3Com 3CRWX120695A, Configuration Manual

Page: 195 / 728

MAP Overview 195
Loading and
Activating an
Operational Image
A MAP’s operational image is the software that allows it to function on
the network as a wireless access point. As part of the MAP boot process,
an operational image is loaded into the MAP’s RAM and activated. The
MAP stores copies of its operational image locally, in its internal flash
memory. The MAP can either load the locally stored image, or it can
download an operational image from the WX switch to which it has
connected.
After the MAP establishes a connection to a WX switch, the MAP’s
bootloader determines if the WX switch permits the MAP to load a local
image or if the image should be downloaded from the WX switch.
The MAP loads its local image only if the WX switch is running MSS
Version 5.0 or later, and the WX switch does not have a newer MAP
image than the one stored locally on the MAP. If the WX switch is not
running MSS Version 5.0 or later, or the WX switch has a newer version
of the MAP image than the version in the MAP’s local storage, the MAP
downloads the operational image from the WX switch.
The bootloader also compares the version of the local image to the
version available from the WX switch. If the two versions do not match,
the image is downloaded from the WX switch, so that the MAP’s local
image matches the version from the WX switch.
After an operational image is downloaded from the WX switch, it is
copied into the MAP’s flash memory. The MAP then reboots, copying the
downloaded operational image from its flash memory into RAM.
Obtaining
Configuration
Information from the
WX Switch
Once the MAP loads an operational image, either from local storage or
downloaded from a WX switch, the MAP receives configuration
information from the WX switch to which it has connected. This
information includes commands that activate the radios on the MAP,
regulate power levels, assign SSIDs, and so on.
After the MAP receives the configuration information from the WX
switch, it is then operational on the network as a wireless access point.
MAP Boot Examples
The following figures show MAP boot examples:
„
Figure 14 on page 196 shows an example of the boot process for a
MAP connected through a Layer 2 network.