Wireless LANs

Describing WLAN Topologies

WLAN Topologies

• Wireless client access

– Mobile user
connectivity
• Wireless bridging
– LAN-to-LAN
connectivity
• Wireless mesh
networking
– Combination of
bridging and user
connectivity
WLAN and LAN
Service Set Identifier (SSID)
• SSID is used to logically separate
WLANs.
• The SSID must match on client and
access point.
• Access point broadcasts one SSID
in beacon.
• Client can be configured without
SSID.
• Client association steps:
1. Client sends probe request.
2. A point sends probe
response.
3. Client initiates association.
4. A point accepts association.
5. A point adds client MAC
address to association table.
WLAN Access Topology
Wireless Repeater Topology
Workgroup Bridge Topology
Alternative Peer-to-Peer Topology
 Service Sets and Modes

Ad hoc mode
• Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS)
– Mobile clients connect directly
without an intermediate access
point.

Infrastructure mode
• Basic Service Set
– Mobile clients use a single access
point for connecting to each other
or to wired network resources.

• Extended Services Set

– Two or more Basic Service Sets
are connected by a common
distribution system.
Roaming Through Wireless Cells

Roaming
Client Roaming

• Maximum data
retry count
exceeded
• Too many
beacons missed
• Data rate shifted
• Periodic intervals

• Roaming without interruption requires the same SSID on

all access points.
Layer 2 vs. Layer 3 Roaming
 Wireless VLAN Support

• Multiple SSIDs
• Multiple security types
• Support for multiple
VLANs from switches
• 802.1Q trunking
protocol
 Wireless VLAN Support (Cont.)

• VLANs propagate
across access points.
• VLAN numbers are
unique.
• Access points handle up
to 16 VLANs.
Enterprise Voice Architecture
 Wireless Mesh Networking

In a mesh network topology, devices are connected with

redundant connections between nodes.
Wireless Mesh Networking

• Mesh access points automatically

establish connection to controller.
– Rooftop access points (RAP)
connect via wired connection.
– Mesh access points (MAP)
connect via self-configuring
backhaul connection.
• Cisco uses mesh access points.
• Adaptive Wireless Path (AWP)
protocol establishes best path
to root.
• Access point authenticates to
controller and downloads
configuration and radio parameters.
Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol (AWP)

AWP protocol establishes

an optimal path to root.
Each access point carries
a feasible successor or
successors if topology or
link health changes.
AWP uses a “parent
sticky” value to mitigate
route flaps.
Key Market Segments for Outdoor Wireless

Enterprise outdoor
• Indoor and outdoor wireless solutions for education customers.
• Rugged mesh solutions for enterprise customers.
Public sector
• Connecting peripheral devices across the mesh.
• Establishing hot zones for public safety or municipal
departments.
Service provider
• Hot spots become hot zones with Wi-Fi access.
Summary

• Types of WLAN topologies are client access, bridging, and

mesh networking.
• Wireless networks are built with multiple wireless cells.
• WLAN roaming occurs seamlessly between wireless cells.
• WLANs support VLANs and QoS.
• WLAN mesh networks extend the wireless network beyond
the boundaries of wired LANs.