AP and WLC management access connections 

Telnet, SSH, HTTP,HTTPS, console, and TACACS+/RADIUS

In the modern world of wireless networking, managing Access Points (APs) and Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) is a crucial part of network administration. To do this effectively, network administrators need to be familiar with various management access connections and protocols. In this blog post, we'll dive into the details of these connections and protocols.

WLCs are network devices that manage multiple APs and their associated clients. Like APs, WLCs also have several management access connections that allow network administrators to access and manage them remotely.

AP/WLC Management Access Connections

APs are typically deployed in hard-to-reach areas, such as ceilings and walls, which can make them difficult to manage. Therefore, APs have several management access connections that allow network administrators to access and manage them remotely.Similarly, we have WLC which may be in a DC which is remote or in a different building than where we work. So, there are different ways to manage it. These management access connections include:

Console Connection: 

A console connection allows network administrators to access the device's console port using a console cable. This connection is useful for troubleshooting issues with the AP/WLC or configuring it from scratch.

Telnet: 

Telnet is a protocol that allows network administrators to remotely access the AP's command-line interface (CLI) using a Telnet client. This connection is useful for configuring and troubleshooting the AP. The traffic is un-encrypted between the client and Server/AP.

SSH: 

SSH is a more secure protocol than Telnet and allows network administrators to remotely access the AP's/WLC CLI using an SSH client. SSH encrypts all the traffic between the client and the AP, which makes it less vulnerable to eavesdropping and other security attacks.

HTTP: 

HTTP is a protocol that allows network administrators to access the AP's web-based graphical user interface (GUI) using a web browser. This connection is useful for configuring and monitoring the AP/WLC.

HTTPS: 

HTTPS is a more secure protocol than HTTP and allows network administrators to access the AP's web-based GUI using a secure HTTPS connection. HTTPS encrypts all the traffic between the web browser and the AP, which makes it less vulnerable to eavesdropping and other security attacks.

Authentication Protocols

In addition to the management access connections, network administrators also need to be familiar with authentication protocols that are used to authenticate users who access the APs and WLCs. These authentication protocols include:

TACACS+:

TACACS+ is a Cisco-developed protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services. TACACS+ separates the authentication, authorization, and accounting functions, which makes it more flexible and scalable than other authentication protocols. TACACS+ encrypts all the traffic between the client and the server, which makes it less vulnerable to security attacks.

We will discuss how to configure and verify TACACS in a different article which will cover it in more detail.

RADIUS: 

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is an industry-standard authentication protocol that provides centralized AAA services. RADIUS servers authenticate and authorize users who access the network devices, such as APs and WLCs. RADIUS also supports accounting functions that help network administrators to track user activities and monitor network usage.

Conclusion

We will discuss how to configure and verify Radius in a different article which will cover it in more detail.

In summary, APs and WLCs have several management access connections that allow network administrators to access and manage them remotely. These management access connections include console connection, Telnet, SSH, HTTP, and HTTPS. In addition, network administrators need to be familiar with authentication protocols such as TACACS+ and RADIUS, which are used to authenticate users who access the APs and WLCs.