Brocade Mobility 7131N-FGR Access Point Product Reference Guide (Supporting software release 4.0.0.0-35GRN and later) - Manual (Page 26)

14 Brocade Mobility 7131N-FGR Product Reference Guide
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Feature overview
1
Configuration file import/export functionality
Configuration settings for an access point can be downloaded from the current configuration of
another access point. This affords the administrator the ability to save the current configuration
before making significant changes or restoring a default configuration. A configuration file from a
dual radio Brocade Mobility 7131N-FGR Access Point can be imported to another dual radio model
Brocade Mobility 7131N-FGR Access Point.
For detailed information on importing or exporting configuration files, see “Importing/exporting
configurations” on page 92.
Default configuration restoration
The access point can restore its default configuration or a partial default configuration (with the
exception of current WAN and SNMP settings). Restoring the default configuration is a good way to
create new WLANs if the MUs the access point supports have been moved to different radio
coverage areas.
For detailed information on restoring a default or partial default configuration, see “Configuring
system settings” on page 56.
DHCP support
The access point can use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to obtain a leased IP
address and configuration information from a remote server. DHCP is based on the BOOTP protocol
and can coexist or interoperate with BOOTP. Configure the access point to send out a DHCP
request searching for a DHCP/BOOTP server to acquire HTML, firmware or network configuration
files when the access point boots. Because BOOTP and DHCP interoperate, whichever responds
first becomes the server that allocates information.
The access point can be set to only accept replies from DHCP or BOOTP servers or both (this is the
default setting). Disabling DHCP disables BOOTP and DHCP and requires network settings to be set
manually. If running both DHCP and BOOTP, do not select BOOTP Only. BOOTP should only be used
when the server is running BOOTP exclusively.
The DHCP client automatically sends a DHCP request at an interval specified by the DHCP server to
renew the IP address lease as long as the access point is running (this parameter is programmed
at the DHCP server). For example: Windows 2000 servers typically are set for 3 days.
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 MU association process. Once the association/authentication process is complete,