Apr 2007 • Reading time: 6 min
Enterprise wireless deployments in 2007 are increasingly relying on centralized management and robust security standards. At the heart of this trend is Cisco’s Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) platform, paired with the 802.11i standard (commonly recognized as WPA2). Together, these technologies have redefined what secure and manageable wireless infrastructure looks like in the enterprise space.
The Cisco WLC provides centralized control of lightweight access points (LWAPs), allowing IT teams to manage configurations, firmware, and security policies from a single interface. This consolidation not only simplifies operations but enforces consistency across access points — a major step forward from traditional autonomous deployments.
On the security front, 802.11i introduces AES-based encryption, key rotation, and a robust handshake mechanism. But it’s the integration of WPA2-Enterprise, using RADIUS and EAP protocols, that brings true security to the enterprise. By requiring user credentials and integrating with Active Directory, network administrators can enforce policies while tracking user activity — a major compliance win.
From an architectural perspective, the deployment of a WLC typically sits behind a firewall, connected to the core switch. LWAPs communicate with the controller using CAPWAP, encapsulating both control and data planes. This structure ensures that policy enforcement, client authentication, and rogue AP detection are all managed in one place.
When implementing 802.11i in a Cisco WLC environment, careful consideration must be given to the backend RADIUS configuration. Many challenges arise from certificate management, clock synchronization, and client supplicant misconfiguration. It’s essential to have tight coordination between the WLC and the RADIUS server, with clear fallback and timeout policies defined.
From the field, I’ve seen common missteps: WLCs without proper time synchronization (leading to expired EAP cert errors), or clients using PEAP without validating certificates, opening doors to man-in-the-middle attacks. Another issue is improperly configured VLAN tagging — users might authenticate correctly but end up on the wrong subnet due to misassigned interface groups.
Monitoring tools in the WLC ecosystem (such as CleanAir, rogue detection, and client tracking) provide valuable insights. But their value multiplies when integrated with syslog, SNMP, or Cisco Prime Infrastructure. Alerts from authentication failures or rogue access points can be forwarded for real-time analysis, allowing faster response.
As more businesses adopt mobile-first strategies, the importance of stable and secure wireless becomes central. 802.11i, despite being a few years old now, remains the gold standard for encryption and authentication. Cisco’s continued investment in WLC platforms, now moving toward mobility anchors and FlexConnect, shows how foundational this technology has become.
Engineers planning rollouts in 2007 must focus not just on hardware selection but on policy enforcement, identity integration, and visibility. WPA2-Enterprise is only as strong as its weakest certificate or misconfigured user profile. A centralized WLC approach helps tame this complexity — but only with disciplined implementation and monitoring.