User's Manual

Elpro Technologies 450U-E Wireless Ethernet Modem & Device Server User Manual
38 www.cooperbussmann.com/wirelessresources Rev Version 1.4.0
One of the most common uses for WDS is to extend the range of the wireless network using repeaters. The diagram in
Figure 40 above illustrates a simple example where the four Access Points are all at fixed locations (each of the Access
Points could, of course, have one or more client/stations connected). Since the locations are fixed, there is no chance of
network loops so we can avoid the overhead of using the Bridge Spanning Tree protocol by configuring fixed WDS links
to ensure that each Access Point will only connect to the next Access Point in the chain. Any number of additional
intermediate repeaters could be added to the chain in a similar way.
The WDS configuration is accessed by selecting the Repeaters link on the configuration web page. Configuration for Site
A is shown above in Figure 41. Site A is configured with a virtual Client that will connect to the Access Point at Site B
, likewise Site B also has a Virtual Client
configured that connects with the Access Point at Site C who also has a Virtual Client that connects to the Access Point
at Site D.
In this example each Virtual connection is using the same Encryption method (WPA2-PSK (AES) with a key of
passp or even disabled (no encryption)
however it is recommended the encryption method be equal to or greater than the main system so as to maintain system
security. Also since it is a bridged network the Spanning Tree Protocol is disabled on the network configuration page as
there is no possibility of network loops.
Example 2 - Roaming with WDS Access Points
Another common use for WDS is extending the range across a large wireless network but allowing roaming connections
between access points or being able to switch to the next Access Point when out of range of the previous Access Point.
The diagram in Figure 42 above shows a bridging network with a number of Access Points all with the same SSID,
network structure, etc. (so as the Roaming Client/Stations can freely roam between Access Points)
Each Access Point then needs a separate connection to the next Access Point, which is done using the WDS Virtual
Access Points and Client/Stations
Figure 42 - WDS Roaming
Figure 41 - Site A WDS Configuration