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Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide for Cisco Aironet Access Points
OL-11350-01
Chapter12 Configuring WDS, Fast Secure Roaming, Radio Management, and Wi reless Intrusion Detection
Configuring WDS
Configuring the Authentication Server to Support WDS, page12-15
Configuring WDS Only Mode, page12-20
Viewing WDS Information, page12-21
Using Debug Messages, page12-22
Guidelines for WDS
Follow these guidelines when configuring WDS:
A WDS access point that also serves client devices supports up to 30 participating access points, but
a WDS access point with radios disabled supports up to 60 participating access points.
In WDS only mode, the WDS supports up to 60 infrastructure access points and 1200 clients.
Repeater access points do not support WDS. Do not configure a repeater access point as a WDS
candidate, and do not configure a WDS access point to return (fall back) to repeater mode in case
of Ethernet failure.
You cannot configure a 350 series access point as your main WDS device. However, you can
configure 350 series access points to participate in WDS.
Requirements for WDS
To configure WDS, you must have these items on your wireless LAN:
At least one access point, Integrated Services Router (ISR), or switch (equipped with a Wireless
LAN Services Module) that you can configure as the WDS device
An authentication server (or an access point or ISR configured as a local authenticator)
Note The 1300 access point/bridge cannot be configured as a WDS master, but can participate in a WDS
network. This functionality is not supported on the 1300 access point/bridge.
Configuration Overview
You must complete three major steps to set up WDS and fast, secure roaming:
1. Configure access points, ISRs, or switches as potential WDS devices. This chapter provides
instructions for configuring an access point as a WDS device. For instructions on configuring WDS
on a switch equipped with a Wireless LAN Services Module (WLSM), refer to the Cisco Catalyst
6500 Series Wireless LAN Services Module (WLSM) Deployment Guide.
2. Configure the rest of your access points to use the WDS device.
3. Configure the authentication server on your network to authenticate the WDS device and the access
points that use the WDS device.