Cisco 800 series, 1800 series, 2800 series, series 3800 Configuring

Contents

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

This module describes how to configure radio settings on a Cisco 800, 1800, 2800, or 3800 series
integrated services router, hereafter referred to as an access point (AP).

Finding Feature Information in This Module

Your Cisco IOS software release may not support all of the features documented in this module. To r eac h
links to specific feature documentation in this module and to see a list of the releases in which each feature is
supported, use the “Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point” section on

page 29.

Finding Support Information for Platforms and Cisco IOS Software Images

Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and Cisco IOS software image
support. Access Cisco Feature Navigator at http://www.cisco.com/go/fn. You must have an account on
Cisco.com. If you do not have an account or have forgotten your username or password, click Cancel at
the login dialog box and follow the instructions that appear.

• Information About Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point, page 2

• How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point, page 3

• Configuration Examples for Radio Settings on an Access Point, page 27

• Additional References, page 28

• Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point, page 29

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Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Information About Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Information About Configuring Radio Settings on an Access
Point

Before you configure radio settings on an access point, you should understand the following concepts:

• Wireless Device Roles in a Radio Network, page 2

• Universal Client Mode, page 3

Wireless Device Roles in a Radio Network

Tabl e 6 shows the role in the radio network for each of the following devices.

Note Universal client mode is not supported on the 85x ISRs.

Table 6 Device Role in Radio Network Configuration

Role in Radio Network

Root access pointX XXXX

Root bridge with or
without clients

Nonroot bridge without
clients

Universal client modeX XXXX

Support of Workgroup
bridge clients

Data Rate Settings

You use the data rate settings to choose the data rates the AP uses for data transmission. The rates are
expressed in megabits per second. The AP always attempts to transmit at the highest data rate set to
Basic, also called Require on the browser-based interface. If there are obstacles or interference, the AP
steps down to the highest rate that allows data transmission. You can set each data rate (1, 2, 5.5, and 11
megabits per second) to one of three states:

• Basic (this is the default state for all data rates)—Allows transmission at this rate for all packets,

both unicast and multicast. At least one of the access point's data rates must be set to Basic.

• Enabled—The AP transmits only unicast packets at this rate; multicast packets are sent at one of the

data rates set to Basic.

• Disabled—The AP does not transmit data at this rate.

Cisco 800
Series ISRs

– – XXX

– – XXX

X XXXX

Cisco 1800
Series ISRs

Cisco 1841
Series ISRs

Cisco 2800
Series ISRs

Cisco 3800
Series ISRs

Note At least one data rate must be set to basic.

2

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

You can use the data rate settings to set up an AP to serve client devices operating at specific data rates.
For example, to set up the 2.4-GHz radio for 11 megabits per second (Mbps) service only, set the
11-Mbps rate to Basic and set the other data rates to Enabled. To set up the AP to serve only client
devices operating at 1 and 2 Mbps, set 1 and 2 to Basic and set the rest of the data rates to Enabled. To
set up the 5-GHz radio for 54 Mbps service only, set the 54-Mbps rate to Basic and set the other data
rates to Enabled.

You can also configure the AP to set the data rates automatically to optimize either range or throughput.
When you enter range for the data rate setting, the AP sets the 1 Mbps rate to basic and the other rates
to enabled. When you enter throughput for the data rate setting, the AP sets all four data rates to basic.

Universal Client Mode

Universal client mode is a wireless radio station role that allows the radio to act as a wireless client to
another access point or repeater. This feature is exclusive to the integrated radio running in the
Cisco 870, 1800, 2800, and 3800 integrated service routers (ISRs).

Universal client mode has the following features and limitations:

• You can configure universal client mode on the main dot11radio interface only, subinterfaces are

not supported.

• Universal client can associate to access points with radio VLANs.

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

• Layer-3 routing is supported over the radio interface. However, there is no support for layer 2 (L2)

bridging. The user cannot configure a dot11radio interface with a bridge-group when in universal
client mode.

• Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) are required to be configured on the dot11 interface operating as a

universal client; association to an access point running in guest mode is not supported.

