User's Manual

1-4
Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide for Cisco Aironet Access Points
OL-11350-01
Chapter 1 Overview
Management Options
Universal Workgroup Bridge
This feature provides the means for Cisco access points configured as workgroup bridges (WGBs) to
associate with non-Cisco access points. In addition, the feature provides the WGB with the ability to be
continuously in World Mode.
See the “Configuring the Role in Radio Network” section on page 6-2 for more information on universal
workgroup bridge configuration.
Management Options
You can use the wireless device management system through the following interfaces:
• The Cisco IOS command-line interface (CLI), which you use through a console port or Telnet
session. Use the interface dot11radio global configuration command to place the wireless device
into the radio configuration mode. Most of the examples in this manual are taken from the CLI.
Chapter 3, “Using the Command-Line Interface,” provides a detailed description of the CLI.
• A web-browser interface, which you use through a Web browser. Chapter 2, “Using the
Web-Browser Interface,” provides a detailed description of the web-browser interface.
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Chapter 18, “Configuring SNMP,” explains how to
configure the wireless device for SNMP management.
Roaming Client Devices
If you have more than one wireless device in your wireless LAN, wireless client devices can roam
seamlessly from one wireless device to another. The roaming functionality is based on signal quality, not
proximity. When a client’s signal quality drops, it roams to another access point.
Wireless LAN users are sometimes concerned when a client device stays associated to a distant access
point instead of roaming to a closer access point. However, if a client’s signal to a distant access point
remains strong and the signal quality is high, the client will not roam to a closer access point. Checking
constantly for closer access points would be inefficient, and the extra radio traffic would slow throughput
on the wireless LAN.
Using CCKM and a device providing WDS, client devices can roam from one access point to another so
quickly that there is no perceptible delay in voice or other time-sensitive applications.
Network Configuration Examples
This section describes the access point’s role in common wireless network configurations. The access
point’s default configuration is as a root unit connected to a wired LAN or as the central unit in an
all-wireless network. Access points can also be configured as repeater access points, bridges, and
workgroup bridges. These roles require specific configurations.