On each radio interface, you provision a mode of operation: mesh node or thin AP (access) mode. If you do not
specify mesh, the AP operates in thin AP (access) mode. If you configure mesh, the AP is provisioned with a
minimum of two mesh cluster profiles: the “default” mesh cluster profile and an emergency read-only recovery
profile, as described in the section Configuring Mesh Cluster Profiles. If you create and select multiple mesh
cluster profiles, the AP is provisioned with those as well. If you have a dual-radio AP and configure one radio for
mesh and the other as a thin AP, each radio is provisioned as configured.
Each radio provisioned in mesh mode can operate in one of two roles: mesh portal or mesh point. You
explicitly configure the role, as described in this section. This allows the AP to know whether it uses the mesh
link (via the mesh point/mesh portal) or an Ethernet link to establish a connection to the switch.
During the provisioning process, mesh nodes look for a mesh profile that the AP group and AP name is a
member of and stores that information in flash. If you have multiple cluster profiles, the mesh portal uses the
best profile to bring-up the mesh network. Mesh points in contrast go through the list of mesh cluster profiles
in order of priority to decide which profile to use to associate themselves with the network. In addition, when a
mesh point is provisioned, the country code is sent to the AP from its AP name or AP group along with the
mesh cluster profiles. Mesh nodes also learn the recovery profile, which is automatically generated by the
master switch. If the other mesh cluster profiles are unavailable, mesh nodes use the recovery profile to
establish a link to the master switch; data forwarding does not take place.
If you create a new mesh cluster profile for an existing deployment, you must re-provision the AP for the new profile
to take effect. If you re-provision mesh nodes that are already operating, re-provision the most distant (highest hop
count) mesh points first followed by the mesh portals. If you re-provision the mesh portal first, the mesh points may
be unable to form a mesh link. Re-provisioning the AP causes it to automatically reboot. This may cause a disruption
of service to the network.
Provisioning Caveats
Remember the following when provisioning APs for mesh:
n You must provision the AP before you install it as a mesh node in a mesh deployment. To provision the AP,
it must be physically connected to the local network or directly connected to the switch. When connected
and powered on, the AP must also be able to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server on the local network
or from the switch.
n Make sure the provisioned mesh nodes form a connected mesh network before physically deploying the
APs. For more information, see Verifying Your Mesh Network.
n In multi-switch networks, save your mesh cluster configuration before provisioning the mesh nodes. To
save your configuration in the WebUI, at the top of any window click Save Configuration. To save your
configuration in the CLI, use the command write memory.
n If the same port on the switch is used to provision APs and provide PoE for mesh nodes, you must stop
traffic from passing through that port after you provision the AP. To stop traffic, shut down (disable) the
port either by using the CLI command interface fastethernet <slot>/<module>/<port> shutdown, or
by following the procedure below.
1. Navigate to the Configuration > Network > Ports window.
2. Under Port Selection, click the port to configure.
3. Under Configure Selected Port, deselect (uncheck) Enable Port.
4. Make sure Enable 802.3af Power Over Ethernet is selected.
5. Click Apply.
Provisioning Mesh Nodes
Reprovisioning the AP causes it to automatically reboot. The following procedures describe the process to
provision a mesh portal or mesh node via the WebUI or CLI. (The easiest way to provision a mesh node is to
AOS-W 6.5.3.x | User Guide Secure Enterprise Mesh | 627
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