Access Point Roles
Access points within a mesh network operate in one of the following two ways:
1
Root access point (RAP)
2
Mesh access point (MAP)
All access points are configured and shipped as mesh access points. To use an access point as a root access
point, you must reconfigure the mesh access point to a root access point. In all mesh networks, ensure that
there is at least one root access point.
Note
While the RAPs have wired connections to their controller, the MAPs have wireless connections to their
controller.
MAPs communicate among themselves and back to the RAP using wireless connections over the 802.11a/n
radio backhaul. MAPs use the Cisco Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol (AWPP) to determine the best path
through the other mesh access points to the controller.
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
2
OL-27593-01
Mesh Network Components
Access Point Roles