Datasheet

AP-5131 Access Point Product Reference Guide
5-6
VLANs enable organizations to share network resources in various network segments within large
areas (airports, shopping malls, etc.). A VLAN is a group of clients with a common set of requirements
independent of their physical location. VLANs have the same attributes as physical LANs, but they
enable system administrators to group MUs even when they are not members of the same network
segment.
The AP-5131 assignment of VLANs can be implemented using Static or Dynamic assignments (often
referred to as memberships) for individual WLANs. Both methods have their advantages and
disadvantages. Static VLAN membership is perhaps the most widely used method because of the
relatively small administration overhead and security it provides. With Static VLANs, you manually
assign individual WLANs to individual VLANs.
Although static VLANs are the most common form of VLAN assignments, dynamic VLAN assignment
is possible per WLAN. Configuring dynamic VLANs entail the AP-5131 sending a DHCP request for
device information (such as an IP address). Additional information (such as device MAC address
information) is sent to the AP-5131. The AP-5131 sends this MAC address to a host housing a copy
of the Dynamic VLAN database. This database houses the records of MAC addresses and VLAN
assignments. The VLAN database looks up the MAC to determine what VLAN is assigned to it. If it is
not in the database, it simply uses a default VLAN assignment. The VLAN assignment is sent to the
AP-5131. The AP-5131 then maps the target WLAN for the assigned VLAN and traffic passes
normally, allowing for the completion of the DHCP request and further traffic.
To create new VLANs or edit the properties of an existing VLAN:
1. Select Network Configuration -> LAN from the AP-5131 menu tree.
2. Ensure the Enable 802.1q Trunking button is selected from within the LAN Setting field.
Trunk links are required to pass VLAN information between destinations. A trunk port is by
default a member of all the VLANs existing on the AP-5131 and carry traffic for all those
VLANs. Trunking is a function that must be enabled on both sides of a link.
3. Select the VLAN Name button.