• The universal client can associate to Cisco access points, third party access points, and repeaters. It

cannot associate to Cisco root bridges or Cisco workgroup bridges.

• Easy VPN does not support universal client mode using DHCP.

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

This section contains the following tasks:

• Configuring Universal Client Mode, page 4 (optional)

• Configuring Radio Data Rates on an Access Point, page 5 (optional)

• Configuring Radio and Client Device Power Levels on an Access Point, page 6 (optional)

• Configuring Radio Channel Settings on an Access Point, page 8 (optional)

• Configuring Dynamic Frequency Selection on an Access Point, page 10 (optional)

• Enabling and Disabling World Mode on an Access Point, page 13 (optional)

• Enabling and Disabling Short Radio Preambles on an Access Point, page 15 (optional)

• Configuring Transmit and Receive Antennas on an Access Point, page 16 (optional)

• Enabling and Disabling Aironet Extensions on an Access Point, page 17 (optional)

• Configuring Ethernet Encapsulation Transformation Method on an Access Point, page 19 (optional)

• Configuring Beacon Period and DTIM on an Access Point, page 21 (optional)

3

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

• Configuring RTS Threshold and Retries on an Access Point, page 22 (optional)

• Configuring Maximum Data Retry on an Access Point, page 24 (optional)

• Configuring Packet Fragmentation Threshold on an Access Point, page 25 (optional)

• Configuring IP Phone Support on an Access Point, page 26 (optional)

Configuring Universal Client Mode

Perform this task to configure universal client mode.

You can configure universal client mode on a Cisco ISR series router by setting the radio interface station
role to nonroot. This is different from configuring the dot11radio interface to operate in non-root bridge
mode, which requires specifying the word bridge at the end of the command, for example, station-role
non-root bridge.

Note In other Cisco wireless products such as the Cisco AP1232, the station-role non-root command

operates the same as station-role non-root bridge command. On the ISRs, the two commands are
different: station-role non-root is considered the universal client mode and station-role non-root
bridge is considered the nonroot bridge mode.

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. station-role {root [access-point | ap-only | bridge [wireless-clients]] | non-root [bridge]}

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

4

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

Step 4

station-role {root [access-point | ap-only |
bridge [wireless-clients]] | non-root [bridge]}

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters configuration mode for the radio interface.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Sets the role of the radio interface.

Example:

Router(config-if)# station-role non-root

Step 5

end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Configuring Radio Data Rates on an Access Point

Perform this task to configure radio data rates.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. speed {data-rates | default | ofdm-throughput | range | throughput}

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

5

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

Step 4

speed {data-rates | default | ofdm-throughput |
range | throughput}

Example:

Router(config-if)# speed throughput

Step 5

end

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters configuration mode for the radio interface.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Configures the data rates supported by the access point.

• Use the no form of the speed command to disable data

rates. When you use the no form of the command, all
data rates are disabled except the rates you name in the
command.

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Configuring Radio and Client Device Power Levels on an Access Point

Perform this task to set the transmit power on your AP and the power level on client devices that
associate to the access point.

When a client device associates to the access point, the AP sends the maximum power level setting to
the client.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

6

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

4. power local {cck | ofdm} {milliwatt | maximum}

or
power local {milliwatt | maximum}

5. power client {milliwatt | maximum}

6. end

7. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

Step 4

power local {cck | ofdm} {milliwatt | maximum}

or

power local {milliwatt | maximum}

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

(Optional) Specifies the local transmit power level, which
reduces the radio cell size and interference between cells,
on a 2.4-GHz, 802.11b/g radio.

Example:

Router(config-if)# power local 20

or

Specifies the local transmit power level on a 5-GHz,

802.11a radio.

• On the 2.4-GHz radio, you can set CCK and OFDM

power levels. On the 5-GHz radio, these keywords are
not supported.

• For the 802.11b/g radio, the milliwatt argument can be

7, 10, 13, 15, 17, or 20. For the 802.11a radio, the
milliwatt argument can be 4, 7, 10, 13, or 16.

• Use the maximum keyword to specify the maximum

power level. This is the default setting.

