Multi-function leds, Mesh networking – Brocade Mobility 5181 Access Point Product Reference Guide (Supporting software release 4.4.0.0) User Manual
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Brocade Mobility 5181 Access Point Product Reference Guide
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Feature overview
1
Multi-function LEDs
A Mobility 5181 Access Point has seven LED indicators. Four LEDs exist on the top of the Mobility
5181 Access Point and are visible from wall, ceiling and table-top orientations. Three of these four
LEDs are single color activity LEDs, and one is a multifunction red and white status LED. Two LEDs
exist on the rear of the Mobility 5181 Access Point and are viewable using a single (customer
installed) extended light pipe, adjusted as required to suit above the ceiling installations. An
Mobility 5181 Access Point houses four LEDs on the bottom/back side of the unit.
For detailed information on the Mobility 5181 Access Point LEDs and their functionality, see
“Mobility 5181 Access Point LED indicators”
Mesh networking
Utilize the new mesh networking functionality to allow the access point to function as a bridge to
connect two Ethernet networks or as a repeater to extend your network’s coverage area without
additional cabling. Mesh networking is configurable in two modes. It can be set in a wireless client
bridge mode and/or a wireless base bridge mode (which accepts connections from client bridges).
These two modes are not mutually exclusive.
In client bridge mode, the access point scans to find other access points using the selected WLAN’s
ESSID. The access point must go through the association and authentication process to establish a
wireless connection. The mesh networking association process is identical to the access point’s
Client association process. Once the association/authentication process is complete, the wireless
client 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 can establish simultaneous redundant links. An access point (in client bridge
mode) can establish up to 3 simultaneous wireless connections with other Mobility 5181 Access
Points. 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 determines 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