DHCP Option 43 for Meru APs (using a Cisco Router/Switch DHCP Server)
Meru access points, like many other controller-based APs, can use DHCP option 43 to acquire the address of the wireless LAN controller that they need to join. In brief, controller-based APs need to find their way back to a controller to obtain their operating code and parameters. Out-of-the-box, they don't know the IP address of the controller they should be talking to. When they are hooked to a wired network, they will request an IP address via DHCP. The DHCP process can also be used to pass them the address of the wireless LAN controller they should be speaking with (in addition to the usual parameters such as IP address, mask, default gateway etc.). DHCP option 43 is used to pass the WLC IP address information to the AP. However, figuring out the format of the information that should be put in to the option 43 field can be something of a challenge, depending on the DHCP server you are using. I recently had to set up a DHCP server on a Cisco switch to pro...