Example 4: Access And Backhaul On The Same Radio - Black Box SmartPath LWN602A User Manual

8.4 Example 4: Access and Backhaul on the Same Radio

Black Box SmartPath APs have the ability to provide both wireless client access and backhaul services on the same interface. When
you configure a SmartPath AP mesh point to operate in this way, you create a redundant pathway if one of the interfaces fails.
This capability allows single radio SmartPath APs to operate as a mesh point with client access abilities, which was not possible
previously.
Mesh Failover Overview
Mesh failover is the process by which a SmartPath AP maintains a network connection if the physical Ethernet connection is lost.
SmartPath APs constantly check the health of the Ethernet connection and begin scanning for a SmartPath AP with which to form
a mesh link using ACSP (Advanced Channel Selection Protocol). For mesh failover to occur, both client access and mesh communi-
cations must be possible simultaneously. If wifi0 is in access mode and wifi1 is in either backhaul or dual mode (access and back-
haul, see below), then the SmartPath AP selects the wifi1 interface to form the mesh link.
NOTE: There are two places in the GUI that affect mesh failover: the backhaul failover settings in the specified radio profile and
the radio mode settings for the SmartPath AP. To enable backhaul failover, it must be enabled in the radio profile and the
radio must be in either backhaul or dual mode. (Backhaul mode provides a mesh link to another SmartPath AP. Dual mode
provides both client access and backhaul mesh link on the same radio.)
See the following table for how these settings affect failover ability and client support.
SmartPath AP Radio Service Settings
Use both radios for client access
Use radio (2.4 GHz) for client access, radio (5 GHz) for a mesh link
Use radio (2.4 GHz) for client access, radio (5 GHz) for client access,
radio (5 GHz) for client access and a mesh link (default setting)
The following illustration provides an overview of how the failover occurs. Three SmartPath APs are connected to an Ethernet
backhaul, and each has clients on both the wifi0 and wifi1 interfaces on the channels and in the modes shown:
Chapter 8: Basic Configuration Examples
Table 8-1. Failover ability and client support.
Services Clients on Both Bands
Yes
No
Yes
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Provides Mesh Link Failover
No
No
Yes
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