Brocade Mobility 7131N-FGR Access Point Product Reference Guide (Supporting software release 4.0.0.0-35GRN and later) - Manual (Page 531)

Brocade Mobility 7131N-FGR Product Reference Guide 519
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Chapter
9
Configuring Mesh Networking
In this chapter
• Configuring mesh networking support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523
• Mesh network deployment - quick setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 532
• Mesh networking frequently asked questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541
The access point 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 MUs.
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 MU 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 MUs 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.
A mesh network must use one of the two access point LANs. If intending to use the access point for
mesh networking support, Brocade recommends configuring at least one WLAN (of the 16 WLANs
available) specifically for mesh networking support.