Workgroup Bridge Role - Cisco C3201FESMIC-TP= - 3201 Fast EN Switch Mobile Interface Card Expansion Module Software Configuration Manual

Understanding Wireless Device Network Roles

Workgroup Bridge Role

In workgroup bridge mode, the workgroup bridge associates to an access point, or bridge as a client and
provides a wireless network connection for up to eight Ethernet-enabled devices connected to its
Ethernet port. It informs the associated root device of the attached wired clients using IAPP messaging.
The workgroup bridge does not accept wireless client associations.
A workgroup bridge:
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In addition, you can configure the wireless device to support the following workgroup bridge features:
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For example, to provide wireless connectivity for a group of network printers, connect the printers to a
hub or to a switch, connect the hub or switch to the Ethernet port of the workgroup bridge. The
workgroup bridge transfers data through its association with an access point or bridge on the network.
Figure 6
Roles and the Associations of Wireless Devices
6
Associates to the following devices:
Root access points
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– Root devices
Accepts only wired clients.
Informs its root parent of all attached wired clients by using Inter-Access Point Protocol (IAPP)
messaging.
Interoperability—The universal workgroup bridge can forward routing traffic using a non-cisco root
device as a universal client. The universal workgroup bridge appears as a normal wireless client to
the root device.
World Mode—In standard world mode configuration, the wireless device passively scans for world
mode only when the workgroup bridge boots up and performs a first scan. When the workgroup
bridge receives a response from the root device for its world mode scan, it updates its frequency list
and output power level according to the current country of operation. Thereafter, the workgroup
bridge always performs an active scan.
To support continued operation during inter-country travel (such as airplane travel from New York
to London), the workgroup bridge must perform a passive scan. In this configuration, the workgroup
bridge associates to the root device, and it obtains the country-specific list of frequency and output
power levels through passive scan.
To support this operational change, add the roaming keyword to the world-mode command. This
option instructs the workgroup bridge that it must always passively scanning.
The workgroup bridge uses the 802.11d option for world mode. The wireless device tries to receive
information about the country-specific list of frequency and output power levels through the 802.11d
Information Element.
With roaming added to the world-mode command, roaming takes a longer time; therefore,
Note
it is recommended only for situations in which it is required to assure continuous operation.
Multiple Client Profiles—The workgroup bridge can support multiple client profiles. A client device
with multiple configurable profiles can automatically select a client profile based on available
infrastructure and set of profiles. For more information, see
shows a typical scenario where the device functions as a workgroup bridge.
Roles and the Associations of Wireless Devices
"Service Set Identifiers".