Configuring an Instant AP for ALE Support

ALEAnalytics and Location Engine. ALE gives visibility into everything the wireless network knows. This enables customers and partners to gain a wealth of information about the people on their premises. This can be very important for many different verticals and use cases. ALE includes a location engine that calculates associated and unassociated device location periodically using context streams, including RSSI readings, from WLAN controllers or Instant clusters. is designed to gather client information from the network, process it and share it through a standard APIApplication Programming Interface. Refers to a set of functions, procedures, protocols, and tools that enable users to build application software.. The client information gathered by ALE can be used for analyzing a client’s Internet behavior for business such as shopping preferences.

ALE includes a location engine that calculates the associated and unassociated device location every 30 seconds by default. For every device on the network, ALE provides the following information through the Northbound API:

Client user name

IP address

MACMedia Access Control. A MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on a network. address

Device type

Application firewallFirewall is a network security system used for preventing unauthorized access to or from a private network. data, showing the destinations and applications used by associated devices.

Current location

Historical location

ALE requires the AP placement data to be able to calculate location for the devices in a network.

ALE with Aruba Central

Aruba Central supports Analytics and Location Engine (ALE). The ALE server acts as a primary interface to all third-party applications and the Instant AP sends client information and all status information to the ALE server.

To integrate Instant AP with ALE, the ALE server address must be configured on an Instant AP. If the ALE sever is configured with a host name, the Virtual Controller performs a mutual certificated-based authentication with ALE server, before sending any information.

Enabling ALE support on an Instant AP

To configure an Instant AP for ALE support:

1. In the Network Operations app, set the filter to a group that contains at least one AP. The dashboard context for the group is displayed.

2. Under Manage, click Devices > Access Points.

3. Click the Config icon. The tabs to configure access points is displayed.

4. Click Show Advanced, and click Services tab. The Services page is displayed.

5. Click the Real Time Locating System accordion.

6. Click Aruba, and then select Analytics & Location.

7. Specify the ALE server name or IP address.

8. Specify the reporting interval within the range of 6–60 seconds. The Instant AP sends messages to the ALE server at the specified interval. The default interval is 30 seconds.

9. Click Save Settings.