Cisco Cisco Network Assistant Version 5.6 Getting Started Guide
At-A-Glance
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A Solution for Managing Wireless
With trends such as bring-your-own-device (BYOD), it is a fact that more and more
wireless devices are connecting to the network. This has created a demand for small
and medium-sized businesses to increase their wireless capacity, resulting in an
increase in the number of access points and other network infrastructure devices.
To assist in the configuration and monitoring of these devices, Cisco has created
Cisco® Network Assistant. Cisco Network Assistant is a PC-based network
management application optimized for wired and wireless networks belonging to
growing small and medium-sized businesses. It provides a centralized network
view with a user-friendly GUI that simplifies configuration, management, and
troubleshooting. Using Cisco Network Assistant, network administrators can easily
apply common services, generate inventory reports, and synchronize passwords
across Cisco access points, routers, and switches.
wireless devices are connecting to the network. This has created a demand for small
and medium-sized businesses to increase their wireless capacity, resulting in an
increase in the number of access points and other network infrastructure devices.
To assist in the configuration and monitoring of these devices, Cisco has created
Cisco® Network Assistant. Cisco Network Assistant is a PC-based network
management application optimized for wired and wireless networks belonging to
growing small and medium-sized businesses. It provides a centralized network
view with a user-friendly GUI that simplifies configuration, management, and
troubleshooting. Using Cisco Network Assistant, network administrators can easily
apply common services, generate inventory reports, and synchronize passwords
across Cisco access points, routers, and switches.
Using Cisco Network Assistant for Wireless
Network Configuration
For quick and easy setup of your access points, Cisco Network Assistant eliminates
the tedious remote configuration of one device at a time and provides a centralized
network view with a user-friendly, drag-and-drop GUI that simplifies configuration,
management, and troubleshooting of single or multiple access points. Using Cisco
Network Assistant, you can easily discover and initialize your network of stand-alone
access points. Configuration is simple through an intuitive GUI interfaces. You can
quickly discover your access points and configure your wireless network settings on
each individual access point or choose to configure multiple access points at one time.
With a single click you can also launch the embedded AP GUI or initiate a
Telnet session.
For quick and easy setup of your access points, Cisco Network Assistant eliminates
the tedious remote configuration of one device at a time and provides a centralized
network view with a user-friendly, drag-and-drop GUI that simplifies configuration,
management, and troubleshooting of single or multiple access points. Using Cisco
Network Assistant, you can easily discover and initialize your network of stand-alone
access points. Configuration is simple through an intuitive GUI interfaces. You can
quickly discover your access points and configure your wireless network settings on
each individual access point or choose to configure multiple access points at one time.
With a single click you can also launch the embedded AP GUI or initiate a
Telnet session.
Network Management
Cisco Network Assistant makes ongoing management of networks easy. It allows
network administrators to reset passwords, generate inventory reports, and even
upgrade Cisco IOS® Software through a simple drag-and-drop process.
Cisco Network Assistant makes ongoing management of networks easy. It allows
network administrators to reset passwords, generate inventory reports, and even
upgrade Cisco IOS® Software through a simple drag-and-drop process.
Network Troubleshooting
Cisco Network Assistant makes troubleshooting simple by highlighting problem areas
in the topology view — allowing administrators to quickly evaluate the cause of network
problems. It also automatically identifies potential network problems, such as cable
faults and configuration errors, and documents them with a graphical trend chart.
Cisco Network Assistant makes troubleshooting simple by highlighting problem areas
in the topology view — allowing administrators to quickly evaluate the cause of network
problems. It also automatically identifies potential network problems, such as cable
faults and configuration errors, and documents them with a graphical trend chart.
Network Optimization
Cisco Network Assistant helps reduce network risk by reviewing network configurations
and recommending changes in quality of service (QoS), security, and availability based
on Cisco CCIE® best practices.
Cisco Network Assistant helps reduce network risk by reviewing network configurations
and recommending changes in quality of service (QoS), security, and availability based
on Cisco CCIE® best practices.
Device Support
Cisco Network Assistant supports a variety of Cisco Catalyst® switches, Integrated
Services Routers (ISRs), wireless LAN controllers, and Aironet® access points.
Cisco Network Assistant supports a variety of Cisco Catalyst® switches, Integrated
Services Routers (ISRs), wireless LAN controllers, and Aironet® access points.
A list of supported devices is available in the
Active Product Lifecycle Information
Through direct access to Cisco Active Advisor, Cisco Network Assistant makes
essential product information for your network, including your Cisco Aironet access
points, immediately available. You can set up notifications about product lifecycle
milestones that may compromise the security or integrity of your network.
essential product information for your network, including your Cisco Aironet access
points, immediately available. You can set up notifications about product lifecycle
milestones that may compromise the security or integrity of your network.
Cisco Active Advisor shows the following information and is constantly expanding its
functions:
functions:
• Warranty and service contract status
• Product advisories: Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) and field
• Product advisories: Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) and field
notices
• End-of-life notifications: Hardware and software
Summary
When used with Cisco’s entry-level value-based Aironet 700 and 1600 Series access
points, the Cisco Network Assistant benefits small, medium-sized, and growing
businesses by providing simplified wireless configuration and management features
while accessing crucial product lifecycle information.
points, the Cisco Network Assistant benefits small, medium-sized, and growing
businesses by providing simplified wireless configuration and management features
while accessing crucial product lifecycle information.
For More Information
• Cisco Network Assistant is available free, and can be downloaded at
.
• Cisco Active Advisor is available free at
• For more information on Cisco’s wireless portfolio, please visit