7

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Command or Action Purpose

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

power client {milliwatt | maximum}

Example:

Router(config-if)# power client 20

end

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

copy running-config startup-config

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

(Optional) Specifies the maximum power level that clients
should use for radio transmissions to the access point.

• For the 802.11b/g radio, the milliwatt value can be 7,

10, 13, 15, 17, or 20. For the 802.11a radio, the
milliwatt value can be 4, 7, 10, 13, or 16.

• Use the maximum keyword to specify the maximum

power level.

• The default is for the AP to specify no specific client

power level.

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Configuring Radio Channel Settings on an Access Point

Perform this task to set the access point’s radio channel.

Channel Settings

The default channel setting for the AP radios is least congested; at startup, the AP scans for and selects
the least-congested channel. For most consistent performance after a site survey, however, we
recommend that you assign a static channel setting for each access point. The channel settings on your
AP correspond to the frequencies available in your regulatory domain.

Each 2.4-GHz channel covers 22 MHz. The bandwidth for channels 1, 6, and 11 does not overlap, so you
can set up multiple access points in the same vicinity without causing interference.

The 5-GHz radio operates on up to 27 channels from 5170 to 5850 MHz. Each channel covers 20 MHz,
and the bandwidth for the channels overlaps slightly. For best performance, use channels that are not
adjacent (44 and 46, for example) for radios that are close to each other.

Note Too many access points in the same vicinity creates radio congestion that can reduce throughput. A

careful site survey can determine the best placement of access points for maximum radio coverage and
throughput.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. channel {number | MHz | least-congested}

8

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

channel {number | MHz | least-congested}

Example:

Router(config-if)# channel 2457

end

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

copy running-config startup-config

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

(Optional) Sets the default channel for the AP radio.

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

9

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Configuring Dynamic Frequency Selection on an Access Point

Perform this task to configure DFS on an access point with a 5-GHz radio.

Dynamic Frequency Selection on Access Points with 5-GHz Radios

This section applies only to wireless access points shipped to Europe and Japan with 5-GHz radios
running Cisco IOS version 12.4(6)T. Access points shipped to Europe and Japan with 5-GHz radios are
required to use DFS to detect and avoid interfering with radar signals to comply with that regulatory
domain.

The access point automatically sets the operating frequency on a DFS-enabled 5-GHz radio. A specific
channel cannot be configured for DFS-enabled 5-GHz radios; the channel command is disabled.

Note If the access point is set to use DFS and it is deployed in a regulatory domain that does not allow or does

not require the use of DFS, disable DFS by using the no dfs band block interface configuration
command.

DFS-enabled 5-GHz radios monitor the operating frequency for radar signals. If radar signals are
detected on the channel, the access point takes these steps:

• Blocks new transmissions on the channel.

• Flushes the power-save client queues.

• Broadcasts an 802.11h channel-switch announcement.

• Disassociates remaining client devices.

• Randomly selects a different channel:

–

If the access point does not select a DFS-required channel, the access point enables beacons and
accepts client associations.

–

If the access point selects a DFS required channel, the access point scans the new channel for
radar signals for 60 seconds. If there are no radar signals on the new channel, the access point
enables beacons and accepts client associations. If a radar signal is detected, the access point
selects a different channel.

When a DFS-enabled 5-GHz radio operates on one of the following 15 channels, the access point
automatically uses DFS to set the operating frequency:

• 52 (5260 MHz)

• 56 (5280 MHz)

• 60 (5300 MHz)

• 64 (5320 MHz)

• 100 (5500 MHz)

• 104 (5520 MHz)

• 108 (5540 MHz)

• 112 (5560 MHz)

• 116 (5580 MHz)

• 120 (5600 MHz)

• 124 (5620 MHz)

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Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

• 128 (5640 MHz)

• 132 (5660 MHz)

• 136 (5680 MHz)

• 140 (5700 MHz)

The maximum legal transmit power is greater for some 5-GHz channels than for others. When the access
point randomly selects a 5-GHz channel on which power is restricted, the access point automatically
reduces transmit power to comply with power limits for that channel.

