Proxim AP-2000 manual Bridging WDS

Performing Advanced Configuration

Figure 4-7 WDS Example

Bridging WDS

Each WDS link is mapped to a logical WDS port on the AP. WDS ports behave like Ethernet ports rather than like standard wireless interfaces: on a BSS port, an Access Point learns by association and from frames; on a WDS or Ethernet port, an Access Point learns from frames only. When setting up a WDS, keep in mind the following:

•The WDS link shares the communication bandwidth with the clients. Therefore, while the maximum data rate for the Access Point’s cell is still 11 Mb, client throughput will decrease when the WDS link is active.

•If there is no partner MAC address configured in the WDS table, the WDS port remains disabled.

•Each WDS port on a single AP should have a unique partner MAC address. Do not enter the same MAC address twice in an AP’s WDS port list.

•Each Access Point that is a member of the WDS must have the same Channel setting to communicate with each other.

•Each Access Point that is a member of the WDS must have the same network domain.

•Each Access Point that is a member of the WDS must have the same WEP Encryption settings. WDS does not use 802.1x. Therefore, if you want to encrypt the WDS link, you must configure each Access Point to use WEP encryption, and each Access Point must have the same Encryption Key(s). See SSID/VLAN/Security.

•If your network does not support spanning tree, be careful to avoid creating network loops between APs. For example, creating a WDS link between two Access Points connected to the same Ethernet network will create a network loop (if spanning tree is disabled). For more information, refer to the Spanning Tree section.

WDS Setup Procedure

NOTE

You must disable Auto Channel Select to create a WDS. Each Access Point that is a member of the WDS must have the same Channel setting to communicate with each other.

NOTE

For radio cards that belong to the ETSI regulatory domain, ACS is enabled by default, and cannot be disabled. Therefore, it is not possible to set up a WDS link. This only applies to ETSI 802.11a wireless radios.

To setup a wireless backbone follow the steps below for each AP that you wish to include in the Wireless Distribution System.

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