User's Manual Part 2

Configuration MeshMAX 5054 Series User Guide
Advanced Configuration of Mesh and Access Point Module
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• Manage adds, moves, and changes from a single point of contact
• Define and monitor groups
• Reduce broadcast and multicast traffic to unnecessary destinations
– Improve network performance and reduce latency
• Increase security
– Secure network restricts members to resources on their own VLAN
– Clients roam without compromising security
VLAN tagged data is collected and distributed through an AP's wireless interface(s) based on Network Name (SSID). An
Ethernet port on the access point connects a wireless cell or network to a wired backbone. The access points
communicate across a VLAN-capable switch that analyzes VLAN-tagged packet headers and directs traffic to the
appropriate ports. On the wired network, a RADIUS server authenticates traffic and a DHCP server manages IP
addresses for the VLAN(s). Resources like servers and printers may be present, and a hub may include multiple APs,
extending the network over a larger area.
Figure 6-48 Components of a Typical VLAN
VLAN Workgroups and Traffic Management
Access Points that are not VLAN-capable typically transmit broadcast and multicast traffic to all wireless Network
Interface Cards (NICs). This process wastes wireless bandwidth and degrades throughput performance. In comparison,
a VLAN-capable AP is designed to efficiently manage delivery of broadcast, multicast, and unicast traffic to wireless
clients.
The AP assigns clients to a VLAN based on a Network Name (SSID). The AP can support up to 16 SSIDs per radio, with
a unique VLAN configurable per SSID.
The AP matches packets transmitted or received to a network name with the associated VLAN. Traffic received by a
VLAN is only sent on the wireless interface associated with that same VLAN. This eliminates unnecessary traffic on the
wireless LAN, conserving bandwidth and maximizing throughput.
In addition to enhancing wireless traffic management, the VLAN-capable AP supports easy assignment of wireless users
to workgroups. In a typical scenario, each user VLAN represents a workgroup; for example, one VLAN could be used for
an EMPLOYEE workgroup and the other for a GUEST workgroup.