User Manual

Advanced Configuration
46
Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
A Wireless Distribution System (WDS) creates a link between two AP-600b units over their radio interfaces. This link
relays traffic from one AP-600b that does not have Ethernet connectivity to a second AP-600b that has Ethernet
connectivity. WDS allows you to configure up to six (6) point-to-point links between Access Points.
In the WDS Example below, AP 1 and AP 2 communicate over a WDS link (represented by the blue line). This link
provides Client 1 with access to network resources even though AP 1 is not directly connected to the Ethernet
network. Packets destined for or sent by the client are relayed between the Access Points over the WDS link.
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This feature is not available with the AP-600a.
Figure 4-9 WDS Example
Bridging WDS
Each WDS link is mapped to a logical WDS port on the AP-600b. WDS ports behave like Ethernet ports rather than like
standard wireless interfaces: on a BSS port, an Access Point learns by association and from frames; on a WDS or
Ethernet port, an Access Point learns from frames only. When setting up a WDS, keep in mind the following:
• The WDS link shares the communication bandwidth with the clients. Therefore, while the maximum data rate for
the Access Point’s cell is still 11 Mb, client throughput will decrease when the WDS link is active.
• If there is no partner MAC address configured in the WDS table, the WDS port remains disabled.
• Each WDS port on a single AP-600b should have a unique partner MAC address. Do not enter the same MAC
address twice in an AP-600b’s WDS port list.
• Each Access Point that is a member of the WDS must have the same Channel setting to communicate with each
other.
• Each Access Point that is a member of the WDS must have the same WEP Encryption settings. WDS does not
use 802.1x. Therefore, if you want to encrypt the WDS link, you must configure each Access Point to use WEP
encryption (either WEP encryption only or Mixed Mode), and each Access Point must have the same Encryption
Key(s). See Security.
• If your network does not support spanning tree, be careful to avoid creating network loops between AP-600b
devices. For example, creating a WDS link between two Access Points connected to the same Ethernet network
will create a network loop (if spanning tree is disabled).
WDS Setup Procedure
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You must disable Auto Channel Select to create a WDS.
AP 1
AP 2
Client 1
Client 2