20APPENDIX A: AIRCONNECT OVERVIEW
scenario, as shown in the next figure, wireless clients can roam seamlessly between different coverage areas and remain connected to the network.
Theory of Operation To improve AP management and performance, you should understand basic AP functionality and configuration options. The AP includes features for different interface connections and network management.
The AP provides MAC layer bridging between its interfaces. The AP monitors traffic from its interfaces and, based on frame address, forwards the frames to the proper destination. The AP tracks the frames sources and destinations to provide intelligent bridging as wireless clients roam or network topologies change. The AP also handles broadcast and multicast message initiations and responds to wireless client association requests.
MAC Layer Bridging The AP listens to all packets on all interfaces and builds an address database using the unique IEEE
Each AP stores information on destinations and their interfaces to facilitate forwarding. When you send an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request packet, the AP forwards the request over all enabled interfaces (Ethernet, PPP, or radio), except over the interface on which the ARP request packet was received.
Upon receiving the ARP response packet, the AP database keeps a record of the destination address along with the receiving interface. With this information, the AP forwards any directed packet to the correct destination. The AP forwards packets for unknown destinations to the Ethernet interface.