Configuring a Cisco Switch Port for an Access Point¶

When connecting an access point to a Cisco switch, the port must be configured as a VLAN trunk. This allows the access point to carry multiple VLANs (for example, different SSIDs mapped to different VLANs) and pass them back to the switch.

Steps to Configure the Port¶

Enter configuration mode
```
enable
configure terminal
```
Select the interface
Replace GigabitEthernet1/0/10 with the actual port number where the AP is connected:
```
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/10
```
Set the port to trunk mode
```
switchport mode trunk
```

Allow the required VLANs
Example for VLANs 10, 20, and 30:

switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20,30

To allow all VLANs:

switchport trunk allowed vlan all

Set the native VLAN
The native VLAN is used for untagged traffic, often the AP’s management VLAN:
```
switchport trunk native vlan 10
```
Enable PortFast (optional but recommended for APs)
```
spanning-tree portfast trunk
```
Save the configuration
```
end
write memory
```

Summary¶

Access points require a trunk port to handle multiple VLANs.
Configure the port with switchport mode trunk, specify allowed VLANs, and set a native VLAN.
Use spanning-tree portfast trunk to optimize startup time for the AP.