ZyXEL Communications WAC6000 Series Manual page 60

Figure 29 CAPWAP Network Example
Note: The NWA/WAC can be a standalone AP (default), or a CAPWAP managed AP.
CAPWAP Discovery and Management
The link between CAPWAP-enabled access points proceeds as follows:
An AP in managed AP mode joins a wired network (receives a dynamic IP address).
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The AP sends out a discovery request, looking for a CAPWAP AP controller.
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If there is an AP controller on the network, it receives the discovery request. If the AP controller is
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in Manual mode it adds the details of the AP to its Unmanaged Access Points list, and you
decide which available APs to manage. If the AP is in Always Accept mode, it automatically adds
the AP to its Managed Access Points list and provides the managed AP with default configuration
information, as well as securely transmitting the DTLS pre-shared key. The managed AP is ready for
association with wireless clients.
Managed AP Finds the Controller
A managed NWA/WAC can find the controller in one of the following ways:
• Manually specify the controller's IP address in the Web Configurator's AC (AP Controller)
Discovery screen.
• Get the controller's IP address from a DHCP server with the controller's IP address configured as
option 138.
• Get the controller's IP address from a DNS server SRV (Service) record.
• Broadcasting to discover the controller within the broadcast domain.
Note: The AP controller needs to have a static IP address. If it is a DHCP client, set the
DHCP server to reserve an IP address for the AP controller.
Chapter 5 Network
NWA5000 / WAC6000 Series User's Guide
60