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Aruba Central Conversion Guide

Prerequisites​

Before starting, confirm the following:

  • Aruba system is running AOS 8.10.x.x or later
  • Network uses an on-prem Aruba Mobility Controller
  • APs are adopted and serving traffic
  • Existing SSIDs are functional
  • Aruba infrastructure has outbound internet access to Helium AAA endpoints

High-Level Steps​

  1. Upload Helium RadSec Certificates
  2. Configure SSID for RadSec
  3. Configure Passpoint Settings
  4. Connect and Validate
note

This guide applies to "Classic Central".
If your Aruba dashboard shows a "Classic Central" toggle, enable it.

Upload Helium RadSec Certificates​

Helium requires RADIUS traffic to be secured using RadSec (RADIUS over TLS).

Download the following from the Helium onboarding process (either from the WiFi Conversion process or sent to you by your Helium Plus contact):

  • RadSec Server CA (ca.pem)
  • RadSec Client Certificate (combine cert.pem and key.pem into a single PEM file; for example: cat cert.pem key.pem > client_combined.pem)

Navigate to:

Global → Organization → Network Structure → Certificates

Upload Server CA​

Navigate to 'Organization' then 'Certificates'

Create a new certificate with the following values:

  • Name: Helium Server CA (example)
  • Type: CA Certificate
  • Format: PEM
  • File: RadSec Server CA

Upload Client Certificate​

Create another certificate:

  • Name: Helium Client Certificate (example)
  • Type: Server Certificate
  • Format: PEM
  • File: Combined cert and key

Configure SSID for RadSec​

Navigate to:

Devices → WLANs

Note: Ensure you've selected your AP first or the WLAN options won't show.

Click Add SSID and enter the SSID name.

SSID General Configuration​

Set the following values:

  • Under 'General', set the SSID name to 'Helium'.

Click Next.

  • Configure VLAN and IP assignment as required for your deployment

Click Next.

  • Under Security, set Security Level to Enterprise
  • Set Key Management to WPA3-Enterprise

Click Add next to Primary Server and create a new authentication server.

Create RadSec Authentication Server​

Configure the authentication server with the following values:

  • Server Name: Helium-RadSec
  • Server Type: RADIUS
  • Enable RadSec: enabled
  • IP Address: radius-bf.wifi.hellohelium.com
  • RadSec Port: 2083
  • RadSec Keepalive Type: TCP Keepalive

Click OK.

Complete SSID Settings​

Verify the following:

  • Security Level: Enterprise
  • Key Management: WPA3-Enterprise
  • Server Group: Primary and backup only
  • Primary Server: Helium-RadSec
  • Under Advanced Settings, go to Passpoint Service Profile and click Manage Passpoint Services.
    • Click Add Profile.
    • Under Access Network:
      • Name the profile Helium Passpoint.
      • Enable the Internet slider.
      • Set Domain Name to freedomfi.com.
      • Set Network Type to Chargeable Public.
      • Set IPv4 to Double NAT Private.
      • Set IPv6 to None.
  • Under Identity Provider > NAI Realms:
    • Click Add NAI Realm.
    • Set NAI Realm to freedomfi.com.
    • Set EAP Method to EAP-TLS.
    • Set Authentication parameter to Certificate.
    • Click OK, then repeat to add hellohelium.com with the same settings.

  • Back on the SSID settings under Accounting tab:
    • Set accounting interval to 5 minutes

Troubleshooting​

If authentication fails, check the following:

  • Certificates: verify the Server CA and the combined client certificate were uploaded correctly and assigned to the device.
  • Network: ensure outbound TCP 2083 to the Helium RadSec endpoint is allowed from your Aruba infrastructure.
  • Logs: check Aruba controller logs and the Helium RADIUS logs for Access-Request / Access-Accept messages.

Connect and Validate​

Connect a client device to the newly created SSID.

Verify successful authentication.