Defining The Mesh Topology; Mesh Networking And The Ap-51Xx's Two Subnets - Motorola AP-51 Series Product Reference Manual

9.1.3 Defining the Mesh Topology

When a user wants to control how the spanning tree determines client bridge connections, they need
to control the mesh configuration. The user must be able to define one node as the root. Assigning a
base bridge the lowest bridge priority defines it as the root.
NOTE Motorola recommends using the
The access point can manipulate the path cost assigned to a bridge connection based on that
connection's RSSI. This results in the spanning tree selecting the optimal path for forwarding data
when redundant paths exist. However, this can be overridden using the preferred list. When using the
preferred list, the user enters a priority for each bridge, resulting in the selection of the forwarding
link.
Limit the wireless client's connections to reduce the number of hops required to get to the wired
network. Use each radio's "preferred" base bridge list to define which access points the client bridge
connects to. For more information, see

9.1.4 Mesh Networking and the AP-51xx's Two Subnets

The access point now has a second subnet on the LAN side of the system. This means wireless clients
communicating through the same radio can reside on different subnets. The addition of this feature
adds another layer of complexity to the access point's mesh networking functionality.
With a second LAN introduced, the LAN's Ethernet port (and any of the 16 WLANs) could be assigned
to one of two different subnets. From a layer 2 perspective, the system has two different bridge
functionalities, each with its own STP. The WLAN assignment controls the subnet (LAN1 or 2) upon
which a given connection resides. If WLAN2 is assigned to LAN1, and WLAN2 is used to establish a
client bridge connection, then the mesh network connection resides on LAN1.
Therefore, (depending upon the WLAN-to-LAN mapping), the access point could have multiple mesh
connections on either LAN1 or LAN2.
define a base bridge as a root. Only advanced users should use the
Advanced Client Bridge Settings screen's Preferred List to define the mesh
topology, as omitting a bridge from the preferred list could break
connections within the mesh network.
Configuring Mesh Networking Support on page
Configuring Mesh Networking
Mesh STP Configuration
9-5
screen to
9-6.