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245U-E Wireless Ethernet Modem User Manual
Rev Version 2.24
Example 1: Extending Range Using WDS
Figure 52
Extending Range
One of the most common uses for WDS is to extend the range of the wireless network using repeaters.
Figure 52 illustrates a simple example where the four access points are all at fixed locations (each of the
access points could, have one or more client/stations connected). Since the locations are fixed, you can
avoid the overhead of using the bridge Spanning Tree protocol by configuring fixed WDS links to ensure
that each access point will only connect to the next access point in the chain. Any number of additional
intermediate repeaters could be added to the chain in a similar way.
Figure 53 Site B WDS Configuration 1
The WDS configuration for unit B is shown above (this page is accessible via the repeaters link from the
configuration webpages). Site B is acting as an access point for Site A, and is a client to Site C. Likewise, Site
C is acting as an access point for Site B, and a client for Site D. Since this example is a bridged network (all
devices are on the same IP network and each link is using a different SSID), there is no possibility of loops
(multiple paths to the same location) and you do not need to incur the overhead of enabling STP (bridge
Spanning Tree Protocol).
You specify the devices at the other end of the WDS links by SSID only. MAC addresses can be used to
specify point-to-point links to third party devices that do not support meshing via SSID.
In this example, each virtual connection is using the same encryption method (WPA-PSK (AES) with a key
of “Pass Phrase.” However, as in example #1, the encryption method and key can be different for each
virtual link or even disabled (no encryption). Also the Spanning Tree Protocol is disabled because there is no
possibility of network loops.