Layer 2 And Layer 3 Network Operation - Cisco Aironet 1520 Series Manual

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Network Operation

The access points support Layer 2 or Layer 3 network operation. In Layer 2 configurations, the access
point and the controller are on the same subnet and communicate with encapsulated Ethernet frames
using MAC addresses rather than IP addresses. Layer 2 configurations are typically not scalable into
larger networks. Additionally, Layer 2 operation is supported only by the Cisco 4400 series controllers.
Access points and controllers in Layer 3 configurations use IP addresses and UDP packets, which can
be routed through large networks. Layer 3 operation is scalable and recommended by Cisco.
Figure 6 illustrates a typical Layer-3 wireless network configuration containing access points and a
controller.
Figure 6
Overview
10
Typical Layer 3 Access Point Network Configuration Example
LWAPP
LWAPP
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