Configuration Guide Configuring FAT APs
1 Configuring FAT APs
1.1 Overview
An Access Point (AP) is wireless equipment used to control and manage wireless clients.
When frames are transmitted between wireless clients and a LAN, wireless-to-wired and wired-to-wireless transitions are
implemented, during which an AP plays the role of a bridge.
Two types of APs are available: Fat Access Points (FAT APs) and Fit Access Points (FIT APs).
A FAT AP is suitable for family and small-scaled networks and provides full features. Generally, one device can
implement access, authentication, routing, VPN, address translation, and even the firewall functions.
A FIT-AP is suitable for large-scale wireless network deployment. A dedicated wireless controller is needed to provide
unified management. A FIT-AP can be used only after the wireless controller delivers configurations and it cannot
complete configuration by itself.
Protocols and Standards
IEEE Std 802.11-2012:Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications
1.2 Applications
A simplest WLAN can be created through a single Basic Service Set (BSS). All
wireless clients are within the same BSS.
Configuring Multiple ESSs
Multiple Extended Service Sets (ESSs), which are logic management domains, may
be available in a network. When a mobile user accesses a FAT AP, the user can be
added to an available ESS.
Configuring Single ESS and Multiple
BSSs (Multiple RF Bands)
A FAT AP may support more than one band in single logic management. All bands
support the same service set (within the same ESS); however, the bands have
different logic coverage ranges because they belong to different BSSs.
1.2.1 Configuring a Single BSS
Scenario
The range covered by an AP is called a BSS. Each BSS is identified by a BSSID. A simplest WLAN can be created through a
single BSS. All wireless clients are within the same BSS. If these wireless clients are assigned the same rights, they can
communicate with each other. They can access each other and access hosts in the network. The communication between
wireless clients within the same BSS is implemented through a FAT AP.
As shown in Figure 1-1, Client1 and Client2 access the 2.4 GHz band and are within BSS1.
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