Note Cisco recommends using the world-mode dot11d country-code interface configuration command to

configure a country code on DFS-enabled radios. The IEEE 802.11h protocol requires access points to
include the country information element (IE) in beacons and probe responses. By default, however, the
country code in the IE is blank. Use the world-mode command to populate the country code IE.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/1

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. dfs band frequency-group block

5. end

6. show controllers dot11Radio interface

7. copy running-config startup-config

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 1800 series fixed-configuration
routers, where the interface argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 5-GHz radio is port 1.

11

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Command or Action Purpose

Step 4

dfs band frequency-group block

Example:

Router(config-if)# dfs band 1 2 block

Step 5

end

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 6

show controllers dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router# show controllers dot11Radio 0/0/1

Step 7

copy running-config startup-config

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Prevents an access point from selecting a specific group of
frequencies during DFS.

• The frequency-group value can be 1, 2, 3, or 4:

–

1 specifies frequencies 5.150 to 5.250 GHz.

–

2 specifies frequencies 5.250 to 5.350 GHz.

–

3 specifies frequencies 5.470 to 5.725 GHz.

–

4 specifies frequencies 5.725 to 5.825 GHz.

• At least one group of frequencies must be specified.

Multiple groups are allowed.

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

(Optional) Displays radio controller status.

• The Current Frequency line of the output displays the

status of DFS, for example:

Current Frequency: 5300 MHz Channel 60 (DFS
enabled)

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

12

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enabling and Disabling World Mode on an Access Point

Perform this task to configure the AP to support 802.11d world mode or Cisco legacy world mode.

When you enable world mode, the AP adds channel carrier set information to its beacon. Client devices
with world mode enabled receive the carrier set information and adjust their settings automatically. For
example, a client device used primarily in Japan could rely on world mode to adjust its channel and
power settings automatically when it travels to Italy and joins a network there. World mode is disabled
by default.

Aironet extensions must be enabled for world mode operation. Aironet extensions are enabled by default.

Note World mode is not supported on the 5-GHz radio.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

Step 4

world-mode {legacy | dot11d country-code code}
{indoor | outdoor | both}

Example:

Router(config-if)# world-mode legacy indoor

4. world-mode {legacy | dot11d country-code code} {indoor | outdoor | both}

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Enables AP world mode operation.

• The example enables Cisco legacy world mode and

specifies that the AP is indoors.

13

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Command or Action Purpose

Step 5

end

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

14

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enabling and Disabling Short Radio Preambles on an Access Point

Perform this task to enable or disable short radio preambles.

Radio Preambles

The radio preamble (sometimes called a header) is a section of data at the head of a packet that contains
information that the AP and client devices need when sending and receiving packets. You can set the
radio preamble to long or short:

• Short—A short preamble improves throughput performance. Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client

Adapters support short preambles. Early models of Cisco Aironet's Wireless LAN Adapter (PC4800
and PC4800A) require long preambles.

• Long—A long preamble ensures compatibility between the AP and all early models of Cisco

Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters (PC4800 and PC4800A). If these client devices do not associate to
your access points, you should use short preambles.

Note You cannot configure short or long radio preambles on the 5-GHz radio.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. preamble-short

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

15

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

Step 4

preamble-short

Example:

Router(config-if)# no preamble-short

Step 5

end

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Disables short preambles and enables long preambles.

• Short preambles are enabled by default. Use the

preamble-short command to reenable short preambles
if they are disabled.

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Configuring Transmit and Receive Antennas on an Access Point

Perform this task to select the antenna the AP uses to transmit and receive data.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. antenna {receive | transmit} {diversity | left | right}

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

16

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

Step 4

antenna {receive | transmit} {diversity | left
| right}

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Sets the transmit or receive antenna to diversity, left, or
right.

Example:

Router(config-if)# antenna receive right

Note For best performance, leave the transmit antenna

setting at the default setting, diversity.

Step 5

end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Enabling and Disabling Aironet Extensions on an Access Point

Perform this task to enable or disable Cisco Aironet extensions to the IEEE 802.11b standard.

Aironet extensions are enabled by default.

