User Manual

AirWorks AWK-3131A References
A-2
Beacon
A beacon is a packet broadcast by the AP to keep the network synchronized. A beacon includes the wireless LAN
service area, the AP address, the Broadcast destination address, a time stamp, Delivery Traffic Indicator Maps
(DTIM), and the Traffic Indicator Message (TIM). Beacon Interval indicates the frequency interval of AP.
DTIM
Delivery Traffic Indication Map (DTIM) is contained in beacon frames. It is used to indicate that broadcast and
multicast frames buffered by the AP will be delivered shortly. Lower settings result in more efficient networking,
while preventing your PC from dropping into power-saving sleep mode. Higher settings allow your PC to enter
sleep mode, thus saving power.
Fragment
A lower setting means smaller packets, which will create more packets for each transmission. If you have
decreased this value and experience high packet error rates, you can increase it again, but it will likely decrease
overall network performance. Only minor modifications of this value are recommended.
RTS Threshold
RTS Threshold (256-2346) – This setting determines how large a packet can be before the Access Point
coordinates transmission and reception to ensure efficient communication. This value should remain at its
default setting of 2,346. When you encounter inconsistent data flow, only minor modifications are
recommended.
STP and RSTP
The STP/RSTP Concept
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) was designed to help reduce link failures in a network, and provide protection
from loops. Networks that have a complicated architecture are prone to broadcast storms caused by
unintended loops in the network. The STP protocol is part of the IEEE802.1D standard, 1998 Edition bridge
specification.
Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) implements the Spanning Tree Algorithm and Protocol defined by
IEEE802.1w-2001 standard. RSTP provides the following benefits:
• The topology of a bridged network will be determined much more quickly compared to STP.
• RSTP is backward compatible with STP, making it relatively easy to deploy. For example:
 Defaults to sending 802.1D-style BPDUs if packets with this format are received.
 STP (802.1D) and RSTP (802.1w) can operate on the LAN ports and WLAN ports (AP and WDS1-WDS8)
of the same AWK-3131A.
This feature is particularly helpful when the AWK-3131A connects to older equipment, such as legacy switches.