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Network Parameters
• 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 Mbits/sec, client throughput will decrease when the WDS link is active. The
connection over the link will be slower than if the client were communicating directly with the AP-2500.
• If there is no partner MAC address configured in the WDS table, the WDS port remains disabled.
• Each WDS port on an 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.
• Auto Channel Selection must be disabled to create a WDS link.
• Each Access Point that is a member of the WDS must have the same WEP Encryption settings. 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 (Key 1). See Encryption.
• If your network does not support the Spanning Tree protocol, 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. The AP-2500 does not support Spanning Tree.

WDS Setup Procedure

To setup a WDS link between an AP-2500 and an AP-2000 or AP-600b, follow the steps below for each AP that you
wish to include in the Wireless Distribution System.
1. Confirm that the AP-2500 is connected to the Ethernet network in your proposed WDS topology.
2. Write down the MAC addresses of the APs that will be part of the WDS link.
3. Login to the AP-2500’s Web browser interface.
4. Click Configure > Interfaces > Wireless (A or B) to open the configuration screen for the radio that will use WDS.
5. Disable Auto Channel Select if necessary.
6. Write down the Frequency Channel in use.
7. Scroll down to the Wireless Distribution System heading.
8. Click the Edit button to update the Wireless Distribution System (WDS) Table.
9. Enter the MAC address for the AP-2000 or AP-600b in one of the Partner MAC Address field of the WDS Table
Configuration screen.
10. Set the Status of the device to Enable.
11. Click OK.
Figure 4-12 WDS Configuration
12. Restart the AP.
13. Login to the AP-2000 or AP-600b’s Web browser interface.