Abstract: Described is a network switch which includes a communication arrangement, a memory arrangement and a processor. The communication arrangement allows the switch to communicate with a plurality of wireless access ports. The memory arrangement stores an identifier for the switch and access data corresponding to a first number of the access ports. The processor allows communications with the communication arrangement only for the first number of the access ports. The processor allows communications with the communication arrangement by a second number of the access ports only upon receipt and validation of an upgrade access data which corresponds to the second number and the identifier.