User Manual

10
Overview
OL-12632-01
Layer
2
and
Layer
3
Network
Operation
The access points support Layer 2 or Layer 3 network operation. In Layer 2 configurations, the access
point and the controller are on the same subnet and communicate with encapsulated Ethernet frames
using MAC addresses rather than IP addresses. Layer 2 configurations are typically not scalable into
larger networks. Additionally, Layer 2 operation is supported only by the Cisco 4400 series controllers.
Access points and controllers in Layer 3 configurations use IP addresses and UDP packets, which can
be routed through large networks. Layer 3 operation is scalable and recommended by Cisco.
Figure 6 illustrates a typical Layer-3 wireless network configuration containing access points and a
controller.
Figure 6 Typical Layer 3 Access Point Network Configuration Example
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LWAPP
LWAPP