Brocade Mobility 5181 Access Point Product Reference Guide (Supporting software release 4.4.0.0) - Manual (Page 373)

Brocade Mobility 5181 Access Point Product Reference Guide 359
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Chapter
9
Configuring Mesh Networking
In this chapter
• Mesh networking overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
• Configuring mesh networking support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
• Mesh network deployment - quick setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
• Mesh networking frequently asked questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Mesh networking overview
A Product Name can be configured in two modes to support the new mesh networking functionality.
The access point can be set to a client bridge mode and/or a base bridge mode (which accepts
connections from client bridges). Base bridge and client bridge mode can be used at the same time
by an individual access point to optimally bridge traffic to other members of the mesh network and
service associated Clients.
An access point in client bridge mode scans to locate other access points using the WLAP client's
ESSID. Then it is required to go through the association and authentication process to establish
wireless connections with the located devices. This association process is identical to the access
point’s current Client association process. Once the association and authentication process is
complete, the wireless client adds the connection as a port on its bridge module. This causes the
client bridge to begin forwarding packets to the base bridge node. The base bridge realizes it is
talking to a wireless client bridge. It then adds that connection as a port on its own bridge module.
The two bridges at that point are communicating using the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).
access points configured as both a base and a client bridge function as repeaters to transmit data
with associated Clients in their coverage area (client bridge mode) as well as forward traffic to other
access points in the mesh network (base bridge mode). The number of access points and their
intended function within the mesh network dictate whether they should be configured as base
bridges, client bridges or both (repeaters).
The spanning tree determines the path to the root and detects if the current connection is part of a
network loop with another connection in the system. Each bridge can be configurable so the
administrator can control the spanning tree to define the root bridge and what the forwarding paths
are. 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 client bridge establishes at least one wireless connection (if configured to support mobile
users), it begins beaconing and accepting wireless connections. If configured as both a client
bridge and a base bridge, it begin accepting client bridge connections. Therefore, the mesh
network could connect simultaneously to different networks in a manner whereby a network loop is
not created and then the connection is not blocked. Once the client bridge establishes at least one
wireless connection, it begins establishing other wireless connections as it finds them available.
Thus, the client bridge is able to establish simultaneous redundant links.