Cisco Mesh Access Points User Manual

Workgroup Bridge Interoperability with Mesh Infrastructure
A workgroup bridge (WGB) is a small standalone unit that can provide a wireless infrastructure connection
for Ethernet-enabled devices. Devices that do not have a wireless client adapter to connect to the wireless
network can be connected to the WGB through the Ethernet port. The WGB is associated with the root AP
through the wireless interface, which means that wired clients get access to the wireless network.
A WGB is used to connect wired networks over a single wireless segment by informing the mesh access point
of all the clients that the WGB has on its wired segment via IAPP messages. The data packets for WGB clients
contain an additional MAC address in the 802.11 header (4 MAC headers, versus the normal 3 MAC data
headers). The additional MAC in the header is the address of the WGB itself. This additional MAC address
is used to route the packet to and from the clients.
WGB association is supported on all radios of every mesh access point.
Figure 64: WGB Example
In the current architecture, while an autonomous AP functions as a workgroup bridge, only one radio interface
is used for controller connectivity, Ethernet interface for wired client connectivity, and other radio interface
for wireless client connectivity. dot11radio 1 (5 GHz) can be used to connect to a controller (using the mesh
infrastructure) and Ethernet interface for wired clients. dot11radio 0 (2.4 GHz) can be used for wireless client
connectivity. Depending on the requirement, dot11radio 1 or dot11radio 0 can be used for client association
or controller connectivity.
With the 7.0 release, a wireless client on the second radio of the WGB is not dissociated by the WGB upon
losing its uplink to a wireless infrastructure or in a roaming scenario.
With two radios, one radio can be used for client access and the other radio can be used for accessing the
access points. Having two independent radios performing two independent functions provides you better
control and lowers the latency. Also, wireless clients on the second radio for the WGB do not get disassociated
by the WGB when an uplink is lost or in a roaming scenario. One radio has to be configured as a Root AP
(radio role) and the second radio has to be configured as a WGB (radio role).
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
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Connecting the Cisco 1500 Series Mesh Access Points to the Network
Workgroup Bridge Interoperability with Mesh Infrastructure

Cisco Mesh Access Points Specifications

General

Brand	Cisco
Model	Mesh Access Points
Category	Wireless Access Point
Language	English

Summary

Preface

Audience

Describes the target audience for this guide, focusing on network administrators.

Organization

Outlines the chapter structure of the guide for easy navigation.

Conventions

Explains the document's formatting and typographical conventions.

Related Documentation

Lists supplementary Cisco documentation for further information.

Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request

Provides instructions on how to get Cisco documentation and request support.

CHAPTER 1 Mesh Network Components

Mesh Network Components

Details the core components of a Cisco wireless mesh network.

Mesh Access Points

Overview of Cisco mesh access point hardware and models.

Access Point Roles

Defines the Root Access Point (RAP) and Mesh Access Point (MAP) roles.

Network Access

Explains how mesh access points connect to the network and authentication methods.

Cisco Indoor Mesh Access Points

Details supported Cisco indoor mesh access point models.

Cisco Outdoor Mesh Access Points

Details supported Cisco outdoor mesh access point models.

CHAPTER 2 Mesh Deployment Modes

Mesh Deployment Modes

Describes the different ways Cisco mesh networks can be deployed.

Wireless Mesh Network

Describes the basic architecture of a Cisco wireless outdoor mesh network.

Wireless Backhaul

Explains how traffic is bridged between mesh access points for backhaul.

Point-to-Multipoint Wireless Bridging

Details the scenario where a RAP connects multiple MAPs.

CHAPTER 3 Design Considerations

Design Considerations

Key factors and challenges for designing wireless mesh networks.

Wireless Mesh Constraints

Discusses system characteristics affecting mesh network design.

ClientLink Technology

Explains Cisco's ClientLink technology for optimizing 802.11a/g client performance.

Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol

Details the AWPP for determining optimal routes in mesh networks.

CHAPTER 4 Site Preparation and Planning

Site Preparation and Planning

Covers essential steps for preparing and planning mesh network deployments.

Site Survey

Recommends performing a radio site survey before installing mesh equipment.

Outdoor Site Survey

Covers considerations for outdoor wireless deployments like weather and security.

Determining a Line of Sight

Explains how to assess link suitability based on clear line of sight.

Fresnel Zone

Describes the Fresnel zone and its impact on signal propagation.

Hidden Nodes Interference

Discusses interference issues caused by hidden nodes in mesh backhaul.

Cell Planning and Distance

Offers recommendations for cell planning and distance in mesh networks.

CHAPTER 5 Connecting the Cisco 1500 Series Mesh Access Points to the Network

Connecting the Cisco 1500 Series Mesh Access Points to the Network

Guides on connecting Cisco mesh APs to the wired network.

Adding Mesh Access Points to the Mesh Network

Steps to add mesh APs to the network, assuming controller is active.

Defining Mesh Access Point Role

How to configure APs as RAP or MAP, with GUI and CLI methods.

Backup Controllers

Explains configuring primary, secondary, and tertiary backup controllers.

Configuring Global Mesh Parameters

Instructions for configuring global mesh parameters affecting AP connections.

Universal Client Access

Enables client association over the backhaul radio.

Configuring Ethernet VLAN Tagging

Details how to segment traffic using VLAN tags for Ethernet ports.

Workgroup Bridge Interoperability with Mesh Infrastructure

Covers WGB integration with mesh networks.

Configuring Voice Parameters in Indoor Mesh Networks

How to configure CAC and QoS for voice quality.

CHAPTER 6 Checking the Health of the Network

Show Mesh Commands

Lists commands to view mesh network health and status.

Viewing Mesh Statistics for a Mesh Access Point

Provides detailed statistics on mesh AP performance and health.

Viewing Neighbor Statistics for a Mesh Access Point

Shows statistics for mesh AP neighbors and link tests.

CHAPTER 7 Troubleshooting

Installation and Connections

Basic troubleshooting for initial setup and connectivity.

Debug Commands

Helpful commands to view messages between APs and controllers.

AP Console Access

How to access AP console for debugging and configuration.

Mesh Access Point CLI Commands

Lists direct CLI commands for mesh access points.

Dynamic Frequency Selection

Explains DFS functionality for RAPs and MAPs in radar environments.

Bridge Group Name Misconfiguration

Troubleshooting steps for incorrect BGN assignments leading to stranded APs.

CHAPTER 8 Managing Mesh Access Points with Cisco Prime Infrastructure

Managing Mesh Access Points with Cisco Prime Infrastructure

Overview of managing mesh APs using Cisco Prime Infrastructure.

Adding Campus Maps, Outdoor Areas, and Buildings with Cisco Prime Infrastructure

Steps to add geographical maps and buildings in Prime Infrastructure.

Monitoring Mesh Access Points Using Google Earth

How to launch and use Google Earth for mesh AP visualization.

Adding Indoor Mesh Access Points to Cisco Prime Infrastructure

Process for adding indoor APs to Prime Infrastructure after mesh configuration.

Monitoring Workgroup Bridges

How to monitor Workgroup Bridge (WGB) clients separately.

Viewing AP Last Reboot Reason

Explains how to check the cause of the last AP reboot.