User Guide: Vista Manager AWC Plug-in version 3.10.0

# What is the AWC Plug-in

Supported AP Models
Support Limits
Account Types

The AWC (Autonomous Wave Control) Plug-in is a wireless LAN controller. It lets you centrally and graphically manage wireless access points (APs) that are connected to an AMF network as guest devices or are installed on the same subnet as the AWC Plug-in server.
The plug-in can use AWC to automatically adjust the channel and transmit power for each AP according to the surrounding radio environment.
The AWC Plug-in enables you to:

- Batch configure multiple APs in arbitrary groups
- Batch upgrade multiple AP's firmware
- View a graphical representation of your wireless network
- Automatically adjust the channel and power of each AP with the AWC feature
- Detect rogue APs

In addition, with Wireless Channel Blanket licenses, you can also configure and operate a hybrid wireless network, which combines blanket and multi-channel wireless networks. This is called AWC-CB (AWC-Channel Blanket).
Please refer to Operation Reference > Channel Blanket > Overview for more details on AWC-CB.
If you are planning to manage guest device APs, please make sure that your AMF network is working correctly before using this software.
Please refer to the AMF Feature Overview and Configuration Guide for AMF networking features.

> Note

> > You can use the AWC Plug-in if your network doesn't use AMF (i.e. there's no AMF master or controller on your network). There are some limitations on the available features. For this to work, you have to install both Vista Manager EX and the AWC Plug-in and enable appropriate licenses. You cannot install and use the AWC Plug-in without Vista Manager EX.

## Supported AP Models

The AWC Plug-in can manage the following AP models.

> Note

> > As a general rule, when managing wireless APs with the AWC plug-in, initialize the APs before adding them to management. Please refer to Operation Reference > Miscellaneous Settings > Configure AP through Its Own Web Interface for items that can be set before adding the AP to management.

- TQ series

  > Note

  > > The AWC Plug-in no longer supports the management of TQ2450, TQ3200, TQ3400,TQ3600, and TQ4400 APs. Please note that the setting functions for these models of APs, such as the AP Profile Type, are retained for compatibility with the backup file of the previous version.

  Table 1: AT-TQ Series
  Firmware Version | Support Status | Comment
  --- | --- | ---
  TQ4400e / TQ4600
  4.3.x Bxx | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.1.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  4.2.x Bxx or older | Unsupported | At first, update the AP to a supported version via its own web interface before putting it under the management of the AWC Plug-in.
  TQ1402 / TQm1402
  6.0.2-0.1 | Supported |
  6.0.1-7.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.8.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-3.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.6.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-2.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.3.4 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.0-1.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.3.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.0-0.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.2.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  TQ5403 / TQ5403e / TQm5403
  6.0.2-0.3 | Supported |
  6.0.2-0.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.10.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-6.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.8.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-5.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.6.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-2.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.5.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-1.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.3.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  5.4.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.2.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  5.3.x or older | Unsupported | At first, update the AP to a supported version via its own web interface before putting it under the management of the AWC Plug-in.
  TQ6602
  7.0.1-3.x | Supported |
  7.0.1-2.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.9.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version. Please refer to each version's release notes and other documents on our website for detailed information about the enhancements, changes and limitations.
  7.0.1-1.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.8.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version. Please refer to each version's release notes and other documents on our website for detailed information about the enhancements, changes and limitations.
  7.0.1-0.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.7.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version. Please refer to each version's release notes and other documents on our website for detailed information about the enhancements, changes and limitations.
  7.0.0-1.3 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.6.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version. Please refer to each version's release notes and other documents on our website for detailed information about the enhancements, changes and limitations.
  7.0.0-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.5.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version. Please refer to each version's release notes and other documents on our website for detailed information about the enhancements, changes and limitations.
  TQ6602 GEN2 / TQm6602 GEN2
  8.0.2-1.x | Supported |
  8.0.2-0.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.10.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.1-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.10.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  TQ6702 GEN2 / TQm6702 GEN2
  8.0.2-1.x | Supported |
  8.0.2-0.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.10.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.1-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.10.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.0-0.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.9.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.

- SDN/OpenFlow-capable TQ Series

  > Note

  > > The AWC Plug-in distinguishes TQ Series with SDN/OpenFlow-capable firmware from APs with standard firmware.

  Table 2: SDN/OpenFlow-capable TQ Series
  Firmware Version | Support Status | Comment
  --- | --- | ---
  TQ4400e / TQ4600
  4.1.x Sxx | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 2.4.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  4.2.x Bxx or older | Unsupported | At first, update the AP to a supported version via its own web interface before putting it under the management of the AWC Plug-in.
  TQ5403 / TQ5403e
  6.0.2-0.3 | Supported |
  6.0.2-0.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.10.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-6.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.8.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-5.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.6.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-2.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.5.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.1-1.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.3.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  5.4.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.2.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  5.3.x or older | Unsupported | At first, update the AP to a supported version via its own web interface before putting it under the management of the AWC Plug-in.

- MWS series APs

  > Note

  > > The AWC Plug-in no longer supports the management of the MWS series APs. Please note that the setting functions for the MWS series APs, such as the AP Profile Type, are retained for compatibility with the backup file of the previous version.

## Support Limits

The number of APs, Clients and Floor Maps that can be managed by the AWC Plug-in are as follows.

> Note

> > These are the maximum numbers that the AWC Plug-in can support. The actual limit varies depending on the server environment and the AWC Plug-in licenses enabled on Vista Manager EX.

- Wireless AP
  3,000 units
  (including up to 100 units each of TQm1402, TQm5403, TQm6602, TQm6602 GEN2, and TQm6702 GEN2)

  > Note

  > > The maximum numbers of management groups and AP profiles are 100 and 300 respectively.
  > > In the case you manage more than 100, system requirements for servers is also different from the one for an environent with 100 or less APs. Refer to the Vista Manager EX Installation Guide for more details.
  > > When managing 601 or more wireless APs, set the Wireless Client Update Interval to 10 minutes.

- Wireless Client
  18,000 units
- Floor Map
  The number of APs that can be put on a single floor map is limited to 120 units.
- The maximum number of APs that can be managed by Remote Monitors
  - Wireless AP
    1,800 units
    For more information about the Remote Monitor, see Screen Reference > Wireless Monitoring > Remote Monitor.

> Note

> > The actual maximum numbers may vary depending on the plug-ins used and the device configuration. Please refer to the Installation Guide and Release Notes available on our website.

> Note

> > The more units managed, the longer each page may take to display.

## Account Types

The AWC Plug-in shares the account database with Vista Manager EX and other plug-ins.

Table 3: Account Types
Type | Overview
--- | ---
Admin | Can use all wireless management functions.
User | Can perform wireless management operations except the ones listed below: Create Management Group View the AWC Calculation Result Log Initialize the system and view version information Admin can permit users to configure and view permissions per management group.

See the "Managing user accounts" section of the Vista Manager EX User Guide for more information.

04 Jul 2023 09:16