User's Manual

Table Of Contents
3/11/05 Appliance Mode
OL-7426-02
AIR-VPN-4100 - VPN/Enhanced Security Module: Supports VPN, L2TP, IPSec and other
processor-intensive security options. This is a factory-orderable and field-installable option for
all Cisco 4100 Series Wireless LAN Controllers.
Appliance ModeAppliance Mode
All Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers operate in Appliance Mode. In Appliance Mode:
The Cisco 2000 Series Wireless LAN Controller communicates with up to six Cisco 1000 Series
lightweight access points.
The Model 4112 Cisco 4100 Series Wireless LAN Controller communicates with up to 12 Cisco
1000 Series lightweight access points.
The Model 4124 Cisco 4100 Series Wireless LAN Controller communicates with up to 24 Cisco
1000 Series lightweight access points.
The Model 4136 Cisco 4100 Series Wireless LAN Controller communicates with up to 36 Cisco
1000 Series lightweight access points.
Figure - Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Deployed in Appliance Mode
The Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers communicate with the network using one of the interfaces described
in the Network Connection to Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
section.
About Distribution System PortsDistribution System Ports
A Distribution System (DS) port is a physical port (see Cisco SWAN Wired Connections) through which
the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller talks to the network and other access points. DS Ports are where
packets are exchanged between the Cisco SWAN WLANs and the rest of the network. The DS Ports can
also be used to communicate with Cisco 1000 Series lightweight access points.
The Cisco 4100 Series Wireless LAN Controller supports a single Distribution System port
because it has two redundant 1000BASE-SX physical ports that must connect to the same
subnet.
As described in Layer 2 and Layer 3 LWAPP Operation
, when the LWAPP communications are set to
Layer 2 (same subnet) operation, the Distribution System must have one Management Interface
to
control all inter-Cisco Wireless LAN Controller, and all Cisco Wireless LAN Controller-to-Cisco 1000
Note: The Distribution System Port cannot be assigned to the dedicated Cisco 4100
Series Wireless LAN Controller front-panel Service Port.