Benefits of Enabling Aironet Extensions

By default, the AP uses Cisco Aironet 802.11 extensions to detect the capabilities of Cisco Aironet client
devices and to support features that require specific interaction between the AP and associated client
devices. Aironet extensions must be enabled to support these features:

• Load balancing—The AP uses Aironet extensions to direct client devices to an AP that provides the

best connection to the network based on factors such as number of users, bit error rates, and signal
strength.

17

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

• Message Integrity Check (MIC)—MIC is an additional WEP security feature that prevents attacks

on encrypted packets called bit-flip attacks. The MIC, implemented on both the AP and all
associated client devices, adds a few bytes to each packet to make the packets tamper-proof.

• Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)—TKIP, also known as WEP key hashing, is an additional

WEP security feature that defends against an attack on WEP in which the intruder uses an
unencrypted segment called the initialization vector (IV) in encrypted packets to calculate the WEP
key.

• Repeater mode—Aironet extensions must be enabled on repeater access points and on the root

access points to which they associate.

• World mode—Client devices with world mode enabled receive carrier set information from the AP

and adjust their settings automatically.

• Limiting the power level on associated client devices—When a client device associates to the access

point, the AP sends the maximum allowed power level setting to the client.

Disabling Aironet extensions disables the features listed above, but it sometimes improves the ability of
non-Cisco client devices to associate to the access point.

SUMMARY STEPS

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. dot11 extension aironet

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

18

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

Step 4

no dot11 extension aironet

Example:

Router(config-if)# no dot11 extension aironet

Step 5

end

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Disables Aironet extensions.

• Use the dot11 extension aironet command to enable

Aironet extensions if they are disabled.

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Configuring Ethernet Encapsulation Transformation Method on an Access Point

Perform this task to configure the encapsulation transformation method.

Encapsulation Types

When the AP receives data packets that are not 802.3 packets, the AP must format the packets to 802.3
using an encapsulation transformation method. These are the two transformation methods:

• dot1h (802.1H)—This method provides optimum performance for Cisco Aironet wireless products.

• RFC 1042—Use this setting to ensure interoperability with non-Cisco Aironet wireless equipment.

RFC 1042 does not provide the interoperability advantages of 802.1H but is used by other
manufacturers of wireless equipment. This is the default setting.

19

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. payload-encapsulation {rfc1042 | dot1h}

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Example:

Router# configure terminal

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

payload-encapsulation {rfc1042 | dot1h}

Example:

Router(config-if)# no dot11 extension aironet

end

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

copy running-config startup-config

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Specifies the encapsulation transformation method to RFC
1042 (SNAP) or dot1h (IEEE 802.1h).

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

20

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Configuring Beacon Period and DTIM on an Access Point

Perform this task to configure the beacon period and delivery traffic indication message (DTIM).

The beacon period is the amount of time between AP beacons in Kilo microseconds. One
kilomicrosecond equals 1,024 microseconds. The Data Beacon Rate, always a multiple of the beacon
period, determines how often the beacon contains a DTIM. The DTIM tells power-save client devices
that a packet is waiting for them.

For example, if the beacon period is set at 100, its default setting, and the data beacon rate is set at 2, its
default setting, then the AP sends a beacon containing a DTIM every 200 kilomicroseconds.

The default beacon period is 100, and the default DTIM is 2.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. beacon {period microseconds | dtim-period period-count}

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

21

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

Step 4

beacon {period microseconds | dtim-period
period-count}

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters configuration mode for the radio interface.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Specifies how often the beacon contains a Delivery Traffic
Indicator Message (DTIM).

Example:

Router(config-if)# beacon period 15

Step 5

end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Configuring RTS Threshold and Retries on an Access Point

Perform this task to set the Request-to-Send (RTS) threshold and number of retries.

The RTS threshold determines the packet size at which the AP issues a request to send (RTS) before
sending the packet. A low RTS Threshold setting can be useful in areas where many client devices are
associating with the access point, or in areas where the clients are far apart and can detect only the AP
and not each other. You can enter a setting ranging from 0 to 2347 bytes.

Maximum RTS Retries is the maximum number of times the AP issues an RTS before stopping the
attempt to send the packet over the radio. Enter a value from 1 to 128.

