Specifications
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Cisco Aironet Access Point Software Configuration Guide
OL-0657-07
Chapter 1 Overview
VLAN Support
Related Documents
The following documents provide more detailed information pertaining to VLAN
design and configuration:
• Cisco IOS Switching Services Configuration Guide
• Cisco Internetworking Design Guide
• Cisco Internetworking Technology Handbook
• Cisco Internetworking Troubleshooting Guide
Incorporating Wireless Devices into VLANs
A WLAN is generally deployed in an enterprise campus or branch office for
increased efficiency and flexibility. WLANs are one of the most effective methods
to connect to an enterprise network. With version 12.00T, you can configure your
wireless devices to operate in a VLAN.
The basic wireless components of a VLAN consist of an access point and a set of
clients associated to it using wireless technology. The access point is physically
connected through a trunk port to the network switch on which the VLAN is
configured. The physical connection to the VLAN switch is through the access
point’s Ethernet port.
In fundamental terms, the key to configuring an access point to connect to a
specific VLAN is by configuring an SSID to map to that VLAN. Because VLANs
are identified by a VLAN ID, it follows that if an SSID on an access point is
configured to map to a specific VLAN ID, a connection to the VLAN is
established. When this connection is made, associated wireless client devices
having the same SSID are able to access the VLAN through the access point. The
VLAN processes data to and from the clients the same way that it processes data
to and from wired connections. The fact that the client is wireless has no impact
on the VLAN.
The VLAN feature now enables users to deploy wireless devices with greater
efficiency and flexibility. For example, one access point can now handle the
specific requirements of multiple users having widely varied network access and
permissions. Without VLAN capability, multiple access points, one for each
VLAN, would have to be employed to serve classes of users based on the access
and permissions they were assigned.