Wireless Device Overview; Software Modes - Cisco 1941W Configuration Manual

Wireless Device Overview

Wireless devices (also known as access points) provide a secure, affordable, and easy-to-use wireless
LAN solution that combines mobility and flexibility with the enterprise-class features required by
networking professionals. When configured as an access point, the wireless device serves as the
connection point between wireless and wired networks or as the center point of a stand-alone wireless
network. In large installations, wireless users within radio range of an access point can roam throughout
a facility while maintaining seamless, uninterrupted access to the network.
With a management system based on Cisco IOS software, wireless devices are Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™,
802.11a-compliant, 802.11b-compliant, 802.11g-compliant, and 802.11n-compliant wireless LAN
transceivers.
This module contains the following information:
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Software Modes

The access point is shipped on the Cisco 1941W integrated services router, and it includes an
autonomous image and recovery image on the access point's flash. The default mode is autonomous,
however the access point can be upgraded to operate in Cisco Unified Wireless mode.
Each mode is described below:
Cisco 3900 Series, Cisco 2900 Series, and Cisco 1900 Series Integrated Services Routers Generation 2 Software Configuration Guide
Software Modes, page 243
Management Options, page 244
Autonomous mode—Supports standalone network configurations, where all configuration
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settings are maintained locally on the wireless device. Each autonomous device can load its
starting configuration independently, and still operate in a cohesive fashion on the network.
Cisco Unified Wireless mode—Operates in conjunction with a Cisco Unified Wireless LAN
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controller, where all configuration information is maintained within the controller. In the Cisco
Unified Wireless LAN architecture, wireless devices operate in the lightweight mode using
Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP), (as opposed to autonomous mode). The
lightweight access point, or wireless device, has no configuration until it associates to a
controller. The configuration on the wireless device can be modified by the controller only when
the networking is up and running. The controller manages the wireless device configuration,
firmware, and control transactions such as 802.1x authentication. All wireless traffic is tunneled
through the controller.
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