The default RTS threshold is 2312, and the default maximum RTS retries setting is 32.

22

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. rts {threshold bytes | retries number}

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Example:

Router# configure terminal

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

rts {threshold bytes | retries number}

Example:

Router(config-if)# rts retries 30

end

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

copy running-config startup-config

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Sets the RTS threshold or maximum RTS retries number.

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

23

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Configuring Maximum Data Retry on an Access Point

Perform this task to specify the number of attempts the AP makes to send a packet before giving up and
dropping the packet.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. packet retries number

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

Step 2

enable

Example:

Router> enable

configure terminal

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Example:

Router# configure terminal

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

packet retries number

Example:

Router(config-if)# rts retries 30

end

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

copy running-config startup-config

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Specifies the number of attempts the AP makes to send a
packet before giving up and dropping the packet.

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

24

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

Configuring Packet Fragmentation Threshold on an Access Point

Perform this task to configure the size at which packets are fragmented (sent as several pieces instead of
as one block).

Use a low setting in areas where communication is poor or where there is a great deal of radio
interference.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. interface dot11Radio interface

4. fragment-threshold bytes

5. end

6. copy running-config startup-config

25

How to Configure Radio Settings on an Access Point

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

interface dot11Radio interface

Example:

Router(config)# interface dot11Radio 0/3/0

Step 4

fragment-threshold bytes

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enters radio interface configuration mode.

• The interface argument is in module/slot/port format,

except for the Cisco 800 series and Cisco 1800 series
fixed-configuration routers, where the interface
argument is either 0 or 1.

• The 2.4-GHz radio is port 0, and the 5-GHz radio is

port 1.

Sets the size at which packets are fragmented.

Example:

Router(config-if)# rts retries 30

Step 5

end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Configuring IP Phone Support on an Access Point

Perform this task to enable 802.11 compliance phone support.

Enabling IEEE 802.11 compliance phone support adds information to the AP beacons and probe
responses. This information helps some 802.11 phones make intelligent choices about the AP to which
they should associate. Some phones do not associate with an AP without this additional information.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. dot11 phone

4. end

5. copy running-config startup-config

26

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

DETAILED STEPS

Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Step 3

dot11 phone

Example:

Router(config)# dot11 phone

Step 4

end

Configuration Examples for Radio Settings on an Access Point

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

• Enter your password if prompted.

Enters global configuration mode.

Enables IEEE 802.11 compliance phone support.

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Step 5

copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Example:

Router# copy running-config startup-config

Configuration Examples for Radio Settings on an Access Point

This section contains the following examples:

• Configuring Radio Data Rates: Example

Configuring Radio Data Rates: Example

The following example shows how to disable the 1-Mbps data rate and set the rest of the data rates to
basic:

configure terminal
interface dot11radio 0
no speed basic-2.0 basic-5.5 basic-11.0
end
copy running-config startup-config

27

Additional References

Additional References

The following sections provide references related to configuring radio settings on an access point.

Related Documents

Related Topic Document Title

Cisco IOS wireless LAN commands: complete
command syntax, command mode, command history,
defaults, usage guidelines, and examples

Standards

Standard Title

No new or modified standards are supported, and
support for existing standards has not been modified.

Cisco IOS Wireless LAN Command Reference

—

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

MIBs

MIB MIBs Link

No new or modified MIBs are supported, and support
for existing MIBs has not been modified.

To locate and download MIBs for selected platforms, Cisco IOS
releases, and feature sets, use Cisco MIB Locator found at the
following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/mibs

RFCs

RFC Title

No new or modified RFCs are supported, and support
for existing RFCs has not been modified.

—

Technical Assistance

Description Link

The Cisco Technical Support website contains
thousands of pages of searchable technical content,
including links to products, technologies, solutions,
technical tips, and tools. Registered Cisco.com users
can log in from this page to access even more content.

http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

28

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access
Point

Tabl e 7 lists the features in this module and provides links to specific configuration information. Only

features that were introduced or modified in Cisco IOS Release 12.4T or later appear in the table.

