Chapter 5. Bridging Two Ethernet Networks; Verifying The Bridging Operation - Intel 2011B - PRO/Wireless LAN Enterprise Access Point Configuration Manual

Chapter 5. Bridging Two Ethernet Networks

Chapter 5. Bridging Two Ethernet Networks
As mentioned previously, you can use the wireless AP bridging feature to obtain a wireless
connection between two Ethernet networks. An example of this is shown in Figure 5-1.
HOST.CDR, FRAME
C
00:A0:F8:94:C3:64
WLAP Mode
Disabled
Ethernet
Host Computer
Figure 5-1: Bridging Two Ethernet Networks with Wireless AP
In the example, access points A and B have their WLAP Mode set to
between the two Ethernet networks. The WLAP Manual BSS ID for access point A is set to the
MAC address of root access point B. The WLAP Manual BSS ID for root access point B is set to its
own MAC address. Access point B is the root access point because its MAC address
(00:A0:F8:8B:71:45) is lower than that of access point A (00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5). The WLAP
Priority for these access points is set to the default value, 8000.
Also, in the example, all access points have their Ethernet Timeout set to the default value of zero,
and access points C and D have their WLAP Mode disabled.
5.1

Verifying the Bridging Operation

As in the other wireless AP configurations, you can verify the network bridging operating by
viewing the WLAP RF Statistics screen and the Known Access Points screen.
To determine which access points are operating in the wireless AP mode, view the WLAP RF
Statistics screen. The example screen in Figure 5-2 shows access point A with a Current State of
Functional and the forwarding of data (FWD) to the MAC address of access point B. Likewise, the
screen viewed on access point B would show the forwarding of data to access point A. This verifies
the wireless link between the two Ethernet networks in the example of Figure 5-1.
16
Wireless Link
A
00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5
WLAP Mode Enabled.
WLAP Mode Enabled.
WLAP Manual BSS ID
WLAP Manual BSS ID
set to MAC address of
root access point B.
Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode)
00:A0:F8:94:C2:04
WLAP Mode
Disabled
Root
B
Ethernet
00:A0:F8:8B:71:45
Host Computer
set to its own
MAC address
Enabled
D
and provide the link