyst Express 520 Switch

Cisco 526 Wireless Express

Mobility Contoller

Fax

Cisco

Monitor

Director

Partner
Site

Teleworker
Site

Cisco 870 Series

Router

DSL/Cable

Modem

Internet

Cisco Unified

Communications 500 Series

Cisco

Configuration

Assistant/

Cisco Monitor

Manager

PSTN

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1 Power connector 5 Padlock post

2 Ethernet port 6 Mode button

3 Keyhole slot 7 Ethernet and radio LEDs

4 Console port 8 Status LED

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8

4

5

1

2

3

7

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Related Documentation

This guide assumes that you are deploying your access points in the Cisco
Smart Business Communications System. You must configure the system
components before you deploy the access points. The following documents
provide information about system components and include configuration
procedures:

• Cisco Smart Business Communications System Setup—This document,

referred to as the “Smart Doc” in some documents, contains instructions
for installing, configuring, and monitoring the Cisco Smart Business
Communications System. You should use the Cisco Smart Business
Communications System Setup document to configure all the
components of the smart business system.

• Cisco Configuration Assistant Quick Start Guide—Contains basic

installation and configuration instructions for the Cisco Configuration
Assistant (CCA).

• Quick Start Guide: Cisco 526 Series Wireless Express Mobility

Controller—Provides installation and preliminary configuration

instructions for the WLC526).

These documents are available on cisco.com. Follow this link to go to the 521
access point documentation:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps7319/prod_installation_guides_list.
html

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Follow this link to go to the 526 controller documentation:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps7320/prod_installation_guides_list.
html

These additional documents are also on cisco.com.

• Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business Getting

Started Guide—Provides basic installation and setup instructions for the
Cisco Unified 500 Series Platform (hereafter referred to as the UC500).

• Getting Started Guide for the Catalyst Express 520 Switches—Provides

basic installation and setup instructions for the Cisco Catalyst Express
520 switch (hereafter referred to as the CE520).

• User Guide for the Catalyst Express 520 Switches—Provides advanced

configuration information for the CE520 switch.

Unpacking the Access Point

Each access point package contains the following items:

• An AP521 access point (standalone or controller-based)

• Mounting hardware kit

• This guide

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Complete these steps to prepare for installation.

Step 1 Carefully unpack and remove the access point and hardware kit

from the shipping box.

Step 2 Return all packing material to the shipping container, and save it.

Step 3 Verify all the package contents, and inspect each item for damage.

If any item is missing or damaged, contact your Cisco
representative for support.

Deploying Standalone Access Points

In the standalone architecture, you can deploy up to three standalone AP521s
and configure them using the CCA. These access points can be upgraded later
into a controller-based architecture. This procedure assumes that you are
using a UC500, a CE520, and the CCA.

Refer to the Cisco Smart Business Communications System Setup document,
Section 4, “Deploy Basic or Multi-AP Wireless,” follow the steps listed in the
section entitled “Deploy Cisco 521 Series Wireless Express Access Points in
Standalone Mode” to deploy your standalone AP521s.

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Deploying Controller-Based Access Points

In the controller-based architecture, you can deploy up to six controller-based
AP521s and configure them using the CCA. This procedure assumes that you
are using a UC500, a CE520, a WLC526, and the CCA.

Refer to the Cisco Smart Business Communications System Setup document,
Section 4, ”Deploy Advanced Wireless,” and follow the steps listed there.

Note Before you can deploy controller-based AP521s, you must first

configure the WLC526. See the Quick Start Guide: Cisco 526 Series
Wireless Express Mobility Controller for instructions.

Mounting the Access Point

The AP521 can be mounted as follows:

• On a horizontal or vertical surface

• On a suspended ceiling

• Above a suspended ceiling

• On a network cable box

• On a desktop

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Mounting on a Horizontal or Vertical Surface

Follow these steps to mount the access point on a horizontal or vertical
surface:

Step 1 Use the mounting plate as a template to mark the locations of the

two mounting holes (labeled with an X) and the location of the cable
access hole. See the illustration below.

