Catalyst – Catalyst 9800 Direct

Deployment Requirements

Please make sure you have covered all the prerequisites before you start the configuration.

To connect the WLC to the Cisco Spaces, the internet must be available.

WLC must be able to reach Cisco Spaces cloud over HTTPS.

In order to connect your wireless network with Cisco Spaces, you may have to open the required ports to establish connection between your wireless network and the Cisco Spaces. You can establish this connection through a public IP or VPN. Please contact Cisco Spaces team to establish a VPN connection.

The DigICert CA root must be imported to the WLC

The http-proxy configuration is required if the WLC is placed behind a proxy server.

When you try to add a wireless network, the Cisco Spaces asks you to provide the login credentials to connect to that wireless network.

To establish connection between the Cisco Spaces and your wireless network, you must whitelist certain Cisco Spaces IP addresses.

Configure Cloud Service URL in Catalyst 9800

STEP 1

Install Digi Certificate on WLC– Run the following command on the WLC (Config) CLI:
#crypto pki trustpool import url http://www.cisco.com/security/pki/trs/ios.p7b

Note: If you try to connect your WLC to Cisco Spaces using a root certificate not issued by DigiCert CA, you will see an error stating, “https: SSL certificate problem: unable to get local issuer certificate”. To avoid getting the above error, you need to import the DigiCert CA root certificate to connect successfully to Cisco Spaces.
STEP 2

In the Cisco Spaces dashboard, click on Setup > Wireless Networks on the left navigation
STEP 3

Click on “Get Started” button and Select “Cisco AirOS/Catalyst”
STEP 4

Select “Connect WLC directly” then Select “Customize Setup” button
STEP 5

Go to Customized Setup page step 2 “Configure Token in WLC”, click on “View Token”
STEP 6

Login to your Catalyst 9800 series WLC account
STEP 7

Go to “Configuration”
STEP 8

Click on “Cloud Services”
STEP 9

Click “CMX Cloud” tab
STEP 10

Click on “Enable Service” check box
STEP 11

In the “Service URL” section, enter the service URL. Copy the service URL from the Cisco Spaces dashboard as shown in the Step 4 above.
STEP 12

In the “Authentication Token” section, enter the token. Copy the token from the Cisco Spaces dashboard as shown in the Step 4 above.
STEP 13

In the “Port” section, enter 443
STEP 14

Click “Apply”

Import locations

STEP 1

Go to Customized Setup page step 4 “Import Controllers into Location Hierarchy”, click on “Import Controllers”
STEP 2

Choose the location where you want to import controllers and click “Next”. (If importing controllers for the first time, you will see the default location i.e. your Cisco Spaces account name. if not, you will also see the controllers you’ve imported earlier)
STEP 3

Choose the controller you want to import and click “Next”. (If you’re importing multiple controllers, select only 1 controller at this step (this will be your Primary Controller). You can add rest of the as additional controllers shown in STEP 5 below)
STEP 4

Review the locations auto discovered by Cisco Spaces.
- If the auto discovered locations are as per your business locations (Based on AP naming convention), then Select All/specific locations you want to import and click “Finish”.
- If the auto discovered locations are NOT as per your business locations (Based on AP naming convention), then uncheck the Select ALL and click “Finish”. (All your APs now will be imported under single location called “Unconfigured”. You can organize/configure locations in the Location Hierarchy referring the “Location Hierarchy Setup” section on this guide)
STEP 5

If you want to add additional controllers, click on “No, Continue with Setup” button.
- Click on “Import Controllers” in the Customized Setup page step 4
- Select the Primary controller and click “Next”
- Select all the controllers you want import and click “Finish”
You have now successfully connected your network with Cisco Spaces. You may now organize Location Hierarchy.

Categorize your Locations Next