Specifications

Altitude 4700 Series Access Point Product Reference Guide

577

CHAPTER

Configuring Mesh Networking

Mesh provides a network that is robust and reliable. In this network, each node is connected to its

neighbor by more than one path. The multiple paths provide the network with its robustness. If a node

goes down, there are other paths available for the data to traverse through the network. Refer to the

following for Mesh Network configuration activities supported by the access point user interface:

● Mesh Networking Overview on page 577

● Configuring Mesh Networking Support on page 581

● Mesh Network Deployment - Quick Setup on page 590

● Mesh Networking Frequently Asked Questions on page 601

Mesh Networking Overview

The Access Point 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.