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Home » Wireless » WL0001 - vWLC 7.3 VMware Installation

WL0001 - vWLC 7.3 VMware Installation

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The video demonstrates installation of a virtual Wireless LAN Controller (vWLC). We will step through the configuration starting from the creation of a virtual machine all the way to enabling evaluation license,  having an access point join the controller and a user connects to a SSID. There will be mentions of certain requirements needed for successful configuration. We recommend basic knowledge of VMware ESXi before viewing this video. 

Topic includes
  • vWLC creation version 7.3
  • vWLC configuration of remote console access
  • vWLC evaluation license
  • Access point registration
Notes:
  • AP requires software version 7.3 or later (given AP is supported)
  • vWLC only supports FlexConnect mode.
  • SSID is not visible if AP is in local mode
  • see our blog for additional information

Link: Cisco Virtual Wireless LAN Controller (vWLC) 7.3 Installation Caveats

Tag: 
wireless
wlc
vmware
access point

About Author

Metha Chiewanichakorn, CCIE#23585 (Ent. Infra, Sec, SP), is a Cisco networking enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. He is currently working as a consulting engineer for a Cisco partner. As a founder of and an instructor at labminutes.com, Metha enjoys learning and challenges himself with new technologies.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/methachiewanichakorn

13 comments

Submitted by admin on Tue, 08/13/2013 - 07:49

Hello, I'm trying to get my vWLC working on VMware but I'm having some issues. My VMware configuration (ESXi 5.0) : - 1 Vswitch for the management vlan (10 in your video, 0 for me, so untagged for the management part) - Linked to one NIC - 1 Vswitch for the data port (4095 as ID for all VLAN) - Linked to one other NIC. Quick Topology : AP-----SW----(vWLC_data)-ESXi-(vWLC_man)-----Admin-host My Switch Configuration : - I'm Using a 2960 Switch, I configured the DHCP pool with the option 43 and other required options. - I'm using just VLAN 32, so the switch port connecting the AP is in VLAN 32 and the switch port connecting the vWLC is in vlan 32 too. The VLAN 32 is created on the Switch. Working Part : - I can Ping the management part (192.168.10.104 vWLC) - I can Ping the Data port side (172.16.32.104 vWLC) - My AP get an IP (172.16.32.5 For example) - I Configured a DNS server so the AP can resolv name - The AP is telling me that she found the vWLC via DHCP - But after a quick time, the AP is telling me that she cannot found the controller by DHCP and get a new IP, it keeps doing that. - Time is configured manually, do you know how I can make my switch act as a NTP server ? (I have a 3550 too). - Can you send me your running-config and your vlan.dat ? Thank you so much for reading me and taking the time to answer. Regards. A big fan of your work.

Submitted by admin on Tue, 08/13/2013 - 07:54

From what you described, everything seems to be configured correctly. Please make sure the AP can ping vWLC AP management interface, then run debug on the vWLC to verify if vWLC actually receive the join request from the AP. Just to be safe, please also review the artical below to make sure your AP meets the requirement.
http://www.labminutes.com/blog/2012/10/cisco-virtual-wireless-lan-controller-vwlc-73-installation-caveats

Submitted by Thomas J. on Tue, 08/13/2013 - 10:03

I'll give it a try this weekend if I have some time.
My AP should be ok as it's a 1131 with a LWAPP IOS 124-25e.JAL2.tar (code 7.3).
How did you do to make your cisco switch act as an NTP server ?
Any chance you provide the running config ?

Thanks
BR,

Jonathan.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 08/14/2013 - 20:21

Our switch pulls time from a router. Most switches cannot be configured to be NTP server, certainly not 3550 or 3750. Our switch config is rather messy since we use them on multiple lab so it will probably cause more confusion.

Submitted by cheddarking on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 15:30

Hope you can help.

I have installed ESXi 5.5 Server on VMware Workstation 10 on my desktop computer and I am able to connect to it with my vSphere Client. I followed the instructions in the video after downloading the OVA for the vWLC "Cisco-vWLC-AIR-CTVM-7-3-101-0.ova". I was able to deploy the OVA file just fine as per the video instructions and install the VM, but when I tried to power on the vWLC in vSphere I got this error message:

"Failed to start the virtual machine.
This virtual machine is configured for 64-bit guest operating systems. However, 64-bit operation is not possible.
This host does not support Intel VT-x.
For more detailed information, see http://vmware.com/info?id=152. "

I checked all my desktop settings and my machine does support Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT-x) and is running Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium with virtualization enabled (which is why I assume I am able to run VM's in Workstation 10 at all!). In addition I have a 64-bit version of ESXi 5.5 Server ("VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0-1331820.x86_64" downloaded from VMware's website) installed in Workstation which is working just fine. So I am at a loss at what to do.

Thanks,

Chedd.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/05/2014 - 23:48

Obviously the VM is very specific on what hardware it runs on. Your setup is not supported by Cisco but you are probably just try to get this to work for your lab. Other than making sure the hardware is 64-bit and VT is enabled in the BIOS, I can't think of anything else. I have read about other people able to get this to work in this kind of setup but not sure on the detail of hardware they use. I would try to find another computer that you can run ESXi directly on and give it another try rather than spending time figuring out what is wrong with the computer. 

Submitted by gettoyouth on Thu, 02/26/2015 - 21:13

Excellent article, I am trying to lab this but can't seem to find a wireless NIC that can be pass through to a guest like you did. Which wireless nic are you using?

Also, I presume you are using a ESXi server and not a desktop PC?

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/26/2015 - 23:27

We used a Dell server with built-in NIC running ESXi 5.x.

Submitted by anhquan06010812 on Thu, 10/20/2016 - 02:58

Hi all, Can anybody teach me how to create a virtual access point Cisco ? I want to create a virtual access point to make LAB WLC. Thanks all.

Submitted by durgeshcisco on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 03:11

Hi Admin, Could you please how to install AP in vmware because I don't have physical AP.
Please suggest and Thanks in advance.

Submitted by admin on Sun, 01/21/2018 - 22:56

We don't believe Cisco product has such install option for AP. What is your use-case? Lab testing?

Submitted by noksmail2 on Thu, 05/13/2021 - 20:39

อยากทราบว่า AP ใน lab เป็นตัว VM หรือของจริงครับ

Submitted by admin on Thu, 05/13/2021 - 22:45

APs are always actual hardware. It is not possible to have AP installed as VM.

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