Chapter 1. Ws5000 Series Switch Overview - Symbol WS5000 series Reference Manual

1
WS5000 Series Switch Overview
The WS5000 Series Switch provides a centralized management solution for wireless networking components
across the wired network infrastructure. Unlike traditional wireless network infrastructures that reside at the
edge of a network, the switch uses centralized, policy-based management for all devices on the wireless
network.
The switch connects to the network via Ethernet through a Layer 2 switch or hub. The access ports are
connected to a POE-enabled hub which is connected to a Layer 2 switch or hub on the network.
The switch functions as the center of the wireless network. The access ports function as radio antennas at the
edge of the network for management and routing. All of the system configuration and intelligence for the
wireless network resides in the WS5000 Series Switch.
The switch uses access ports to bridge data from the associated wireless devices to the wireless switch. The
wireless switch applies appropriate policies to the data packets before routing them to their destinations. Data
packets destined for devices on the wired network are processed by the switch where appropriate policies are
applied before they are encapsulated and sent to their destination.
Access port configuration is managed by the switch through the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or the
Command Line Interface (CLI). A WS5000 Series Switch streamlines management of a large wireless system