Wireless
Configuring the Wireless Distribution System
Cisco AP541N Dual-band Single-radio Access Point Quick Start Guide 85
4
Configuring the Wireless Distribution System
The Wireless Distribution System (WDS) allows you to connect multiple access
points. With WDS, access point
s communicate with one another without wires in a
standardized way. This capability is critical in providing a seamless experience for
roaming clients and for managing multiple wireless networks. It can also simplify
the network infrastructure by reducing the amount of cabling required. You can
configure the access point in point-to-point or point-to-multipoint bridge mode
based on the number of links to connect.
In the point-to-point mode, the access point accepts client associations and
communicates with wireless clients and other repeaters. The access point
forwards all traffic meant for the other network over the tunnel that is established
between the access point
s. The bridge does not add to the hop count. It functions
as a simple OSI layer 2 network device.
In the point-to-multipoint bridge mode, one access point acts as the common link
between multiple access point
s. In this mode, the central access point accepts
client associations and communicates with the clients and other repeaters. All
other access point
s associate only with the central access point that forwards the
packets to the appropriate wireless bridge for routing purposes.
The access point can also act as a repeater. In this mode, the access point serves
as a connection between two access point
s that might be too far apart to be
within cell range. When acting as a repeater, the access point does not have a
wired connection to the LAN and repeats signals by using the wireless connection.
No special configuration is required for the access point to function as a repeater,
and there are no repeater mode settings. Wireless clients can still connect to an
access point that is operating as a repeater.
To specify the details of traffic exchange from this access point to others, click the
WDS Bridge tab.
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