Symbol AP-51xx, Product Reference Manual, Page: 537 / 622

Configuring Mesh Networking 9-3
If an access point is configured as a base bridge (but not as a client bridge) it operates normally at
boot time. The base bridge supports connections made by other client bridges.
The dual-radio model access point affords users better optimization of the mesh networking feature
by enabling the access point to transmit to other mesh network members using one independent radio
and transmit with associated MUs using the second independent radio. A single-radio access point
has its channel utilization and throughput degraded in a mesh network, as the AP’s single radio must
process both mesh network traffic with other access points and MU traffic with its associated
devices.
9.1.1 The AP-51xx Client Bridge Association Process
An access point in client bridge mode performs an active scan to quickly create a table of the access
points nearby. The table contains the access points matching the ESS of the client bridge AP’s WLAN.
The table is used to determine the best access point to connect to (based on signal strength, load and
the user's configured preferred connection list).
The association and authentication process is identical to the MU association process. The client
access point sends 802.11 authentication and association frames to the base access point. The base
access point responds as if the client is an actual mobile unit. Depending on the security policy, the
two access point’s engage in the normal handshake mechanism to establish keys.
After device association, the two access points are connected and the system can establish the
bridge and run the spanning tree algorithm. In the meantime, the access point in client bridge mode
continues to scan in the background attempts to establish an association with other access points
using the same ESS on the same channel.
CAUTION Only Symbol AP-5131 or AP-5181 model access points can be used as
base bridges, client bridges or repeaters within an access point
supported mesh network. If utilizing a mesh network, Symbol
recommends considering a dual-radio model to optimize channel
utilization and throughput.
CAUTION An access point is Base Bridge mode logs out whenever a Client
Bridge associates to the Base Bridge over the LAN connection. This
problem is not experienced over the access point’s WAN connection. If
this situation is experienced, log-in to the access point again.
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