Uplink Preferences and Switching
This section describes the following topics:
Enforcing Uplinks
The following conditions apply to the uplink enforcement:
When an uplink is enforced, the Instant AP uses the specified uplink regardless of uplink pre-emption configuration and the current uplink status.
When an uplink is enforced and multiple EthernetEthernet is a network protocol for data transmission over LAN. ports are configured and uplink is enabled on the wired profiles, the Instant AP tries to find an alternate Ethernet link based on the priority configured.
When no uplink is enforced and pre-emption is not enabled, and if the current uplink fails, the Instant AP tries to find an available uplink based on the priority configured.
When no uplink is enforced and pre-emption is enabled, and if the current uplink fails, the Instant AP tries to find an available uplink based on the priority configured. If current uplink is active, the Instant AP periodically tries to use a higher priority uplink and switches to the higher priority uplink even if the current uplink is active.
To enforce a specific uplink on an Instant AP, complete the following steps:
1. In the app, set the filter to a group that contains at least one AP.
The dashboard context for the group is displayed.
2. Under , click > .
A list of access points is displayed in the view.
3. Click the icon.
The tabs to configure the access points are displayed.
4. Click , and click the tab.
The Interfaces details page is displayed.
5. Click the accordion.
6. Under > , select the type of uplink from the drop-down list. If Ethernet uplink is selected, the field is displayed.
7. Specify the Ethernet interface port number.
8. Click .
The selected uplink is enforced on the Instant AP.
Setting an Uplink Priority
To set an uplink priority, complete the following steps:
1. In the app, set the filter to a group that contains at least one AP.
The dashboard context for the group is displayed.
2. Under , click > .
A list of access points is displayed in the view.
3. Click the icon.
The tabs to configure the access points are displayed.
4. Click , and click the tab.
The Interfaces details page is displayed.
5. Click the accordion.
6. Under > , select the uplink to increase or decrease the priority. By default, the uplink is set as a high priority uplink.
7. Click .
The selected uplink is prioritized over other uplinks.
Enabling Uplink Pre-emption
The following configuration conditions apply to uplink pre-emption:
Pre-emption can be enabled only when no uplink is enforced.
When pre-emption is disabled and the current uplink fails, the Instant AP tries to find an available uplink based on the uplink priority configuration.
When pre-emption is enabled and if the current uplink is active, the Instant AP periodically tries to use a higher priority uplink, and switches to a higher priority uplink even if the current uplink is active.
To enable uplink pre-emption, complete the following steps:
1. In the app, set the filter to a group that contains at least one AP.
The dashboard context for the group is displayed.
2. Under , click > .
A list of access points is displayed in the view.
3. Click the icon.
The tabs to configure the access points are displayed.
4. Click , and click the tab.
The Interfaces details page is displayed.
5. Click the accordion.
6. Under , ensure that the is set to .
7. Select the check-box.
8. Specify value for .
9. Click .
Switching Uplinks based on the Internet Availability
You can configure Aruba Central to switch uplinks based on the Internet availability.
When the uplink switchover based on Internet availability is enabled, the Instant AP continuously sends ICMPInternet Control Message Protocol. ICMP is an error reporting protocol. It is used by network devices such as routers, to send error messages and operational information to the source IP address when network problems prevent delivery of IP packets. packets to some well-known Internet servers. If the request is timed out due to a bad uplink connection or uplink interface failure, and the Internet is not reachable from the current uplink, the Instant AP switches to a different connection.
To configure uplink switching, complete the following steps:
1. In the app, set the filter to a group that contains at least one AP.
The dashboard context for the group is displayed.
2. Under , click > .
A list of access points is displayed in the view.
3. Click the icon.
The tabs to configure the access points are displayed.
4. Click , and click the tab.
The Interfaces details page is displayed.
5. Click the accordion.
6. Under , specify a value for .
7. Select the check-box.
8. Specify values for , , and .
9. Click .
By default, the master AP sends the ICMP packets to 8.8.8.8 IP address only if the out-of-service operation based on Internet availability (internet-down state) is configured on the SSIDService Set Identifier. SSID is a name given to a WLAN and is used by the client to access a WLAN network.. You can use as an alternative to the default option to configure an IP address to which the AP must send AP packets, and verify if the Internet is reachable when the uplink is down.
When is enabled, the Instant AP ignores the VPNVirtual Private Network. VPN enables secure access to a corporate network when located remotely. It enables a computer to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if it were directly connected to the private network, while benefiting from the functionality, security, and management policies of the private network. This is done by establishing a virtual point-to-point connection through the use of dedicated connections, encryption, or a combination of the two. status, although uplink switching based on VPN status is enabled.
Configuring Preferred Uplink on AP-318 and 370 Series APs
The AP-318 and 370 Series APs have an ethernet port for Eth0 and a fibreport for Eth1. Either of these ports can be configured as the uplink port as required. By default, Eth1 port is configured as the uplink for these AP platforms. All functionality of the Eth0 port is supported by Eth1 port with exception to the following:
Eth0 bridging feature is not supported when the Eth1 port is configured as preferred uplink.
If LACPLink Aggregation Control Protocol. LACP is used for the collective handling of multiple physical ports that can be seen as a single channel for network traffic purposes. is enabled, the Eth1 port cannot be configured as the preferred uplink.
By default, the AP-318, AP-374, AP-375, and AP-377Instant APs have Eth1 as the uplink port and Eth0 as the downlink port. Aruba recommends you not to upgrade the mentioned access points to 8.5.0.0 and 8.5.0.1 firmware versions as the upgrade process changes the uplink from Eth1 to Eth0 port thereby making the devices non-reachable
