Proxim Harmony 8550 Manual page 23

Note:
The Harmony 802.11b Access Point should be used in conjunction with a
Harmony Access Point Controller on Ethernet networks that have more than
512 nodes or require the advanced management, security, and filtering
features provided by the Harmony system.
An Access Point in Dependent mode communicates exclusively with the AP Controller:
the AP forwards all of the packets it receives over its radio to the AP Controller for
processing. The AP and the AP Controller use a technique known as "IP Tunneling" to
encapsulate packets destined for or sent by mobile clients. Encapsulated packets from
the Access Point are destined for the AP Controller's IP address; encapsulated packets
from the AP Controller are destined for the Access Point's IP address.
A single AP Controller can support a maximum of 10 Access Points (an AP Controller
can support more than 10 Access Points but a maximum of 10 APs per AP Controller is
the recommended configuration for best performance). A network subnet can support up
to 10 AP Controllers to form a Harmony system that can be managed using a single user
interface. The number of clients that can be supported by one Access Point depends on
the amount of information that each client exchanges with the network. Therefore, the
number of clients that can be supported by one Access Point will vary based on the
applications in use and how frequently network information is accessed.
An Access Point and AP Controller do not need to be on the same switch or hub in order
to communicate. In addition, Access Points may be installed on different IP subnets
from the AP Controller(s) on the local subnet.
When a Harmony 802.11b Access Point is connected to the network for the first time,
the AP Controller automatically configures it with the AP AutoConfigure Default set-
tings. In addition, an Access Point may be manually configured via the Harmony
system's Web browser interface.
When an Access Point successfully partners with an AP Controller, the Access Point's
Status LED turns green. If an Access Point in Dependent mode cannot find an AP
Controller to partner with, the Access Point's Status LED remains amber.
Refer to the Harmony Access Point Controller Model 7560 User's Guide for additional
information about AP Controllers and the Harmony architecture.
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