Allied Telesis AT-WA7500, AT-WA7501 manual Access Point as a WAP

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Host

	Access
Ethernet	point
	WAP

Figure 10. Access Point as a WAP

WAPs send data from end devices to the access points via wireless hops. Wireless hops are formed when data from end devices move from one access point to another access point through the radio ports. The master radio in the access point transmits hello messages, which allow the WAPs to attach to the spanning tree in the same way as access points.

The number of radios required in the WAP depends on the type of radio installed:

ˆIf you have an 802.11a radio, the WAP only needs one radio because this radio can simultaneously be a master and a station. This radio will create wireless hops automatically when it cannot communicate to the wired network.

ˆIf you have an 802.11g or 802.11b radio, the WAP must contain two radios: one configured as master and one as station. The WAP master radio must match the end devices radios, and the WAP station radio must match the master radio in the access point.

WAPs must be on the same IP subnet as the access point. Also, data from wireless end devices should not go through more than three wireless hops before it gets to an access point on the primary LAN.

The following procedure explains how to install a simple wireless network with a WAP and no roaming end devices. For help installing a simple wireless network with a WAP and roaming end devices, see the two examples in the next sections.

To install a simple wireless network with a WAP and no roaming end devices

1.Follow the instructions for installing a simple wireless network in the section “Using One Access Point in a Simple Wireless Network” on page 21.

2.Configure the LAN ID. For help, see “Configuring the Spanning Tree Parameters” on page 136.

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