AirWorks AWK-4121 User’s Manual
References
Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
Traditionally, APs are connected via Ethernet LAN ports. By using a Wireless Distribution System
(WDS), APs can communicate with one another wirelessly. For example, AP 2 acts as an access
point for the notebook computers or other IEEE802.11-enabled clients, and forwards packets sent
from the notebook computers to AP 1 through WDS. Then, AP 1 forwards the packets to the
Ethernet LAN. Packets destined for the notebook computers follow a reverse path from the
Ethernet LAN through the APs to the notebook computers. In this way, AP 2 acts as an “AP
repeater.”
By using WDS, two or more LAN segments can be connected wirelessly. As illustrated in the
above figure, a pair of wireless LAN-to-LAN bridges is used to connect two LAN segments. Since
the AP is WDS-enabled, it can be used as a wireless bridge.
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