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  • #2262649

    How does a Wireless LA N controller operate

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    by oceans.89 ·

    Hi,
    I’m doing a study of how a WLC operates, as so far I havent been able to find much information on how it works. This is what I’ve got.

    The role of the WLC is to be able to centrally manage Managed APs (MAPs). But how does it manage them?

    Using the Cisco 4402 as an example, it only has 2 uplink slots, so what I conclude is that the WLC has a cabled connection to 2 of the MAPs, then it uses that 2 MAPs to find other MAPs wirelessly, as long as they are in range, then propagates the configuration information through the 2 MAPs to others wirelessly.

    Is this the case?

    Secondly, if that is how it works. Lets say I have MAPs which are out of range for the MAP which is cabled to the WLC to detect but in range for other non cabled MAPs to detect.

    Will the WLC be able to use the cabled MAP, detect and use the nearest MAP able to detect the out of range MAP, and then use the nearest MAP to reach and configure the Out of range MAP?

    Also if you would be able to point me in a direction where I would be able to read up more on this would be helpful also.

    Thank you,
    Vincent
    CCNA

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    • #2505548

      Clarifications

      by oceans.89 ·

      In reply to How does a Wireless LA N controller operate

      Clarifications

    • #2492810

      Closed but not true

      by larellan ·

      In reply to How does a Wireless LA N controller operate

      Actually the new Cisco WLC (formely airspace wireless switch)use a L2 or L3 protocol named LWAPP (light weight access point protocol) this protocolo enables a secure communication between the controller and the LAPS (light weight access points, basically the way they work is , you connect a controller 4402 o 4404 to your LAN network using 1 or more SFP ports (either fiber or copper) you can use all the WLC ports with LAG (similar to etherchannel in switching)and in the other end you need to plug a LAP in your LAN also so that it can send a beacon in the network so that the WLC can find it and configures it, so the WLC can not find APs thru RF signal only thru LAN connection ,BUT it can finds rogue APs thru RF signals after you have LAPS already working in your WLAN.

      So these unified solution as cisco likes to call it, is soooo sweet since you are able to manage large amounts of ?Ps from 1 centralized console, and you just only need to plug LAPS in your network and the WLC will do the rest, its not the same configuring and updating autonomous APs 1 by 1 than do it simuntainusly from the same console.

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