User Guide: Vista Manager AWC Plug-in version 3.15.0

# What is the AWC Plug-in

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. These devices include guest devices, or are devices installed on the same subnet as the AWC Plug-in server.
The AWC plugin can automatically adjust the wireless channel and transmit power for each AP according to the surrounding environment.
The AWC Plug-in enables you to:

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

In addition, with Wireless Channel Blanket licenses, you can also configure and operate a hybrid wireless network. A hybrid wireless network combines an AWC-CB (AWC-Channel Blanket) blanket setup with multi-channel wireless networks.
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.

## Identification of Individual Access Points

The AWC Plug-in uses both IP And MAC addresses as unique identifiers for each Wireless AP.
When manually registering an AP, both its IP address and MAC address are required. When selecting from AMF guest nodes, or obtaining IP addresses from a DHCP server, you do not need to input the IP and MAC address. Tthe system automatically retrieves the IP and MAC addresses from each respective service and associates them within the internal database.
For this reason, the AWC Plug-in does not allow duplicate IP or MAC addresses during the registration of access points. Please make sure to register unique IP addresses.
If you use an IP address already registered to another AP (for example: when relocating or reconfigurating existing APs), the internal database may become inconsistent, and updates may fail to apply correctly.
For example, when switching the static IP-MAC bindings for multiple APs on a DHCP server, care must be taken to avoid assigning the same IP address to more than one AP, even temporarily. To prevent this,only remove one AP first, and bring each AP online one at a time. After the DHCP lease is updated for the first AP, it should be disconnected before bringing the next AP online. This ensures that no overlap occurs between the old and new DHCP leases for the same IP address.

## Client Connection History Management and Client Packet Analysis

The AWC Plug-in can monitor detailed client behavior and store connection history by logging. The AWC plug-in can log every time a wireless client connects to a managed AP, or has connected and disconnected in the past, etc.
◼ Configuration
You can enable the history logging function by setting "Wireless Client" to "Set" in the Screen Reference > System Settings screen's History Data Retention Period Setting.

> Note

> > When this feature is enabled, device management functions other than the AWC Plug-in, such as the Vista Manager EX, cannot be used.
> > - Do not configure the Vista Manager EX to manage the AMF network.
> > - Do not install the SNMP Plug-in.
> > - Do not associate the AWC Plug-in with Vista Appliance Storage.
> > In addition, it is recommended that the "Wireless Device Topology Data Update-Interval" to be set to "Don't Set" in the Screen Reference > System Settings.
> > If you wish to use Vista Manager EX and/or the SNMP Plug-in together with the AWC Plug-in, please disable "Client Packet Analysis" and set the retention period for "Wireless Client" to 14 days or less.

Additionally, by enabling “Client Packet Analysis,” you can analyze the communications of connected clients and obtain information such as the hostname and operating system used by wireless clients.
The AMF network under management must be unconfigured and operated without registering any plug-ins other than the AWC plug-in.
The following conditions must be met for effective use of Client Packet Analysis:

- IP addresses are assigned to wireless clients using DHCP
- The following DHCP options are used:
  - DHCP Option 12 (hostname)
  - DHCP Option 55/60 (operating system)
- Enable "Wireless Client" from the "History Data Retention Period" under the System Settings menu.

Refer to Operation Reference > Wireless Configuration > Configure AP Profiles for the supported models.

> Note

> > When you enable this feature, logs about the network connection will be displayed when the wireless client is connected. For more information on logging, see Screen Reference > Wireless Monitor > Log Management.

## Supported AP Models

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

> Note

> > Software versions listed below refer to those of AWC Plug-ins.

> 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, TQ4400, TQ4400e, and TQ4600 APs. Please note that the setting functions for these models of APs are retained for compatibility with the backup file of the previous version. New setup of these older models are not supported.

  Table 1: TQ Series
  Firmware Version | Support Status | Comment
  --- | --- | ---
  TQ1402 / TQm1402
  6.0.2-0.1, 6.0.2-0.1b | Supported | Note that the "Verify RADIUS Packets" setting is not 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
  6.0.4-0.2 | Supported |
  6.0.3-0.1 to 6.0.3-0.2 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.15.0 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.2-0.3 to 6.0.2-0.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.10.3 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  6.0.2-0.1 to 6.0.2-0.2 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.10.1 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 or older | Unsupported | First please update the AP to a supported version via its own web interface before putting it under the management of the AWC Plug-in.
  TQ6602
  7.0.1-4.1 to 7.0.1-4.3 | Supported | Some new features of the relevant version on the AP may not be configurable from the AWC Plug-in.
  7.0.1-3.2 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.12.1 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.
  7.0.1-2.8 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.10.1 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.
  7.0.1-2.1 to 7.0.1-2.7 | 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
  8.0.5-0.1 to 8.0.5-0.2 | Supported |
  8.0.4-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.2 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.4-0.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.3-1.2 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.3-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.12.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.3-0.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.11.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.2-1.x or older | Unsupported | First please update the AP to a supported version via its own web interface before putting it under the management of the AWC Plug-in.
  TQ6702 GEN2 / TQm6702 GEN2
  8.0.5-0.1 to 8.0.5-0.2 | Supported |
  8.0.4-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.2 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.4-0.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.3-1.2 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.3-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.12.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.3-0.x | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.11.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  8.0.2-1.x or older | Unsupported | First please update the AP to a supported version via its own web interface before putting it under the management of the AWC Plug-in.
  TQ6702e GEN2
  9.0.5-0.1 | Supported |
  9.0.4-3.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.2 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  9.0.4-2.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  9.0.4-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.12.2 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  9.0.3-0.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.12.2 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  TQ6403 GEN2 / TQm6403 GEN2
  9.0.5-0.1 | Supported |
  9.0.4-3.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.2 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  9.0.4-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  9.0.4-0.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  TQ7403
  10.0.5-0.1 to 10.0.5-0.2 | Supported |
  10.0.4-3.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.2 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  10.0.4-2.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.13.1 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  10.0.4-1.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.12.2 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  10.0.4-0.1 | Partially Supported | The functions added to the AWC Plug-in version 3.12.2 or later are not supported. Basic management and AWC calculation features are still available with the partial-support firmware version.
  AT-TQ3403 / AT-TQm3403
  11.0.5-0.1 | Supported |
  AT-TQ7613
  12.0.5-0.1 | Supported |
  TQ6702 GEN2-R
  5.5.4-2.3 | Supported | Note Some settings for the TQ6702 GEN2-R can be made through the CLI or Web GUI of the AP itself.
  5.5.4-1.x or older | Unsupported | First please update the AP to a supported version via its own web interface before putting it under the management of the AWC Plug-in.
  AT-TQ7403-R
  5.5.4-2.3 | Supported | Note Some settings for the TQ7403-R can be made through the CLI or Web GUI of the AP itself.

- SDN/OpenFlow-capable TQ Series

  > Note

  > > The AWC Plug-in no longer supports the management of TQ series in SDN/OpenFlow mode or with the firmware that supports SDN/OpenFlow. Please note that the setting functions for these models of APs are retained for compatibility with the backup file of the previous version. New setup of these older models are not supported.

## 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, TQm6403 GEN2, 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 600, system requirements for servers is also different from the one for an environent with 600 or less APs. Refer to the Vista Manager EX Installation Guide for more details.
  > > Also under this environment, set the Wireless Device Topology Data Update-Interval to 10 minutes.

- Wireless Client
  3,000 (When the Location Estimation is enabled)
  18,000 (When the Location Estimation is disabled)
- 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 LAN Controller<br> 60
  - 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 2: 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.

10 Nov 2025 11:46