Additional Lan Subnet - Symbol AP-51xx Product Reference Manual

1-3
Introduction
adds the connection as a port on its bridge module. This causes the access point (in client bridge
mode) to begin forwarding configuration packets to the base bridge. An access point in base bridge
mode allows the access point radio to accept client bridge connections.
The two bridges communicate using the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). The spanning tree determines
the path to the root and detects if the current connection is part of a network loop with another
connection. Once the spanning tree converges, both access points begin learning which destinations
reside on which side of the network. This allows them to forward traffic intelligently.
After the access point (in client bridge mode) establishes at least one wireless connection, it will
begin beaconing and accepting wireless connections (if configured to support mobile users). If the
access point is configured as both a client bridge and a base bridge, it begins accepting client bridge
connections. In this way, the mesh network builds itself over time and distance.
Once the access point (in client bridge mode) establishes at least one wireless connection, it
establishes other wireless connections in the background as they become available. In this way, the
access point is able to establish simultaneous redundant links. An access point (in client bridge mode)
can establish up to 3 simultaneous wireless connections with other AP-5131s or AP-5181s. A client
bridge always initiates the connections and the base bridge is always the acceptor of the mesh
network data proliferating the network.
Since each access point can establish up to 3 simultaneous wireless connections, some of these
connections may be redundant. In that case, the STP algorithm establishes which links are the
redundant links and disables the links from forwarding.
For an overview on mesh networking as well as details on configuring the access point's mesh
networking functionality, see Configuring Mesh Networking on page 9-1.

1.1.2 Additional LAN Subnet

In a typical retail or small office environment (wherein a wireless network is available along with a
production WLAN) it is frequently necessary to segment a LAN into two subnets. Consequently, a
second LAN is necessary to "segregate" wireless traffic.
The access point now has a second LAN subnet enabling administrators to segment the access
point's LAN connection into two separate networks. The main access point LAN screen now allows
the user to select either LAN1 or LAN2 as the active LAN over the access point's Ethernet port. Both
LANs can still be active at any given time, but only one can transmit over the access point physical
LAN connection. Each LAN has a separate configuration screen (called LAN 1 and LAN 2 by default)
accessible under the main LAN screen. The user can rename each LAN as necessary. Additionally,