June 30, 2006
Confidential
Document Number BDTM10001-A05 Standard
BelAir100 User Guide
Using Layer 2 Tunnels
Using Layer 2 Tunnels
Layer 2 tunnels use the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), version 2, to provide
the following benefits:
• provides a bi-directional communication path between the BelAir100 and a
central router. The path is unaffected by the size, topology and complexity
of the layer 2 and layer 3 access network between them.
• ensures efficient handling of mobile client MAC addresses, especially for
customers using DOCSIS technology in their access network
Figure 5 shows how wireless mobility is implemented with L2TP. When a
wireless client transmits an 802.11 frame, the BelAir Access Point (AP)
converts it to an Ethernet frame with VLAN information, encapsulates it within
an IP packet and then sends the packet to a Tunnel End Point (TEP). The TEP is
usually part of a network central router. The BelAir implementation of Layer 2
tunnels currently operates with a Cisco 7200 router or equivalent.
Figure 5: Wireless Mobility using L2TP
BelAir Access Points (APs)
Mobile wireless client
device going from
one AP to another
BelAir Access Points (APs)