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AP-51xx Access Point Product Reference Guide
The access point (AP) provides a bridge between Ethernet wired LANs or WANs and wireless
networks. It provides connectivity between Ethernet wired networks and radio-equipped mobile units
(MUs). MUs include the full line of Symbol terminals, bar-code scanners, adapters (PC cards, Compact
Flash cards and PCI adapters) and other devices.
The access point provides a maximum 54Mbps data transfer rate via each radio. It monitors Ethernet
traffic and forwards appropriate Ethernet messages to MUs over the network. It also monitors MU
radio traffic and forwards MU packets to the Ethernet LAN.
If you are new to using an access point for managing your network, refer to
page 1-19
for an overview on wireless networking fundamentals.
1.1 New Features
With this most recent 1.1 release of the access point firmware, the following new features have been
introduced to the existing feature set:
•
Mesh Networking
•
Additional LAN Subnet
•
On-board Radius Server Authentication
•
Hotspot Support
•
Routing Information Protocol (RIP)
•
Manual Date and Time Settings
•
Dynamic DNS
•
Auto Negotiation
1.1.1 Mesh Networking
Utilize the new mesh networking functionality to allow the access point to function as a bridge to
connect two Ethernet networks or as a repeater to extend your network's coverage area without
additional cabling. Mesh networking is configurable in two modes. It can be set in a wireless client
bridge mode and/or a wireless base bridge mode (which accepts connections from client bridges).
These two modes are not mutually exclusive.
In client bridge mode, the access point scans to find other access points using the selected WLAN's
ESSID. The access point must go through the association and authentication process to establish a
wireless connection. The mesh networking association process is identical to the access point's MU
association process. Once the association/authentication process is complete, the wireless client
Theory of Operations on
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