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1 Keyhole clip 5 T-bar hanger clip hole

2 Screw holes (A, B, C) 6 Security screw hole

3 Screw hole (X) 7 Padlock hole

4 Location for cable access hole

1

1

7

6

3

4

3

2

5

2

2

2

BB

CC

A

B

C

A

X

X

A

B

C

A

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Step 2 Drill a 3/16 in. (4.7 mm) hole at the X mounting hole locations you

marked.

Step 3 If they are required, insert wall anchors into the mounting holes.

Step 4 If needed, drill or cut a cable access hole large enough for the

Ethernet cable and a power cable (if used) and pull the cables
through the access hole until you have about 1 ft. of exposed cables
protruding from the cable.

Note You can insert the Ethernet cable and the power cable (if

used) through the cable access notch in the access point
housing.

Step 5 Position the mounting plate over the wall anchors or the drilled

holes.

Step 6 Insert two 8 x 32 x 1 in. pan head screws in the X mounted holes

and tighten.

Step 7 Attach the access point to the mounting plate.

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Mounting on a Suspended Ceiling

Review the following illustration before beginning the mounting process.

1 T-rail locking screws 3 T-rail width detents

2 Mounting plate screw holes

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3

3

1

1

2

2

2

2

CEILING

GRID

WIDTH

38 24 15

ABC

1-1/2 15/16 9/16

MM

INCH

CEILING

GRID

WIDTH

38 24 15

ABC

1-1/2 15/16 9/16

MM

INCH

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Follow these steps to mount your access point on a suspended ceiling:

Step 1 Determine the location on the ceiling where you intend to mount the

access point.

Step 2 Select the appropriate T-rail clip for your suspended ceiling and

open the clip to the maximum.

Step 3 Place the clip over the T-rail and close it to the appropriate (A, B,

or C) detent.

Step 4 Tighten the two T-rail locking screws to prevent the clip from

sliding along the rail.

Step 5 Observe the T-rail width detent letter (A, B, or C) that corresponds

to the T-rail width.

Step 6 Align the corresponding (A, B, or C) holes on the mounting plate

over the T-rail mounting plate holes.

Step 7 Hold the mounting plate and insert a 6 x 32 x 1/4 in. flat head screw

into each of the four corresponding (A, B or C) holes and tighten.

Step 8 If needed, drill or cut a cable access hole large enough for the access

point cables and pull the cables through the hole until you have
about 1 ft. of exposed cables protruding from the hole.

Step 9 Attach the access point to the mounting plate.

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Mounting Above a Suspended Ceiling

The access point mounting bracket is designed to be integrated into the T-rail
grid above the tiles of a suspended ceiling. The access point uses a T-bar box
hanger (not supplied) such as the Erico Caddy 512 or B-Line BA12 and
should be oriented just above the top surface of a standard 5/8-in. (1.59-cm)
ceiling tile. You may need to modify a thicker tile to allow room for the access
point.

Caution Only the fiber-optic power injector (AIR-PWRINJ-FIB) has

been tested to UL 2043 operation in a building’s environmental
air space; the AIR-PWRINJ3 power injector and the power
model are not tested to UL 2043 and should not be placed in a
building’s environmental air space.

Caution Cisco does not sell Ethernet cable rated for use in a building

environmental air space. You must obtain special Ethernet cable
with the appropriate rating.

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Follow these steps to mount the access point above a suspended ceiling. Refer
to the following illustration before proceeding.

Step 1 Insert the bracket mounting clip’s tab into the rectangular hole on

the access point mounting bracket.

Step 2 Place the clip over the T-bar box hanger as shown in the following

illustration and secure it to the access point mounting bracket with
the 1/4-20 fastener (supplied with the T-bar hanger).