For information on a feature in this technology that is not documented here, see the “Cisco IOS Wireless

LAN Features Roadmap” module.

Not all commands may be available in your Cisco IOS software release. For release information about a
specific command, see the command reference documentation.

Cisco IOS software images are specific to a Cisco IOS software release, a feature set, and a platform.
Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and Cisco IOS software image
support. Access Cisco Feature Navigator at http://www.cisco.com/go/fn. You must have an account on
Cisco.com. If you do not have an account or have forgotten your username or password, click Cancel at
the login dialog box and follow the instructions that appear.

Note Tabl e 7 lists only the Cisco IOS software release that introduced support for a given feature in a given

Cisco IOS software release train. Unless noted otherwise, subsequent releases of that Cisco IOS
software release train also support that feature.

Table 7 Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Feature Name Releases Feature Information

Access Point Link Role Flexibility 12.4(15)T This feature allows access point radios to operate in a

combination of radio roles, such as access point root, access
point repeater, bridge root (with or without clients), bridge
nonroot (with or without clients), and WGB.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Universal Client Mode

Universal Client Mode 12.4(15)T This feature allows a wireless device to associate to other

Cisco and third-party APs.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Universal Client Mode

• Configuring Universal Client Mode

Wireless Non-Root Bridge 12.4(15)T This feature allows a wireless device to operate as the

remote node in a point-to-point or point-to-multi-point
network.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Universal Client Mode

29

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Table 7 Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Feature Name Releases Feature Information

Cisco Compatible Extensions Information
Element

12.4T This feature allows a Cisco access point to inform Cisco
Compatible Extension client devices about the
Cisco-compatible release version that the access point
supports.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Enabling and Disabling Aironet Extensions on an

Access Point, page 17

Configurable Radio Transmit Power 12.4T This feature allows a user to set the transmit power of the

access point.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Radio and Client Device Power Levels on

an Access Point, page 6

Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and IEEE

802.11h Transmit Power Control

12.4T This feature allows a user to block groups of channels to
prevent an access point from selecting them when DFS is
enabled.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Dynamic Frequency Selection on an

Access Point, page 10

IEEE 802.11 Wireless Standards Support 12.4T This feature provides support for 802.11 standards, which

allows you to set channels, transmission rates, and
power-save mode, among other configurable fields.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Radio and Client Device Power Levels on

an Access Point, page 6

IEEE 802.11a Support 12.4T This feature provides support for 802.11a standards, which

allows you to set channels, transmission rates, and
power-save mode, among other configurable fields.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Radio and Client Device Power Levels on

an Access Point, page 6

IEEE 802.11b Support 12.4T This feature provides support for 802.11b standards, which

allows you to set channels, transmission rates, and
power-save mode, among other configurable fields.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Radio and Client Device Power Levels on

an Access Point, page 6

30

Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Table 7 Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

Feature Name Releases Feature Information

IEEE 802.11d Support 12.4T This feature provides support for 802.11d standards, which

allows you to set channels, transmission rates, and
power-save mode, among other configurable fields.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Enabling and Disabling World Mode on an Access

Point, page 13

IEEE 802.11g Support 12.4T This feature provides support for 802.11g standards, which

allows you to set channels, transmission rates, and
power-save mode, among other configurable fields.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Radio and Client Device Power Levels on

an Access Point, page 6

Transmit Power Control 12.4T This feature allows client devices to calculate the path loss

and the transmit power necessary for the client to reach the
access point, thereby extending client device battery life.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Radio and Client Device Power Levels on

an Access Point, page 6

Wireless Access Point High-Speed WAN
Interface Card

12.4T This feature provides support for two new AP HWICs.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Configuring Radio and Client Device Power Levels on

an Access Point, page 6

World Mode 12.4T This feature automates client configuration of channel and

transmit power settings allowing world-mode-enabled
access points to configure the settings on
world-mode-enabled clients. World mode is supported only
on the 2.4-GHz radio.

The following sections provide information about this
feature:

• Enabling and Disabling World Mode on an Access

Point, page 13

31

Feature Information for Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

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Configuring Radio Settings on an Access Point

32