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7. Using SmartPath EMS VMA
Think of the cooperative control architecture as consisting of three broad planes of communication. On the data plane, wireless
clients gain network access by forming associations with SmartPath APs. On the control plane, SmartPath APs communicate with
each other to coordinate functions such as best-path forwarding, fast roaming, and automatic RF management. On the manage-
ment plane, SmartPath EMS VMA provides centralized configuration, monitoring, and reporting of multiple SmartPath APs. These
three planes are shown in Figure 7-1.
Data Plane
Control Plane
Management Plane
Management
System
Figure 7-1. Three communication planes in the cooperative control architecture.
As you can see in Figure 7-1, SmartPath EMS VMA operates solely on the management plane. Any loss of connectivity between
SmartPath EMS VMA and the SmartPath APs it manages only affects SmartPath AP manageability; such a loss has no impact on
communications occurring on the control and data planes.
7.1 Installing and Connecting to the SmartPath EMS VMA GUI
To begin using the SmartPath EMS VMA GUI, you must first configure the MGT interface to be accessible on the network, cable
SmartPath EMS VMA and your management system (that is, your computer) to the network, and then make an HTTP connection
from your system to the MGT interface.
NOTE: SmartPath EMS VMA has two Ethernet interfaces—MGT and LAN. You can put just the MGT interface on the network
and use it for all types of traffic, or you can use both interfaces—which must be in different subnets—and separate
SmartPath EMS VMA management traffic (MGT) from SmartPath AP management traffic (LAN).
To the wired
network ...
essentially coordinating the control and data planes from a single, central location.
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Chapter 7: Using SmartPath EMS VMA
traversing a wireless-to-wired LAN. Traffic
in the data plane follows optimal paths
that various mechanisms in the control
plane determine.
Cluster members use to collaborate on
how best to forward user data, coordinate
radio frequencies, and provide Layer2
and Layer3 roaming capabilities with
each other.
administrative traffic relating to the
configuration and monitoring of SmartPath APs.
From a management system, an admin can use the SmartPath
EMS to configure, maintain, and monitor multiple SmartPath APs,
The data plane
is the logical division of
wireless client traffic (user data)
The control plane is
the logical division of traffic that
The management
plane is the logical division of
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