Specifications

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Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide for Cisco Aironet Access Points
OL-5260-01
Chapter 11 Configuring WDS, Fast Secure Roaming, and Radio Management
Configuring WDS and Fast Secure Roaming
Guidelines for WDS
Follow these guidelines when configuring WDS:
• If you use an access point as your WDS device, either disable the radio interfaces on the unit or use
an access point that does not serve a large number of client devices. If client devices associate to the
WDS access point when it starts up, the clients might wait up to 10 minutes to be authenticated.
• A WDS access point that also serves client devices supports up to 30 participating access points, but
a WDS access point with radios disabled supports up to 60 participating access points.
• Repeater access points do not support WDS. Do not configure a repeater access point as a WDS
candidate, and do not configure a WDS access point to return (fall back) to repeater mode in case of
Ethernet failure.
• You cannot configure a 350 series access point as a WDS access point. However, you can configure
350 series access points to use the WDS access point.
Requirements for WDS and Fast Secure Roaming
To configure WDS, you must have these items on your wireless LAN:
• At least one access point or switch (equipped with a Wireless LAN Services Module) that you can
configure as the WDS device
• An authentication server (or an access point configured as a local authenticator)
• Cisco Aironet client devices running Cisco client firmware version 5.20.17 or later
Configuration Overview
You must complete three major steps to set up WDS and fast, secure roaming:
1. Configure access points or switches as potential WDS devices. This chapter provides instructions
for configuring an access point as a WDS device. For instructions on configuring a WLSM-equipped
switch as a WDS device, refer to the Catalyst 6500 Series Wireless LAN Services Module
Installation and Configuration Note.
2. Configure the rest of your access points to use the WDS device.
3. Enable access points on the subnet to allow CCKM authenticated key management for at least one
SSID. See the “Configuring Authentication Types” section on page 10-10 for complete instructions
on enabling CCKM.
4. Configure the authentication server on your network to authenticate the WDS device and the access
points that use the WDS device.