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Network Parameters
Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
A Wireless Distribution System (WDS) creates a link between two APs over their radio interfaces. This link relays
traffic from one AP that does not have Ethernet connectivity to a second AP that has Ethernet connectivity.
Two AP-2500s cannot establish a WDS link with each other because each AP treats its wireless interfaces as
subscriber interfaces only. A WDS link between AP-2500s would require that the AP accept backbone traffic over its
wireless interface but that configuration is not currently supported (all backbone traffic must come from the Ethernet
interface).
However, while you cannot establish a WDS link between two AP-2500s, you can establish a WDS link between an
AP-2500 and up to six AP-2000 or AP-600b units. These links will work as long as the AP-2500 is the central AP that
is connected to the Ethernet network, as illustrated in the following diagram:
Figure 4-13 WDS Example
In the diagram above, the AP-2000 communicates with the AP-2500 over a WDS link (represented by the blue line).
The client can connect to the AP-2500 through the AP-2000. This client will have Internet access and all of the same
services as clients connected directly to the AP-2500 but the connection speed will be slower than if the client were
communicating directly with the AP-2500.
Each WDS link is mapped to a logical WDS port on the AP. WDS ports behave like Ethernet ports rather than like
standard wireless interfaces: on a BSS port, an Access Point learns by association and from frames; on a WDS or
Ethernet port, an Access Point learns from frames only.
WDS Warnings
When setting up a WDS, keep in mind the following:
•
You cannot create a WDS link between AP-2500s.
•
When creating a WDS link between an AP-2500 and an AP-2000 or AP-600b, the AP-2500 must be connected to
the Ethernet.
•
WDS is not available with 802.11a radios.
•
The WDS link shares the communication bandwidth with the clients. Therefore, while the maximum data rate for
the Access Point’s cell is still 11 Mbits/sec, client throughput will decrease when the WDS link is active. The
connection over the link will be slower than if the client were communicating directly with the AP-2500.
•
If there is no partner MAC address configured in the WDS table, the WDS port remains disabled.
•
Each WDS port on an AP should have a unique partner MAC address. Do not enter the same MAC address twice
in an AP’s WDS port list.
•
Each Access Point that is a member of the WDS must have the same Channel setting to communicate with each
other.
•
Auto Channel Selection must be disabled to create a WDS link.
•
Each Access Point that is a member of the WDS must have the same WEP Encryption settings. Therefore, if you
want to encrypt the WDS link, you must configure each Access Point to use WEP encryption and each
Access Point must have the same Encryption Key (Key 1). See
Encryption
.
