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Overview of the Controller, Access Points, and
WM software solution
This chapter describes Summit WM Controller, Access Points, and WM software concepts, including:
"Conventional wireless LANS" on page 15
"Elements of the Controller, Access Points, and WM software solution" on page 16
"Controller, Access Points, and WM software and your network" on page 19
"System Configuration Overview" on page 25
The next generation of Extreme Networks wireless networking devices provides a truly scalable WLAN
solution. Extreme Networks Wireless APs are fit access points controlled through a sophisticated
network device, the Summit WM Controller. This solution provides the security and manageability
required by enterprises and service providers.
The Controller, Access Points, and WM software system is a highly scalable Wireless Local Area
Network (WLAN) solution developed by Extreme Networks. Based on a third generation WLAN
topology, the Controller, Access Points, and WM software system makes wireless practical for service
providers as well as medium and large-scale enterprises.
The Controller, Access Points, and WM software system provides a secure, highly scalable, cost-effective
solution based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. The system is intended for enterprise networks operating
on multiple floors in more than one building, and is ideal for public environments, such as airports and
convention centers that require multiple access points.
This chapter provides an overview of the fundamental principles of the Controller, Access Points, and
WM software system.
Conventional wireless LANS
Wireless communication between multiple computers requires that each computer is equipped with a
receiver/transmitter - a WLAN Network Interface Card (NIC) - capable of exchanging digital
information over a common radio frequency. This is called an ad hoc network configuration. An ad hoc
network configuration allows wireless devices to communicate together. This setup is defined as an
independent basic service set (IBSS).
An alternative to the ad hoc configuration is the use of an access point. This may be a dedicated
hardware bridge or a computer running special software. Computers and other wireless devices
communicate with each other through this access point. The 802.11 standard defines access point
communications as devices that allow wireless devices to communicate with a distribution system. This
setup is defined as a basic service set (BSS) or infrastructure network.
To allow the wireless devices to communicate with computers on a wired network, the access points
must be connected to the wired network providing access to the networked computers. This topology is
called bridging. With bridging, security and management scalability is often a concern.
Summit WM User Guide, Software Version 5.3
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