AirWorks AWK-3121 User’s Manual
Web Console Configuration
3-9
Wireless Settings
The essential settings for wireless networks are presented in this function group. Settings must be
properly set before establishing your wireless network.
Basic Wireless Settings
The AWK-3121 mainly supports two operational modes that have distinct roles in the wireless
network:
y
AP/Bridge:
This mode provides both Access Point and Static LAN-to-LAN Bridging functionality. The
static LAN-to-LAN bridging function is supported through the Wireless Distribution System
(WDS).
y
AP Client:
This mode is for Dynamic LAN-to-LAN Bridging or Device-to-LAN. The AP Client
automatically establishes bridge links with other APs.
In either mode, the AWK-3121 forwards packets between its Ethernet interface (LAN) and
wireless interface (WLAN) for wired hosts on the Ethernet side and wireless host(s) on the
wireless side. There are two types of wireless links as specified by the IEEE802.11 standard:
y
STA-AP
This type of wireless link is established between an IEEE802.11 Station (STA) and an
IEEE802.11 Access Point (AP). An STA is usually a client computer (PC or PDA) with a
WLAN network interface card (NIC). The Client mode is actually an STA.
y
WDS
This type of wireless link is established between two IEEE802.11 APs. Wireless packets
transmitted along the WDS link comply with the IEEE802.11 WDS (Wireless Distribution
System) format at the link layer. You can refer to “Wireless Distribution System (WDS)” in
Chapter 5 for more details. Be reminded that WPA/WPA2
CANNOT
be supported in WDS.
To establish a static bridge link based on the WDS, the APs at both end of the WDS link must be
configured manually with each other's MAC addresses. To establish a dynamic bridge link
between an AP and a Client, both devices must be configured with the same, channel, and security
settings (see “WLAN Security Settings”). Moreover, the same SSID is also needed if a client will
roam along the APs in Bridge mode. The AP Client automatically scans for any AP that is using
the matched SSID and establishes a bridge link with the scanned AP.
When the AWK-3121 is configured to be in
Client
mode, it can be used as an Ethernet-to-wireless
(or LAN-to-WLAN) network adapter. For example, a notebook computer equipped with an
Ethernet adapter, but no wireless card, can be connected to this device with an Ethernet cable for
wireless connectivity to another AP.
NOTE
Although it is more convenient to use dynamic bridging, there is a limitation — the AP Client
can only transmit IP-based packets between its wireless interface (WLAN) and Ethernet interface
(LAN); other types of traffic (such as IPX and AppleTalk) are not forwarded.