Specifications

Summit WM Series WLAN Switch and Altitude Access Point Software Version 4.1 Technical Reference Guide

1 Configuration of Dynamic Host Configuration

Protocol (DHCP)

Altitude AP discovery supports the following methods:

● Service Location Protocol (SLP)

● Domain Name Server (DNS) – controller.<domainname>

● Multicast – Same subnet multicast discovery

The listed discovery methods are tried in succession until a method is identified which produces a

successful registration with the a controller. Static configuration can also be used for Altitude AP

registration. The static definition overrides any of the dynamic discovery methods.

For the Altitude AP’s process to discover the Summit WM series switch, the Summit WM series switch,

access points, and WLAN switch software system relies on a DHCP server that supports Option 78 and

79 for Service Location Protocol (SLP). The combination of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

(DHCP), Option 78 and 79, and SLP provide a technique that defines the Summit WM series switch as

the only element on the network that the Altitude AP can communicate with.

Option 78 is a list of IP addresses of Directory Agents, used by Service Agents and Users Agents.

Option 79 is an identifier that refers to a set of services called a scope. If a User Agent is assigned to a

scope, it can only see the services in that scope, limiting the IP addresses of Directory Agents available

to the User Agent.

SLP assisted Altitude AP registration includes the following:

● The Summit WM series switch Manager or the Altitude AP Manager use the Service Agent:

● to look up the location of the Directory Agent using Option 78 and Option 79 in the DHCP server

● to register with the Directory Agent

● The Altitude AP User Agent looks up the location of the Directory Agent using Option 78 and

Option 79 in the DHCP server.

● The Altitude AP User Agent contacts the Directory Agent for services of the types “Extreme”.

● The Altitude AP attempts to connect with the Summit WM series switch or Altitude AP Manager.

Through discovery the Altitude AP identifies which Summit WM series switchs are available in it's local

area to provide service. The Altitude AP then registers with the Summit WM series switch using the

CTP protocol, a proprietary UDP-based control, provisioning, and tunneling protocol.

NOTE

SLP may also be used for Inter-AC controller discovery, and in support of the Inter-AC mobility feature.