Specifications

Chapter 3 Configuring the Radio and Basic Settings
Radio Configuration
3-24
Cisco Aironet Access Point Software Configuration Guide
OL-0657-07
Access points and bridges normally treat workgroup bridges not as client devices
but as infrastructure devices, like access points or bridges. Treating a workgroup
bridge as an infrastructure device means that the access point reliably delivers
multicast packets, including Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packets, to the
workgroup bridge.
The performance cost of reliable multicast delivery—duplication of each
multicast packet sent to each workgroup bridge—limits the number of
infrastructure devices, including workgroup bridges, that can associate to the
access point. To increase beyond 20 the number of workgroup bridges that can
associate to the access point, the access point must reduce the delivery reliability
of multicast packets to workgroup bridges. With reduced reliability, the access
point cannot confirm whether multicast packets reach the intended workgroup
bridge, so workgroup bridges at the edge of the access point’s coverage area might
lose IP connectivity. When you treat workgroup bridges as client devices, you
increase performance but reduce reliability.
Note This feature is best suited for use with stationary workgroup bridges. Mobile
workgroup bridges might encounter spots in the access point’s coverage area
where they do not receive multicast packets and lose communication with the
access point even though they are still associated to it.
A Cisco Aironet Workgroup Bridge provides a wireless LAN connection for up to
eight Ethernet-enabled devices. Refer to the “Overview” section on page 1-2 of
the Cisco Aironet Workgroup Bridge Software Configuration Guide for a
description of workgroup bridges.
Require Use of Radio Firmware x.xx
This setting affects the firmware upgrade process when you load new firmware for
the access point. Select yes to force the radio firmware to be upgraded to a
firmware version compatible with the current version of the management system.
Select no to exempt the current radio firmware from firmware upgrades.
Ethernet Encapsulation Transform
Choose 802.1H or RFC1042 to set the Ethernet encapsulation type. Data packets
that are not 802.2 packets must be formatted to 802.2 using 802.1H or RFC1042.
Cisco Aironet equipment uses 802.1H because it provides optimum
interoperability.