WifiNigel

Just a quick note for anyone who may come across a similar issue when trying to deploy server images on to their VMWare environment. I've been lucky enough to get a new server recently to test various virtual WLCs and management packages that are being put out by various wireless vendors. But after installing ESXi and deploying a couple of server images, when I tried to start the virtual servers up, I kept getting the following messages popping up in vShere: (For search engine benefit: This virtual machine is configured for 64-bit operating systems. However, 64-bit operation is not possible. Longmode is not possible. Longmode is disabled for this virtual machine ) Also, in the console of the server (Cisco MSE & NCS), I was getting the following reported: " Your CPU does not support long mode. use a 32 bit distribution " I was concerned that maybe there was an issue with my server CPU, in terms of support for virtualization.  I rebooted the server

The whole area around the free DTLS license that can be obtained for Cisco WLCs has always been a bit of a head-scratcher for me. I'm never sure whether I need the additional license or I already have it to be honest. Anyhow, today on my home lab I tried to have a look at some features which required DTLS between the AP & WLC, only to find that my 2504 did not support the option (the option was grayed out). After some digging around on the Cisco forums, I found that the following licensing link can be used to obtain the DTLS entitlement license with very little fuss at all: https://tools.cisco.com/SWIFT/LicensingUI/loadDemoLicensee?FormId=4090 The information to be entered can be found on the WLC inventory page. Only the model number & serial number are required. Within seconds, I had the license (which can be downloaded directly or sent by email) and applied it to my 2504 (Management > Software Activation > Commands > Install License)

In my recent article : ' WiFi Channels On The 5GHz Band In The UK ', I noted that although the 5GHz channels 120, 124 and 128 are unlicensed channels available for use by WiFi equipment in the UK, it appears that a few major WiFi equipment manufacturers do not allow their use (in the UK or EU). I spoke with a major vendor representative today who advised me that the 3 channels are available for use, but that an update to the ETSI standard  301 893 v1.5.1  introduced some detection techniques for various military equipment used in the EU. However, many access points that were already manufactured (or using chip-sets that had already been manufactured) did not support the granularity of detection that is required for this equipment. So, it was decided to simply disable support for the affected channels. Apparently, later APs which use an updated chip-set will not be subject to the same limitations (once a few firmware updates are sorted out). I had a poke about in the stand