Specifications

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Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide for Cisco Aironet Access Points
OL-5260-01
Chapter 6 Configuring Radio Settings
Enabling and Disabling Reliable Multicast to Workgroup Bridges
Enabling and Disabling Reliable Multicast to Workgroup
Bridges
The Reliable multicast messages from the access point to workgroup bridges setting limits reliable
delivery of multicast messages to approximately 20 Cisco Aironet Workgroup Bridges that are
associated to the access point. The default setting, disabled, reduces the reliability of multicast delivery
to allow more workgroup bridges to associate to the access point.
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 maintain
a radio link 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.
This feature is not supported on the 5-GHz radio.
Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure the encapsulation transformation
method:
Use the no form of the command to disable reliable multicast messages to workgroup bridges.
Command Purpose
Step 1
configure terminal Enter global configuration mode.
Step 2
interface dot11radio 0 Enter interface configuration mode for the 2.4-GHz radio
interface.
Step 3
infrastructure-client Enable reliable multicast messages to workgroup bridges.
Step 4
end Return to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5
copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.