Building a Secure Corporate WiFi Network with Aruba Wireless: Creating SSIDs and VLANs

Samuel O — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 12:50:36 +0000

Aruba Wireless is a robust and flexible solution for building a secure and reliable corporate WiFi network. One of the critical steps in setting up an Aruba Wireless network is the creation of SSIDs and VLANs. This article will cover the essential steps involved in creating SSIDs and VLANs to build a corporate WiFi network using Aruba Wireless.

Plan Your Network Topology
Before creating SSIDs and VLANs, it is essential to plan your network topology. This involves determining the number of access points (APs) needed, the coverage area, and the location of the APs. You also need to determine the number of SSIDs and VLANs needed and the security requirements for each network. For example, you may need separate networks for guest access and employee access, each with different security policies.

Create VLANs
VLANs are virtual LANs that enable you to separate network traffic into different logical networks, each with its own security policies. VLANs are crucial in building a secure corporate WiFi network. Here are the steps to create VLANs in Aruba Wireless:

Log in to the Aruba Wireless web interface.
Navigate to Configuration > Advanced Services > VLANs.
Click Add to create a new VLAN.
Enter a name for the VLAN.
Enter a VLAN ID, which is a unique number between 1 and 4094.
Set the VLAN type to “Normal.”
Set the VLAN state to “Enabled.”
Click Apply to save the VLAN configuration.

Repeat these steps for each VLAN you need to create.

Create SSIDs
An SSID is a unique identifier that enables clients to connect to a specific wireless network. You can create multiple SSIDs for different types of users, such as employees and guests. Here are the steps to create SSIDs in Aruba Wireless:

Navigate to Configuration > Wireless > AP Configuration > SSIDs.

Click Add to create a new SSID.

Enter a name for the SSID.

Select the VLAN for the SSID from the drop-down menu.

Set the security type for the SSID. Aruba Wireless supports several security types, including WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-PSK, and Captive Portal.

Enter the authentication and encryption settings for the SSID.

Click Apply to save the SSID configuration.

Repeat these steps for each SSID you need to create.

Configure APs
Once you have created VLANs and SSIDs, you need to configure the APs to broadcast the SSIDs and connect clients to the appropriate VLANs. Here are the steps to configure APs in Aruba Wireless:

Log in to the Aruba Wireless web interface.
Navigate to Configuration > Wireless > AP Configuration.
Select the AP you want to configure from the list.
Click the SSIDs tab.
Select the SSIDs you want to broadcast from the list.
Click the VLAN tab.
Select the VLANs you want to associate with the SSIDs.
Click Apply to save the AP configuration.

Repeat these steps for each AP you need to configure.

Conclusion
Building a secure and reliable corporate WiFi network using Aruba Wireless involves creating VLANs and SSIDs and configuring APs to connect clients to the appropriate VLANs. Planning your network topology, determining the number of SSIDs and VLANs needed, and setting the appropriate security policies are crucial to building a robust and secure network. Aruba Wireless provides a flexible and feature-rich solution for building a corporate WiFi network that can meet the needs of any organization.

Create Guest Wireless – https://www.expertnetworkconsultant.com/configuring/configuring-guest-wireless-with-vlans/

aruba central guest self-registration – Expert Network Consultant

Building a Secure Corporate WiFi Network with Aruba Wireless: Creating SSIDs and VLANs