1 Suspended ceiling T-rail 4 Access point mounting plate

2 T-bar box hanger 5 Access point

3 Bracket mounting clip 6 T-rail clip

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1 1

2

6

6

4

3

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Step 3 Remove a ceiling tile adjacent to the mounting location.

Step 4 Configure the ends of the T-bar box hanger to allow for maximum

clearance above the ceiling tile.

Step 5 Open the access point cover and connect the Ethernet cable to the

access point.

Step 6 Attach the access point to the access point mounting bracket.

Step 7 Attach the T-rail clips on each end of the T-bar box hanger to the

ceiling grid T-rails. Make sure the clips are securely attached to the
T-r ails.

Step 8 Connect a drop wire to a building structural element and the hole

provided in the bracket mounting clip. This additional support is
required in order to comply with the U.S. National Electrical Safety
Code.

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Step 9 If you need additional security, you can secure the access point to a

nearby immovable object using a Kensington lock and security
cable.

Step 10 Verify that the access point is operating properly and then replace

the ceiling tile.

Mounting on a Network Cable Box

Follow these steps to mount the access point on a network cable box.

Step 1 Position the mounting plate over the network cable box and align

the two mounting holes (labeled X) with the network cable box
holes.

Step 2 Hold the mounting plate and insert a 6 x 32 x 1/4 in. pan head screw

into each of the two X mounting holes and tighten.

Step 3 Pull the access point cables out of the network box until there is

about 1 ft. of exposed cables protruding from the box.

Step 4 Attach the access point to the mounting plate.

Step 5 Connect the cables to the access point.

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Mounting on a Desktop or Shelf

When placing the access point on a desktop or shelf, you do not need the
mounting plate. The access point has four rubber pads on the bottom to help
prevent it from sliding on or scratching the surface of your desktop or shelf.

Attaching the Access Point to the Mounting
Plate

Follow these steps to attach the access point to the mounting plate:

Step 1 Open the access point cover.

Step 2 In the cable bay area, pull the cables through the access point cable

opening.

Step 3 In the cable bay area, line up the visible access point keyhole with

the mounting plate keyhole clip located near the security padlock
hole as shown in the following illustration.

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Step 4 Insert the keyhole clip into the keyhole and maintain a slight

pressure to hold the access point in place.

1 Access point keyhole 4 Security screw hole

2 Mounting plate 5 Padlock hole

3 Mounting plate clip

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5

4

2

3

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Step 5 Slightly rotate the access point from side-to-side until you hear the

second keyhole clip falling into the other keyhole that is located on
the opposite end of the access point and not visible.

Step 6 Slide the access point back over the keyhole clips. You will hear a

click when the locking detent contacts the access point and locks it
into place.

Securing the Access Point

There are two ways you can secure your access point:

• Using a security cable

• Securing the access point to the mounting plate

Using a Security Cable

You can secure the access point by installing a standard security cable (such
as the Kensington Notebook MicroSaver, model number 64068) into the
access point security cable slot. The security cable can be used with any of
the mounting methods described in this guide.

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Securing the Access Point to the Mounting Plate

The mounting plate provides two methods of securing your access point to
restrict its removal:

1. You can use the security hasp adapter (supplied) and a padlock that you

provide to secure your access point. Compatible padlocks are Master
Lock models 120T or 121T.

2. You can use the 8 x 32 x 3/16 in. pan head screws (provided) or a

tamper-resistant head screw that you provide to attach the access point
to the mounting plate using the security screw hole.

Follow these steps to install the security hasp adapter:

Step 1 Open the access point cover.

Step 2 Carefully tilt the security hasp adapter and insert the access point

security hasp tab into the notch on the security hasp adapter as
shown in the following illustration.

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Step 3 Push down on the security hasp adapter to expose the padlock post

hole.

Step 4 Insert a padlock into the padlock post hole and lock the padlock.

Step 5 Position the padlock into the access point’s padlock area as shown

in the following illustration.

