User Documentation

IE-WL-AP-BR-CL-ABG References
A-2
Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
Traditionally, APs are connected via Ethernet LAN ports. By using a Wireless Distribution System (WDS), APs
can communicate with one another wirelessly. For example, AP 2 acts as an access point for the notebook
computers or other IEEE802.11-enabled clients, and forwards packets sent from the notebook computers to AP
1 through WDS. Then, AP 1 forwards the packets to the Ethernet LAN. Packets destined for the notebook
computers follow a reverse path from the Ethernet LAN through the APs to the notebook computers. In this way,
AP 2 acts as an “AP repeater.”
By using WDS, two or more LAN segments can be connected wirelessly. As illustrated in the below figure, a pair
of wireless LAN-to-LAN bridges is used to connect two LAN segments. Since the AP is WDS-enabled, it can be
used as a wireless bridge.
It is a good idea to plan your wireless network by drawing a diagram so that you know how each
IE-WL-AP-BR-CL-ABG is connected to other peer APs or wireless bridges by WDS, and how bridges are
connected to other peer bridges by WDS. See the following figure for an example of a network-planning
diagram.
LAN Segment 2
LAN Segment 3
LAN Segment 5
LAN Segment 1
LAN Segment 4
Bridge 1
Bridge 3
Bridge 5
Bridge 4
Bridge 2
WDS link