D-Link DWS-1008 User Manual
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4. If the AP cannot reach the switch using the static IP address information, then the AP
attempts to boot using the default boot process; that is, by contacting a DHCP server, as
described in “How a Distributed AP Obtains an IP Address through DHCP”. If the default
AP boot process does not succeed, then the AP again attempts to boot using its statically
configured IP information. The AP alternates between the two boot processes until the
switch is contacted.
If the default AP boot process is successful, but the DHCP response does not include a
DNS server address, then the IP address of the DNS server specified as part of Item C is
used.
Loading and Activating an Operational Image
An AP’s operational image is the software that allows it to function on the network as a wireless access
point. As part of the AP boot process, an operational image is loaded into the AP’s RAM and activated.
The AP stores copies of its operational image locally, in its internal flash memory. The AP can either
load the locally stored image, or it can download an operational image from the switch to which it has
connected.
After the AP establishes a connection to a switch, the AP’s bootloader determines if the switch permits
the AP to load a local image or if the image should be downloaded from the switch.
The AP loads its local image only if the switch is running MSS Version 5.0 or later, and the switch does
not have a newer AP image than the one stored locally on the AP. If the switch is not running MSS
Version 5.0 or later, or the switch has a newer version of the AP image than the version in the AP’s local
storage, the AP downloads the operational image from the switch.
The bootloader also compares the version of the local image to the version available from the switch. If
the two versions do not match, the image is downloaded from the switch, so that the AP’s local image
matches the version from the switch.
After an operational image is downloaded from the switch, it is copied into the AP’s flash memory. The
AP then reboots, copying the downloaded operational image from its flash memory into RAM.
Obtaining Configuration Information from the Switch
Once the AP loads an operational image, either from local storage or downloaded from a switch, the AP
receives configuration information from the switch to which it has connected. This information includes
commands that activate the radios on the AP, regulate power levels, assign SSIDs, and so on.
After the AP receives the configuration information from the switch, it is then operational on the network
as a wireless access point.
Summary of Contents for DWS-1008
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