1 Access point security hasp tab 3 Security hasp adapter

2 Security hasp notch

2

3

1

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Step 6 Push down on the padlock to ensure that the padlock is held by the

security hasp adapter clips.

1 Access point cover open 3 Security padlock

2 Security hasp adapter

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2

3

1

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Step 7 Close the access point cover by sliding it over the security hasp

adapter until you hear a click.

In Case of Difficulty

If you followed the instructions in previous sections of this guide, you should
have had no trouble getting your access point installed and running. If you do
experience difficulty, the following sections provide basic troubleshooting
information.

Before contacting Cisco, look for a solution to your problem in this guide.

Support is available on cisco.com. Follow this link to go to the Support page:

http://www.cisco.com/cisco/web/support/index.html

From the support page, select the appropriate link.

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Rotating the Cisco Logo

The Cisco logo on top of the unit can be rotated to correctly position the logo
for any mounting arrangement. For example, when the unit is mounted on a
vertical surface. The logo should always be easy to read.

To rotate the logo, follow these steps:

Step 1 Place the end of an opened paper clip into each of the holes on the

logo assembly.

Step 2 Using the paper clips, rotate the logo until you reach the desired

orientation. Detents are provided to help you align the logo for 90
degree rotations.

Step 3 Remove the paper clips.

Checking the Access Point LEDs

If your AP521 is not working properly, check the Status LED on the top panel
or the Ethernet and Radio LEDs in the cable bay area. You can use the LED
colors to assess the unit status.

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Note To see the Ethernet and Radio LEDs you must open the access

point cover.

The LED meanings are shown in this table.

Cable Bay Area Top of Unit

Meaning

Ethernet Radio Status

Green Green Green DRAM memory test OK

Off Blinking

green

Blue-green Initialize Flash file system

Off Green Pink Flash memory test OK

Green Off Dark blue Ethernet test OK

Green Green Green Starting operating system

– – Light green Normal operation, no

wireless devices associated

– – Blue-green Normal operation, at least one

wireless device associated

Green – – Ethernet link is operational

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Blinking
green

– – Transmitting or receiving

Ethernet packets

– Blinking

green

– Transmitting or receiving

radio packets

– – Blinking

dark blue

Software upgrade in progress

Off Off Yellow Ethernet link not operational

Red Off Yellow Ethernet failure

Red Red Red DRAM memory test failure

Off Red Blinking red

and blue

Flash file failure

Off Amber Blinking red

and
blue-green

Environmental variable
failure

Amber Off Blinking red

and yellow

Bad MAC address

Red Off Blinking red

and off

Ethernet failure during image
recovery

Cable Bay Area Top of Unit

Meaning

Ethernet Radio Status

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Amber Amber Blinking red

and off

Boot environment error

Red Amber Blinking red

and off

No Cisco IOS image file

Amber Amber Blinking red

and off

Boot failure

Blinking
amber

– – Transmit or receive Ethernet

errors

– Blinking

amber

– Maximum retries or buffer

full occurred on the radio

Red Red Amber Software failure

– – Amber General warning, insufficient

inline power

Cable Bay Area Top of Unit

Meaning

Ethernet Radio Status

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Quick Start Guide: Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point

Compliance Information

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the European
Telecommunications Standard ETS 300.328. This standard covers Wideband
Data Transmission Systems referred to in CEPT recommendation T/R 10.01.

This type-accepted equipment is designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed in accordance with the instruction manual, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications.

– – Alternating

green, red,
and amber

Connection to the controller

Note If the access point

remains in this mode
for more than five
minutes, it is unable
to find the controller.

– – Blinking

dark blue

Loading the access point
image file

Cable Bay Area Top of Unit

Meaning

Ethernet Radio Status

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The Declarations of Compliance for this product relevant to the European
Union and other countries following EU Directive 1999/5/EC (R&TTE
Directive) can be found in the Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory
Information for the Cisco 521 Access Point. This document is available on
Cisco.com.