Cisco 5508 Multi-location DHCP Question

[Fuel451]

Have a network with three locations, L1 (HQ), L2 (MFG1), and L3 (MFG2). Each location gets its DHCP addresses (three different scopes) from a DHCP server at L1. My Cisco 5508 controller is at L2. I have Cisco APs at all three locations, but they all get DHCP addresses from the scope at L2. Would like the Cisco APs to get their IPs from their local DHCP scope.

Have a scope configured on the Cisco 5508 that points to L1, but it is not working. Is there documentation for this other than the generic Cisco dics or does someone have some suggestions?

 

[stubnski]

Hi,
==> I have Cisco APs at all three locations, but they all get DHCP addresses from the scope at L2.

Do you mean they get DHCP addresses from the scope for L2?

For AP IP address assignment you do not need to setup anything on your WLC. All you need is to add a DHCP helper address on the vlan interface on the local layer 3 switch pointing to the DHCP server. This would need to be done at each location.

interface vlan 5
description AP Vlan
IP helper-address xx.xx.xx.xx <-- IP address of the DHCP server

Make sure your routing is setup correctly between locations so the APs can reach the DHCP server and the WLC while on the new scope. Even though you only have one controller I would also configure each AP to go to your controller if they restart, it can be done by clicking on the Wireless tab --> click on AP --> High Availability tab.

I do not know what version of software your controller is running but I would suggest checking out H-Reap or FlexConnect (depending on the version) for your remote locations.


I hope this helps

 

[Fuel451]

I have to apologize. I meant to say that devices (laptops/mobile devices) that connect to an AP at L1 or L3 get a DHCP IP address from the L2 scope instead of the local scope. The APs at L1 and L3 actually get IP addresses from their respective scopes. Helper addresses are configured. Software version is 7.0.98.0.

 

[stubnski]

Hi,

When you create a WLAN, you map it to an interface (one vlan) or interface group (multiple vlans) and whatever the DHCP scope is for that vlan is what your wireless devices will get. If you want to separate the IP addresses for each location then either you will need to use H-Reap or create a different WLAN for each location. You can read about H-Reap here

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/7.0/configuration/guide/c70hreap.html

Hope this helps

 

[stubnski]

Also IMHO I would, if possible, upgrade the WLC to 7.2 and use Flexconnect (the new H-reap). I find it to be much better.

 

[Fuel451]

Thanks! I'll check that out. I set the H-REAP on the WLAN, but forgot to change the AP Mode on the AP. Once I changed that, all worked correctly.