Specifications

Altitude 3500 Series Access Point Product Reference Guide

515

CHAPTER

Configuring Mesh Networking

Mesh Networking Overview

An Altitude 35xx can be configured in two modes to support the new mesh networking functionality.

The access point can be set to a client bridge mode and/or a base bridge mode (which accepts

connections from client bridges). Base bridge and client bridge mode can be used at the same time by

an individual access point to optimally bridge traffic to other members of the mesh network and service

associated MUs.

An access point in client bridge mode scans to locate other access points using the WLAP client's ESSID.

Then it is required to go through the association and authentication process to establish wireless

connections with the located devices. This association process is identical to the access point’s current

MU association process. Once the association and authentication process is complete, the wireless client

adds the connection as a port on its bridge module. This causes the client bridge to begin forwarding

packets to the base bridge node. The base bridge realizes it is talking to a wireless client bridge. It then

adds that connection as a port on its own bridge module. The two bridges at that point are

communicating using the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).

Access points configured as both a base and a client bridge function as repeaters to transmit data with

associated MUs in their coverage area (client bridge mode) as well as forward traffic to other access

points in the mesh network (base bridge mode). The number of access points and their intended

function within the mesh network dictate whether they should be configured as base bridges, client

bridges or both (repeaters).

The spanning tree determines the path to the root and detects if the current connection is part of a

network loop with another connection in the system. Each bridge can be configurable so the

administrator can control the spanning tree to define the root bridge and what the forwarding paths are.

Once the spanning tree converges, both access points begin learning which destinations reside on which

side of the network. This allows them to forward traffic intelligently.

After the client bridge establishes at least one wireless connection (if configured to support mobile

users), it begins beaconing and accepting wireless connections. If configured as both a client bridge and

a base bridge, it begins accepting client bridge connections. Therefore, the mesh network could connect

simultaneously to different networks in a manner whereby a network loop is not created and then the

connection is not blocked. Once the client bridge establishes at least one wireless connection, it begins

establishing other wireless connections as it finds them available. Thus, the client bridge is able to

establish simultaneous redundant links.