SonicOS 8 Access Points

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Access Point VAP Configuration Task List

An access point VAP deployment requires several steps to configure. The following section provides a brief overview of the steps involved.

  1. Network Zone – The zone is the backbone of your VAP configuration. Each zone you create has its own security and access control settings and you can create and apply multiple zones to a single physical interface by way of VLAN subinterfaces. For more information on network zones, refer to the section on OBJECT | Match Objects > Zones in SonicOS System Setup.
  2. Interface (or VLAN Subinterface) – The Interface (X2, X3, and so on) represents the physical connection between your SonicWall network security appliance and your physical access points. Your individual zone settings are applied to these interfaces and then forwarded to your access points. For more information on wireless interfaces, refer to the section on NETWORK | System > Interfaces in SonicOS System Setup.

  3. DHCP Server – The DHCP server assigns leased IP addresses to users within specified ranges, known as Scopes. The default ranges for DHCP scopes are often excessive for the needs of most access points, for instance, a scope of 200 addresses for an interface that only uses 30. Because of this, DHCP ranges must be set carefully in order to ensure the available lease scope is not exhausted. For more information on setting up the DHCP server, refer to the section on NETWORK | System > DHCP Server in SonicOS System Setup.

  4. Virtual Access Point Profiles – The Virtual Access Point Profile feature allows for creation of access point configuration profiles which can be easily applied to new virtual access points as needed. Refer to Virtual Access Point Profiles for more information.

  5. Virtual Access Point Objects – The Virtual Access Point Objects feature allows for setup of general VAP settings. SSID and VLAN ID are configured through VAP Settings. Refer to Virtual Access Point Objects for more information.

  6. Virtual Access Point Groups – The Virtual Access Point Groups feature allows grouping of multiple virtual access point objects to be simultaneously applied to your access points.

  7. Assign Virtual Access Group to Access Point Provisioning Profile Radio– The Provisioning Profile allows a VAP Group to be applied to new access points as they are provisioned.

  8. Assign WEP Key (for WEP encryption only) – The Assign WEP Key allows for a WEP Encryption Key to be applied to new access points as they are provisioned. WEP keys are configured per-access point, meaning that any WEP-enabled virtual access points assigned to a physical access point must use the same set of WEP keys. Up to 4 keys can be defined, and WEP-enabled VAPs can use these 4 keys independently. WEP keys are configured on individual physical access points or on Access Point Profiles from the DEVICE | Access Points > Settings page.